Spiller plants are species that trail over the edge of the pot with a cascading growth habit. Combined with erect-growing “thriller” plants as the focal point in container gardens, spillers bring texture, color, and visual interest to the rest of the pot. Trailing plants provide a “full look”, draping over edges of hanging baskets and […]
Archive for the ‘Container garden’ Category
Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)
Three leaved Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), aka mountain stonecrop, whorled stonecrop), is a small, spreading, Eastern U.S. perennial (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 8). In its natural habitat, this native sedum is found in damp sites along stream banks, bluff bases and stony ledges. Stonecrops are in the Crassulaceae family. Mountain stonecrop grows 2-6 inches high […]
Toad Lilies Shine In The Autumn Garden
Toad lilies (Tricyrtis spp.) are late season flowering perennials in the shade garden. Most summer perennials have finished blooming as their flower buds are just forming. They’re native to moist woodsy environs of eastern Asia and are botanical members of the lily (Liliaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). When properly sited, toad lilies are long-lived […]
Summer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Oakleaf hydrangea is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Oakleaf hydrangea should be planted in a sheltered location and winter protection (e.g., mulch, burlap wrap) in northerly areas USDA Zone 5, particularly when not fully established. Oakleaf grows in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in sun […]
Mimosa Tree – A Different Option
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. From […]
Groundcover Sedums In Containers
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 […]
‘Sun King’ Aralia Glows In the Summer Heat
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 […]
Red Hot Pokers /Exceptional Summer Performers
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 […]
Perennial Salvias Getting Better
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 […]
Mini-Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a U.S. native and it offers four seasons of landscape beauty. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Typically, oakleafs grow 10-12 feet tall deciduous shrubs that are broad-rounded, suckering, and multi-stemmed. In the wild, if left unpruned, shrubs reach over 20 feet in height and spread. I have selected five compact growers […]