Annual vinca or periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), aka Madagascar vincas, is a summer flowering annual popular in Southern and Midwest gardens (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Before setting out spring transplants, wait until soils have warmed up and all threats of frost have passed. The arrival of summer heat and humidity is when vincas bloom heaviest. Vincas […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Hardy Begonias
Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China, Japan, and Malaysia. It is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From summer into early fall, hardy begonia displays loose arching clusters of bright pink fragrant blooms. It is monoecious, e.g. both male and female flowers are […]
Princess Flower (Tibouchina)
Princess Flower, aka glory bush (Tibouchina urvilleana) and the lesser-known T. grandifolia are evergreen tropical shrubs and small trees native to Brazil (zones 9-11). In zone 8 plants often dieback to the ground in winter and come back if winter temps remain above freezing. In the U.S. tibouchinas are primarily treated as garden annuals in […]
Tall Sedums In Your Garden
Sedums are clumping, perennial succulents in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) and are mostly native to China and Korea. Depending on variety, plants discussed in this blog are tall-growing mound forms that grow 1 to 2 feet high and wide. Botanical nomenclature has changed and is a bit confusing. Sedum genus, now Hylotelephium, contains many of the […]
Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is an upright, broad-rounded, suckering, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub. In the wild oakleafs may grow 20 feet tall, but popular landscape cultivars typically grow 4-8 feet) tall. It is a wonderful shrub with multi-season interest. This Southeastern U.S. native shrub tolerates hot, humid weather and is not as winter hardy as some […]
Fountain Grass
Fountain grasses (P. alopecuroides) are perennial warm season grasses that are native to meadows and open woods of Eastern Asia (mainly China and Japan) and Western Australia. Cultivars hardiness ranges from zone 4 (5) – 10. These ornamental grasses have finely textured deep green foliage and elegant form. Leaves and flower spikes sway in the breeze, […]
Clematis Care Notes
Clematis are popular flowering vines that come in various species and varieties, some of which are U.S. natives. They can be woody, deciduous vines or shrubs, and bloom in different seasons. Clematis vines produce spectacular flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. Many clematis are vigorous growers and can reach 18 -20 feet tall. […]
2025 Hosta OF The Year: ‘Skywriter’
Hosta ‘Skywriter’ has been selected as the 2025 Hosta of the Year. by the American Hosta Growers Association. ‘Skywriter’ is a blue hosta with a semi-upright habit that shows off the white undersides of the leaves and the purple stems (scapes). (USDA Hardiness Zones 3 -8). It is a medium-sized hosta, that grows approximately 18 inches […]
2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered Mountainmint
Clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), aka “blunt mountain mint” or “short-toothed mountain mint”, is a tough and adaptable perennial native to meadows and open woodlands across much of the eastern U.S. west to Texas. (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 8) (AHS Heat Zones 4 -10). It is not a true mint (Mentha spp.) but belongs to […]
Container Design – List Of Spillers
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 […]