Morning glory vines (Ipomoea tricolor) add a dash of old fashion charm to today’s gardens. YES! these aggressive vines demand a high degree of attention. Their funnel or tubular-shaped flowers open in the morning and close late in the afternoon. In a single growing season, vines may grow 6 to 12 feet and more (depending on variety). Morning […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Ligularias For Moist Sites
Ligularias (ligs) are big leafy perennials whose roots must be kept constantly moist so that plants don’t wilt or “faint”. An established plant may tolerate several days in dry soil, yet the droopy foliage will recover from the water loss each night. Several species are tropical (under the genus Farfugium). Bigleaf ligs (L. dentata) and narrow-spiked ligularias (L. stenocephala), […]
Favorites Among The Rose Of Sharon (Althea) Shrubs
Rose of Sharon, aka shrub althea, (Hibiscus syriacus) is a woody hibiscus shrub that is hardy in temperate northern areas of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). This summer flowering shrub is exceptionally easy to grow. At one time, it was a great pass-along shrub that fell out of favor. However, old fashioned varieties frequently reseeded […]
Growing Castor Bean Plant
Over the years castor bean (Ricinus communis) plants have been a common sight in public gardens. These tall ornamental annuals are cherished for both their colorful flowers and seed capsules, and bold foliage. The species, a botanical member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean region, Eastern Africa, and India. Unlike many spurges, the […]
Native Plumleaf Azalea Blooms In Late July
Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) is a native deciduous azalea that grows in the Chattahoochee River Valley on the Georgia-Alabama line (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). It is one of the signature plants of Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Their bright orange-red flowers surprise in late July into early Augusta and blooms may last for 2 weeks or […]
Very Rare Chinese Emmenopterys Tree
Chinese Emmenopterys (Emmenopterys henryi) is rare in the wilds of China, and may be even rarer in cultivation (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Discovered in 1907 by renowned botanist and plant hunter, Ernest H Wilson. He described it as: “…one of the most strikingly beautiful trees of Chinese forests.” It should grow 30 + feet tall, […]
New Angelface Angelonias Produce Larger Flowers
Angelonias, aka summer snapdragons, (Angelonia angustifolia) hail from Mexico. Angelonias are top performing summer flowering annuals (USDA zones 9 -11). The AngelFace® series were recently developed by Proven Winners (PW). Plants are covered with snapdragon-like blooms up and down the floral stems, 18-24 inches high and 12-18 inches wide. Angelface series boast slightly larger green leaves and bigger blooms than […]
Colorful ‘Sugar Tip’ Althea ( Rose Of Sharon)
Rose of Sharon or shrub althea (Hibiscus syriacus) is a vigorous, upright, multi-branched, deciduous shrub that generally grows 8-12 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Althea is native from eastern to central Asia (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Sugar Tip® is a patented variety that features variegated creamy-white and blue-green foliage and soft pink double flowers. Leaf […]
Fill Summer Flower Beds With Annual Rudbeckias
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a native wildflower. Annual or biennial forms are also called gloriosa daisy and brown-eyed Susan. In recent years public urban gardens are growing annual types. From summer into early autumn, brown-eyed Susans produce showy daisy-like blossoms up to 3-inches across with light or deep yellow rays and brownish-purple centers (“buttons”). Their cut flowers will decorate households. This coarse weedy […]
Heat Loving Annuals For Containers
Not all annuals grow well in containers. An aggressively growing annual may not be a suitable companion plant in containers. Small containers dry out quickly. Large containers, a minimum of 16 inches across, should be your beginner size. For an eye-catching container garden, utilize plants that require the same care but differ in colors, heights, […]