Crocosmias are bulbous summer blooming flowering perennials that are closely related to gladiolas, also called montbretia and sword lilies. They’re actually corms, not bulbs, and are indigenous to South Africa (USDA hardiness zones 5b to 9). Crocosmias enjoy lots of sun, soil moisture, and hot temps to produce flowers. Plants prefer nutrient-rich, slightly acidic, moist, […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
Grow Crocosmias In Your Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on June 6th, 2019
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Container garden, Corms, Crocosmia (Montbretia), Disease resistant, Flower Arranging, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Grow Crocosmias In Your Summer GardenArborvitae Fern
Posted by Hugh on June 1st, 2019
Arborvitae fern (Selaginella braunii) is native to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). It is not a fern at all, but a Lycopod or “club moss”, a descendant of ancient spore-producing plants which date back to the Carboniferous and Permian Ages. Its small club shaped cones give it the plant moniker – ”club moss”. Arborvitae fern is a slowly creeping […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae fern (Selaginella), Container garden, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Ferns, Fertilizing plants, Garden paths, Ground cover, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Arborvitae FernSacred Lily (Rohdea)
Posted by Hugh on May 21st, 2019
Sacred lily (Rohdea japonica), aka nippon lilies, are native to Japan and China. Rohdeas are truly collector’s plants (USDA hardiness zones 6-10). In the Orient these lovely shade perennials are highly revered. In traditional Japanese horticulture, sacred lilies (known as o moto) came to be associated with long life and good fortune. Containers are planted […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Sacred Lily (Rohdea), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Sacred Lily (Rohdea)Black Mondo Grass
Posted by Hugh on May 11th, 2019
Black mondo grass or black lilyturf (Ophiopogon planiscapus) is sold as a number of cultivars – ‘Arabicus’, ‘Black Dragon’, ‘Nigrescens’, or ‘Ebony Knight’. This stoloniferous grass-like perennial belongs to the lily family (Liliaceae) (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). Its blackish-purple foliage (3/16 inch wide leaf blades) forms lush arching clumps. For the patient gardener, know that […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Cold tolerance, Container garden, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mondo grass (Ophiopogon), mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Black Mondo GrassEnjoy Two Kinds Of Stachys In Your Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 26th, 2019
Many gardeners are acquainted with the wooly leaf perennial called lambs ears (Stachys byzantina). But the genus Stachys is also home to betony (S. officinalis) / (S. monieri). Alpine betony (Stachys monieri) is native to Europe and Asia (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). ‘Hummelo’ betony is very different in appearance from its gray velvety leaf relative […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Betony (Stachys), Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Lamb's ears (Stachys), Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Sanitation, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Enjoy Two Kinds Of Stachys In Your Summer GardenSpring Ephemerals
Posted by Hugh on April 6th, 2019
The cold dreary days of March have waned and many of our great Appalachian wildflowers have awakened. These plants are often referred to as “ephemerals” because they come up, bloom, and fade away in 6-9 weeks. They bloom in a shady woodland or garden environment before the deciduous tree canopy has completely leafed out. Their […]
Posted in acidic soil, bloodroot (Sanguinaria), celandine poppies (Stylophorum), Disease resistant, Ferns, Garden ecology, Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema), mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Tiarella (foam flower), Twinleaf (Jeffersonia), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia), watering tips, Wildflower, Wildflowers, Wind protection, Woodland phlox Comments Off on Spring EphemeralsBleeding Hearts Delight In The Spring Garden
Posted by Hugh on March 10th, 2019
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spp.) are truly one of nature’s glorious delights in the spring garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Old fashion bleeding hearts (D. spectabilis), indigenous to Asia, grow taller and wider compared to their North American counterparts – wild bleeding heart (D. exima) and Dutchman’s breeches (D. cucullaria). Old fashioned bleeding bear larger (and showier) flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra), Butterflies, compost, Deer resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Syneilesis aconitifolia, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bleeding Hearts Delight In The Spring GardenEasy To Care Siberian Iris
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2019
Siberian iris (called beadless iris) are favorites of gardeners and landscapers. Why? – ease of maintenance, plant longevity, and trouble free. Their flowers are smaller than the bearded iris blooms, but their grass-like foliage stays attractive all season long. They are more cold hardier. Siberian irises are mostly hybrids of two southwest Asian species, I. sibirica […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Iris, Iris sibirica, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering iris, watering tips, Weed control, winter hardiness Comments Off on Easy To Care Siberian IrisKnow About Liriopes
Posted by Hugh on February 10th, 2019
Monkeygrass (Liriope muscari) and creeping lilyturf (L. spicata) are native to Asia. They are known by several names including lilyturf, monkeygrass, spider grass and liriope (USDA hardiness zones 6-10). Some varieties are hardier than others. In general, L. muscari have more narrow leaves. Depending on variety, spikes of lavender, purple, or white flowers arise in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Environmental issues, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Invasive plant, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, Liriope, Mowing, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Know About LiriopesSpring Star Flowers (Ipheion)
Posted by Hugh on November 28th, 2018
Spring star flowers (Ipheion uniflorum), native to Argentina and Uruguay, feature grass-like foliage and 6-petaled star-shaped flowers on 3-6 inches tall stems in early spring (April). Each bulb produces multiple flowering stems. Flowers range in color from almost white to violet blue and emit a mild spicy fragrance. In addition the grassy foliage gives off an oniony […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Star flower (Ipheion), winter hardiness Comments Off on Spring Star Flowers (Ipheion)
