Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are the quintessential shrubs, primarily utilized as a foundation plant, a formal medium hedge, or for low privacy screening. Over the past half century, many new boxwood varieties have been introduced into nursery commerce. Boxwoods work in most landscape situations and are deer resistant. Only a few years ago, boxwood production at […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
What’s New At Your Local Florist Shop
What’s New At Your Local Florist Your local florist shop…that is often the first place you think of when gifting something green and flowery to an ailing friend. Besides the standard florist shops, most supermarkets contain a florist department. Check out the recently published USDA Floriculture Crops Report. It lists most of the potted plants […]
Large Bulbous Alliums
The huge ornamental ball-types flowering onions (Allium spp.) are standouts in the late spring/early summer garden (Zones 5-9). Bulbous alliums are both architectural and colorful wonders. Bulbs are planted in the fall. Bulbous alliums require full sun for best growth. They make stunning garden borders, beds, and cottage gardens. They have a major visual impact […]
Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’
‘Melting Fire’ is a seed produced variety of heuchera (coral bells) from Kieft Seed, Inc., a division of Ball Hort. Seed-produced heucheras are something new as most current varieties were propagated from tissue culture. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). In mid-spring Melting Fire forms a low mound (clump), 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. New […]
Success With Succulents
Succulents are beautiful, low maintenance plants that are popular among plant addicts who grow them outdoors and as indoor house plants. Most are indigenous to desert or dryland conditions. They hold water in their fleshy leaves, stems and roots. Overwatering succulent plants is their nemesis. Adequate soil drainage and light are of key importance. These […]
Bigroot Cranesbill
Bigroot Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a favorite, easy to grow plant that forms a dense weed-resistant ground cover with attractive foliage and flowers. (USDA zones 4 – 8). This “cranesbill” is a true perennial geranium. It is a rhizomatous semi-evergreen perennial, native to southern Europe, typically grows to 12 inches tall and to 24 inches or […]
Salvias – Nature’s Last Hurrah
Salvias are native to central South America. Some species may surprising survive here in Tennessee/Virginia (zone 7) as tender perennials. In the early days of autumn, salvias seem to revitalize – vegetatively and flower numbers. Salvias are both reliable nectar and pollen sources for butterflies and hummingbirds and are seldom damaged by deer. Listed here […]
Surprise Lilies
Add a bit of unexpected beauty to your garden in late summer with surprise lilies (Lycoris spp.), aka spider lilies, resurrection lilies, magic lilies, and naked ladies. (Zones 4-9). Along coastal areas of the southern U.S., they are called “hurricane lilies”. The most popular is red spider lily (L. radiata), a long-lived heirloom flower in Southern gardens, […]
Celebrate Summer Growing Colorful Perennial Hibiscus
Perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is commonly known as rose mallow or dinner plate size hibiscus. Blooms measure a huge 7-9 inches across. Plants are exceptionally hardy, and can withstand winters as cold as zone 4 (-20°F to -30°F) in Minnesota (zone 4) and the heat of zone 9 (20°F -30°F) in Florida. Each flower lasts […]
Rhizomatous Alliums
Alliums are a members of the lily family, containing 1100 species, including the edible kinds that you add to your burgers and salads. In the ornamental flower world include spring- blooming bulbs, culinary herbs and durable foliage and bountiful summer flowers. Whether your summer garden is located in a challenging part of the U.S. such […]