What Grows There :: Hugh Conlon, Horticulturalist, Garden Advisor, and Photographer

Hosta Garden Companions

Posted by Hugh on August 7th, 2024

Consider planting a colorful array of low shrubs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and spring bulbs with hostas. Additions must prefer partial sun to shade and moderate moist soil. Choose varieties with brightly colored foliage, structure, size, texture and color for contrast. Avoid aggressive vegetative companions.

Hosta companions can include anemone, assorted ferns, astilbe, lenten roses (Helleborus), false Solomon seas (Polygonatum), toadlilies (Tricyrtis), bellworts (Uvularia), violets (Viola), and sedges (Carex). Most perennials and hostas all thrive in cool, shady, moist environs. (USDA hardiness zones 4-9).

Barronwort (Epimedium) – delicate four-petaled flowers emerge in early spring, followed by small heart- or lance-shaped leaves. Patterned or tinted foliage remains evergreen in milder climates. Mass as a ground cover in challenging deep shade sites as an understory plant alongside hostas.

Variegated Solomon seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’) grows 1-3 feet tall with leaves painted with white edges. The white flowers have a sweet fragrance reminiscent of lilies. P. humile is a dwarf form, 6-9 inches tall and has relatively large flowers for its size.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) – low groundcover that forms a beautiful vegetative carpet between your hostas. Its purple-blue blooms stand out above the foliage, Select cultivars ‘Chocolate Chip’, ‘Burgundy Glow’, ‘Black Scallop’, among others.

Cranesbill (Geranium spp.) – wide variety of flowering ground covers, mostl blooming in spring into early summer. Among the best: G. x cantabrigiense ‘Biokova’, Bigroot cranesbills (G. macrorrhizum), ‘Boom Chocolatta’ (G. x pratense)

Hakone Grass, Japanese forest grass (Hakonenchloa macra) – thrives in partial to near full shade with gold (‘All Gold’) and gold striped (‘Aureola’) foliage among other variegated forms; graceful arching habit and fine texture contrasts beautifully with the bold foliage and mounding shape of hostas.

Ferns (three popular shade ferns) Japanese painted fern (Athryium pictum ‘Nippon’), Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) are excellent choices planted alongside shade loving hosta varieties.

Siberian bugloss or brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) – a shade loving clump-growing perennial ground cover with spring blue forget-me-not like flowers; wonderful, variegated shade foliage that excels in zones 5-7 and hates summer heat and drought. ‘Jack Frost’, Jack of Diamonds’, many others. (zones 3-8)

Foamflower (Tiarella cordata) – an excellent ground cover in heavy shaded areas; its airy white flowers attract early pollinators. Top performing varieties are ‘Spring Symphony’ and ‘Brandywine’, among others.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) – bell-shaped flowers occur in early to mid-spring in shades of blue, pink, red or white. The lance-shaped deciduous foliage can be green, silver, white or spotted

Pigsqueak (Bergenia crassifolia) – a lovely 2-3 feet ground cover in shady areas; slow-growing and moderately drought tolerant; evergreen in temperate parts of U.S.

Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)- a hardy perennial ground cover with green, gold or variegated heart-shaped foliage and tubular flowers in colors of white, pink or lavender.

‘Sun King’ Golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’), aka Japanese spikenard – a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial grows rapidly to 3-5 feet tall and wide and golden compound foliage. Small clusters of tiny white raceme flowers shoot up 2 feet tall in summer and lustrous purplish-black berries follow.

More favorites? Chinese astilbe **(Astilbe chinensis), Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos (Dicentra) spectabilis), Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.), Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), and Assorted Ferns. Also plant pansies in the fall**.

Celebrate Three New Summerific® Hibiscus Varieties

Posted by Hugh on July 31st, 2024

Summerific® is a trademarked series of Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) from Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan. It is a native perennial hibiscus that emerges from the soil in late spring and grows rapidly. Both their huge flowers and foliage are natural focal points in the summer garden. This long-lived perennial can be utilized as a low floriferous landscape hedge or as a thriller in containers. Their showy flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. (USDA hardiness zones 4-9).

Summerific® ‘All Eyes On Me’ (Photo by Walters Gardens)

Plants prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. At least 5 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. Like other dark-leaved cultivars, full sun is necessary to bring out the deepest tints of foliage color. Hibiscus shrubs are not picky about the soil quality as long as excess water is allowed to drain away. Of key importance is to irrigate deeply during seasonal dry spells. Plant grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Fertilize perennial hibiscus with a slow-release fertilizer after the first round of flowers fade, and a second feeding in mid-summer. You can also opt to feed plants using a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks until late August.

Plant perennial hibiscus in the garden before the heat of summer arrives; heavily mulched plants the first winter. In spring, cut back any remaining stems before new growth appears. Do not trim back stems in fall. Cut plants back near the ground with a lopper pruner or a saw in early spring.

Perennial hibiscus is one of the last perennials to emerge in spring, but its vigorous growth rate more than makes up for its late start. Be aware that Japanese beetles find these plants especially delicious for a short time in late spring and should be treated accordingly. Perennial hibiscus are also deer resistant.

Remove spent flowers to keep plant(s) tidy; deadheading blooms does not enhance re-blooming. In areas with cold winter temperatures, spread a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of hibiscus plants in the fall.

Three New Selections

Summerific® All Eyes on Me produces blush pink flowers that measure a staggering 8-inches wide with crepe paper petals and with a dark magenta eye; well-rounded shrub with dark green leaves. Plant Height: 3.5 feet tall and wide.

Summerific® ‘Holy Grail’ hibiscus (photo by Walters Gardens)

Summerific® Holy Grail has very dark, near black foliage that coordinates beautifully with the very large, 8-9-inch-wide deep red flowers. Plant Height: 4 to 5 feet tall (4.5 – 5.0 feet wide).

Summerific® Cookies and Cream is a night and day combination of matte black foliage and pure white flowers. Plant Height: 2.5 to 3 feet tall (3.5 to 4 feet wide). It grows exceptionally compact with sturdy stems. White, slightly cupped, 6-7-inch-wide flowers are borne from top to bottom of stems; cultivar blooms earlier and longer compared to standard varieties.

Summerific® ‘Cookies and Cream’ Hibiscus (Photo by Walters Gardens)

Summerific® Hibiscus Promotion is scheduled the first week of August each year.

Mimosa Tree – A Different Option

Posted by Hugh on July 20th, 2024

Over the hot spring and summer months, weedy Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) stand beautiful along U.S roadsides. During the rest of the year, people pay very little attention to this arboreal Asian beauty that inhabit a vast area from Iran to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). YES, this tree can be invasive. Read on.

*Albizia julibrissin* – flowers and foliage

From late spring through summer, mimosa struts an attractive fine textured green foliage and lovely flowering. It leaves out as late as mid-May in its northern range. Wild seedlings produce pale pink to dark pink feathery blooms from late June thru July. The showy fragrant flowers attract numerous bees and hummingbirds. Fall leaf color is insignificant.

Mimosa grows 20-25 feet tall of equal and broader widths. Under cultivation, it may achieve 35-40 feet high. It is at its best in full sun and in any adequately drained soil. It copes with subpar sites and often overpowering an abandoned urban lot or a roadside fencerow. Two most popular cultivars are:

‘Summer Chocolate’ exhibits fern-like dark purple foliage. Leaves start off green and turn fern-like dark purple. Cultivar grows 20 feet tall and wide, about half the size of the wild green seedling tree. (USDA zones 6-10).

Chocolate Fountain™ is a recently released weeping purple leaf cultivar from Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University. Deep purple, fern-like foliage graces the pendulous, weeping habit, enhanced by delicate pink flowers in summer. It grows 15-20 feet high/ 15 feet wide; cultivar is an ornate option planted in a patio container. (zones 6-10).

‘Summer Chocolate’ at Dallas Arboretum (late summer)

Mimosa tree tends to be short-lived, around 15- 20 years. Trees tend to colonize, depositing loads of seeds that beget lots of seedlings that take flight from miles away. Mimosa tree tends to improve soil tilth and nutrition.

Late winter thru early summer (February-July) is the ideal planting time. Prune out unwanted and dead branches in any season. Over the first two years, water deeply during extreme heat and dry spells. Fertilizing a mimosa tree is unnecessary as roots manufacture its own nitrogen.

Let me emphasize that bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to mimosa’s flowers. The fruits are flattened legumes and contain 5 to 16 seeds. Feathery flowers appear in June and seed pods typically mature in August or September. Seeds are widely dispersed by wind, water, or animals. The seeds contain a neurotoxin that, when ingested, can be toxic to livestock and dogs.

Groundcover Sedums In Containers

Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2024

Low creeping sedums (stonecrops) are super nice groundcover plants. Consider planting stonecrops in border fronts, on moderate slopes, containers and rock gardens. Plant in the partial to full sun, although many species grow well in light shade. The site should have good soil drainage. Sedums are also planted on “green roof” and “green wall” systems. I utilize groundcover sedums as niche plants and fill containers in sunny spots that need a splash of color.

Butterflies and bees come to visit their flowers in summer. These non-patented sedums are easy to propagate by cuttings in summer or dividing in spring or fall. Watch for slugs, scale, mealybugs, and aphids and spray accordingly. Rotting out of roots is possible in wet and/or poorly drained sites. Deer and rabbits generally snub sedums. In spring pinch back plants to force plants to grow thicker and bushier.

Sedum Collection planted in old wheelbarrow

These 6 sedum species are both dependable and ask for little maintenance… just a little hand weeding and liquid feeding with Miracle-Gro™ every 4-6 weeks. Some grow aggressively while others slow and steady.

‘Bertram Anderson’ – this slow-growing, ground-hugging sedum (4-6 inches high x 12-18 inches wide) forms a low carpet of small, burgundy-black leaves, spreading to form a small patch. Clusters of purple-red star flowers appear in late summer. It is well suited to the rock garden, or for edging, also a good choice for tubs and mixed containers. Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit in 1996. (Zones 3-9).

Russian stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum variegatum) forms a low mound of attractive green and cream-splashed leaves. Clusters of orange-yellow star flowers appear in summer. Deciduous; trim stems and dead flower heads back in early spring. A white-edged variegated form is steadfast and rarely reverts to green edged. Foliage colors are more intense and flowering more prolific in sunny areas. (Zones 3-9).

Angelina sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) is loved for striking spiky yellow leaves that turn an attractive red-orange color when the cool weather arrives in the fall. This 4-inch-tall mat-forming sedum spreads rapidly. Fallen leaves tend to propagate freely. (Zones 5-8).

Sedum ‘Vera Jameson’ is a clump-forming 9-12-inch-tall sedum that features masses of tiny, star-like, dusky pink flowers in large, 4-inch across, flattened heads (cymes) and round purplish leaves growing in somewhat sprawling clumps. Stems and leaves start out bluish-green, and turn a rich, deep reddish-purple. (Zones 3-9).

Caucasian Stonecrop (Phedimus spurius ‘Dragon’s Blood’) is a highly popular sedum with deep purple (burgundy) foliage that turns entirely red by fall. Its pinkish-purple flowers bloom from midsummer into autumn. In spring plants arise from dormancy with green leaves and red flowers to follow. This 4-6 inch tall sedum spreads to 24 inches in a few years. (Zones 3-9).

John Creech Caucasian Stonecrop (Phedimus spurius ‘John Creech’) has medium green edged with reddish-tinged margins. Lower stem leaves are deciduous, and newer leaves near the stem tips are evergreen, typically turning deep burgundy in fall for overwintering. Leaves are arranged in two rows along the stems.

*Phedimus spurium* ‘John Creech’ in bloom

Fill container with a well-draining substrate such as a mix of 3 parts gardening soil, 3 parts coarse sand, and 1 part perlite. lastly, add a very thin layer of vermiculite or sphagnum peat moss to improve soil water holding capacity. Containers also should have multiple bottom holes for adequate drainage. Irrigation pots and garden collection beds during prolonged dry period lasting 10 days or more. After flowering trim off spent blooms; some sedums will repeat bloom if kept deadheaded.

Some Summer Perennials Reach New Heights

Posted by Hugh on July 7th, 2024

Celebrate this 4th of July with three giant flowering perennials: Giant coneflower, Joe Pye weed and Queen Of The Prairie Filpendula.

Giant / Large coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) is an herbaceous perennial that is grows in average, moist, well-drained soils in mostly full-day sun (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Also called “Dumbo’s Ears”, it tolerates light shade, heat, some drought, and a wide range of soils. It can be grown from seed, but under ideal growing conditions, it will self-seed. It also propagates itself through rhizomes. Plant it in along a border, in a cutting, pollinator, or cottage garden or in a meadow or naturalized area.

Tall flower stalks rise to 5-7 feet (3-4 feet wide), bearing bright yellow-rayed 3-inch-wide flowers with drooping ray petals and each with a 2 to 6-inch dark brown central cone. Flowers attract butterflies. After blooms go to seed, do not cutoff the flowers stalks. Instead, allow goldfinches and other small birds to feed on the seedheads. According to the NC Extension, large coneflower serves as a food source for the larvae of the Wavy-lined Emerald butterfly.

Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium dubium) is a tall and wide native perennial that blooms in gardens where space is not an issue. (USDA hardiness zones 3-10). Joe Pye wild seedlings grow 8-10 feet, especially if soil moisture is plentiful. Floral heads age from purple, pink, and red petals. Blooms are pollinator magnets and are an important nectar source for Monarchs and other butterflies.

Joe Pye is a tough-as-nails perennial that will quickly spring up in late spring garden. In late summer, this tall perennial flower produces waves of nectar-rich pink blossoms that butterflies and other pollinators love. Horticultural varieties grow more compact such as E. maculatum ‘Gateway’, E. dubium ‘Little Joe’, and E. dubium ‘Baby Joe’.

Queen Of The Prairie at Kingwood Center, Mansfield, Ohio

Queen Of The Prairie (Filipendula rubra) is a U.S. native perennial that is valued for both its bold foliage and mid-summer flowers. It prefers calcareous soils in several swampy meadows. It is a very tall, typically grows 6-8 feet high with upright, clump-forming branches. Terminal, astilbe-like, 6-9 inches wide panicles of tiny, fragrant, pale pink flowers are a glorious sight in early to mid-summer meadow garden. Deeply cut, compound-pinnate, bright green leaves have 7-9 lance-shaped leaflets, each with an unusually large, 7-9 lobed, terminal leaflet (4-8″ long). Leaves are fragrant.

Maintenance of these giants: All 3 appreciate part shade in hot southerly climes. Foliage may scorch in full sun if soils are allowed to dry out. Propagate by dividing clumps in spring. Freely self-seeds and can form large colonies in optimum growing conditions. Usually, foliage declines and cut back hard to promote new growth and avoid seedlings in next season’s garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fairly trouble-free perennials including moderately deer resistant. Snails and slugs can injure young plants. Powdery mildew may be troublesome for a short time, but healthy plants usually recover.

‘Sun King’ Aralia Glows In the Summer Heat

Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2024

Plants with golden foliage can brighten up almost any drab garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. It is also known as Japanese spikenard and mountain asparagus. Under ideal conditions this thornless, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial grows rapidly to 3-5 feet tall and as wide in a single season.

The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. Growth rate is rapid and dies back to the ground in late autumn. In mid-summer numerous small clusters of tiny white flowers shoot up, borne on 2 feet tall racemes. Lustrous purplish-black berries follow in the fall.

Sun King makes a bold almost tropical statement in a semi-shade garden. Grow it in a compost-rich moist soil and in ½-day sunlight (morning hours preferred). The foliage will retain the golden color if given at least 2-3 hours of sun each day. More shade will result in lime-green or chartreuse foliage; 4 or more hours will likely burn the foliage. In Southern USDA zones 8 and 9, grow only in dappled sunlight to avoid leaf burn. Golden aralia should be mulched and watered over dry spells lasting 10 or more days.

Summer seed heads develop (Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA)

Sun King aralia mixes well in large containers planted with green and other brightly colored foliage plants. It combines with the following perennials: coral bells (Heuchera spp.), and astilbes. Golden aralia is deer resistant. Tiny white flowers in early summer attract numerous honeybees. After a few years plant may colonize from its own germinated seedlings.

No pruning is necessary as golden aralia usually dies back to the ground in cold winter. Dead stems and plant debris can be removed once new spring growth emerges.

No serious insect or disease problems trouble this reliable perennial. Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, slugs and snails are occasional pests. Leaf spots may be a problem under overhead irrigation.

‘Sun King’ golden aralia was selected the 2020 Perennial Plant of The Year by the Perennial Plant Association. It is an excellent complement to hostas and woodland perennials.

‘Sun King’ golden aralia is not easily found in garden center commerce. However, several online nursery companies do list it

Bletilla – Hardy Garden Orchid

Posted by Hugh on June 26th, 2024

Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata), aka “Hardy Garden Orchid”, is a terrestrial orchid which produces small, cattleya-like, downward-facing purple flowers. It is indigenous to moist grassy slopes of central China and southern Japan.

Ground orchids produce attractive foliage and showy flowers, that bloom from mid-spring and early summer. The flowering racemes stand approximately 12-18 inches high atop naked scapes (stems). Foliage dies to the ground at the start of winter. White to purple flowers emerge in spring into early summer. Ground Orchids are not classified as invasive. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9).

Bletilla’s corm-like pseudo-bulbs usually sit at ground level and serve as nutrient storage for overwintering. Each pseudobulb typically produces 3-5, linear, pleated, forms clumps of pleated, pale green, sword-shaped, pale green leaves (to 12 inches long).

Ground Orchids are best grown in organic-rich, medium moist, well-drained soil and in partial shade or early morning sunlight. In southerly zones 6 -9 summers, plants belong in afternoon shade. Plant pseudobulbs 4 inches deep in spring. After flowering, continue to irrigate plants during the growing season. Plants will naturalize over time under ideal growing conditions.

Clumps are not reliably winter hardy in northerly climes (north of USDA Zone 5). Instead, grow Ground Orchids in containers. Dig up garden clumps in late autumn plus container plants and store them in a dry frost-free location for re-planting next spring. Plus, continue to provide moderate moisture to plants for the remainder of the growing season. Propagate by dividing pseudo-bulbs in the fall.

Ground Orchid should be fertilized in early spring at a low rate. No serious insect or disease problems trouble this plant. Slugs and snails are occasional pests. Uneasy about winter hardiness in your area? — pile 2-3 inches of loosely packed leaves over bletillas to protect from cold injury.

Red Hot Pokers /Exceptional Summer Performers

Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2024

‘Gold Rush’ (photo from Walters Gardens)

Red-hot Pokers (Kniphofia spp.) are easy to grow long-lived perennials from South Africa. (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). They go by a number of common names including torch lilies and tritoma. Colorful floral spikes (with a little imagination) resemble sizzling pokers or fiery torches, visited often by hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

Modern day cultivars are mostly hybrids and vary in plant height and flower color. One or more floral spikes arise 1.5 to 4 feet in height, depending on cultivar. Color choices include off-whites, yellows, oranges, reds, and blends of two or more tints. From late May thru October additional re-blooming occasionally follows if the spent flower scapes are rapidly deadheaded and clump(s) are irrigated.

Red-hot Poker excels when planted in average well-drained soil. Full to partial (6 hours minimum) sunlight is ideal. Most, but not all, cultivars are cold hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6b-7a). Newer cultivars demonstrate improved cold hardiness. The sharp-edged grass-like foliage appears mostly evergreen and may be ravaged by rough winters. Prune back the old pokers to 3-4 inches above the soil line in late winter for a fresh re-start.

Many modern varieties are bred to grow shorter (under 20 inches) compared to the species, K. uvaria, which grows 3 feet and higher. Terra Nova Nurseries, an Oregon wholesale nursery, sells two series of dwarf red-hot pokers, bred for the both the container and garden market. The Poco® series has 5 color variations and the Popsicle® series comes in 6 hues. Late blooming ‘Fire Glow’ is a lovely 14-inch dwarf cultivar with large bi-color orange and red flower spikes. The Echo® Series, offered by Itsaul Nursery in Atlanta Georgia, grow 30-48 inches high, depending on cultivar. Echo Duo (reddish-orange), Echo Mango (apricot), and Echo Rojo (orange-creme) are popular choices.

‘Lady Luck’ Red-Hot Poker (photo from Walters Gardens)

The August 2024 issue of Fine Gardening magazine the Chicago Botanical Garden lists Red Hot Poker Test Results. Dr. Richard Hawke has been evaluating 28 red-hot poker varieties since 2020. The varieties that earned highest ratings include: K. ‘Gold Rush’ (48” yellow), K. ‘Joker’s Wild’ (36” deep orange), K. ‘Lady Luck’ (52” green, chartreuse), K. ‘Orange Blush’ (28” bright orange), K. ‘Rocket’s Red Glare’ (39” red, open yellow), K. ‘Sunset’ 27”, red-orange, open orange).

A 2-year and older plant clump is both heat and drought tolerant. Every 3-4 years, rhizomes should be dug and divided either in early fall or late winter. Red-hot pokers have few serious disease and insect issues. Root rot may become a significant problem if soil is poorly drained.

‘Joker’s Wild’ Red-Hot Poker (photo from Walters Gardens)

Perennial Salvias Getting Better

Posted by Hugh on June 14th, 2024

Perennial salvias (Salvia × sylvestris) represent a number of hybrid crosses between S. nemorosa and S. pratensis but may include S. × alpestris, S. × asperula, S. × collina, and S. × superba. Most cultivars are branched, upright, clump-forming, perennials with opposite, oblong to lanceolate, medium green leaves and showy spikes of tiny, tubular, two-lipped flowers (each to 1/2” long). Flower color choices range from blue to lavender to purple, depending on cultivars. Most S. nemorosa and hybrids are hardy in USDA Zones 3-8.

Perennial salvias bloom from late spring to early summer, but sporadic additional bloom may continue to appear throughout much of the remaining summer. Flowers rise well-above the basal leaves on square stems to as much as 30” tall. Following initial spring bloom, plants will rebloom much of the remaining summer.
Cultivars:

S. nemorosa ‘May Night’ (Mainacht) produces dense spikes of deep violet purple flowers over a long period of spring and summer if the old spent flowers are clipped off. Plant grows 18-24” high x 15-18” wide. Chosen Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year (1997).

S. nemorosa ‘Pink Profusion’ bears darker pink calyxes on an almost perfect dense plant habit (14-16” high x 16-20” wide).

S. nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ produces violet blue floral spikes and has an upright plant habit (24-30” high x 15” wide.

S. nemorosa ‘East Friesland’ – a compact form with a long bloom period, purple stems and dense violet-purple flowers that rise above aromatic foliage to 18” high from late spring to early summer.

Salvia ‘East Friesland’ -deadhead to force continuous blooming through spring and summer

S. nemorosa ‘April Night’ blooms a month earlier than the iconic Salvia ‘May Night’; plant blooms on thick stronger stems.

S. hybrida ‘Blue By You’ has beautiful Salvia with excellent winter hardiness and summer heat tolerance. Sterile hybrid for longer floral shelf life; blooms up to 2 weeks earlier than other varieties. (S. nemorosa x S. pratensis) (zones 4b-9a). All-America Selections Winner 2023.

General Care: Perennial salvias grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants excel in moist, humus-rich soils with good drainage. Plants repeat bloom throughout the summer, but regular moisture is essential for reblooming. Liquid fertilizer 4-6 weeks until late August with Miracle-Gro™ or similar product. Salvias are moderately drought tolerant. Plants excel where summer night temperatures are cool (north of USDA Zone 7). In hot climes, plants become somewhat floppy and open up. Some hybrid salvias are sterile; few come true from seed.

Garden Performance: Attract Bees, Deer Resistant, Attracts Hummingbirds, Heat Tolerant, Frost Tolerant.

Indian Pinks

Posted by Hugh on June 7th, 2024

Indian Pinks (Spigelia marilandica) is a strikingly beautiful native wildflower throughout central and southeastern U.S. It is sometimes called “woodland pinkroot”. This perennial grows well in many parts of the U.S. (Zones (5b-9). Plants emerge in mid-spring. Sometime in June, depending on locality, their bright red tubular flowers flare open, crowned by five sharply pointed pale yellow reflexed lobes. By the 4^th of July flowers will provide floral fireworks in your garden.

Indian pinks prosper around a rich moist open woodlands or shade garden. They grow equally well in mixed containers. Plant in a well-drained, mildly acidic soil that is generously amended with compost or humus. A partially sunny site in full morning to dappled sunlight is ideal. Irrigate plantings during summer dry periods and avoid wet soggy soils.

In older plantings vigorous plants will grow 2 – 2.5 feet tall. Leaves are arranged opposite on the stem, attached directly to the main stem (no petioles), as well as an entire (toothless) margin. Plants stand erect and are rarely branched.

New plantings of Indian pink often start off slowly, taking 2-3 years to reach maximum flowering. Create a dazzling display by setting five or more plants en masse. Over the years in good humus-rich soil, Indian pinks often naturalize and look stunning. Flowering time may be extended over several months by swift removal of the old spent flowers (deadheading).

The brightly colored flowers attract numerous pollinating insects and provides food for hummingbirds. No disease and pest problems cause Indian pink any troubles.

The popularity of Indian pinks continues to increase. In recent years, the U.S. native plant industry have been adding new clones of Indian pinks to their catalogs and many more garden centers, not box stores, are selling them. Tissue culture labs are also producing them. Relatively new in stores is a vegetatively propagated clone ‘Little Redhead’ which demonstrates high vigor and plant uniformity. (24-28 inches high and 20-24 inches wide).

Another Indian Pinks selection, ‘Ragin Cajin’, has orange red flowers on a rounded plant form (20-24 inches high and wide). This selection from Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh is highly floriferous and performs well in either sun or shade. (20-24 inches high and wide).

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More favorites? Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis), Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos (Dicentra) spectabilis), Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.), Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), and Assorted Ferns. Also plant pansies in the fall.

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More favorites? Chinese astilbe **(Astilbe chinensis), Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos (Dicentra) spectabilis), Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.), Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), and Assorted Ferns. Also plant pansies in the fall**.