Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is low maintenance woody-based perennial. It grows in a dry to medium moist average soil and, first and foremost, in full sun. It’s a long-lived perennial which stands up to summer’s heat and humidity (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Branches tend to flop or take on a droopy appearance in late summer. […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
Russian Sage More Shrub-like Than Perennial
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Pruning, Russian sage (Perovskia), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Russian Sage More Shrub-like Than PerennialEnjoy Night-blooming Evening Primrose By Flashlight and I-Phone
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2013
There are over 100 species of evening primroses (Oenothera spp.) worldwide, several native to the U.S. The night-blooming evening primrose (O. glazioviana) is a great reason to plan more parties. Invite friends and neighbors, including children of all ages, although you may keep them up past their normal bedtime hour. This night blooming hardy biennial […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evening primrose (Oenothera), Fragrant, Hummingbird, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Enjoy Night-blooming Evening Primrose By Flashlight and I-PhoneNocturnal Daylilies For Gardeners Who Work 9 To 5
Posted by Hugh on June 19th, 2013
A typical daylily flower opens early in the morning and fades in late afternoon. There is a class of night-blooming (nocturnal) daylilies recognized by the American Hemerocallus Society (AHS). Flowers of nocturnal daylilies open anytime from late afternoon to dusk, bloom through the night, and close-up (wither) starting in mid-morning. Introducing the true nocturnals…they open […]
Posted in acidic soil, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering Comments Off on Nocturnal Daylilies For Gardeners Who Work 9 To 5‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 15th, 2013
Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta), aka taro, ape plant, and elephant ear, among other names, is marginally hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). The 2011 colocasia introduction ‘Bikini-tini’ has garnered high praise from neighbors and friends visiting my garden in the summer. Bikini-tini is a strong stemmed thick-leaved plant that grows 4 to 5 feet in height. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The GardenWhy Peonies Do Not Bloom
Posted by Hugh on April 20th, 2013
Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia x lactiflora) are among the easy to care for and long-lived garden perennials. If you plant them correctly in compost rich, well-drained soil and a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight, they will bloom for the next 30+ years. If peonies fail to bloom, here are 8 probable causes: 1. Planting crowns […]
Posted in acidic soil, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Peonies, Peony, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter injury Comments Off on Why Peonies Do Not BloomSummer Flowering Heleniums Should Not Make You Sneeze
Posted by Hugh on April 18th, 2013
Helenium, named for Helen of Troy from Greek mythology, is U.S. prairie perennial. In times past powdered disk flowers and leaves of some heleniums were used as snuff, hence the common name. It’s difficult to sell ‘sneezeweed” and many garden catalogs now list it as “helenium”. A number of good hybrid selections have been introduced […]
Posted in Butterflies, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Helenium, Native Plant, Perennials, Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Summer Flowering Heleniums Should Not Make You SneezeHardy or Not– Grow Agapanthus
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2013
Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus praecox orientalis) is native to South Africa (USDA Zones 8–11), and is not reliably hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zone 6 and 7). However, many gardeners are successfully growing it as a “tender perennial”. Agapanthus grows in an outdoor flower bed or in a container. The ball shaped light blue or white […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agapanthus (Lily of-the Nile), deadheading, Heat Tolerance, Mite susceptible, Mites, Perennials, Planting tips, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Hardy or Not– Grow AgapanthusGolden Hakone Grass Is Worth The Extra Care
Posted by Hugh on March 29th, 2013
Awaken dark zones in your shade garden with this wonderful golden treasure from Japan. Golden hakonegrass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) grows 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide in a cascading mound form. Very thin green stripes (veins) line the mid-rib of the ½ inch wide golden leaf blades. Tiny, relatively ininsignificant, floral spikes (inflorescences) appear for […]
Posted in acidic soil, Deer resistant, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Golden Hakone Grass Is Worth The Extra CareShredded Umbrella Plant Handles Dry Shade
Posted by Hugh on March 27th, 2013
Shredded umbrella plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia) is a non-aggressive woodland ground cover which is native to dry hillsides in China, Japan, and Korea (USDA hardiness zones 4 thru 8). It has a medium green lacy foliage which you will treasure in the shade garden. While its flowers may be tiny and inconspicuous, the circular umbrella foliage […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Shredded umbrella (Syneilesis), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Shredded Umbrella Plant Handles Dry ShadeVirginia Bluebells – An Early Spring Wildflower
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2013
In early spring Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is an ephemeral woodland wildflower. In early April their lovely presence is to be enjoyed for a short 8-10 week period. Clusters of pinkish-blue nodding buds burst forth into soft pastel blue flowers. Gradually, the bell -shaped flowers age to pale pink hues. The lovely blue flowers are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Hummingbird, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Virginia bluebell (Mertensia), watering tips Comments Off on Virginia Bluebells – An Early Spring Wildflower
