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 […]
Archive for the ‘Flower Arranging’ Category
Spring Star Flowers (Ipheion)
Posted by Hugh on November 28th, 2018
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)Stoloniferous Dogwoods Jazz Up The Winter Landscape
Posted by Hugh on October 25th, 2018
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub native to much of the Northern and Western United States (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). Without question these shrubs standout in winter by their colorful stems (see pruning recommendations below). Cut branches are an added plus for indoor arrangements. The yellow-twig form (C. sericea ‘Flaviramea’) is also available. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, container shrub, Cornus sericea, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Stoloniferous Dogwoods Jazz Up The Winter Landscape‘Henry Eilers’ Coneflower (Rudbeckia)
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2018
Called “sweet coneflower” (Rudbeckia subtomentosum), this U.S. Midwest prairie species is a long-lived perennial that grows in a variety of soils (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Sweet coneflower prefers full or partial sun (6 hours minimum) and a moist well-drained loamy soils. It is highly drought tolerant after its first year in the garden. Established plants emerge in mid-spring as a […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Butterflies, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Henry Eilers’ Coneflower (Rudbeckia)New Angelface Angelonias Produce Larger Flowers
Posted by Hugh on July 20th, 2018
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Angelonias, Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on New Angelface Angelonias Produce Larger FlowersFill Summer Flower Beds With Annual Rudbeckias
Posted by Hugh on July 10th, 2018
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annual rudbeckia (R. hirta), Annuals, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Biennial, compost, Container garden, deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fill Summer Flower Beds With Annual RudbeckiasShort Grasses For Small Places
Posted by Hugh on May 25th, 2018
Many gardeners have small sunny or partially shaded places where select ornamental grasses thrive, including using them as companion plants in containers. Enjoy their winter architecture. Perennial grasses should be cut back to 3- to 6 inches in late winter. Here are an assortment of six of the very best along with several varieties that you should […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Annuals, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Calamagrostis, Carex (Sedges), compost, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium), Native Plant, Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium), Ornamental fruit, Ornamental Grasses, Pennisetum spp., Pennisetum spp., Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Short Grasses For Small PlacesGrowing Celosia In The Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2018
Celosias (Celosia argentea), aka cockscomb, feather, and plume amaranths, are summer flowering annuals in most of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 10-11). Mature plant height varies by cultivars, generally between 6 inches and 3 feet in height, taller types grown for the florist market. Celosia plants are classified into three groups: a crested type (C. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, Celosia, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Celosia In The Summer GardenBaptisias – Long-Lived Native Perennials
Posted by Hugh on March 10th, 2018
Wild indigos or Baptisias (Baptisia spp.) are long-lived native perennials. Baptisias are tap rooted perennials that will reward you for many years. They’re sometimes mistaken for Carolina lupine (Thermopsis caroliniana). Modern day cultivars are hybrids of 4 Baptisia species: purple (B. australis), lavender blue (B. minor), white (B. alba), bright yellow (B. sphaerocarpa). Several bicolors are also […]
Posted in acidic soil, Baptisia (wild indigo), Bees and other pollinators, compost, deadheading, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Messy Fruits, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Baptisias – Long-Lived Native PerennialsFifteen Garden Perennials Which You Can’t Kill (Or Almost)
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2018
Here is a list of flowering perennials that need little care after planting. Ornamental grasses and ferns are not listed here. One steadfast rule that you must follow if this group of plants are to work for you: “choose the right plant for the right site”. Shady plants in full sun and terrestrial plants in swampy ground […]
Posted in acidic soil, Astilbe (false spirea), Baptisia (wild indigo), Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Container growing, Coreopsis, Cranesbill (Geranium), Daylilies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Hellebores, Italian arum, Landscape ideas, Liriope, mulching, Native Plant, Nepeta (catmint), Ornamental Grasses, Peony, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Russian sage (Perovskia), Siberian iris (I. sibirica), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, Variegated Solomon Seal, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fifteen Garden Perennials Which You Can’t Kill (Or Almost)Best Annuals Of 2017
Posted by Hugh on January 31st, 2018
Each year Greenhouse Grower* magazine compiles a listing of the best annuals selected by field garden staff and garden visitors to 19 public and seed company trial gardens across the U.S. Talleying the resuts, thirty-five (35) varieties appeared more than once, with Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Improved’ and Alternanthera ‘Purple Prince’ appearing five times. Before proceeding further, keep in mind […]
Posted in acidic soil, Alternanthera, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Canna lily, Coleus, compost, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container garden, Dianthus, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Ersyimum (wallflower), Fall sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Landscape ideas, Lantana, Miscanthus grass, Ornamental Grasses, Ornamental Pepper, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Perennials, Petunias, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Salvia, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Star zinnia, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Best Annuals Of 2017
