Herbaceous Perennial Plants by Vickie Bartman

Perennials, Grasses, Annuals, & Bulbs

Vickie Bartman November 2011

H E R B A C E O U S PERENNIALS, GRASSES, ANNUALS & BULBS Perennials Preface: Deadheading: For Rebloom Deadheading: To Improve Appearance

Perennial Plant Profiles .................................. 1-118 Grasses Preface: Ornamental Grasses Suitable for Michigan Gardens 2011 Comparison Chart for Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental Grass Profiles ......................... 119-137 Annuals & Tender Perennials Annual & Tender Perennial Profiles ............ 138-176 Bulbs — Perennial & Tender Preface: Chart: Hardy Bulbs—Fall Planting for Spring Blooms Chart: Tender Bulbs—Spring Planting for Summer Blooms

Perennial & Tender Bulb Profiles ................ 179-194

Researched and compiled by Vickie Bartman November 2011

Research Sources - Works Cited (in alphabetic order)

Butler University Botanical Studies

http:/www.butler.edu/herbarium

Cornell University

http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenee139.html

Fine Gardening

http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide

Floridata Plant Encyclopedia

http://www.floridata.com/lists/contents.cfm

Heronswood

http://www.heronswood.com

Kemper Center for Home Gardening

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Alpha.asp

Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening

Missouri Plants

http://www.missouriplants.com

North Carolina State University

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu

Ohio State University

http://plantfacts.osu.edu

Plants For A Future

http://www.pfaf.org

University of WI-Botany

http://www.botany.wisc.edu/garden/UW-Botanical_Garden

Washington State University - Virginia Lohr Dept. of Hort. & Landscape Arch.

http://public.wsu.edu/~lohr/

Wikimedia Commons (images)

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org

Printed Publications Continuous Bloom, Pam Duthie, ©2000 ISBN 1-883052-23-8 Pictorial Guide To Perennials, Helmer & Hodge, ©2001 ISBN 978-1-933272-17-7 When Perennials Bloom, Tomasz Anisko, ©2008 ISBN 978-0-88192-887-7

Content Index A

Achillea species .................... 16 Aconitum napellus ............... 94 Adam’s Needle ......................... 49 Adiantum pedatum ............... 17 Aegopodium podagraria ....... 50 African Daisy ........................ 164 Ageratum houstonianum ... 138 Ajuga reptans ....................... 18 Alcea rosea ........................... 51 Alchemilla mollis ................... 19 Allheal ..................................... 16 Allium giganteum .............. 179 Alumroot ................................. 34 Amaranthus caudatus ....... 139 Andropogon gerardii .......... 119 Anemone x hybrida .......... 112 Angels-Hair ............................. 53 Annual Vinca ......................... 147 Anthemis tinctoria ................ 52 Antirrhinum majus ............ 140 Aquilegia x hybrida ................. 2 Arabis caucasica ................... 20 Argyranthemum frutescens 141 Armeria maritima ................. 21 Artemesia schmidtiana ......... 53 Arum Lily .............................. 194 Aruncus dioicus .................... 22 Asarum europaeum .............. 54 Asarabacca ............................. 54 Asclepias tuberosa ............... 95 Asiatic Lily .............................. 79 Aster species ...................... 113 Astilbe .................................... 55 Astilbe species ..................... 55 Astrantia major .................... 23 Athyrium filix-femina ............ 24 Athyrium nipponicum .......... 56 Aurinia saxatalis ................... 25 Azure Sage ........................... 106

Baby’s Breath .......................... 71 Bachelor’s Button .................... 58 Bacopa .................................. 142 Bacopa cordata .................. 142 Balloon Flower ................ 86, 109 Balsam .................................. 160 Baptisia australis ................. 26 Barberton Daisy .................... 157 Basket Of Gold ........................ 25 Bearded Iris ............................ 74 Bedstraw ................................. 33 Beard Tongue ......................... 85 Bee Balm ................................. 82

Begonia semperflorens ....... 143 Begonia tuberhybrida ........ 188 Belamcanda chinensis .......... 96 Bellflower ................................ 28 Bergamot ................................ 82 Bergenia cordifolia .............. 27 Bethlehem Sage ...................... 45 Big Blue Stem ........................ 119 Bigleaf Golden-Ray ............... 104 Bishop’s Hat ............................. 6 Bishop’s Weed ........................ 50 Bizzy Lizzy ............................ 160 Blackberry Lily ........................ 96 Black Cohosh ........................ 115 Black-Eyed Susan .................... 87 Black-Eyed Susan Vine .......... 172 Black Root ............................. 110 Black Snakeroot .................... 115 Blanket Flower ........................ 32 Blazing Star ............................ 78 Bleeding Heart .......................... 5 Bloodwort ............................... 16 Blue Cornflower ...................... 58 Blue Fescue ........................... 127 Blue Grama Grass .................. 120 Bluemink .............................. 138 Blue Mountain Grass ............. 127 Blue Oat Grass ...................... 129 Blueweed .............................. 138 Bouteloua gracilis .............. 120 Brassica oleracea ............... 144 Bride’s Feathers ...................... 22 Brooklime ............................... 93 Brunnera macrophylla ........... 3 Bugbane ............................... 115 Bugleweed .............................. 18 Butter Snakewort .................... 78 Butterfly Weed ........................ 95

Caladium .............................. 189 Caladium x hortulanum ..... 189 Calamagrostis acutiflora ... 121 Calamagrostis brachytricha 122 Calendula officinalis .......... 145 Calibrachoa x hybrida ....... 146 Calla Lily ............................... 194 Campanula carpatica ........... 28 Campanula glomerata ......... 57 Candytuft ................................. 35 Canna x generalis ............. 190 Cape Daisy ............................ 164 Cape Marguerite ................... 164 Cardinal Flower ..................... 105 Carex buchananii ............... 123

Carex oshimensis ............... 124 Carpathian ............................... 28 Carpet Bugle ............................ 18 Catharanthus roseus ......... 147 Catmint .................................. 83 Catnip ..................................... 83 Celosia argentea ................ 148 Centaurea cineraria ........... 149 Centaurea montana ............. 58 Centranthus ruber ............... 59 Cerastium tomentosum ......... 29 Charity ..................................... 43 Chasmanthium latifolium .. 125 Chelone lyonii ...................... 60 Cherry Pie Plant .................... 159 China Pink ............................ 152 Chinese Bellflower .................. 86 Chinese Peony ......................... 40 Chinese Silver Grass .............. 130 Chrysanthemum morifolium 114 Chrysanthemum x rubellum 61 Cimicifuga racemosa ......... 115 Clara Curtis Daisy ................... 61 Cleavers ................................... 33 Cleome hassleriana ............ 150 Cluster Bellflower .................... 57 Cobbitty Daisy ...................... 141 Coleus .................................. 170 Colocasia esculenta ............ 191 Common Monkshood .............. 94 Convallaria majalis ............... 30 Coral Bells ............................... 34 Cord Grass ............................ 136 Coreopsis lanceolata ............ 62 Coreopsis verticillata ........... 63 Corydalis lutea ....................... 4 Cosmos bipinnatus ............. 151 Cowslip .................................... 39 Creeping Baby’s Breath ........... 72 Creeping Phlox ........................ 11 Crocus vernus .................... 180 Culver’s Root ........................ 110 Crown Imperial ..................... 181 Curly Top .............................. 123 Cushion Spurge ......................... 7

Daffodil ................................ 185 Dahlia ................................... 192 Dahlia hybrids ................... 192 Daisy Fleabane ........................ 67 Daylily .................................... 73 Dane’s Blood .......................... 57 Delphinium ............................. 64 Delphinium elatum .............. 64

Content Index Deschampsia caespitosa .... 126 Dianthus chinensis ............. 152 Dianthus plumarius .............. 31 Diascia barberae ............... 153 Dicentra eximia ................... 65 Dicentra spectabilis ................ 5 Dichondra argentea ........... 154 Digitalis x mertonensis ........ 66 Dogtooth Daisy ..................... 100 Dusty Miller .......................... 149 Dutch Crocus ........................ 180

Easter Lily ............................. 183 Echinacea purpurea ............. 97 Elephant’s Ear ....................... 191 English Lavender ..................... 77 Epimedium grandiflorum ........ 6 Erigeron speciosus ............... 67 Eryngium amethystinum ...... 98 Eulalia ................................... 130 Euounymus fortunei ........... 118 Eupatorium purpureum ....... 99 Euphorbia epithymoides .......... 7 European Wild Ginger .............. 54 Eyebrow Grass ...................... 120

Fairy Candle .......................... 115 False Bleeding Heart .................. 4 False Dragonhead ................. 108 False Forget-Me-Not ................. 3 False Indigo ............................. 26 False Miterwort ........................ 14 False Spirea ............................ 55 False Sunflower ..................... 101 Feather Reed Grass ............... 121 Feathered Celosia ................. 148 Festuca glauca ................... 127 Filipendula rubra ................. 68 Filipendula ulmaria .............. 69 Fingerleaf Rodgersia ................ 13 Five-Fingered Maidenhair ........ 17 Floss Flower .......................... 138 Flowering Kale ...................... 144 Flowering Tobacco ................ 163 Foamflower .............................. 14 Fountain Grass ...................... 133 Foxglove Penstemon ............... 85 Foxtail Amaranth .................. 148 Foxtail Grass ......................... 122 French Marguerite ................. 141 French Marigold .................... 171 Fringed Bleeding Heart ............ 65

(cont’d)

Fritillaria imperialis ........... 181 Fuchsia ................................. 155 Fuchsia x hybrida .............. 155 Fumitory .................................... 4

Gaillardia grandiflora ........... 32 Galium odoratum .................. 33 Garden Cosmos .................... 151 Garden Impatiens ................. 160 Garden Mum ......................... 114 Garden Phlox ........................ 107 Gayfeather .............................. 78 Gazania rigens .................. 156 Geranium himalayense ........ 70 Gerbera jamesonii ............. 157 German Iris ............................. 74 Giant Onion .......................... 179 Gladiola ................................ 193 Gladiolus x hortulanus ....... 193 Globeflower ............................ 92 Goatsbeard .............................. 22 Goldenrod ............................ 117 Goldentuft ............................... 25 Goose Neck Loosestrife ......... 116 Grape Hyacinth ..................... 184 Greek Valerian ......................... 43 Ground Elder ........................... 50 Gypsophila paniculata ......... 71 Gypsophila repens ............... 72

Hakone Grass ....................... 128 Hakonechloa macra ........... 128 Hardy Hibiscus ...................... 102 Hazelwort ............................... 54 Heart Of Jesus ....................... 189 Heartleaf Bergenia ................... 27 Hedge Nettle ............................ 47 Helenium autumnal ........... 100 Helen’s Flower ...................... 100 Helianthus annuus ............. 158 Helictotrichon sempervirens 129 Heliopsis helianthoides ....... 101 Heliotrope ............................. 159 Heliotropium arborescens .. 159 Helleborus orientalis ............... 1 Hemerocallis species ............ 73 Hen & Chicks .......................... 90 Herb Gerard ............................. 50 Heuchera americana ............ 34 Hibiscus moscheutos .......... 102 Himalayan Geranium ............... 70 Hollowort ................................... 4

Hollyhock ................................ 51 Hollyhock Mallow .................... 81 Horsemint ............................... 82 Horseshoe Geranium ............ 165 Hosta species ....................... 103 House Leek ............................. 90 Hyacinth ............................... 182 Hyacinthus orientalis ......... 182 Hybrid Columbine ...................... 2 Hybrid Red Chrysanthemum ... 61

Iberis sempervirens .............. 35 Impatiens walleriana ......... 160 Indian Cress .......................... 173 Indian Shot ........................... 190 Iris ensata ........................... 75 Iris hybrids .......................... 74 Iris sibirica .......................... 76 Irish Moss ............................... 88

Jacob’s Ladder ......................... 43 Japanese Anemone ............... 112 Japanese Iris ........................... 75 Japanese Spurge ...................... 10 Japanese Painted Fern ............. 56 Japanese Tree Peony ................ 41 Jasmine Tobacco ................... 163 Joe-Pye Weed .......................... 99 Jonquil .................................. 185 Jupiter’s Beard ........................ 59

Kaiser’s Crown ...................... 181 Kidney-Root ........................... 99 Kidneyweed .......................... 154 Korean Feather Reed Grass ... 122

Ladder-To-Heaven .................. 30 Ladies’ Eardrop ..................... 155 Lady’s Fern .............................. 24 Lady’s Mantle ........................... 19 Lamb’s Ear ............................... 47 Lamiastrum galeobdolan ...... 36 Lamium maculatum ................ 8 Lanceleaf Coreopsis ................ 62 Lantana camara ................ 161 Larkspur ................................. 64 Lavender ................................. 77

Content Index

(contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d)

Lavendula angustifolia ......... 77 Leatherleaf Sedge ................. 123 Lenten Rose ............................... 1 Leopard Lily ............................ 96 Leucanthemum x superbum .. 37 Liatris spicata ...................... 78 Ligularia stenocephala ....... 104 Lilac Cranesbill ....................... 70 Lilium asiatic hybrids ........... 79 Lilium longiflorum ............. 183 Lilium orientale .................... 80 Lily Of The Valley ..................... 30 Linum perenne ...................... 38 Little Blue Stem ..................... 135 Lobelia cardinalis ............... 105 Lobularia maritima ............ 162 Longspur Barrenwort ................. 6 Love-Lies-Bleeding ............... 139 Lungwort ................................. 45 Lysimachia clethroides ....... 116

Needle Palm ............................. 49 Nepeta x faassenii ............. 83 Nicotiana alata .................. 163 Northern Maidenhair Fern ........ 17 Northern Sea Oats ................. 125

Madwort .................................. 25 Maiden Grass ........................ 130 Malva alcea ......................... 81 Marguerite Daisy ...................... 52 Masterwort .............................. 23 May Bells ................................. 30 Meadowsweet ......................... 69 Mealy-Cup Sage .................... 168 Mertensia virginica ............... 39 Mexican Aster ....................... 151 Michealmas Daisy ................. 113 Million Bells .......................... 146 Mini Petunia .......................... 146 Miscanthus sinensis ........... 130 Missouri Evening Primrose ...... 84 Molinia caerulea ................ 131 Monarda didyma .................. 82 Monks Cress ......................... 173 Mosquito Grass ..................... 120 Moss Phlox .............................. 11 Moss Pink ................................ 11 Moss Rose ............................ 167 Moss-Rose Purslane .............. 167 Mountain Bluet ........................ 58 Muscari armeniacum ......... 184 Myosotis scorpiodes ................ 9 Myrtle ................................... 111

Narcissus hybrid ................ 185 Narrow-Spiked Ligularia ....... 104 Nasturtium ........................... 173

Obedient Plant ...................... 108 Oenothera macrocarpa ........ 84 Orange Coneflower ................. 87 Oriental Lily ............................ 80 Oriental Poppy ......................... 42 Ornamental Cabbage ............ 144 Orpine .................................. 109 Osteospermum ecklonis ..... 164 Oswego Tea ............................ 82 Oxeye Chamomile .................... 52 Oxeye Sunflower ................... 101 Ozark Sundrops ...................... 84

Pachysandra terminalis ........ 10 Paeonia lactiflora .................. 40 Paeonia suffriticosa .............. 41 Painted Daisy ........................... 48 Painted Nettle ....................... 170 Palm Lily .................................. 49 Panicum virgatum ............. 132 Pansy .................................... 175 Papaver orientale ................. 42 Paris Daisy ............................ 141 Pearlwort ................................ 88 Pelargonium x hortorum .... 165 Pendant Amaranth ................ 139 Pennisetum orientale ......... 133 Pennisetum s. rubrum ........ 134 Penstemon digitalis .............. 85 Peony ...................................... 40 Perennial Flax .......................... 38 Periwinkle ............................. 111 Perovskia atriplicifolia ....... 106 Persian Chrysanthemum .......... 48 Petunia ................................. 166 Petunia x hybrida .............. 166 Phlox paniculata ................ 107 Phlox subulata ...................... 11 Physostegia virginiana ....... 108 Pig Lily .................................. 194 Pigsqueak ................................ 27 Pincushion Flower .................... 46 Pinks ....................................... 31 Plantain Lily .......................... 103 Platycodon grandiflorus ....... 86 Pleurisy Root ........................... 95

Plumed Cockscomb ............... 148 Polemonium caeruleum ........ 43 Polygonatum odoratum ....... 12 Portulaca grandiflora ....... 167 Pot Marigold ......................... 145 Pot-Of-Gold ........................... 63 Prairie Dropseed ................... 137 Primrose ................................. 44 Primula species .................... 44 Pulmonaria saccharata ........ 45 Purple Coneflower ................... 97 Purpleleaf Wintercreeper ....... 118 Pussy Foot ............................ 138 Pyrethrum Daisy ..................... 48

Queen Of The Meadow ............ 69 Queen Of The Prairie ............... 68

Rattlebrush .............................. 26 Rattleweed ............................... 26 Red Fountain Grass ............... 134 Red Valerian ........................... 59 Rock Cress ............................... 20 Rodgerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flower ....................... 13 Rodgersia aesculifolia ........... 13 Rose Mallow .......................... 102 Rudbeckia fulgida ................ 87 Russian Sage ......................... 106

Sage ....................................... 89 Sagina subulata ................... 88 Salvia farinacea ................. 168 Salvia nemorosa .................. 89 Salvia splendens ................ 169 Scabiosa columbaria ............. 46 Scarlet Sage .......................... 169 Schizachyrium scoparium .. 135 Scilla siberica ..................... 186 Sea Holly ................................. 98 Sea Pink ................................... 21 Sea Thrift ................................. 21 Sedum spectabile ............... 109 Seed Geranium ..................... 165 Sempervivum tectorum ........ 90 Shasta Daisy ............................ 37 Shellflower .............................. 60 Showy Fleabane ...................... 67 Shrub Verbena ...................... 161 Siberian Bugloss ........................ 3 Siberian Iris ............................. 76

Content Index Siberian Squill ....................... 186 Silver Mound ............................ 53 Silver Nickel Vine .................. 154 Silver Ponysfoot .................... 154 Silver Ragwort ....................... 149 Sloughgrass .......................... 136 Smooth Oxeye ...................... 101 Snapdragon .......................... 140 Sneezeweed .......................... 100 Snow In Summer ...................... 29 Snow On The Mountain ............ 50 Solenostemon scutellarioides 170 Solidago hybrids ................ 117 Solomon’s Seal ........................ 12 Spanish Flag ......................... 161 Spartina pectinata ............. 136 Spider Flower ........................ 150 Spider Lily ............................... 91 Spiderwort .............................. 91 Spike Speedwell ...................... 93 Sporobolus heterolepsis ..... 137 Spotted Deadnettle .................... 8 Spoonleaf Yucca ....................... 49 Stachys byzantina ................. 47 Staggerweed ........................... 64 Staggerwort .......................... 100 Star Of The Veldt .................. 164 Staunchweed ........................... 16 Stonecrop ............................. 109 Strawberry Foxglove ............... 66 Sunflower ............................. 158 Sutera cordata ................... 142 Swamp Mallow ...................... 102 Sweet Alyssum ...................... 162 Sweet Woodruff ........................ 33 Switch Grass ......................... 132 Sword Lily ............................. 193

Tagetes patula ................... 171 Tall Moor Grass ..................... 131 Tanacetum cocciceum ........... 48 Taro ...................................... 191 Tassel Flower ........................ 139 Threadleaf Coreopsis .............. 63 Thunbergia alata ............... 172 Tiarella cordifolia ................. 14 Tickseed ................................. 62 Tradescantia virginiana ....... 91 Transvaal Daisy ..................... 157 Treasure Flower .................... 156 Trillium .................................... 15 Trillium grandiflorum ........... 15 Trollius europaeus .................. 92 Tropaeolum majus ............. 173

(cont’d)

True Forget-Me-Not .................. 9 True Lavender ......................... 77 Trumpet Weed ........................ 99 Tuberous Begonia ................. 188 Tufted Hair Grass .................. 126 Tulip ..................................... 187 Tulip hybrids ..................... 187 Turkey Corn ............................ 65 Turkeyfoot ............................ 119 Turtlehead .............................. 60 Tussock Grass ...................... 126 Tussock Harebell ..................... 28 Twinspur .............................. 153

U V

Variegated Dead Nettle ............ 36 Variegated Japanese Sedge ... 124 Verbena ................................ 174 Verbena x hybrida ............. 174 Veronica spicata .................. 93 Veronicastrum virginicum . 110 Vinca minor ....................... 111 Viola x wittrockiana ........... 175 Virginia Bluebells ..................... 39

Wake-Robin ............................. 15 Wall Cress ................................ 20 Water Forget-Me-Not ................ 9 Water Iris ................................ 75 Wax Begonia ......................... 143 West Indian Lantana .............. 161 Whorled Tickseed ................... 63 Widow’s Tears ......................... 91 Wild Spikenard ........................ 54 Windflower ........................... 112 Winged Tobacco ................... 163 Wolf’s Bane ............................. 94 Wood Squill ........................... 186 Woolly Betony ......................... 47 Wormwood .............................. 53 Woundwort ........................ 16, 47

Yarrow ..................................... 16 Yellow Alyssum ........................ 25 Yellow Archangel ..................... 36 Yucca filamentosa ................. 49

Zantedeschia ..................... 194 Zebra Grass .......................... 130 Zinnia ..................................... 17 Zinnia elegans ................... 176 Zonal Geranium .................... 165

Perennials A perennial plant: lives more than 2 years, some have a life span measured in decades; is herbaceous, meaning it dies back to the crown/ground and regrows; and, has non-woody stems.

Helleborus orientalis

LENTEN ROSE, LENTEN HELLEBORE, ORIENTAL HELLEBORE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

RANUNCULACEAE 15-18 inches 12-18 inches clump forming groundcover 3-8, heat 8-1

LONGEVITY:

generally long lived, but takes a long time to get established

FOLIAGE:

palmate, serrate margins, leathery, glossy, basal, dark green, 7-9 segments; often evergreen; leaves, stems & roots are poisonous; deep rooted

FLOWER:

showy clusters; white, cream, yellow, pink, purple; spotted or unspotted; 2.5-4â&#x20AC;? dia., saucer-shaped, 5 petals (actually sepals), somewhat nodding

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Varieties

early Spring; late March through May 8-10 weeks part to full shade; performs better if given some sun rich, moist, well-drained; highly adaptable, tolerates a variety of conditions; amend soil with composted leaves medium; drought tolerant once established division in fall, heavy fibrous roots need careful handling; self sows in right location

Habit

woodland or shade garden, groundcover, border, naturalized area low; fertilize in early spring; only cut back any damaged foliage; to increase self sowing do not deadhead control slugs; occasional leaf spot and crown rot Native to Greece, Turkey, Caucasian Russia. Two main helleborus horticulture groups: caulescent (having above ground stems; more short lived, 3-4 years; not as easily propagated by division) and acaulescent (without visible ground stems). Extracts from hellebores have been used in homeopathy and traditional medicines in several countries; as an herb for weight loss in Russian. Most Lenten hellebores in gardens are now considered to be H. x hybridus. All plant parts are poisonous.

Close-up

Aquilegia x hybrida HYBRID COLUMBINE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

RANUNCULACEAE Biedermeier, Dragon Fly, McKana Hybrids, Music, Nora Barlow, Spring Magic, Songbird 2-3 feet 12-18 inches upright, bushy 3-9, heat 9-3 can die off after a few years if self-sowing is discouraged

FOLIAGE:

blue-green, triturnate, deep sinuses; turns maroon in fall

FLOWER:

showy, multi-colored, 5 spurred petals sitting above 5 petal-like sepals; nodding blooms; wide color range

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

May-June 4-6 weeks Partial Shade average to sandy; well-drained medium to light watering; drought tolerant once established (thick tap root) seed, self-sows; plants flower in their second year from seed; division in late summer wildflower garden, woodland edge, shade garden, cottage garden, naturalizing; attrancts hummingbirds deadhead for neatness

Flower varieties

powdery mildew, aphids, leaf miner Aquilegia, Latin, aquila, eagle (shape of the flower petals are said to resemble an eagle’s claw); Columbine, Latin, columba, dove or pigeon. Edible flowers; consumed in moderation by Native Americans as a condiment with other fresh greens; very sweet flavor. Plant’s seeds and roots are highly poisonous containing cardigenic toxins.

Botanical drawing; double blossom style

Brunnera macrophylla

SIBERIAN BUGLOSS, FALSE FORGET-ME-NOT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

BORAGINACEAE Jack Frost, Dawson’s White, Hadspen Cream, Variegata 12-18 inches 12-18 inches mounding groundcover 3-8

LONGEVITY:

slowly spreads by both creeping rhizomes and self-seeding to form thick groundcover

FOLIAGE:

simple, alternate, strongly cordate, 3-5” wide, dark green, rough texture with prickly pubescense; leaves are small when plant is in bloom, then expand in size

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

small, light bright blue; 5 petals; branched raceme; resembles forget-me-not but has taller looser sprays of flowers; will ‘blow’ if Spring is too warm Mid-Late Spring, April-June 3-4 weeks Part Shade - Shade prefers organically rich, well-drained medium, moist; intolerant of dry soils

PROPAGATION:

seed, divide in fall, root cuttings in summer; fast growing

USES:

groundcover, shade border, open woods, naturalizes

MAINTENANCE:

Habit

low, deadhead for neatness; old foliage should be cut back in the spring as old foliage will help protect the plant during the winter months

PROBLEMS:

NOT drought tolerant, plants can go dormant in persistent drought. No serious pest or disease problems. Occasional slugs and snail damage. Leaves of variegated cultivars are more prone to sunburn and wind burn.

COMMENTS:

Native to Eastern Europe. Bugloss, Greek, meaning ox tongue, probably in reference to the roughness and shape of the leaves. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Flower

Foliage: ‘Jack Frost’

Corydalis lutea

FALSE BLEEDING HEART, FUMITORY, HOLLOWORT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

FUMARIACEAE (PAPAVERACEAE) 9-15 inches 8-10 inches clumping, low growing 3-8, heat 8-3 short lived perennial unless allowed part sun, kept cooler, in slight alkaline soil and able to self-sow

FOLIAGE:

blue-green leaves, 1-4” wide, double pinately compound, 3-lobed leaflets; soft fern-like, lacy appearance

FLOWER:

terminal & axillary racemes, lemon yellow, pendulous, typ. tubular shaped with flared tip, .375-.75” long; looks like fringed bleeding heart

BLOOM TIME:

Spring-Late Summer, May-October or first frost

BLOOM LENGTH:

20+ weeks

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE:

Habit

average to slightly alkaline, well-drained, loose soils (incorporating gravel provides benefit) prefers consistant moist conditions; wet conditions in winter can be fatal

PROPAGATION:

seed, self-sows; division in spring or fall; because it has a sensitive taproot, division when young will be more successful

USES:

shade border, classic cottage garden, rock garden, walls, groundcover in woodland areas, naturalizes

MAINTENANCE:

cut back to basal leaves in summer if foliage depreciates

PROBLEMS:

does not tolerate high humidity and high temperatures during summer months, or wet soils during winter; susceptible to downy mildew, rust, aphids, slugs, snails.

COMMENTS:

Native to the southern Alps of Europe. Sister plant, Corydalis ochroleuca, is white-flowered. Corydalis, Greek for lark, alludes to the spurred rear of the flowers.

Flower

Botanical drawing; Foliage

Dicentra spectabilis BLEEDING HEART

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

FUMARIACEAE Alba, Gold Heart 1-4 feet 18-24 inches mounding, with arching stems 2-9, heat 10-1 perennial

FOLIAGE:

turnately compound, ovate; peony-like, goes dormant in late summer

FLOWER:

1.5â&#x20AC;? pendulous heart-shaped flowers, rose-pink outer and white inner petals on 1-sided raceme, arching stalk

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

April-June 10 weeks Part to Full Shade

SOIL:

rich, moist, well-drained; in dry soil, foliage dies out before early summer

MOISTURE:

consistently moist; dormancy is delayed with adequate moisture during dry spells

PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit and Foliage

seed, division when dormant, root cuttings shade border, woodland, wildflower, cottage garden plan for summer dormancy; cut back by half after bloom before it completely fades for possible rebloom in September

Flower

crown rot if in heavy wet clay soil plant behind other perennials that will hide its summer dormancy

New growth emerging

Epimedium grandiflorum

LONGSPUR BARRENWORT, BISHOP’S HAT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

BERBERIDACEAE Bronxe Maiden, Crimson, Rose Queen 8-12 inches 12 inches compact, spreading groundcover 4-8, heat 8-5

perennial

FOLIAGE:

simple, cordate, pinkish-red maturing to green; bright yellow or red, bronze fall color

FLOWER:

1” petals/sepals with spurs; 10-20 flower clusters on wiry stems; colors: red, violet, white, yellow

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

April-May 2-4 weeks, depending on temperatures Part to Full Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained, somewhat acidic; likes lots of organic matter, mulch

MOISTURE:

consistently moist; dislikes dry conditions

PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

division in late summer groundcover, border, edger, rock garden, erosion control, fall color cut back browned foliage in spring to allow new growth and flower clusters to develop freely

‘Bronxe Maiden’

pest and disease free rhizomatous growth helps prevent soil erosion

Flower ‘Rose Queen’

Euphorbia epithymoides CUSHION SPURGE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

EUPHORBIACEAE Chameleon, Fireglow, Polychroma 12-18 inches 18 inches rounded, mounding 4-8, heat 10-2

perennial

FOLIAGE:

light green, linear leaves whorl around stems, turns reddish in fall

FLOWER:

chartreuse yellow bracts with 1/4” green flower inside

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

April-May 3-4 weeks Sun to Part Shade average, well-drained tolderates dry soil; susceptible to rot in clay soils seed, division in spring

USES:

border, edger, rock garden, cottage garden, fall color

MAINTENANCE:

shear after ‘blooming’ to maintain round habit

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit - individual plant

pest and disease free; shade from afternoon sun to prevent foliage from flopping

Habit - plant grouping

white milky sap can be a skin irritant

Flower and foliage

Lamium maculatum SPOTTED DEADNETTLE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LABIACEAE Ann Greenaway, Aureum, Beacon Silver, Beedham’s White, Chequers, Purple Dragon, Pink Chablis, Red Nancy, Silver Spangles, White Nancy 8-12 inches 15-18 inches spreading, dense groundcover 3-8, heat 8-1

perennial

FOLIAGE:

opposite, ovate, crenate margin, bristly pubescence, silvery-green variegation; square stem (mint family)

FLOWER:

clusters of 1” flowers which whorl around stem at nodes and terminal; bilabiate flower, hooded upper petals, lipped lower petals; lavendar, pink, white

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Varieties and habit

May-June, possible rebloom in August 8-plus weeks;some fall rebloom Part to Full Shade flexible, well-drained evenly moist crown division, root or stem cuttings, layering bright accent, woodland edger, all-season foliage interest

Flower and foliage

low; may melt out in Summer heat dieing back to crown, but may rejuvenate in the coolness of Autumn; trim to control spread

PROBLEMS:

few disease problems; occasionally slugs and snail damage; excessive sun and drought will scorch foliage and lead to dieback; aggressive growth, can be invasive

COMMENTS:

Lamium, Latin name for this genus; maculatum, Latin, ‘spotted’ referring to variegated foliage

Flower close-up; foliage ‘Silver Spangles’

Myosotis scorpiodes

TRUE FORGET-ME-NOT, WATER FORGET-ME-NOT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

BORAGINACEAE Semperflorens 12-18 inches 8-12 inches clumping, sprawling 3-8, heat 7-1 short-lived, self-sows prolifically

FOLIAGE:

simple, alternate, entire margin, oblong to linear, .5-1.5” long

FLOWER:

.25” each, salver form, 5 petals, opening in slightly coiled clusters on terminal raceme resembling scorpion tails, sky blue with yellow eye

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Foliage and form

May-June 4-8 weeks Part Shade to Full Sun moist, well-drained; likes organically rich medium to wet seed, cuttings, division attracts butterflies; water garden or bog, beside stream or pond, naturalizes low; pinch young plants to promote bushiness shallow-rooted and easily pulled out of ground; prone to powdery mildew and rust

Flowers close-up

Native to moist meadows and stream banks from Europe to Siberia. Can grow in up to 3 inches of standing water; spreads by creeping rhizomes but not overly aggressive. This plant is listed by the WI DNR as an ecologically invasive. Considered a noxious weed It is banned in Connecticut, prohibited in Massachusetts. The common forget-me-not of borders and woodlands is Myosotis sylvatica. Myosotis, Greek, ‘mouse’s ear’, referring to the leaf; scorpiodes, referring to the flowering cymes. Botanical drawings

Pachysandra terminalis JAPANESE SPURGE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

BUXACEAE Green Carpet, Silveredge, Variegata 9-12 inches 12-20 inches dense groundcover 5-9, heat 8-3 slow growing; takes approx. 3 years to establish a groundcover with plants spaced 6-12 inches apart

FOLIAGE:

evergreen, simple, alternate, ovate, thick, leathery dark glossy green, turns yellow in hot sun; dentate margins; stoloniferous

FLOWER:

seldom noticed, 1-2” long, fragrant terminal spikes under foliage, produces red berry

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Characteristics overview

late March to mid April 2-4 weeks Part to Full Shade prefers moist, well-drained, acidic, rich and peaty; tolerates dry soils and neutral to slightly alkaline pH but can become chlorotic and could die out in patches moist, but tolerates dryness division, stem cuttings, plantlets groundcover, mass plantings leaves that fall upon the groundcover in Autumn should be gently raked and blown out, as vigorous or quick raking will shear off individual plants at ground level, especially in mature plantings, where the semi-woody basal stems with heavy top growth tend to snap

PROBLEMS:

dense foliage results in poor air circulation to stems and susceptibility to leaf blight, leaf canker, scale

COMMENTS:

Native to Japan. Slow to establish, can have serious disease and pest problems with maturity.

Flower close-up

Pachysandra translates as ‘thick stamens’, referring to the floral structures; terminalis translates as ‘terminal’, referring to the location of the flower spikes. Landscaping groudcover

Phlox subulata

CREEPING PHLOX, MOSS PHLOX, MOSS PINK FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

POLEMONIACEAE Blue Ridge, Bruce’s White, Candy Stripes

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

6-9 inches 12 inches prostrate mat, mounding groundcover 2-8, heat 9-4

LONGEVITY:

herbaceous when young, semi-woody with age

FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

semi-evergreen, linear or awl-shaped, opposite to clustered on stems, .5” to 1” long, dark green, densely arranged, prickly; may begin to yellow during heat of summer or cold of winter small, salver form, five petals, each petal is notched at its apex, clustered at the terminal of very short stems; vibrant shades of pink, red, lavendar, blue-purple or white April-June 6 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade moist, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline pH in full sun; adaptable to thin or dry or sandy soils, and acidic pH prefers moist, but is adaptable seed, cuttings, division after flowering

USES:

accent groundcover, rock gardens, border, bed/wall edger with short cascading effect

MAINTENANCE:

annually shear stems back 1/3 to 1/2 after flowering to promote lush new foliage and reduce pest infestation; if not sheared yearly will lose vigor and often die out in patches with age; cover to protect against winterburn

PROBLEMS:

COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

Flower

spider mites during heat and drought, foliar nematodes during periods when foliage is constantly wet or under high humidity; shallow root system Technically, Creeping Phlox is phlox stolonifera. Native to Eastern United States. Phlox, Greek, ‘a flame’; subulata, ‘awlshaped’. Landscaping groundcover

Polygonatum odoratum SOLOMON’S SEAL

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

ASPARAGACEAE Variegatum 18-24 inches 15-18 inches upright, arching, spreading 3-9, heat 9-1 very long-lived; slowly spreads by rhizomes, approx. 6 inches/year in all directions ovate, opposite, up to 4” long leaves, conspicuously parallel-veined, sessile on unbranched, angular/arching burgundy stems 2-3’ long; leaves glaborus upper, slight pubescence under; crushed stem releases fragrance; yellow fall color

Characteristics overview

fragrant, yellowish/greenish white, bellshaped; hang in pairs under the leaves, shiny blue-black berries in late summer late April-June 2-3 weeks Part to Full Shade average, well-drained, prefers humusy medium to wet seed, division in fall shady borders, woodland, naturalizes, architectural accent, foliage for cut arrangements

Flowers and foliage

little to none slugs, sawfly larvae may damage leaves Native to Europe. The common name is usually considered to be in reference to the large, circular seals (leaf stalk scars) located on the rhizomes, resembling an impression of a seal pressed into melted wax. Others say the name refers to the purported ‘wound sealing properties’ of the plant. Is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Herbal remedies are only prepared from the rhizome; berries are toxic if taken internally. Polygonatum, Greek, ‘many knee’ referring to the numerous rootstock joints. Landscape groundcover ‘Variegatum’

Rodgersia aesculifolia

RODGER’S FLOWER, FINGERLEAF RODGERSIA FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SAXIFRAGACEAE 3-5 feet 3-5 feet rounded, upright 5-7, heat 8-1 up to 10 years

FOLIAGE:

palmately compound, 5-7 leaflets, coarsely dentate margin, crinkled texture, up to 12” across, dark green with bronze tinting; resembles the leaves of the horsechestnut

FLOWER:

fragrant, creamy white w/pink, .0625” in diameter, apetalous with waxy texture, blooms in large, astilbe-like terminal panicles, to 18-24” long; distinctive brown hairs cover the flower stalks, stems and leaf margins

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June-August 6-7 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, humusy constant moisture needed seed, division of thick black rhizomes in spring specimen, woodland gardens, bog gardens, water garden peripheries, along stream banks, back of border if kept moist, natualizes; architectural accent, bold foliage

Close-up of flowers

leaf margins may brown if soils are allowed to dry out; deadhead flower stalks after bloom no serious insect or disease problems Native to moist woods and stream banks in China and Tibet. Genus name honors American Admiral John Rodgers who commanded a mid-1800’s expedition to China and Japan where Rodgersia podophylla was collected.

Foliage

Tiarella cordifolia

FOAMFLOWER, FALSE MITERWORT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

SAXIFRGACEAE Black Snowflake, Eco Running Tapestry, Iron Butterfly, Oakleaf, Pink Skyrocket, Spring Symphony 4-12 inches 12-30 inches groundcover, mounding 3-8, heat 8-4

LONGEVITY:

stoliniferous, semi-evergreen, naturalizes

FOLIAGE:

basal, 2-4â&#x20AC;? long, several shapes (cordate, maple-like, palmate), 3-7 lobes, smooth to dentate margins, rough-hairy above and downy below; burgundy coloring along veins in spring and fall, bronze fall color

FLOWER:

5 petals, 10 stamens, star-shaped blossoms with many stamens makes look fluffy/frothy; terminal clusters on 6-12â&#x20AC;? spikes; pink buds open to long-lasting creamy-white flowers; two unequal seed capsules that split along inside seams to release several pitted seeds

BLOOM TIME:

April-June

BLOOM LENGTH:

6-8 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

Habit

Part to Full Shade rich, somewhat acidic prefers consistently moist; not drought tolerant seed, division in spring

USES:

shade border, rock garden, woodland, naturalizes

MAINTENANCE:

deadhead for neatness and occasional repeat bloom

PROBLEMS:

possible frost heaving; few insect or disease issues

COMMENTS:

Genus name from Greek, tiara, designating a turban once worn by the Persians and refers to the shape of the pistils; elle meaning little; cordifolia, heart-shaped, referring to the shape of the base of the leaves. Listed in herbology as a tonic and diuretic used for kidney and liver problems and congestion of the lungs.

Flower and foliage

Landscape groundcover

Trillium grandiflorum TRILLIUM, WAKE-ROBIN

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

LILIACEAE 9-18 inches 12-20 inches clump forming, spreading 3-9, heat 8-1

LONGEVITY:

short-lived in season; typ. requires 7-10 years to reach flowering size in the wild

FOLIAGE:

ephemeral, ovate, pointed tips, 3-leaved, dies back and goes dormant after bloom; 3-6” long, whorled on stem; prominent venation; undulate margins; spreading rhizomes for clonal colonies

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

single, showy, odorless, 2-3” long, 3 petals, 3 sepals on pedicel rising above leaf whorl; white, similar shape and margin as leaves, distinctly pointed; fades to pink and rose as it ages; seeds are spread through myrmecochory, or by ants April-early June 2-3 weeks

LIGHT:

Part to Full Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained

MOISTURE:

consistently moist

PROPAGATION:

Habit

seed; division of offsets, transplant rhizomes about 4” deep

USES:

wildflower, woodland, early bloom; mass for best effect

MAINTENANCE:

avoid any soil compaction, don’t walk on rhizomes

PROBLEMS:

deer browse; deer consume larger individuals leaving shorter ones behind which effect can be used to assess deer density and its effect on undersotry growth in general

COMMENTS:

Native to WI. Protected plant as picking a trillium flower seriously injures the plant by prevent the leaf-like bracts from producing food for the next year; takes many years to recover, plant may die if leaves are removed. Difficult to commercially propagate due to difficult germination rate and slow growth. Trillium, Latin, tres for three, lilium for lily; grandiflorum, large-flowered.

Flower: opens white, fades to pink and rose

Foliage

Achillea species

YARROW, ALLHEAL, BLOODWORT, WOUNDWORT, STAUNCHWEED FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE many; Paprika, Cerise Queen, Red Beauty 12-36 inches 12-24 inches clump forming, spreading 3-9, heat 9-2 short-lived unless divided every 2-3 years

FOLIAGE:

green or silver-green, bi- or tripinnate, fern-like with pungent odor; arranged spirally on the stems; potential skin irritant; spreads by rhizomes

FLOWER:

small but numerous, in flat-topped or rounded umbel terminal clusters 2-3â&#x20AC;? dia. on stalks 3-8â&#x20AC;? tall; white, yellow, orange, red, pink, some fragrant with strong, sweet scent similar to chrysanthemums

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

June-September (or first frost) 6-10 weeks Fill Sun adaptable, well-drained, loamy or sandy; plants grown in rich soil tent to be tall and floppy tolerates drought; does not like wet soils seed, divide in spring or fall

USES:

borders, xeriscaping, errosion control, naturalizes; deer resistant; attracts butterflies, excellent for dried arrangements

MAINTENANCE:

easy to grow; deadhead for continual rebloom, allow for good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases; divide every 2-3 years

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characterists overview

Flowers and foliage

aphids; powdery mildew, root and stem rot; rust Native to North America, Europe and Asia. Named for the Greek mythological character Achilles, as his soldiers used yarrow to treat wounds, cuts and abrasions; leaves encourage clotting and pain relief, flowers used as a tonic for phlegm conditions and to stimulate circulation. Dried yarrow stalks used in I Ching divination. In the Middle Ages, yarrow was part of a herbal mixture known as gruit used in flavouring beer prior to the use of hops. As a food, younger leaves are a pleasant vegetable when cooked as spinach or in a soup (sweet with a slight bitter taste); also as a dried herb for cooking. Deep rooted, leaves are rich in minerals.

Landscape useage

Adiantum pedatum

NORTHERN MAIDENHAIR FERN, FIVE-FINGERED MAIDENHAIR FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PTERIDACEAE, ADIANTACEAE Eco Aurora-borealis, Miss Sharples, Roseum 12-24 inches 12 inches random, upright, clump formingh 3-8, heat 9-3 slow growing; deciduous finely-textured, pea-green leaflets on purple-brown stems; palmately divided fronds on curved stalks forn an open umbrella; fronds arise from a creeping, branching rhizomes in clusters, roots are wiry and black, slow growing/colonizing

Habit

non-flowering; fern non-flowering May-October Part to Full Shade rich, slightly acidic medium, consistently moist; not drought tolerant division in fall, spores from outer edges of leaflets shaded border, edgin along paths in shade garden, natualizes, wooded slopes, ravine bottoms, damp shady woods low, easy to grow in right conditions; mulch to retain moisture, keep out of strong winds

PROBLEMS:

no serious insect or disease problems; high summer heat may cause fronds to brown by mid-late summer particularly is good moisture not maintained or if grown in too much sun

COMMENTS:

Native to eastern North America. Genus name comes from Greek, meaning ‘not wetting’ referring to the fronds’ ability to shed water without becoming wet. Contains a pleasant aromatic volatile oil long used as a rinse or shampoo that rendered black hair very shiny, hence the name Maidenhair. Stems were used by Native Americans in basketweaving.

Leaflets

Unfurling fiddlehead; Spores on leaflet underside

Ajuga reptans

BUGLEWEED, CARPET BUGLE FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

LABIATAE Black Scallop, Bronze Beauty, Burgundy Glow, Burgundy Lace, Catlin’s Giant, Cristata, Gaiety, Jungle Beauty, Pink Beauty, Silver Beauty 4-12 inches 12-18 inches groundcover, dense prostrate mat 3-10 semi-evergreen perennial opposite, obovate basal leaves on square stems 2-4” tall; slightly pubescent; leaf color, form variable; entire to slight dentate margins; spreads rapidly via stolons

Habit

bilabiate, on 4-6 inch upright stalks; blue, lilac, purple or pink May-June 2-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, tolerant of poor soil; needs well-drained moist; needs regular watering during hot and dry periods seed, cuttings of plantlets, crown division, tissue culture foundation, bed, planter, edging deadhead after bloom to enhance foliage effect

Flower close-up

crown rot if in clay soils; plant dieback under prolonged dry conditions Native to Europe. Known as ‘carpenter’s herb’ due to its supposed ability to stem bleeding. Ajuga translates as ‘without yoke’; reptans means ‘creeping’, referring to its spreading runners.

Foliage, ‘Catlin’s Giant’

Alchemilla mollis LADY’S MANTLE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ROSACEAE Auslese, Thriller 12-18 inches 18-24 inches mounding, clump forming 3-10, heat 7-1 perennial

FOLIAGE:

basal, orbicular leaf, 2-4” wide, 7-11 shallow lobes, velvety pubescent, graygreen, palmate venation, scalloped and serrated margin; pubescense causes water to bead up and look jewel-like

FLOWER:

chartreuse, tiny, .125” dia., apetulous, star-shaped, in dense clusters (flattopped compound cyme) on 12-18” stalks; often self seeds

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS:

COMMENTS:

Habit

June-July 4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained medium, needs to be consistently moist seed, division in early spring front of border, woodland edge, edger, rock garden, mass planting; cut flower, dried arrangements mulch to keep soil moist; deadhead after bloom for neatness and control of self seeding

Foliage

no serious insect or disease problems; dwindles in too much shade; can be an aggressive self-seeder; deer and rabbit resistant Native to southern Europe. Genus name, Arabic, alkemelych; water droplets gathering in the leaves were know by the ancients as ‘celestial water’ and used in alchemy; mollis, meaning smooth or with soft velvety hair.

Flowers close-up

Arabis caucasica

ROCK CRESS, WALL CRESS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE: FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

CRUCIFERAE Flore Pleno, Little Treasure Deep Rose, Pink Sequins, Rose Delight, Snowncap, Snowfix, Variegata, White Sequins 6-12 inches 18-24 inches spreading, loose mat forming 3-7, heat 8-1 short-lived in hotter zones, prefers cool dry sunny weather evergreen; basal, elongate, dentate margins, succulent gray-green, with slight pubescense, on short stems

Habit

fragrant, 4 petals, abundant phlox-like clusters of .50” dia. blossoms on raceme April-May 7-8 weeks if cool temps, shade shortens the bloom time Full Sun toPart Shade, prefers afternoon shade in hot climates average to sandy , well-drained some drought tolerance after established seed, stem cuttings in early summer, division every 2-4 years groundcover for spring flowering bulbs; pattern planting, rock garden, cascading over walls; deer resistant

Flower emergence

prune back after flowering to keep compact, if left untrimmed will become rangy in summer heat; must divide or replact every 3-4 years

PROBLEMS:

may rot (Botrytis, Pythium, Rhizoctonia) in excessively wet soils

COMMENTS:

Native of Southern Europe. Arabis, Greek, referring to Arabia and this plant’s ability to grow in rocky or sandy soils, also referring to ‘mustard’ or ‘cress’. Caucasica means from the Caucasus, the region between the Black and Caspian seas.

Foliage types

Armeria maritima SEA THRIFT, SEA PINK

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

PLUMBAGINACEAE Alba, Bloodstone, Compacta, Cotton Tail, Nifty Thrifty, Rubrifolia, Splendens 6-10 inches 12 inches evergreen, compact, clumping 3-7, heat 8-1 perennial

FOLIAGE:

evergreen, basal rosette, stiff, narrow, linear grass-like, dense chive-like tufts, slowly spreads

FLOWER:

showy .75-1” wide globular clusters of blossoms on stiff, thin, single, naked stalk 6-10” tall from center of tuft; pink, white, red, purple

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June 2-3 weeks Full Sun; prefers cool temps and low humidity sandy, well-drained; tolerates high salt and copper concentrations dry; in the wild grows in saline environments along coastal areas where few other plants can grow well seed, clump division xeriscapes, rock gardens, edging, border fronts, knot gardens, mass plantings, natualizes; impractical large scale groundcover due to slow spread

Flower close-up

deadhead to promote rebloom; protects its site from taller, spreading perennials no serious insect or disease problems; wet soil for extended periods encourages root rot Native to mountain and coastal areas in the northern hemisphere. The species name attests to its origin as a maritime coastal plant native to Europe and the Mediterranean.

Landscape useage

Aruncus dioicus

GOATSBEARD, BRIDE’S FEATHERS FAMILY: ROSACEAE CULTIVARS: Horatio, Kneiffii HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

48-72 inches 24-36 inches clumping, shrub-like at 3 years 3-7, heat 10-1

LONGEVITY: slow-grower the first couple of seasons,

slowly spreads from underground runners

FOLIAGE: alternate, bi- or tri-pinnately compound

dark green leaves, serrated margins; on thin stiff stems; large and stately; foliage will brown around the edges at the first sign of moisture deprivation

Habit

FLOWER: dioecious; showy, 12” long finely textured feathery plumes of blossoms on 4-6’ tall stalks, creamy-white; like astilbe on steroids; showiest on male plants (numerous stamens per flower), female flowers have 3 pistils per flower; fewer blooms in shadier sites

BLOOM TIME: June-July BLOOM LENGTH: 4-5 weeks LIGHT: Full Sin to Part Shade SOIL: rich, peaty, well-drained MOISTURE: medium to wet, consistent soil moisture produces spectacular plumes

PROPAGATION: seed (if fresh), division is difficult USES: specimen, woodland edge, background,

Flower plumes

wet/water garden, bold architectural accent, mixed border, white garden, cut and dried arrangements; attracts bees and butterflies

MAINTENANCE: deadhead for neatness and to prevent seeding of female plants

PROBLEMS: no serioius insect or disease problems,

some susceptibility to leaf spot; deer and rabbit resistant

COMMENTS: Native to western and central Europem

southern Russia, Caucasus. Aruncus, Greek, aryngos meaning goat’s beard referring to the flowers; diocus, meaning having male and female flowers on separate plants. Foliage

Astrantia major MASTERWORT

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE: FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

UMBELLIFERAE Hadspen Blood, Lars, Primadonna, Rosea, Rubra, Ruby Cloud, Ruby Wedding, Snow Star, Star of Heaven, Sunningdale Variegated 24-36 inches 18-20 inches clumping 4-7, heat 7-1 perennial basal leaves, lanceolate, sessile in pairs, palmately compound, 3-7 toothed lobes, serrate to dentate margins

Habit

numerous, 1.5” dia. umbels, central florets surrounded by pinkish starlike papery and bristly collar/bract; central florets are hermaphrodite, external brackts are male June-August 6 weeks, on and off Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich medium to wet; evenly moist; moisture hog, likes bogs division in spring, self-sows cottage garden, mid-border, mass planting, natualizes; cut flower, dried flower deadhead to promote rebloom; spreads quickly; needs consistent cool summer night temperatures below 70°F to grow well

Flower

no serious insect or disease problems; takes a while to get established; does not tolerate dryness or too much shade; Astrantia, Latin ‘aster’ meaning star, referring to the open star-shaped floral bracts; major to distinguish from the smaller species Astrantia minor.

Foliage

Athyrium filix-femina LADY’S FERN

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

DRYOPTERIDACEAE 30 inches 12-24 inches fern; densely clumping, erect 4-9, heat 8-1

LONGEVITY:

abundant in damp, shady woodland environments

FOLIAGE:

caespitose (fronds arise from a central point as a clump, rather than along a rhizome); fronds: light yellow-green, bi-pinnate with 8 or more pairs of linearlanceolate leaflets; short-stalked, finely toothed leaflets, on arching yellow-green to red stems up to 3’ long; horseshoeor J-shaped sori on underside of leaflet (spore containing) clustered at the base of subleaflets

FLOWER:

non-flowering

BLOOM TIME:

non-flowering

BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

grows May-October Full Sun to Part Shade rich, loose, loamy, slightly acidic, welldrained; tolerates drier soils better than many other ferns medium, likes high humidity; tolerates full sun only if soil is kept contantly moist division of rhizomes in spring, spores

USES:

background foliage, shade garden, stream banks, watersides, woodland massing, naturalizing

MAINTENANCE:

low, easy to grow; mulch to retain soil moisture; shelter from wind to protect fronds from breaking; divide clumps every few years to reposition crowns at soil level

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Frond unfurling

no serious insect or disease problems; fronds can become somewhat tattered in appearance by mid summer The laciest of the ferns. Athyrium, Greek, a, ‘without’ and thureos ‘shield’, also meaning a small door, referring to the indusium tissue containing the spores being hinged on one side; filix-femina, Latin, ‘fern-feminine’. Foliage and Spores

Aurinia saxatalis

BASKET OF GOLD, YELLOW ALYSSUM, MADWORT, GOLDENTUFT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

BRASSICACEAE Citrina, Compacta, Dudley Nevill Variegated, Sulphurea, Summit 6-12 inches 12-18 inches mounding groundcover 3-7, heat 9-2 short-lived in hot and humid areas

FOLIAGE:

gray-green spatulate basal leaves up to 5â&#x20AC;? long, smaller linear-oblanceolate stem leaves; semi-evergreen

FLOWER:

profuse, showy, fragrant, brilliant yellow tight clusters on panicles; flowers are hermaphrodite

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

April-June; seeds ripen in July 4-6 weeks Full Sun; Part Shade where summers are hot average to sandy, well-drained; avoid heavy clay soils dry; drought tolerant once established seed, softwood tip cuttings, division in fall rock garden, border, wall cascade, mass plantings, naturalizes; troughs, edging of containers; attracts bees and butterflies cutback by 1/2 and trim to shape after flowering

Flowers close-up

aphids; rot may develop in moist or poorly-drained soils Native from central Europe and Turkey. Genus name, Latin, Aurinia meaning golden, saxatilis meaning found among rocks. Formerly known as Alyssum saxatile. Called madwort as was used in folk medicine as an antidote to rabies.

Foliage

Baptisia australis

FALSE INDIGO, RATTLEWEED, RATTLEBRUSH FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

FABACEAE Purple Smoke 36-60 inches 36-60 inches upright, bushy 3-9, heat 9-2

LONGEVITY:

3 years to establish when grown from seed

FOLIAGE:

bluish-green, multi-stemmed; clover-like, trifoliate leaves with obovate leaflets to 2’ long; broken stems secrete sap that turns dark blue upon contact with the air

FLOWER:

indigo blue, showy lupine-like blossoms on 12” tall spike followed by inflated and hardened dark brown seed pods, to 2.5” long, which have ornamental interest

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE:

Habit

May-June 3-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, neutral to acidic, well-drained; will tolerate poorer soils dry to medium; drought tolerant once established seed, division in late fall (difficult due to taproot) specimen, small grouping, back of border, seasonal hedge, screen, cottage gardens, natualizes, meadow/prairie; attracts butterflies; stems with seed pods are valued additions to dried flower arrangements

Flowers and foliage

trimming foliage after bloom helps maintain rounded appearance, but eliminates the development of attractive seed pods

PROBLEMS:

no serious insect or disease problems; may need staking if grown in part shade locations

COMMENTS:

Common name refers to the use of this plant by early Americans as a substitute for true indigo (genus Indigofera of the West Indies) in making blue dyes. Seed pods once used by children as rattles. Baptisia, Greek, bapto meaning to dip (dye) or immerse; australis, Latin, meaning southern. Fruit

Bergenia cordifolia

HEARTLEAF BERGENIA, PIGSQUEAK FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SAXIFRAGACEAE Bressingham White, Bressingham Ruby, Evening Bells, Morning Red, Perfecta, Purpurea, Redstart, Senior, Silver Light, Winter Glow 12-16 inches 12-18 inches clump forming, spreading 3-8, heat 9-2 vigorous and very hardy, spreads slowly by rhizomes

FOLIAGE:

evergreen, spiral rosette of leathery cordate leaves, wavy or dentate margins, up to 10” long, 8” wide, glossy green turning red or bronze in fall

FLOWER:

showy pink cone-shaped waxy blossoms in a cyme, 5 petals, hermaphrodite; on fleshy stems up to 16” tall

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

April-May 4-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade tolerates wide range of soils; prefers humusy, moist, well-drained; dislikes standing water medium; consistently moist will enable quicker growth; keep well watered if in full sun or leaves will get crisp edges seed, division in spring

USES:

groundcover, border, rock garden, edging for walkways, shade gardens, natualizes; deer and rabbit resistant

MAINTENANCE:

cut away any tattered foliage; divide every 3-4 years

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

Flowers

slugs; occasional fungal leaf spot, rhizome rot Native to central Asia and Russia. Named to honor the German botanist and physician Karl August von Bergen in 1794. Called pigsqueak due to the sound produced when two leaves are rubbed together.

Habit, foliage

Campanula carpatica

BELLFLOWER, CARPATHIAN or TUSSOCK HAREBELL FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CAMPANULACEAE Blue Chips, Bressingham White, China Doll, Turbinate, Wedgewood Blue, Wedgewood White, White Clips 4-8 inches 6-12 inches mounding 3-8, heat 9-1 short-lived; 3-4 years

FOLIAGE:

long petioled basal leaves, ovate-triangular to broadly lanceolate, 2” long, deeply serrate margins

FLOWER:

blue-lilac, 1-2” dia. 5 petals with pointed tips, bell-shaped, erect on long slender naked stalks

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

July-September 6-8 weeks Full Sun-Part Shade average, well-drained; performs poorly if too dry, too wet, too hot or if high humidity moist seed, division in spring not easily done due to brittle roots, cuttings border, edging, rock garden, massing deadhead for repeat bloom slugs, snails

Flower and foliage close-up

Native to Southern Europe. Both a perennial and a biennial species, easy to grow. Campanula, Latin, ‘little bell’ referring to the flower form.

Popular cultivars: ‘White Clips’, ‘Blue Clips’

Cerastium tomentosum SNOW IN SUMMER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME:

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Columnae, Silver Carpet, YoYo 3-6 inches to 12 inches spreading groundcover 2-7 short-lived; dead patches begin to appears after several years opposite, linear-lanceolate, 1” long, .125” wide, silvery-gray, woolly/felty surfaces; mat forming creeper; appears to ‘glow’ at dusk and dawn; foliage declines as summer progresses showy, bright white, 5 petals each deeply notched at apex, 1” dia., 3-15 blossoms per cyme May-June

BLOOM LENGTH:

7 weeks

LIGHT:

Full Sun

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

Characteristics overview

sandy to average, well-drained; if fertile and moist, plant will spread faster dry to slightly moist seed, division in spring (keep soil around roots), cuttings in early summer

USES:

groundcover, rock garden, wall cascade, edger, naturalizes; for foliage color

MAINTENANCE:

cut back hard after flowering to promote compactness; do not fertilize

PROBLEMS:

root rot in wet situations; becomes raggedy if not given proper care, upkeep can be considerably time consuming; prefers cooler temps, high summer temps and humidity causes seasonal decline

COMMENTS:

Native to alpine regions of Europe. Cerastium, Greek, keras meaning ‘horn’ referring to shape of the fruit.

Habit

Flowers close-up

Convallaria majalis

LILY OF THE VALLEY, MAY BELLS, LADDER-TO-HEAVEN FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LILIACEAE Flora Pleno, Forin’s Giant, Rosea, Striata 4-12 inches 8-12 inches creeping groundcover 2-8, heat 9-1 perennial

FOLIAGE:

deep green, from pips (shoots) arising from rhizomes, aggressively spreads by stolons to form extensive colonies; 2-3 leaves per plant, 4-12” long, 1-3” wide, lanceolate-ovate to elliptic, parallel veining

FLOWER:

fragrant, white or pink, bell-shaped tepals, 5-15 per nodding raceme on stem apex; fruit is small orange-red berry containing sterile seeds

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

May-June 4-5 weeks

LIGHT:

Part to Full Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Habit

prefers consistently moist; will tolerate dry conditions in full shade division of fleshy rhizomes in spring groundcover, beneath shade trees; grown in containers and winter forced low

PROBLEMS:

stem rot, anthracnose (as fungal blotches or spots on foliage in wet cool springs)

COMMENTS:

Native woodland plant throughout cool temperate Northern Europe and Asia. All parts of this plant are poisonous. Used as a symbol of humility and purity in religious paintings and cultural legends. In the ‘language of flowers’, the lily of the valley signifies the return of happiness. Latin, lilium convallium, means lily of the valley; majalis means ‘of or belonging to May”.

Flower and foliage close-up

Botanical drawing

Dianthus plumarius PINKS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Aqua, Dad’s Favorite, Doris, Essex Witch, Fadenkienz, Frosty Fire, Helen, Horatio, Lady Granville, Margaret Curtis, Rose de Mai, Spring Beauty 6-24 inches 6-12 inches dense round clump 3-9, heat 9-1 divide vigorous clumps every 2-3 years blue, silvery or green; semi-evergreen; narrow leaves, 1-4” long, grass-like, sessile, prominent midrib, finely serrulate margins fragrant, single or double blooms, fringed petal edges, rose, pink, white, bicolored with darker center; 1.5” dia. May-September (or first frost) 4-6 weeks, and repeat Full Sun sandy to average, well-drained dry

PROPAGATION:

seed, division in spring, layering, terminal stem cuttings

USES:

edger, rock garden, cottage garden, front of border, herb garden

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

frequent deadheading keeps blooms repeating

Habit

rabbits love to graze; rots in wet soils; crowded plants contribute to fungal problems (leaf spot) Sold as an annual, is often perennial. Dianthus, Greek, dios ‘god’ and anthos ‘flower’. “Pink” coming from the frilled edge of the flowers (pinking shears).

Flowers

Gaillardia grandiflora BLANKET FLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Baby Cole, Bremen, Burgundy, Dazzler, Fan Fare, Goblin, Monarch Strain, Sun Gold, Yellow Queen 18-36 inches 18-24 inches erect, sprawling 3-10, heat 12-1 short lived in moist fertile soils

FOLIAGE:

alternate or basal elliptical leave; some entire, some dentate margins; 2-4” long, gray-green, hirsute

FLOWER:

tubular or flat petals depending on cultivar; 2 types of petals: sterile outer ray petals, and fertile inner disk petals; typ. 3-4” head

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

June-September 12 weeks Full Sun light, well-drained; will not survive in clay soils; good selectionfor dry soils and hot temps prefers consistently moist; drought and heat tolerant after established seed, division in spring, root cuttings border, fright accent, long bloomer, cottage garden, long lasting cut flower, prairie/meadow, xeriscaping

Habit

deadhead for continuous bloom; allowing seed heads to completely dry prior to trimming aids in reseeding; taller varieties may need staking; divide every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding stems break easily; aphids, leaf hoppers, four-line plant bug; leaf spot, powdery mildew, aster yellows Native to western United States. Genus Gaillardia dedicated in 1788 in honor of the early French botanist Gaillard de Charentonneau.

Flower close-up

Galium odoratum

SWEET WOODRUFF, BEDSTRAW, CLEAVERS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

RUBIACEAE 8-12 inches 12 inches groundcover, herb 4-8, heat 8-3 perennial

FOLIAGE:

fragrant, crushed leaves have ‘new mown hay’ scent; green, glossy, smiple, in whorls of 6-9 lanceolate leaflets, sessile on square stems, each .50” long, .25” wide with bristle at apex, serrulate margin

FLOWER:

fragrant, .125-.25” dia., white, four petals, star-shaped in clusters on loose branching cyme; fruits are bur-like

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

May-June 3 weeks

LIGHT:

Part to Full Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

medium to wet; consistently moist crown division in spring

USES:

edger, woodland, groundcover, naturalizes; flavors May wine, fixative in perfume and potpourri; deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

moderately invasive if in part shade with constant moisture, pull back unwanted plants; if foliage ‘browns out’ in summer, cut back to refoliate

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up

no serious insect or disease problems Native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. Greek, galion, named by Dioscorides as one used for curdling milk. Scent of plant increases on wilting and persists on drying; used as a moth deterrent. Medicinally as a tea with gently sedative properties. Woodruff comes from Old Englis meaning wood that unravels, referring to the creeping rootstock of th plant.

Botanical illustration

Heuchera americana CORAL BELLS, ALUMROOT

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SAXIFRAGACEAE many; Chocolate Ruffles, Creme Bruleé, Lime Rickie, Obsidian, Palace Purple, Pewter Veil, Snow Angel 8-30 inches 12 inches low mounding 3-9, heat 8-2 perennial

FOLIAGE:

leaves mostly basal; wide variety of shapes, coloration; typ. cordate bases, lobed, smooth or pubescent; 1-3.5”

FLOWER:

white, pink, red; small bell or urn shaped flowers in airy clusters on long stiff dark stalks

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

June-August 8-12 weeks Part Shade rich, well-drained medium; consistently moist seed, division in spring, leaf cuttings (entire leaf plus a piece of the stem) edger, rock garden, cottage garden, woodland, shade garden, naturalizes; foliage color shallow rooted, apply mulch to crowns to postpone need for division (every 3 years to discard woody crown); subject to frost heave: crowns should be set 1 inch below soil level and mulched as prevention

Habit

no serious insect or disease problems Many are Hybrid origin, some native to Rocky Mountains. Named in honor of J. H. von Heucher, 18th century german botanist.

CULTIVARS: 1-’Alabama Sunrise’, 2-’Electric Lime’, 3-’Mint Julep’, 4-’Berry Smoothie’, 5-’Georgia Peach’, 6-’Purple Petticoats’, 7-’Sashay’, 8-’Southern Comfort’, 9-’Ginger Ale’, 10-’Cinnabar Silver’, 11-’Shanghai’, 12-’Midnight Bayou’, 13-’Obsidian’, 14-’Sweet Tea’, 15-’Midnight Rose’, 16-’Tapestry’, 17-’Sugar Plum’, 18-’Paris’

Iberis sempervirens CANDYTUFT

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CRUCIFERAE Alexander White, Autumn Beauty, Autumn Snow, Little Gem, Nana/Pygmaea, Purity, Snowflake, Snow Mantle 9-18 inches 12-18 inches low, spreading 3-9, heat 9-1 not a groundcover; perennial

FOLIAGE:

evergreen; alternate, linear, smooth, blunt tip, entire margin; 1.5â&#x20AC;? long, needle-like on semi-woody stems

FLOWER:

bright white, forming pompom clusters on racemes in profusion to cover entire plant

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

April-June 2-6 weeks (cooler temps = longer bloom)

LIGHT:

Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL:

average, well-drained

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

consistently moist, but not wet seed, divsions in spring, cuttings after bloom edging, border, rock garden, cottage garden shear lightly (2 inches) after bloom to encourage new leafy growth, prevent semiwoody clumps from opening in center and to encourage possible rebloom; cut woody stems every 1-2 years to maintain compact shape

Habit

sometimes dies out if kept too wet (clay soils); club root attacks many members of mustard family Name derived from Iberia, as many species are native to Spain.

Flower close-up

Lamiastrum galeobdolan

VARIEGATED DEAD NETTLE, YELLOW ARCHANGEL FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

LAMIACEAE Herman’s Pride, Variegatum 12-24 inches 18-24 inches spreading, mounding groundcover 3-8, heat 8-1 perennial opposite, ovate, 1-2” long, crenate/dentate margins; basal leaves have longer petiole, petiole length decreases up stem; silver variegation throught leaves except on midrib and margins; stoloniferous, vigorous growth .50-.75” long, bilabiate, top lip is hooded; in axillary (at leaf axils) or terminal whorls of 5-15 flowers in dense clusters May-June 8-plus weeks, some fall rebloom

LIGHT:

Part to Full Shade; tolerates morning sun

SOIL:

adaptable; poor to average, well-drained

MOISTURE:

low; can grow in dry site where little else will grow

PROPAGATION:

division in spring, terminal cuttings in spring

USES:

bright accent, woodland edger, groundcover, shade garden, contianers, naturalizes; all-season foliage interest

MAINTENANCE:

may brown out and get straggly; shear to regenerate new foliage; if gets leggy, cut back to 6” above soil level, will regrow quickly

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up

slugs, snails Native to Europe. Species also known as Galeobdolan luteum.

Foliage

Leucanthemum x superbum SHASTA DAISY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

COMPOSITAE Alaska, Becky, Little Miss Muffet, Majestice Marconi, Polaris, Silver Princess, Snow Cap, Wirral Pride 6-36 inches 12-24 inches upright, mounding 4-9, heat 12-1 prolific self-seeder, can be invasive alternate, dark green, smooth; lower leaves are lanceolate, up to 12” long, upper are smaller and clasping, coarse toothed margins

Characteristics overview

terminal and secondary at leaf axils, 2-3” dia., obtuse white rays, yellow disk petals, single or double blossoms, some frilly June-September 8-10 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average, but especially well-drained consistently moist; if too dry, will crisp and die back seed, division borders or mid-borders, cutting gardens, butterfly gardens, cottage garden, formal garden; long bloomer divide every 2-3 years to retain vigor and compactness; tall varieties: pinch to keep compact; deadhead for neater appearance and promote continued bloom; cut tops to ground after killing frost in fall

PROBLEMS:

can be invasive; four-lined plant bug, leaf miner; leaf spots, stem rots; needs good air circulation, do not overcrowd

COMMENTS:

Hybrid origin. Luther Burbank credited with hybridizing the shasta daisy; his experiments were done near Mount Shasta.

Habit

CULTIVARS: (clockwise) ‘Becky’, ‘‘Wirral Supreme’, ‘Sunny Side Up’, ‘Old Court’

Linum perenne PERENNIAL FLAX

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LINACEAE Album, Diamant, Sapphire 12-18 inches 12-18 inches clump forming, upright, arching 4-8, heat 8-2 short-lived, 3-5 years; but readily selfseeds

FOLIAGE:

alternate, linear to lance shaped;upper leaves 1-ribbed, lower section of stem typ. leafless; fine 1” long, fern-like

FLOWER:

white, blue, purple; 1” dia. on many branched panicle; as stem grows, new flowering continues at tips; blossoms last for one day; profuse bloomer, plant is always in bloom

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

June-August 6-8 weeks; up to 12 weeks in Part Shade Full Sun to Part Shade best in light, well-drained moist; doesn’t like ‘wet feet’ seed, cuttings in summer, division is difficult as root system is coarse and sparce

USES:

border, rock garden, wildflower garden; cannot be used as cut flower as petals drop in 1 day

MAINTENANCE:

shear after flowering to maintain attractive form

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up

grasshoppers, cutworms Native to Europe. Linum, derivation of linon, the root of linen a recognized fiber for cloting since ancient times.

Foliage

Mertensia virginica

VIRGINIA BLUEBELLS, COWSLIP FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

BORAGINACEAE 12-24 inches 12-14 inches upright clump 3-9, heat 7-1 ephemeral, dies back after flowering alternate, basal, oval to lance, 8-12” long, 2-4” wide, smooth; basal leaves have long petioles rising up on 2-foot stems, leaves on flower stalk are smaller, sessile; entire margins, fresh green color, emerges purple-tinged on branched stems in nodding clusters or tubular-trumpet shaped blossoms; 2 tones: pink buds darken and open to blue, 1” long May-June 3 weeks; cooler temps give longer bloom Part Shade rich, acidic, well-drained, cool moist

PROPAGATION:

seed, division of tuberous roots in spring

USES:

shade garden, rock garden, border, woodland edge, naturalizes; booms with spring bulbs; do Not mass in border as foliage dies back in early summer leaving a hole in the flower bed

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers close-up

remove dead foliage when dormant summer dormance Native to North America. Named for Franz Carl Mertens, 19th century botanist.

Landscape useage

Paeonia lactiflora

PEONY, CHINESE PEONY FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

PAEONIACEAE many cultivars; early, mid-season and late-blooming; no blue or green flowers 24-48 inches 24-36 inches spreading, rounded, shrub-like 2-8, heat 9-1 long lived, 20+ years

FOLIAGE:

large, biturnately compound, deeply lobed, up to 12” long; leaflets pointed or rounded

FLOWER:

large, showy, often fragrant; white, yellow, pink, red, purple; 3-8” dia.; many flower forms: Single, Japanese, Anemone/Semidouble, Double, Bomb-Double- each category becoming more complex in the arrangement of petals

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

May-June 2-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained moist seed (often takes 5-7 years from seed to flowering), root division in Sept-Oct. (3 years before full blooming; plant 3-5 eyes per division, 2” deep)

USES:

speciman, groupings, borders, hedge; accents fronting shrubs, wall or fence; background foliate, cottage garden, cut flower

MAINTENANCE:

taller cultivars and double flowers need ‘hooping’; cut back to ground in fall

Habit

PROBLEMS:

flower buds produce honeydew which attracts ants; double flower forms can trap rain, leading to fungal disease like botrytis (can turn new shoots and buds black); if No Blooms: too much shade, too deeply planted, tree root competition or late spring freeze

COMMENTS:

Native to China, Mongolia, Siberia. Peony is named after Paeon, a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. Asclepius became jealous of his pupil; Aeus saved Paeon from the wrath of Asclepius by turning hiim into the peony fllower.

Flowers

Botanical illustration

Paeonia suffriticosa JAPANESE TREE PEONY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

PAEONIACEAE many; see bottom image for selections 4-6 feet 5-8 feet woody shrub, deciduous 4-8, heat 9-1 slow grower, long-lived

FOLIAGE:

medium green biturnate leaves on slender branching woody stems, oval to lanceshaped leaflets

FLOWER:

large, showy, often fragrant; single, double anemone shaped; 6-12” dia.; true species features pink to white petals each having a purple basal patch; many cultivars with wide range of petal colors: white, yellow, pink, red, purple; fuzzy fruits

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

USES:

MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

May-June 2-4 weeks Fun Sun to Part Shade rich, excellent drainage medium, moist; heavy feeders seed, grafting; takes several years to establish, are best left undisturbed once planted as roots go deep and transplanting can be difficult speciman, groupings, accents along fences, sidewalks, driveways or walls; hedges; background foliage remains attractive throughout season

Flower closu-up

shelter from strong winds; no pruning except to cut out dead wood or suckers in early spring; if plant becomes leggy, a moderate pruning in early fall to shape plant and encourage additional growth on lower part of plant; deadhead after blooming relatively pest free; some susceptibility to leaf blotch, tip blight, botrytis blight, stem rot, canker, leaf blight, stem wilt and scale Native to China, Tibet, Bhutan.

CULTIVARS: 1-’Houki’, 2-’Kinkaku’, 3-’Kinshi’, 4-’Koukamon’, 5-’Naniwanaskiki’, 6-’Renkaku’, 7-’Shimadaiin’, 8-’Yachiyotsubaki’

Papaver orientale ORIENTAL POPPY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

PAPAVERACEAE many with variety of colors, Brilliant, Carnival, Carousel, Indian Chief, Olypia, Patty’s Plum, Picotee, Royal Wedding, Summer Breeze Mix, Watermelon 36-48 inches 12 inches mounding, upright 3-8, heat 9-2 ephemeral, but deep taproot basal, pinnately compound, hispid: covered with short prickly hairs; leaves turn brown in early summer, disappear entirely to reappear in fall; showy, colorful, 4-6” dia. cup-shaped flowers rise singly at terminals of tall stems; 4-6 petals having crepe paper appearance, milky sap from stems possible skin irritant; large, velvety, black seed capsule surrounded by dark purple stamens June-July short, often no rebloom; plants go dormant after blooming Full Sun light, very well-drained, neutral pH; dislikes clay keep moist; drought tolerant once established seed, division every 5 years in late summer, root cuttings

USES:

specimen, cut/dried flower; plant in middle of perennial bed with other tall growing perennials that will provide cover once the poppie’s foliage goes brown

MAINTENANCE:

apply fungicide in spring to protect flower buds; end of season: leave new foliage on plant, apply mulch of loose material like pine needles after ground has frozen to prevent crowns from heaving

PROBLEMS:

no serious insect or disease problems; do not like transplanting (deep taproot) or over watering; during wet springs, fungal issues may blacken buds with failure to open

COMMENTS:

Native to Caucasus, NE Turkey and Northern Iran, noth the Orient as the name implies. Related to the Great Scarlet Poppy, Papaver bracteatum, grown for the commercial extraction of thebaine, a main source for the legal synthesis of opiates. Cultivar ‘Brilliant’ made popular by Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings in the 1930’s.

Habit

Flower close-up, ‘Patty’s Plum’

Flower bud, Seed pod, Botanical illustration

Polemonium caeruleum

JACOB’S LADDER, GREEK VALERIAN, CHARITY FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME:

POLEMONIACEAE Album, Apricot Delight, Blue Pearl, Brise d’Anjou, Snow and Sapphires 18-24 inches 18 inches erect, clump forming, informal 2-7, heat 8-1 short-lived unless divided regularly (3 years) and moved to fresh soil alternate, basal, pinnately compound, some appear on flower stalk, 11-27 lanceolate leaflets, up to 1” long, appears ladder-like, soft texture fragrant, showy, hermaphrodite, branching terminal clusters of white, blue or purple bell-shaped blossoms with yellow stamens May-June

BLOOM LENGTH:

2-3 weeks

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

rich, humusy, well-drained moist to damp, don’t allow to dry out seed, division in fall every 3 years, cuttings container specimen, borders, rock gardens, woodland gardens, cottage and shade gardes; naturalizes

MAINTENANCE:

cut back to basal foliage after bloom to encourage possible rebloom and prevent self seeding

PROBLEMS:

no serious insect or disease problems; possible leaf spot or powdery mildew in humid conditions; foliage scorches in too much sun; leaflet tips brown up if soil is to dry; cats are attracted to the scent of this plant, particulary younger plants, protection needed to prevent plant injury

COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up, ‘Brise d’Anjou’

Native to Europe, Asia. Used in potpourris; boiled in olive oil to make black dyes and hair dressing. caeruleum, in reference to sky bly flower color.

Foliage, ‘Brise d’Anjou’

Primula species PRIMROSE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

PRIMULACEAE numerous; wide variety of bold colors 4-14 inches 6-12 inches low growing, clumps, spreading 3-8, heat 7-3 perennial

FOLIAGE:

basal rosette, tufted and wrinkled leaves, downey beneath

FLOWER:

borne in clusters on erect, leafless stems

BLOOM TIME:

May

BLOOM LENGTH:

2-4 weeks

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained; some are bog species

MOISTURE:

consistently moist, do not allow to dry out

PROPAGATION:

seed, division of plantlets, 1-2â&#x20AC;? long stem cuttings depending on species

USES:

borders, rock gardens, containers, massed

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

deadhead slugs; overwatering can cause basal rot; cool summers preferred Primula, Latin, from primus, meaning first (prime) to open in spring. Both flowers and leaves are edible; flavor ranges between mild lettuce and more bitter salad greens. Leaves can be used for tea, young flowers made into wine. English Primrose, Primula vulgaris, parent of many hybrids.

Flower and foliage close-up

Numerous cultivars

Pulmonaria saccharata LUNGWORT, BETHLEHEM SAGE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

BORAGINACEAE Argentifolia, Dora Bielefeld, Roy Davidson, Leopard, Mrs. Moon, Sissinghurst White 9-18 inches 10-12 inches radiating, clump 3-8, heat 8-4 creeping rhizome, prolificically self seeds semi-evergreen; elliptical, 4-12” long, basal becoming alternate, medium to dark green, pubescent ot bristly on both upper and lower surfaces, with silver speckles or blotches giving a mottled to marbled appearance; spread by creeping rhizome

Habit

pink, violet or blue buds open to slightly nodding blue funnel-shaped flowers on stalked, branching cyme; flowers open before basal foliage has fully expanded; flowers close on very cloudy days and at night; May-June 3-4 weeks Part to Full Shade deep, rich, very well-drained evenly moist; not drought tolerant seed, crown division in spring or fall non-traditional groundcover, shade gardens, under trees, group or mass plantings, woodland gardens

Flower and foliage close-up

low

PROBLEMS:

powdery mildew, crown rot, root rot if too wet or in clay soils;

COMMENTS:

Native to Europe. Pulmonaria, Latin, pulmo, “lung”, leaf shape/markings resembles diseased lungs and plant was once used to treat lung disorders; saccharata, “sprinkled with sugar” referring to the spotty foliage.

Botanical illustrations

Scabiosa columbaria PINCUSHION FLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

DIPSACACEAE Butterfly Blue, Pink Mist 12-18 inches 10-12 inches rounded clump irregular 3-7, heat 8-3

LONGEVITY:

short-lived; division needed to reinvigorate

FOLIAGE:

opposite, basal, lanceolate-linear, dissecte or twice dissected, dentate margins, gray-green, 2-6â&#x20AC;? long; many branched, dense, mat-forming

FLOWER:

blue or pink, 1.5-2â&#x20AC;? dia., 2 types of florets: outer, frilly, flat-sterile, inner, domed cushion-fertile; stamens stand above the petals resembling pins stuck in a pincushion; blooms singly on stiff stems; blossoms not fazed by summer heat, but rate of flowering may slow

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

June-October (frost) extended if consistently deadheaded Full Sun well-drained, neutral to alkaline (add lime to soil) moist seed, division in spring every 3-4 years with buds below soil surface, stem cuttings in summer

USES:

butterfly garden, rock garden, border, containers; cut flower; attracts butterflies; deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

does not require staking; keep deadheaded to prolong flowering, once it goes to seed it stops blooming; do not cut back foliage in fall; remove winter damaged foliage in spring

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up

botrytis, powdery mildew Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, North Africa and western Asia. These plants were once believed to cure scabies, hence the name. There are 80 species, only a few are used as garden plants. Foliage

Stachys byzantina

LAMB’S EAR, WOOLLY BETONY, HEDGE NETTLE, WOUNDWORT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

LABIATAE Big Ears, Cotton Ball, Primrose Heron, Sheila Macqueen, Silky Fleece, Silver Carpet, Striped Phantom 12-15 inches up to 36 inches spreading groundcover, herb 4-8, heat 9-1 perennial evergreen; opposite, oblong to elliptic, thick, up to 4” long, 1-2” wide; graygreen with dense white tomentose upper and lower surfaces, soft, furry texture; crenulate margins; pleasant scent when crushed; spreads by creeping stems that root where touching the soil (layering) tall, spike-like square stalks having small leaves, often branched, ring of tubular, bilabiate flowers at leaf axils, pinkish purple May-July 6 weeks Full Sun-Part Shade

SOIL:

adaptable, well-drained

MOISTURE:

moist; drought tolerant

PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Characteristics overview

seed, division of root mass edging/borders, groundcover, children’s gardens; deer resistant

Habit

low; avoid overhead watering; mid-season foliage decline, pick off damaged leaves to tidy up the plant

PROBLEMS:

leaves will rot if they get too wet; avoid crowding; promote sufficient air circulation; can spread aggressively in rich soils and be considered invasive;

COMMENTS:

Native to Turkey, Armenia and Iran. Known as an edible herb in Brazil called Lambari. Sometimes used as a medicinal plant. Stachys, Greek, “an ear of grain”, referring to the shape of the flower spikes; byzantina, refers to the plant;s Middle Eastern origin, including an area that was once part of the Byzantine Empire. Flowers close-up

Tanacetum cocciceum

PAINTED DAISY, PYRETHRUM DAISY, PERSIAN CHRYSANTHEMUM FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ASTERACEAE Brenda, James Kelway, Robinson’s hybrids 1.5-2.5 feet 1.5-2 feet cushion, mound or clump 3-7, heat 9-1 Divide every 3-5 years to revitalize.

FOLIAGE:

medium green, alternate, fine texture, fern-like; leaves often aromatic

FLOWER:

petals of white, red or pink shades with yellow centers; single or double blooms on branched wiry stems, 3” dia.

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

early to mid Summer, June-July Long lasting cut flower. Full Sun to Part Shade best in fertile, well-drained

MOISTURE:

average, water regularly, do not overwater

PROPAGATION:

seed, division (in Spring or very early Fall)

USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

borders, mass plantings; attracts butterflies low; pinch plants in Spring when 6-8” tall to promote bushiness; deadhead to encourage additional fall bloom; may require staking. Divide every 2-5 years. few; aphids Native to SW Asia. Deer resistant. Contains insecticidal pyrethum substances, Best pyrethrum source is from Chrysanthemum (Tanacetum cinerarifolium)... typically the white variety. Pyrethrum extract is used to make organic insecticides having an almost instant knock-down affect. Flowers should be dried, then crushed and mixed with water for use as an insecticidal spray. Once dried, the flowers or the powder retain their insecticidal properties almost indefinitely.

Flowers ‘Robinson’s Hybrids’

Use as a companion plant to repel pest insects from nearby crops or ornamental plants. Thought to repel: aphids, bed bugs, leafhoppers, spider mites, harlequin bugs, ticks, cabbage worms. Foliage

Yucca filamentosa

ADAM’S NEEDLE, SPOONLEAF YUCCA, PALM LILY, NEEDLE PALM FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

AGAVACEAE Bright Edge, Color Guard, Golden Sword, Hofer Blue 2-5 feet 2-5 feet clump, radiating 4-10, heat 9-1 long lived perennial

FOLIAGE:

basal rosette, glaucous, very sharp, pointed spiny leaves, sword like, 2.5’ long, 1” wide; exfoliating white thready margins; wide range of color and texture; evergreen; bending downwards with age

FLOWER:

showy tower of white scapes, pendulous bell-shaped blossoms on arching stems 3-8 feet tall; blooms from bottom up to top

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Characteristics overview

Summer, mid-June to August 4-8 weeks Full Sun to Full Shade; best in Full Sun; does not bloom in full shade average, neutral, well-drained low; does not tolerate wet sites seed, offsets, division, root cutting ornamental speciman, foliage, border dead basal foliage needs to be carefully removed with a sharp knife in early Spring; fruiting stalks are best pruned after flowering has finished in mid-Summer to keep plant tidy

PROBLEMS:

few disease or pest problems. Yuccas have deep tap roots and are extremely difficult to completely remove by digging out; remaining, broken root segments will resprout within a couple months or the next year; repeat applications of herbicide needed for eradication

COMMENTS:

Native to SE United States. Extremely urban tolerant (especially to heat, drought, and blazing sun exposure), winter salt spray tolerant. Yucca, a Caribbean name for Cassava, originally misidentified as another species of Yucca; filamentosa, “with filaments”, referring to the thready leaf margins.

Habit

Flower close-up

Aegopodium podagraria

SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN, BISHOP’S WEED, GROUND ELDER, HERB GERARD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

APIACEAE 6-12 inches 10-15 inches spreadeing groundcover 2-8 hard to kill

FOLIAGE:

leaves green with silver margin; underground long white branching rhizomes resemble quackgrass

FLOWER:

small, five petaled, held 3’ high above leaves in flat topped clusters

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June-July 2-4 weeks Full Sun - Part Shade adaptable; rich or poor soil, well-drained low to damp; drought tender seed, division/cuttings of rhizome in spring useful where little else will grow; naturalizes low; deadhead to prevent self-seeding aggressive, invasive Native to Europe and western Asia. Called ground elder due to some similarity of leaves and flowers to those of Sambucus which is a distant relative. Tender leaves in spring, just before it flowers, can be eaten as a vegetable; pinch back flower to keep plant edible. Introduced to Northern Europe by monks as an edible food; also eaten by Chinese and Tibetan monks. Used to treat gout and arthritis.

Leaf and flower close-up

Botanical illustrations

Alcea rosea HOLLYHOCK

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

MALVACEAE Chatter’s Double, Creme de Cassis, Indian Spring, Marjorette Mix, Niger, Powderpuffs, Queenly Purple 5-9 feet 18-24 inches upright, slender 2-10, heat 10-3 biennial, spontaneously reseeds cordate with deep lobes (3,5 or 7), rough, felt-like and hairy; larger lower leaves which become progressively smaller toward top of stalk

Habit and single blossom flower style

showy, old garden favorite; 3-5” dia., cup-shaped. outward facing on rigid towering spikes/spires; blossom styles: single, double, ruffled, frilled in nearly every shade of white, pink, yellow, lavendar, red, purple June-Sept 6-8 weeks Full Sun adaptable, well-drained; different flower colors prefer different soils; darker colors: sandy; lighter colors: average to clay medium; intolerant of wet soil seed architectural accent, cottage gardens, background, against walls and fences

Double blossom flowers

protect from wind to reduce need for staking; treat with fungicidal soap for rust, remove affected leaves; needs good air circulation slugs, snails, spider mites, Japanese beetles; rust, leaf spot, anthracnose Native to southwestern China, imported to Europe in approx. 15th century. William Turner, herbalist, named it ‘holyoke’ from which the English name is derived.

Leaf close-up

Anthemis tinctoria

MARGUERITE DAISY, OXEYE CHAMOMILE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE E.C. Buxton, Grallagh Gold, Kelwayi, Moonlight, Susanna Mitchell, Sancti-Johannis 24-36 inches 18 inches erect, clump forming, shrubby 3-7, heat 8-3 biennial

FOLIAGE:

alternate, mostly sessile, fragrant if crushed, finely divided, fernlike, tomentose below, 3” long

FLOWER:

showy, profuse, 1.5-2.5” dia. pale to bright golden yellow, fades to near white with age; singly on long thin angular stems; ray florets fertile, disk florets

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

June-Oct (first frost) 3-4 weeks Full Sun average to poor, well-drained; do not fertilize dry to medium moisture; drought tolerant; intolerant of wet, hot, humid conditions seed, division every 2-3 years in spring; root cuttings in spring to late summer

USES:

beds, borders, containers, cut flower, cottage garden, mass planting, xeriscaping

MAINTENANCE:

pinch young plant to encourage bushiness; do not fertilize: if grown in rich soils, will become leggy and require staking; cut back hard to basal foliage after flowering to encourage new growth and continuous bloom

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers

slugs, aphids Native to Mediterranean and western Asia. One of the genus Anthemis whose petals can be brewed for tea. Petals produce excellent yellow, buff and golden-orange dyes for fabric.

Flower and foliage close-up

Artemesia schmidtiana

SILVER MOUND, ANGELS-HAIR, WORMWOOD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Nana/Silver Mound 4-10 inches up to 12 inches spreading, mounding, compact 4-8, heat 12-8 fast growing perennial

FOLIAGE:

alternate, silvery-green, tomentose, on short stems, twice palmately divided into linear segments of extremely fine texture; remains silvery until frost

FLOWER:

silver bud becoming yellow-white balllike blossom, small, insignificant

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

August insignificant Full Sun to Part Shade average to poor, well-drained; if too rich or fertilized: may grow taller resulting in clump splitting (center of mound opens up) low to medium; drought and heat tolerant division every 2-3 years in spring

USES:

edging, specimen, border, containers, mass planting, rock garden, xeriscaping

MAINTENANCE:

shear foliage back halfway in July before flowering begins to prevent clump splitting; do not cut into old wood, cut just below new buds

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Nana’

Habit ‘Silver Mound’

stem rot or foliage rust in humid conditions Native to Japan. Named for the Greek diety, Artemis, goddess of chastity. One of the most popular silver foliage plants.

Foliage close-up: ‘Silver Mound’

Asarum europaeum

EUROPEAN WILD GINGER, ASARABACCA, HAZELWORT, WILD SPIKENARD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE 4-6 inches 6-10 inches groundcover, herb 4-7, heat 9-3 rhizomatous perennial, slow growing

FOLIAGE:

leaves: petiolate, reniform (kidneyshaped), 4â&#x20AC;? wide, 2 per fleshy prostrate stem, dark green, glossy, some are textured or have silvery pattern; pepper-like smell and taste, evergreen

FLOWER:

solitary, terminal, nodding, hermaphrodite; flower tube of fused tepals that end in 3-petal like projections; brownish at tip becoming purple at center; 12 stamens; emerge very early spring, hidden beneath foliage; polinated by flies

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

April-May 2-3 weeks Part to Full Shade rich, slightly acidic, well-drained moist to damp seed, division of rhizomes in spring edging, woodland, shady groundcover, mass plantings low

Flower close-up

slugs, snails; rust, leaf gall; intolerant of high temperatures; Native to western European woodlands. Glossy foliage adds reflected light in dark places. Canadian wild ginger is a faster spreading groundcover. Used in homeopothy for treatment of oversensitive nervous system. Formerly used when dried as a snuff to produce a copicious flow of mucous and sneezing. Can be very toxic; root contains a camphor like substance/essential oil (50% ararone) and is 65% more toxic than peppermint oil. A vibrant apple-green dye is obtained from the leaves. Botanical illustration

Astilbe species

ASTILBE, FALSE SPIREA FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

SAXIFRAGACEAE many; see appendix chart 12-42 inches 18-24 inches upright dense clumps 4-9, heat 8-2 rhizomatous perennial leaves biturnately compound, many leaflets that are ovate to oblong, double serrate margins, dull or shiny depending on cultivar; on long thin, reddish-brown stems; new foliage often reddish or bronze; lighter colored leaves usually indicate lighter colored blooms; slow spreader

Characteristics overview

showy loose clustered fluffy pyramidal plumes of tiny flowers on upright branching stalks; one to many plumes per plant; cultivars offer early-mid- & late-season bloom times; many colors, once blooming; fruiting stalks sometimes provide ornamental winter effect June-August 3-6 weeks Part to Full Shade rich, well-drained; needs regular addition of coompost and fertilization as they’re ‘gross feeders’ that deplete soil of nutrients

MOISTURE:

evenly moist to damp; moisture hogs!

PROPAGATION:

seed, crown division every 4-5 years, TC

USES:

architectural accent, foundation, group or mass planting, woodland, water’s edge, wet garden, shade garden, cut flower; attracts butterflies, deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

easy care; foliage decline in hot, dry conditions

PROBLEMS:

Do not allow to dry out or will die; no significant insect or disease problems

COMMENTS:

Native to Asia and North America. See chart in appendix for planning a full season of color/blooming. 4 types of astilbe: arendsii, chinensis, japonica, simplicifolia (dwarf); chinensis is somewhat drought tolerant. Mixing astilbes of differing heights, flower colors and bloom times makes for an interesting, easy-care shade garden. Astilbe translates as “without brilliancy”, referring to tiny individual flowers.

Habit and close-up of foliage

Flowers close-up

Athyrium nipponicum JAPANESE PAINTED FERN

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

DRYOPTERIDACEAE Apple Court, Burgundy Lace, Ghost, Metallicum, Pewter Lace, Pictum, Silver Falls, Soul Mate, Ursula’s Red, Wildwood Twist 12-18 inches 12-24 inches deciduous fern 3-9, heat 8-1 perennial showy, arching fronds 9-16” long, 6-9” wide, with 6-10 pairs if silvery gray-andgreen deeply lobed pinnae, 1.5-3.5” long, 1” wide, on red-purple stems growing from basal rootstock; spore-bearing sori on underside of all pinnae

‘Burgundy Lace’

none May-October none Part to Full Shade; prefers morning or late afternoon sun for best color rich, well-drained evenly moist spores, clump division in spring, TC bright textural accent, borders, woodland garden, shade garden, near streams or ponds low, easy care

‘Pictum’

none Native to eastern Asia. Named 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year.

Spore pattern

Campanula glomerata

CLUSTER BELLFLOWER, DANE’S BLOOD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CAMPANULACEAE Caroline, Crown of Snow, Freya, Joan Elliott, Superba 18-24 inches 12-18 inches upright, dense clump 4-10, heat 9-1 stoloniferous, quick spreading perennial

FOLIAGE:

alternate, 4-5” long basal leaves are petiolate, oblong becoming lanceolate, sessile further up stem

FLOWER:

dense, up to 20 upward facing, funnel shaped blossoms in terminal and axillary tight clusters; blue, purple, or white

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

May-July 4-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained evenly moist seed, division in spring or fall every 3 years to reinvigorate, stem cuttings mid-border, cottage garden, bright color accent, cut flower, natualizes; attracts hummingbirds, butterflies cut flowering stems back after blooming; deadheading does not prolong bloom; can become floppy in shaded area needing staking

Flower buds

slugs Native to Europe, Anatolia and Siberia. Campanula, Latin, small bell; glomerata, Latin, refers to the tight grouping of flowers at the top of the stem. Eurasian species called Dane’s Blood deriving from an old belief that these plants sprang from the blood of Danes who fell in battle. Flowers and young tender leaves are edible; used in mixed salads with a little vinegarette.

Flower blossoms

Centaurea montana

BACHELOR’S BUTTON, BLUE CORNFLOWER, MOUNTAIN BLUET FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Alba, Amethyst in Snow, Aurea, Black Sprite, Gold Bullion, Parham, Rubra 18-24 inches 12-18 inches erect, clump forming; herb 3-8, heat 9-1 stoloniferous perennial

FOLIAGE:

leaves oblong, pointy at both ends, pubescent, gray-green, basal up to 7” long, becomes smaller further up stalk

FLOWER:

bud has scale-like bracts; showy, solitary, fringed, 2” dia. rich blue tubular ray florets w/reddish-blue centers atop unbranched stems 1-2’ tall; hermaphrodite

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

July-October 6 weeks, deadhead for sparse rebloom Full Sun adaptable, well-drained; avoid rich soils dry to medium; drought tolerant, intolerant of wet feet seed, division every 2-3 years in fall, basal cuttings in spring mass plantings, border fronts, cottage gardens, natualizes; cut flower; deer resistant deadhead for repeat bloom

Flower close-up

occasionally rust, aster yellows, stem rot Native to Europe. Inedible, but popular medicinal plant in Central Europe. An astringent herb, flowers have been used as an ingredient for eye ailments (conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers), minor wounds and ulcers of the mouth. Extracts used in shampoos and conditioners. Cetaurea is named for Chiron, a centaur known for his herbal knowledge who first introduced this plant for healing.

Foliage and flowers

Centranthus ruber

RED VALERIAN, JUPITER’S BEARD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

VALERIANACEAE Albus, Atrococcineus, Blue Giant, Coccineus, Pretty Betsy, Roseus 12-36 inches 12-24 inches upright, clump to shrub 4-8, heat 9-2 long-lived perennial opposite, lanceolate, 2-4” long, smooth, bluish green, webby ‘bloom’ on leaf surface; lower leaves petioled, upper leaves sessile; well branched, becoming bushy, woody, fragrant showy, large dense terminal and axillary clusters; profuse; small tubular star shaped flowers atop upright to relaxed stems rising 3’ above foliage; purplish red, crimson, lavender or white; strong, somewhat rank scent; dandelion-like seed heads June-October (frost) 4-6 weeks, repeats Full Sun to Part Shade infertile, average to sandy, well-drained; can tolerate very alkaline soils low to medium; drought and salt tolerant; intolerant of wet conditions/overwatering

PROPAGATION:

seed, division every 3 years in spring, cuttings in summer

USES:

cottage gardens, hedgerow, stone walls, slope or bank cover for erosion control, specimen, small group planting, naturalizes, xeriscaping; cut flower, attracts butterflies

MAINTENANCE:

low, deadhead before it goes to seed for continuous bloom

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit and botanical illustration

Flowers close-up

prolific self-seeding in fertile soils to the point of being weedy; mealy bugs, aphids Native to Mediterranean region. Edible; both leaves (bitter) and roots can be eaten either fresh in salads or lightly boiled, the roots boiled in soups. Seeds were used in ancient embalming. Red Valerian does not have the medicinal value found in the herb Valerian officinalis.

Foliage and flower

Chelone lyonii

TURTLEHEAD, SHELLFLOWER FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SCROPHULARIACEAE Hot Lips 24-36 inches 15-18 inches dense upright clumps 3-8, heat 9-3 perennial; spreads slowly by rhizomes

FOLIAGE:

opposite, obovate, serrate, 4-6” long, smooth, shiny dark green; stiff square red stems don’t need staking; deep root system; late risers coming up in late spring

FLOWER:

bilabiate, top lip is hooded with sharp ridge on its back, lower lip is bearded with deep yellow hairs; clusters of 1” long blossoms whorled on stem, dense spikes’terminal racemes of rose-pink open from bottom up; resembles snapdragon blossoms

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

August-September 4-plus weeks Part Shade, Full Sun in moist areas best in rich, acidic, can be poorly drained moist to wet; intolerant of drying out

PROPAGATION:

seed, cuttings in spring/early summer, division in spring; deep root system means difficulty transplanting

USES:

specimen, woodland edge, mid-border, mass planting, wet/bog garden, pond periphery, wet meadow, natualizes; attracts butterflies, late-season bloomer cut flower; deer resistant

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower and foliage

for fuller growth, pinch tips when spring shoots are about 6-9” long; composted leaf mulch if in sunny location slugs, snails; rust, powdery mildew Native to south eastern United States (Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia). Chelone (rhymes with “baloney) was a nymph in Greek mythology who insulted the gods by ridiculing or not attending the marriage of Zeus to Hera. The gods punished her by turning her into a turtle. Species is named for early American botanist John Lyon, died in 1818. Flower close-up

Chrysanthemum x rubellum

HYBRID RED CHRYSANTHEMUM, CLARA CURTIS DAISY FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITEA, ASTERACEAE Apricot, Carmine Blush, Clara Curtis, Duchess of Edinburg, Mary Stoker, Sheffield Pink, Wills Wonderful 24-36 inches 18-30 inches compact, branching 4-9, heat 12-1 short-lived, spready by rhizomes

FOLIAGE:

dark green, 4” long, deeply lobed; many stems

FLOWER:

lightly fragrant, 2-3” dia. numerous pink to rosy-red ray petals with yellow eye; masses of blooms, each on its own stem

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

late summer, rebloom Sep-Oct 3-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, prefers rich, well-drained drought resistant stem cuttings, division every 3 years in spring

USES:

borders, mass plantings, cottage garden; attracts butterflies, deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

pinch in early spring for bushier growth; shear in mid-July to create bushier compact growth and maximum floral display in Sept-Oct; benefits from fertilization

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers ‘Mary Stoker’

no serious insect or disease problems Hybrid.; aka Dendranthema zawadskii; called Country Girl in some catalogs. Chrysanthemum is derived from the Greek, chrysos (golden) and anthos (flower). Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century BC; flowers are boiled to make a sweet tea with many medicinal uses. Important as a natural source of insecticide. The flowers are pulverized, and the active components called pyrethrins, contained in the seed cases, are extracted and sold in the form of an oleoresin. This is applied as a suspension in water or oil, or as a powder.

Foliage

Coreopsis lanceolata

TICKSEED, LANCELEAF COREOPSIS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Baby Gold, Early Sunrise, Goldfink, Jethro Tull, Sweet Dreams, Sunburst, Tequila Sunrise 12-30 inches 9-12 inches clump forming; herb 3-9, heat 12-1 fast growing, forms extensive colonies opposite, lanceolate, hairy, 2-6” long, entire margin, appears primarily as basal tufts, some stem leaves deeply lobed almost forming 3 leaflets; short rhizome yellow, 1-1.5” dia., single or double forms; 8 ray petals are 4-lobed, with flat yellow center disks; occur singly atop long, naked penduncles; very long blooming if deadheaded May-July 4-plus weeks if deadheaded Full Sun adaptable, well-drained

MOISTURE:

dry to average; tolerates heat, humidity and drought; intolerant of wet

PROPAGATION:

seed, clump division every 2-3 years in fall; aggressively self-seeds

USES:

wildflower garden, meadow, prairie, xeriscape, naturalizes; attracts butterflies, good cut flower

MAINTENANCE:

prompt deadheading of spent flower stalks encourages additional bloom and prevents unwanted self-seeding; cut back hard in summer if foliage sprawls; division needed to maintain robustness

PROBLEMS:

no serious insect or disease problems; tends to sprawl if grown in moist or fertile soils; possible crown rot in moist, poorly drained sites

COMMENTS:

Habit

Mosaic of tickseed varieties

Native to central and southeastern United States. Called tickseed in reference to the resemblance of the seeds to ticks. Seeds area favorite food for goldfinches. ‘Jethro Tull’ close-up

Coreopsis verticillata

WHORLED TICKSEED, THREADLEAF COREOPSIS, POT-OF-GOLD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Golden Showers, Moonbeam, Route 66, Zagreb 12-36 inches 12-18 inches mounding; herb 3-9, heat 12-1 perennial, spreads by rhizomes

FOLIAGE:

fragrant, dark green, opposite or whorls of three. sessile; delicate, lacey, extremely finely divided, needle-like; shallow, spreading root system

FLOWER:

soft yellow, 1-2” dia. on wiry stems, abundant loose, open clusters of untoothed petals around darker yellow eyes

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

June-October (frost) 15-plus weeks Full Sun poor, sandy, rocky to average, welldrained dry to average; intolerant of wet; tolerant of drought, poor soil, heat and neglect

PROPAGATION:

seed, cuttings, division every 3-4 years in spring or fall to increase vigor

USES:

hanging baskets, containers, border/edger, rock gardens; textural softener, long bloomer, cut flower, attracts butterflies, deer resistant

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS:

COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Zagreb’

‘Moonbeam’ flower and foliage

deadhead by giving a ‘haircut’ in early August to prolong bloom time no serious insect or disease problems; dies out if shade by other plants or if soil is too soggy; rabbits may eat young plants; tends to sprawl in fertile/moist soils; crown rot in wet soils Coreopsis, Greek, ‘resembling a bug’, and alludes to the tick-like shaped seeds; verticillata, Latin, ‘whorled’. ‘Moonbeam’ is a sterile cultivar.

‘Moonbeam’ flower close-up

Delphinium elatum

DELPHINIUM, LARKSPUR, STAGGERWEED FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

RANUNCULACEAE Belladonna Hybrids, Connecticut Yankee Series, New Millennium Series, pacific Hybrids, Pennant, Round Table Mixed 1-6 feet 9-12 inches clump forming 3-7, heat 6-1 short-lived, lose vitality after 2-3 years

FOLIAGE:

alternate, palmate shape, 3-7 toothed, pointed lobes; larger lower leaves, smaller up the stalk; dark green, glossy

FLOWER:

showy, spikey raceme of many flowers; single and double form, true blue, purple, red, yellow, white; 5 sepals grow together to form a hollow pocket with a spur at the end; within the sepals are four true petals of the same or a different color (called a ‘bee’); seeds are small, shiny black; flower stalks are hollow and brittle

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

June-September 4 weeks, repeat in September Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained; heavy feeders, need fertilization and benefit from compost moist seed, basal cuttings 3-4 inches long in spring, division every 2-3 years in spring

‘Pacific Giants’

cottage garden, fronting a fence or wall, architectural accent, cut flower often needs staking; begin staking when 12 inches tall to prevent damage; protect from winds, likes cool evenings aphids, borers, spider mite; powdery mildew, crown or stem rot Native to USA and Europe. Delphinium, Latin, delphis: dolphin- alluding to the shape of the opening flower’s resemblance to the bottle-like nose of the dolphin -or- the shape of the gland that secretes nectar. Plant juices contain an alkaloid, delphinenine, very poisonous; is a significant cause of cattle poisoning in the western US.

Habit

Flowers close-up

Dicentra eximia

FRINGED BLEEDING HEART, TURKEY CORN FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

FUMARIACEAE, PAPAVERACEAE Alba, Bountiful, King of Hears, Luxuriant, Snowdrift 9-18 inches 8-12 inches clump forming 3-9, heat 10-1 long-lived in moist, well-drained site compound, finely divided, fern-like texture, similar to Corydalis, blue-gray, basal growth from scaly rootstock; does not undergo warm-weather die-back like D. spectablis or Corydalis pink heart-shaped pantaloon, pendulous, everbearing; bloom in clusters at top of leafless, fleshy stems; four petals are connected at base; two outer petals are pouched and bent back at the tips, two inner petals are connected at the tip; two tiny triangular pink sepals above the petals April-September 17 weeks (hot temperatures may lessen bloom time, with rebloom early fall)

LIGHT:

Part to Full Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

moist, not damp; intolerant of dry soils in summer seed (self sows), division in spring

Flowers and seed pod

shade garden, wildflower, woodland edge, naturalizes; long blooming

MAINTENANCE:

deadhead for neatness and repeat bloom

PROBLEMS:

aphids; short-lived in clay soils (3 years), susceptible to crown rot if soil not well drained

COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

Native to Appalachians from Pennsylvania south, eastern United States. Protruding inner petals appear to form a drop of blood at the bottom of each flower, hence the common name bleeding heart. Regionally called Turkey Corn or Squirrel Corn because the rootstocks originat from a yellow bulb that looks like a kernal of corn. This plant is a cousin to the opium poppy.

Foliage

Digitalis x mertonensis STRAWBERRY FOXGLOVE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SCROPHULARIACEAE, PLANTAGINACEAE 36-48 inches 12-24 inches clump forming, perennial 4-9, heat 8-1 treated as a biennial, but typ. 2-4 year cycle

FOLIAGE:

basal rosette of deep green, coarse, hairy ovate 6-8” long leaves on 3-4” long petiole

FLOWER:

rose-pink, 2-3” long, tubular/funnel shaped, pendulous, throat is spotted with hairs; closely grouped, borne in terminal racemes, 3’ tall strong spires; blooms in its second year; opens bottom-up;

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE:

Habit

June-July 3-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, acidic, well-drained evenly moist; intolerant of dry seed (self-sows, comes true from seed), division every 2 years after flowering; offshoots architectural accent, border, cottage garden, mass plantings, specimen, woodland, naturalizes; cut flower, attracts hummingbirds, deer and rabbit resistant

Flowers and blossom close-up

no staking needed

PROBLEMS:

leaves are toxic if eaten (cardiac stimulant); aphids, mealy bugs, slugs, Japanese beetle; powdery mildew, leaf spot, crown rot in soggy, poorly drained soils

COMMENTS:

Stable Hybrid, 1925, a cross between D. purpurea (biennial) and D. grandiflora (perennial). Individual flowers resemble the snipped off fingers of a glove, used to be called ‘Folks Glove’.

Foliage

Erigeron speciosus

SHOWY FLEABANE, DAISY FLEABANE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Azure Fairy, Foerster’s Liebline, Grandiflorus, Pink Jewel 12-30 inches 15-18 inches upright, clump forming 2-8, heat 8-4 perennial with fibrous roots, 10 years

FOLIAGE:

alternate, narrow, smooth, spatulate to lance shaped clasping stem, grayishgreen, often triple-nerved, ciliate margins; erect stems clustered from woody base

FLOWER:

dainty appearance; 2” dia. with 70-150 narrow rays of pink, lavender or white surrounding a yellow disk, on leafless stalks

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

July-October 6-8 weeks, deadhead to prolong Full Sun to Part Shade gravelly or loamy, well-drained dry or moist; wind, salt and drought tolerant; intolerant of standing water seed (slow to germinate), division

USES:

border, wildflower, mass planting, prairies, xeriscaping; attracts butterflies, deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

taller plants in rich soil may need staking; cut back after flowering to encourage rebloom and maintain compact growth

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Foliage

no serious insect or disease problems Native to United States. Erigeron, Greek, eri = early, geron = old man, in reference to the appearance of the white hairs of the fruit soon after flowering; speciosus, Latin, means showy or pretty. Common name derived brom the belief that the dried plants repelled fleas. About 1830 David Douglas (of Douglas Fir fame) collected the first seeds of this plant in California; propagated into plants in England.

‘Pink Jewel’ close-up

Filipendula rubra

QUEEN OF THE PRAIRIE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

ROSACEAE Albicans, Venusta 6-8 feet 24-36 inches very tall, upright, clump forming 3-8, heat 8-1 perennial, native; taproot and rhizomes alternate, 4-8” long, pinnately compound with 7-9 palmate leaflets, each leaflet up to 6” long and wide with 2-5 cleft lobes, dentate margins, dark green upper, tomentose underside, reddish leaf stem; tall yet wind tolerant; leaves are fragrant

Habit

pink to peach panicles, 6-9” poofy plumes of open clusters, each flower is .33” dia. with 5 petals; somewhat like a giant astilbe; bloom from the bottom up, little fragrance July-August 3-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, neutral to alkaline pH moist to wet; grows rapidly in boggy conditions forming colonies; not drought tolerant division in fall (best left undisturbed) back of border, cottage garden, mass plantings, bogs, prairie/meadow, architectural accent, cut flower, natuaralizes and spreads if happy

Flower

if foliage becomes tattered, cut back to rejuvenate; deadheading does not extend bloom period; do not allow to dry out no serious insect or disease problems; possible powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot Native to United States. Filipendula, Greek, filum = thread, pendulus = hanging, referring to tubers which hang on fibrous roots; rubra = red-colored. Root is rich in tannin, used as an astringent in treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, bleeding; also contains salicylic acid, the chemical forerunner of aspirin. Foliage

Filipendula ulmaria

QUEEN OF THE MEADOW, MEADOWSWEET FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ROSACEAE Aurea, Variegata 3-4 feet 12-24 inches inches upright, clump forming 3-8, heat 8-1 long-lived perennial

FOLIAGE:

compound-pinnate, bright yellow-green elmlike leaves, 7-9 lance-shaped leaflets

FLOWER:

very strong sweet fragrance, tiny white or cream blossoms in tight clusters on irregularly branched terminal, astilbe-like 4-6â&#x20AC;? long panicles; five petaled

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

July-August 5 weeks Part Shade preferred

SOIL:

rich, neutral to alkaline pH; dislikes acidic soils

MOISTURE:

moist to wet; grows rapidly in boggy conditions forming colonies; intolerant of dry

PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

division in fall (best left undisturbed) back of border, cottage garden, mass plantings, bogs, prairie/meadow, architectural accent, cut flower, natuaralizes and spreads if happy; deer resistant low

Flower

no serious insect or disease problems; rust gall, powdery mildew Native to Europe and western Asia. Spanish/Italian, ulmaria = elmlike. Very long history of herbal use. Used as a strewing herb, strewn on floors to give a room a pleasant aroma as all plant parts are fragrant. Flowers added to stewed fruit and jams imparts a subtle almond flavor. Has many medicinal properties: remedy for acidic stomach, diarrhea. Dried flowers made into a tea help reduce fevers in flu suffers. A small section of the root, when peeled, crushed and chewed is a good natural remedy for relieving headaches. Meadowsweet was one of the 3 herbs held most sacred to the Druids (Vervain and Water-mint, the other two). In 1838 the Italian Rafaele Piria first produced salicylic acid from the flowerbuds and included willow bark (Salix alba). In 1899, Bayer formulated a new drug, acetylsalicylic acid, and called it aspirin, but having the side affect of causing gastric ulceration.

Foliage

Geranium himalayense

HIMALAYAN GERANIUM, LILAC CRANESBILL FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

GERANIACEAE Baby Blue, Blackie, Expresso, Jolly Bee, Orion, Plenum 6-24 inches 12-15 inches sprawling, clump 4-8, heat 12-2 perennial, rhizomatous

FOLIAGE:

medium green, basal, prominantly veined, deeply lobed, 5-7 lobes, turns bright red in fall

FLOWER:

loose cymes of saucer-shapes blossoms, terminal and axillary in twos, 5 petals, white-centeres, blue veining, in shades of blue, pink, violet; 1.5-3â&#x20AC;? dia., purple stamins; main flush in early summer continuing sporadically until early autumn

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

June-September 4-plus weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, well-drained moist; intolerant of dry/drought seed, division in spring every 2-4 years edging, borders, cottage garden, woodland garden cut back after initial flush for neatness and to promote continued growth

Habit

leaf miners, slugs; powdery mildew, Native to Himalayan regions of India, Russia and western China. From Greek, geranos, meaning crane; in reference to the beak-like fruit.

Flower bud close-up

Gypsophila paniculata BABY’S BREATH

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CARYOPLYLLACEAE Bristol Fairy, Flamingo, Perfecta, Pink Fairy, Snowflake 15-36 inches 12 inches upright 3-9, heat 9-3 perennial; best when established clumps are left undisturbed; deep taproot

FOLIAGE:

gray-green, opposite, narrow linear to lanceolate, 1-2” long, smooth; somewhat sparse

FLOWER:

airy, graceful profusion of tiny white or pink flowers clustered on thin, wiry, jointed/branching stems; .0625-.25” dia. blossoms

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June-July, rebloom in fall 3-4 weeks Full Sun sandy-stony, well-drained, alkaline, 7.07.5 pH; add lime to acidic soils dry seed, cuttings, TC borders, filler; cut flower, dried flower cut back after first flowering to encourage fall production; may need staking

Flower and foliage

none serious; some susceptibility to botrytis and aster yellows Native to Eastern Europe on the Steppes. From Greek gypsos, gypsum/chalk and philos, loving. Popular in the florist trade to provide a background for more colorful flowers; it is cultivated in Peru and is a large portion of this country’s flower exports. Is classed as an invasive species in areas around the Great Lakes. Flowers are sensitive to ethylene; when exposed will fail to open.

Flowers close-up

Gypsophila repens

CREEPING BABY’S BREATH FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Alba, Pink Beauty, Rosea, Silver Carpet 4-8 inches 12-18 inches prostrate, spreading mat 3-7, heat 9-3 perennial; deep taproot

FOLIAGE:

opposite, blue-green, round thin stem, swollen node at branching points

FLOWER:

masses of small starry white or pink flowers, .25” dia., 5 petals

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

May-October (frost) 4-6 weeks, continuous repeat until frost Full Sun to Part Shade sandy-stony, well-drained, alkaline, 7.07.5 pH; add lime to acidic soils dry to moist; drought and heat tolerant once established

PROPAGATION:

seed, division in spring, layering (intolerant of transplanting due to deep taproot)

USES:

front of border, edging, filler, rock garden, cottage garden, wall cascade, containers, mass plantings, groundcover; attracts butterflies, cut flower, deer resistant, long bloomer

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

low

Flowers and foliage

none serious; some susceptibility to botrytis and aster yellows Native to Eastern Europe on the Steppes. From Greek gypsos, gypsum/chalk and philos, loving.

Flower close-up

Hemerocallis species DAYLILY

FAMILY:

RANUNCULACEAE, XANTHORRHOEACEAE

CULTIVARS:

over 60,000 cultivars

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

8-36 inches 15-30 inches fountain-like mound 3-9, heat 12-1

LONGEVITY:

long-lived, rhizomatous perennial

FOLIAGE:

basal, opposite, long linear-lanceolate leaves, keeled, rising in an arching fan shape; some are variegated

FLOWER:

many colors; single, semi-double or double forms, petals in groupings of 3, 3-8” dia., ruffled or smooth, throats can be a different color; numerous buds on flower stalks called ‘scapes’; some are fragrant, some are repeat bloomers; blooms last only 1 day; petals are edible, gather in early morning

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

June-August 3-6 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade fertile, well-drained moist; heat and drought tolerant

PROPAGATION:

clump division in spring or fall every 3-4 years

USES:

mixed border, cottage garden; cut flower

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

deadhead to maintain neat appearance

Flowers, buds and foliage

rust; earwigs Native to Eurasia (China, Korea, Japan). From Greek, hemera meaning day, and kalos meaning beautiful.

Clump division and botanical illustration

Iris hybrids

BEARDED IRIS, GERMAN IRIS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

IRIDACEAE many 24-48 inches 10-18 inches upright, dense clump 3-8 perennial herb with creeping rhizome

FOLIAGE:

3-10 basal, sword shaped leaves in dense clusters, 18” long, 1-5” wide, shiny, smooth; rhizome planted half above and half below soil surface

FLOWER:

petals in groupings of 3: inner petals upright, called ‘standards’; outer petals reflexed, called ‘falls’ and have a tuft of short hairs growing in its midline called a ‘beard’; early, mid and late flowering forms; solid to contrasting bicolor, in white, yellow, orange, lilac and purple; on long, erect stems which can be simple or branched, solid or hollow; some fragrant, some rebloom

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

May-June 2-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained, alkaline consistently moist

PROPAGATION:

division in summer after bloom, every 3-4 years

USES:

edging, border, front of wall or shrubs, to control soil erosion on banks

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

Habit

cut back stalks after flowering borer Native to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Name is from the Greek word for rainbow; Iris was also the Greek goddess of the rainbow.

Bearded Iris close-up

Iris ensata

JAPANESE IRIS, WATER IRIS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

IRIDACEA many 24-48 inches 18-24 inches upright, dense clump 4-9 perennial herb with creeping rhizome

FOLIAGE:

3-10 basal, sword shaped leaves in dense clusters, up to 24-36” long, .5” wide, shiny, smooth, prominent midrib; rhizome planted 2” below soil surface

FLOWER:

3-12” dia. with flattened appearance; petals in groupings of 3: small ‘standards’; wide and long ‘falls’; single, double or peony-style; white, pink, purple, blue; on long, erect stalks up to 48” long with one branch on average, two buds in the terminal, two buds in the branch; some rebloom

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

May-July 2-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained, slightly acidic

MOISTURE:

damp or boggy conditions; thrives in standing water up to 6” deep; but in winter is intolerant of wet as rhizome may rot; not drought tolerant

PROPAGATION:

division in summer after bloom, every 3-4 years; offsets

USES:

edge of woodland, near pond, water gardens, Japanese gardens, bogs

MAINTENANCE:

plants often grown in pots that are sunk half way in water during the growing season, removed to dryer conditions for fall and winter

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers and foliage

less susceptible to borer; thrips Native to Japan, northern China, eastern Russia. Name is from the Greek word for rainbow; Iris was also the Greek goddess of the rainbow. The leaves have been used in India and China for a fibre similar to hemp. Roots of the wild form are harvested in Japan for an edible starch, but if improperly prepared the root is toxic. Flower close-up

Iris sibirica SIBERIAN IRIS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

IRIDACEA several; Ceaser’s Brother, Chilled Wine, Tropic Night 36-60 inches 18-24 inches upright, dense clumps 3-8 perennial herb with creeping rhizome 3-10 basal, sword shaped leaves in dense clusters, up to 24-36” long, .5” wide, shiny, smooth, prominent midrib; leaves turn orangey-red in fall; rhizome planted 2” below soil surface 3-6” dia.; petals in groupings of 3: small ‘standards’; ‘falls’ have a white/yellow ‘blaze’; single, double or peony-style; pink, purple, blue; on long, erect stalks up to 48” long with one branch on average, two buds in the terminal, two buds in the branch; some rebloom May-June 2-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, well-drained, slightly acidic adaptable: best in damp or boggy conditions; tolerates dry soil due to thick deep roots; drier soils produce shorter plants division in summer after bloom, every 3-4 years; offsets

USES:

edge of woodland, near pond, water gardens, Japanese gardens, bogs

MAINTENANCE:

plants often grown in pots that are sunk half way in water during the growing season, removed to drier conditions for fall and winter

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Chilled Wine’

xxxxx

less susceptible to borer; thrips Native to northern Asia and central Europe. Name is from the Greek word for rainbow; Iris was also the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Can be grown under Black Walnut, not affected by juglone. Blooms before Japanese Iris, after Bearded Iris. ‘Tropic Night’ close-up

Lavendula angustifolia

LAVENDER, ENGLISH LAVENDER, TRUE LAVENDER FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

LAMIACEAE Hidcote, Jean Davis, Munstead 18-24 inches 12-18 inches rounded, sub-shrub 5-9, heat 12-7 perennial herb square stems, gray-green leaves opposite or whorled, long, thin, oblong to linear, entire or crenate, tomentose when emerging; considered a sub-shrub as older growth gets woody, newer growth is soft, tender; fragrant foliage

Habit

thin wiry spike with terminal cluster of 6-10 bilabiate tubular florets with 5 lobes, blue-purple; very aromatic, fragrance retained after drying June-July 4-6 weeks Full Sun average to poor, sand layered with gravel, well-drained; intolerant of clay soils dry; will rot if too much water seed, stem cuttings, layering; doesn’t like transplanting/division herb garden, edger, cottage garden; fragrance

Foliage close-up

prune out older woody stems in spring to prevent overcrowding; cut back to 6” in spring; add winter protection but not organic mulch root rot Native to Mediterranean mountains. Called ‘nard’ in Biblical times. From Latin, lavanda, to be washed. Herb with culinary and medicinal properties: calming, relaxing: essential oil used, is added to jams, ice cream and vinegar; aromatherapy; added to many tissue regenerative formulations to help heal burns, cuts, abrasions; in soaps, lotions, and oils; as a tea to relieve stress headaches and fatigue; dried and added to sachets. Only the buds contain the essential oil of lavender, from which the scent and flavor is best derived.

Flowers

Liatris spicata

GAYFEATHER, BLAZING STAR, BUTTER SNAKEWORT FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Kobold

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

24-60 inches 4-6 inches, slow spread to 12-18 inches tall, upright clump 3-9, heat 9-2

LONGEVITY:

perennial with tuberous roots (tunicated corm)

FOLIAGE:

basal tuft of alternate, narrow, whorled, lower leaves 5-12” long, becoming shorter further up stalk

FLOWER:

bright magenta, purple or white, tall terminal spikes 1” dia. 6-12” long having 25-50 closely set sessile florets, opens from Top down; no rebloom

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

July-September 4-6 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL:

average to rich, well-drained; plant 4-6” deep

MOISTURE:

evenly moist; heat and humidity tolerant, low drought tolerance

PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

seed (but slow to establish), bulb/corm, division every 3-4 years in spring mixed border, mass plantings, prairie/ meadow, architectural accent; attracts birds and butterflies, cut flower, dried flower, rabbit and deer resistant

Flowers and floiage

cut back stems after blooming to improve appearance; possible need for staking for taller plants no serious insect or disease problems Native to eastern United States.

Flower close-up

Lilium asiatic hybrids ASIATIC LILY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LILIACEAE Bali Hai, Blackout, Brushstroke, Dimension, Eurydice, Karen North, Midnight, Razzle Dazzle, Rosepoint Lace, Red Velvet, Viva 24-72 inches 8-10 inches tall, upright 3-9, heat 8-4 easy to grow; perennial bulb

FOLIAGE:

stiff upright stems, whorled glossy lanceshaped leaves; needs no staking

FLOWER:

vast array of colors; clusters of buds open to large, showy upward or out-facing or nodding flowers; trumpet-, bowl- or bell-shaped forms; 6 petals often spotted; mostly unscented

BLOOM TIME:

June-July

BLOOM LENGTH:

4-6 weeks, depending upon plant maturity

LIGHT:

Full Sun (best) to Part Shade (in afternoon)

SOIL: MOISTURE:

average, well-drained is a must! -plant larger bulbs 4-6” deep moist until flowering, then can dry; rots in overly wet soil

PROPAGATION:

bulb scales, offsets, bulbils, divide in fall every 3-5 years

USES:

mass plantings, containers, architectural accents

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers, buds and foliage

remove spent blooms; cut down stalks and mulch in late fall emerging shoots: rabbits, slugs; aphids on flower buds; botrytis on leaves From central and East Asian lilim species. Asiatics (non-fragrant) bloom earliest, followed by Trumpets, Aurelians, and ‘Orienpet’ in July, with Orientals in late July and August.

Flower varieties

Lilium orientale ORIENTAL LILY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LILIACEAE Arabian Red, Belladonna, Casablanca, Miss Lucy, Montezuma, Sapporo, Stargazer 24-60 inches 8-10 iinches upright, clump forming 3-9, heat 8-4 perennial bulb

FOLIAGE:

dark green, straplike, pointed, glossy, becoming shorter toward top of stalk; may need staking

FLOWER:

very fragrant; 6 tepals, wide color range, large, outward-facing with spots or brush stroke markings

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

July-August 4 weeks Full Sun (best) to Part Shade (in afternoon) average, well-drained is a must! -plant larger bulbs 4-6” deep evenly moist; rots in overly wet soil

PROPAGATION:

bulb scales, offsets, bulbils, divide in fall every 3-5 years, TC

USES:

mass plantings, containers, architectural accents

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Stargazer’

remove spent blooms; cut down stalks and mulch in late fall

Many cultivars

emerging shoots: rabbits, slugs; aphids on flower buds; botrytis on leaves Several species native to Japan. Asiatics (non-fragrant) bloom earliest, followed by Trumpets, Aurelians, and ‘Orienpet’ (up to 8’ tall) in July, with Orientals in late July and August.

‘Stargazer’ close-up

Malva alcea

HOLLYHOCK MALLOW FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

MALVACEAE Alba, Fastigiata, Murina, Sylvestris 24-48 inches 12-18 inches upright, tall, clump forming 4-8, heat 8-1 short-lived perennial, freely self seeds light green, 3-5 lobes, palmate, becoming more finely dissected up the stem, 2-3” wide with slight pubescense; many stemmed from basal crown, loosely branched, upright; very aggressive spreader

Habit and botanical illustration

light pink to rose pink, loose clusters, terminal and axillary blooms, 1-2” dia., 5 petals with notched edge; heavy bloomer; unscented July-September 10 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to sand, well-drained, alkaline dry to moist; drought tolerant seed (self sows) cottage garden, natualizes; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds deadheading prolongs bloom as well as prevents seeding or shear back by 1/3 after first flush of flowers; often needs staking

Foliage

rust (if humid) Native to Europe and Asia. Young leaves and petals are edible.

Flowers

Monarda didyma

BEE BALM, BERGAMOT, OSWEGO TEA, HORSEMINT FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

LAMIACEAE Adam, Blue Stocking, Fireball, Gardenview Scarlet, Jacob Cline, Marshal’s Delight, Panorama Red, Petite Delight, Petite Wonder, Purple Rooster, Raspberry Wine 12-48 inches 9-10 inches upright, clump forming; herb 4-9 perennial; rhizome, stoloniferous square stem, fragrant foliage, opposite, ovate to lanceolate, 3-6” long, reddish leaf veins, coarsely toothed margin, smooth or pubescent surfaces 2-3” dia., showy, spidery bracts, dense terminal whorled clusters of tubular bilabiate florets June-early October 6-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained evenly moist; not drought tolerant division in spring every 3 years as centers tend to die out, stem cuttings in spring mid-border, prairie/meadow, cottage garden, herb garden; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Foliage

deadhead to prolong blooming powdery mildew Native to Eastern North America. Monarda from Nicolas Monardes, who described the first American flora in 1569; from Greek, didymos, double, didyma meaning pairs. Common name is derived from its odor, which is considered similar to bergamot orange, a Mediterranean citrus fruit used to flavor Earl Gray Tea; named Oswego tea from the Oswego Indians who taught the immigrants how to use it for tea after the Boston tea party in 1773. Flowers and leaves good for potpourri. Has a long history as a medicinal plant: is a strong anticeptic: poultices used for skin infections and minor wounds, tea used to treat mouth and throat infections.

Habit ‘Rasberry Wine’

Flower close-up

Nepeta x faassenii CATMINT, CATNIP

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LAMIACEAE Blue Wonder, Six Hills Giant, Walker’s Low 15-36 inches 6-18 inches mounding groundcover 3-8, heat 12-2 long lived perennial

FOLIAGE:

gray-green, opposite, cordate, dentate or crenate margins, sturdy square stems; leaves aromatic when crushed

FLOWER:

tubular, bilabiate, dense whorled terminal spikes of white, blue, pink or lilac, spotted with tiny purple dots; long bloomer; can sometimes be confused with lavendar

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

June-October (frost) 6-plus weeks Full Sun average, well-drained, neutral pH; most vigourous in rich soils evenly moist to dry; drought tolerant cuttings, division (seeds are sterile) border, herb garden, rock garden, groundcover, containers; attracts bees, butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant

MAINTENANCE:

deadhead or shear by 1/3 after initial flowering for continuous bloom

PROBLEMS:

no serious insect or disease problems

COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Superba’

Favorite feline foliage

Native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Used in herbal medicine as a mild sedative. Nepeta first cited in literature in 1784. Leaves of Nepeta cataria (the true catnip) contain the chemical nepetalactone, attractive to cats causing temporary euphoria; this hybrid is less enticing to cats. Hybrid named for JH Faassen, Dutch nurseryman.

Flowers and botanical illustration

Oenothera macrocarpa

OZARK SUNDROPS, MISSOURI EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ONAGRACEAE 6-12 inches 12-18 inches mounding, spreading groundcover 3-8, heat 12-1 long-lived; forms huge underground tuber

FOLIAGE:

basal rosettes, alternate, narrow, lanceolate, 2-4” long, entire; upright stems, sprawling; red fall color

FLOWER:

large, 3-5” dia., solitary, 4-petaled, mildly fragrant, bright yellow blooms which open for only one day (opening in afternoon and closing up the following morning), from red buds; axillary, upward-facing; petals turn a deep salmon color before they shrivel and drop off; unique, winged seed pods 2-3” long

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

May-August 4-plus weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to sandy, well-drained moist to dry; somewhat drought tolerant

PROPAGATION:

seed, stem cuttings early summer, division

USES:

border fronts, rock gardens, cottage gardens, meadows, wall cascade

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers and foliage

remove spent blooms crown rot if too wet Native to Central and Southern United States. Oenothera means wine scented, pursuing wine; macrocarpa means large fruit. Plant drops seed straight down producing ring of small plants around mother plant.

Seed pod close-up

Penstemon digitalis

BEARD TONGUE, FOXGLOVE PENSTEMON FAMILY:

SCROPHULARIACEAE, PLANTAGINACEAE

CULTIVARS:

Alba, Dark Towers, Husker Red, Mystica

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

3-5 feet 12-18 inches upright, clump forming 3-8, heat 9-1 short rhizomes produce plantlets around base of mother plant

FOLIAGE:

medium green with hints of bronze and red, basal rosette of ovate to broadly lanceolate, up to 6” long, 2.5” wide, entire margin

FLOWER:

light green, hairless stalks rise to 3’ tall, terminal panicles of nodding, tubular, bilabiate, 1” long white blooms containing fine lines of violet which function as nectar guides to visiting insects; unscented

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

Habit and flowers

June-July 5 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade loamy, well-drained moist to dry; prolonged drought shortens plant life; avoid wet soils seed, cuttings, division

USES:

middle to back of border, rock garden, cottage garden, mass plantings, naturalizes; attracts butterflies, cut flower

MAINTENANCE:

if plant declines after blooming, cut back to basal rosette

PROBLEMS:

no serious insect or disease problems; root rot can occur in wet, poorly-drained soils

COMMENTS:

Native to North America. Penstemon, Greek, means 5 stamens (four are fertile, one is sterile); the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs from which the common name is derived. Flower resembles those of the genus Digitalis, (finger-like) applied to species name.

Foliage

Flower close-up

Platycodon grandiflorus

BALLOON FLOWER, CHINESE BELLFLOWER FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CAMPANULACEAE Astra Blue or Pink, Fairy Snow, Fugi Blue, Fugi Pink, Fugi White, Astra Double Blue, Blue Clips, White Clips 6-36 inches 12-24 inches bushy, clump forming 3-8, heat 9-3 non-spreading, long-lived

FOLIAGE:

ovate to lance shaped, blue-green, 1-3” long, serrate margins, on slender stems; taller varieties may need staking

FLOWER:

bud looks like hot air balloon; 1.5-3” dia. cup-shaped starry blossom, many on branch, 5 petals, pointed lobes; bluepurple varieties best in full sun; pinks and whites tolerate some shade

BLOOM TIME:

July-August

BLOOM LENGTH:

8-10 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained evenly moist seed, division in spring (best to leave plants undisturbed once established) edger, cottage garden, containers; prolific bloomer, unusual flower deadhead for neatness and to prolong bloom; pinch back taller varieties by half in early June to avoid staking; late to emerge in spring, be careful not to dig it up

Foliage close-up

aphids, slugs, snails; root rot in overly moist soils Native to China and Japan. From Greek, platycodon meaning broad bell; Latin, grandiflorus meaning with large flowers. The root is used extensively as an antiinflammatory to treat caughs and colds; in Korea the root is a popular addition to salads.

Bud close-up

Rudbeckia fulgida

BLACK-EYED SUSAN, ORANGE CONEFLOWER FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEA Goldquelle, Goldsturm 18-30 inches 12-20 inches upright, clump forming 3-10, heat 9-2 rhizomatous stems are hairy, ridged and dark green; leaves: medium green, broad, oblongeliptic, coarse, dentate, pubescent; at base 3-6’ long, smaller up stem; basal rosettes develop at the end of stolons; can be an aggressive spreader terminal blossoms, 2-7 blooms per stem, 3-4” dia., 10-15 yellow to gold petals per bloom, dark bronze-black high centers, on branched stalk July-October 10 weeks

LIGHT:

Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL:

average, well-drained

MOISTURE:

dry to medium; consistently moist is best

PROPAGATION:

seed (self sows), stem cuttings, division in spring

USES:

borders, mass plantings, cottage garden, meadow, naturalizes; combines well with grasses; attracts butterflies, cut flower, dried flower; late season color; ripe seed is a favorite food of finches in winter; deer and rabbit resistant

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers and foliage

mulch to retain moisture; deadhead regularly to greatly increase bloom time foliar fungal issues Native to Southeastern United States. Rudbeckia, named for Olof Rudbeck & Sons, 17th century Swedish botanists; fulgida, Latin, shiny or shining.

Flower close-up

Sagina subulata

IRISH MOSS, PEARLWORT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Aurea 2-4 inches 6-8 inches low growing, prostrate groundcover 4-8 slow spreader

FOLIAGE:

green or limey yellow; thick, soft, cushiony, dense mat of slender, awl-shaped leaves, opposite, .25” long with a bristled tip; slow spreader

FLOWER:

tiny white star-shaped blossoms, 5 petals, .25” dia.,

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June-July 2-3 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to sandy/gravelly, well-drained moist; intolerant of wet and drought division along walkways, between stepping stones, alpine garden, containers; foot traffic tolerant does not like hot/dry locations dieback if it dries out Native to Europe. Sagina, fattening, nourishment (based on the belief that sheep fattened well on pastures where this plant grows), subulata, awl-shaped.

Botanical illustration and flower close-up

Common use in landscape

Salvia nemorosa SAGE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LABIATAE, LAMIACEAE Blue Queen, Caradonna, Marcus, May Night, Rose Queen, Snow Hill 18-24 inches 24-30 inches upright, clump forming 4-9, heat 12-1 perennial

FOLIAGE:

compact, aromatic, blue- or gray-green basal mound; square stem, opposite, lance-oblong, crenate edge, rugose texture, underside pubescent

FLOWER:

spike of tightly clustered bilabiate blooms with gaps between clusters; ‘Cardonna’ has purple stems and flowers; shades of white, pink, blue-violet, purple

BLOOM TIME:

June-October

BLOOM LENGTH:

15-24 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

Full Sun average to sandy/gravelly, acidic, welldrained average to dry; tolerates heat and drought

PROPAGATION:

seed, tip cuttings before blooms appear, division in spring

USES:

borders, containers, naturalizes; attracts butterflies, cut flower, dried flower, deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Foliage close-up

needs regular moisture to ensure prolonged blooming; deadhead to promote continuous bloom; may become floppy in humid conditions and can be cut back to basal foliage whiteflies, aphids; powdery mildew, rust Native to central Europe and western Asia. Salvia, Latin, referring to helping, saving or healing; nemorosa, Latin, of the woods to describe its typical habitat in groves and woods.

Botanical illustration and flower close-up

Sempervivum tectorum HEN & CHICKS, HOUSE LEEK

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

CRASSULACEAE Bronco, Bonze Pastel, Corona, Emerson’s Giant, Gamma, Heliotrope, Lilac Time, Red Ace, Sprite, Zilver Moon 6-12 inches 8-12 inches evergreen succulent, groundcover 3-8, heat 8-1 monocarp; stoloniferous clusters of 2-3” dia. basal rosettes having 50-60 succulent sessile wedge-shaped leaves; glossy or matte, cilate margins, some with spikes at the leaf tip; green, red-marked or entirely red foliage; parent rosette is the ‘hen’, produces offsets called a ‘chick’

Characteristics overview

star-shaped, 8-16 petals, in multiples of 8-16 buds on 8-12” tall, thick, flattopped branched stalks; can be purple, red or pink; dies after flowering, but is replaced by offsets June-October 3-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade sandy, gritty, well-drained dry to moist; drought tolerant; not tolerant of wet seed, divide and transplant offsets

Habit

containers, rock or wall gardens, on stony banks, groundcover; deer resistant deadhead flower stalks when needed no serious insect or disease problems Native to Europe. Sempervivum, Latin, always living or living forever; tectorum, refers to a roof. Was traditionally planted in thatched roofs as plant was thought to protect against thunderstorms and lightning induced fires; these succulents are fire-resistant and would perhaps slow down the spread of fire through thatch; is also called in some places thunder-plant. Also related to the Roman thunder-god, Jupiter; derived from resemblance of the flowers to the god’s beard. In herbalism, the plant’s juice used as an astringent and treatment for skin and eye diseases. Tender young leaves can be eaten raw as a salad addition, or used to make a drink similar to lemonaid.

Botanical illustration and flowers

Tradescantia virginiana

SPIDERWORT, SPIDER LILY, WIDOW’S TEARS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

COMMELINACEAE Concord Grape, Sweet Kate, Valor Red, Zwanenburg Blue 12-36 inches 12-18 inches sprawling, mounding clump 3-9, heat 12-1 long lived perennial alternate, simple, strap form, 15” long, 1” wide, grass-like, keeled, bright green, on upright tubular stem; angular leaf arrangement suggest a squatting spider

Habit

terminal clusters with numerous buds on upright, arching stalks; 3 petals, .75-1.5” dia., up-facing; blue, violet or purple; open a few at a time, each for only one day May-September 12-plus weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average, well-drained, acidic; tolerates poor soils evenly moist division in spring mid-border, woodland, shade or cottage garden, naturalizes; long bloomer; juglone tolerant, attracts butterflies

Flowers, buds, and foliage ‘Sweet Kate’

deadhead for neatness and to promote rebloom; cut back plant to regenerate fresh foliage; divide clumps when they become overcrowded foliage gets shabby by August; young shoots susceptible to slug, snail damage Native to eastern United States. Genus named after John Tradescant, 17th centure botanist and gardener who served Charles 1 of England. When the stems are cut, a viscous stem secretion is released which becomes threadlike and silky upon hardening (like a spider’s web), thus giving the plant it’s common name. Flower close-up

Trollius europaeus GLOBEFLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

RANUNCULACEAE Alabaster, Lemon Supreme, Superbus 24-30 inches 15-18 inches clump forming 3-7, heat 8-3 slow growing, long-lived perennial

FOLIAGE:

basal leaves have petiole, palmately lobed, dark green upper, paler under, becomes sessile further up stalk; thick fibrous roots

FLOWER:

bright yellow to golden, typ. 10 overlapping, incurved sepals with narrow petals hidden inside, terminal spherical flower head, 1-4” dia.

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

May-June, may rebloom in fall 4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade loamy to clay, rich, somewhat alkaline loves wet conditions; intolerant of drought seed, division (doesn’t like being moved) mass plantings, bog, meadow, shaded border, edge of pond or stream; rabbit resistant, cut flower do not allow to dry out aphids

Flower and foliage close-up

Native to Europe. Trollius, Latin, basin or German, globe. Not a very commonly found plant/flower.

Botanical illustrations

Veronica spicata

SPIKE SPEEDWELL, BROOKLIME FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SCROPHULARIACEAE, PLANTAGINACEAE Blue Boquet, Blue Carpet, Blue Charm, Giles Van Hees, Goodness Grows, Icicle, Nana, Purpleicious, Red Fox, Royal Candles 10-36 inches 18-24 inches upright, vertical, clump forming 3-8, heat 8-2 slow spreading perennial

FOLIAGE:

opposite, oblong to lanceolate,1-2” long, serrate or entire margin, shiny surface

FLOWER:

dense, vertical, tapered-at-the-top, flower spikes/racemes to 12” long, opens base-up; blooms are tubular, 4 lobed; white, blue, purple, pink, red

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

June-September 7-10 weeks

LIGHT:

Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL:

average, well-drained

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Royal Candles’

consistent, evenly moist seed, cuttings, division in spring border, edging, rock garden; attracts butterflies, cut flower deadhead to promote rebloom; foliage may decline in full sun

‘Icicle’

root rot in wet, poorly drained soils; powdery mildew, black spot Native to Europe and Asia.

‘Giles Van Hees’ and ‘Red Fox’

Aconitum napellus

COMMON MONKSHOOD, WOLF’S BANE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

RANUNCULACEAE Bicolor, Bressingham Spire, Newry Blue 36-48 inches 18-24 inches mounding clump, herb 3-7, heat 8-3 tuberous-rooted perennial

FOLIAGE:

alternatie, palmately divided and veined, 5-7 deeply lobed segments, serrated or smooth margin, 3-5” wide, dark green, glossy

FLOWER:

upright terminal racemes to 8” long, blooms are narrow, oblong, 1-2” long, hooded/helmet shaped, upper sepal covers the lower part of the flower; dark purple to bluish-purple

BLOOM TIME:

July-August

BLOOM LENGTH:

4-6 weeks

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE:

rich, loamy, well-drained evenly moist; not drought tolerant

PROPAGATION:

seed (slow to germinate), division of turberous root in fall (use ‘daughter’ roots), TC

USES:

bog, water garden, cottage garden, architectural accent, back of the border; cut flower

MAINTENANCE:

likes extra fertilizer; usually doesn’t need staking

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

Foliage

spider mite; powdery mildew, crown rot Native to Europe. From akone, cliffy or rocky, the species grows in rocky glens; or from Aconae, supposed place of its origin; napellus, signifies a little turnip, alluding to the shape of the roots. Called Wolf’s Bane, from German lycotonum, derived from the idea that arrows tipped with the juice would kill wolves. All plant parts are poisonous; when cutting, WEAR GLOVES, avoid infecting open wounds as will effect entire system (pain in the limbs, sense of suffocation, sensation of crawling ants. Contains several poisonous compounds, affecting cardiac function; was used on spears and arrows for hunting and battle in ancient times. During the ancient Roman period in European history, was often used to eliminate criminals and enemies, then became banned; anyone found growing the plant could be legally sentenced to death. Can be prepared as an ointment for skin; will create a pain-relieving numbing sensation.

Flowers and blossom profile close-up

Asclepias tuberosa

BUTTERFLY WEED, PLEURISY ROOT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ASCLEPIDACEAE; APOCYNACEAE Gay Butterflies 18-36 inches 18-24 inches upright, shruby, herb 4-9, heat 10-2 deep taproot; perennial

FOLIAGE:

narrow lanceolate, whorled on stem, 2-6” long, hispid, rough texture; does not have milky-sapped stems

FLOWER:

fragrant, showy, bright orange, waxy, terminal cluster in rounded shape 2-5” dia., sepal tips give blooms the look of a crown; ornamental seedpods, spindleshaped, 3-6” long, releases silky-tailed seeds for wind dispersal

BLOOM TIME:

July-August

BLOOM LENGTH:

8-10 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Full Sun average to poor, sandy, well-drained average to dry; intolerant of wet; drought tolerant seed (somewhat slow to establish); dislikes transplanting prairie/meadow, wildflower, naturalizes, mass plantings; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; bright accent color; sole food source for monarch butterfly larvae

Flowers, buds and foliage

thrives on neglect crown rot, rust, leaf spot Native to eastern and southern United States. Called Pleurisy Root in reference to medicinal use of plant’s roots by Native Americans to treat lung inflammations.

Flower close-up

Belamcanda chinensis

BLACKBERRY LILY, LEOPARD LILY FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

IRIDACEAE Freckle Face, Hello Yellow 24-48 inches 9-24 inches upright, clump 5-10 slowly multiplies by creeping rhizome

FOLIAGE:

iris-like flat fans of sword shaped leaves; two-ranked, 10-12” long, 1” wide, smooth margins, medium green

FLOWER:

orange dotted with red, blooms on wiry, naked, branched stalks up to 48” tall, buds open in twisting fashion to flatfaced blooms having 6 petals, 3 stamems, 2” dia., unscented; followed by pear shaped seed pods which split open when ripe revealing shiny blackberry-like seed cluster

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

July-September 4-6 weeks Full Sun average to rich, well-drained moist; drought tolerant seed (self sows), division border, wildflower, cottage garden; seed heads in dried arrangements very little; mulch for winter

Flowers, buds, foliage and seeds

iris borers possible Native to Central Asia, India, China, Japan. Has the leaves of an iris, the flowers of a lily, and a fruit resembling blackberry; there is nothing else that quite resembles it.

Seeds close-up

Echinacea purpurea PURPLE CONEFLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE many; Alba, Bright Star, Magnus, Pow Wow, Ruby Giant, White Swan

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

24-48 inches 9-10 inches clump forming, herb 3-8, heat 12-1

LONGEVITY:

long-lived perennial

FOLIAGE:

from basal mound, alternant, lanceolate, coarse hispid texture, dentate margins, 4-8” long becoming smaller toward top of stem; dark green above, lighter below

FLOWER:

solitary or branched on stout thick stems, single or double forms, orange-brown raised or domed spiny centers, 12-20 petals of purple, rose or white, up to 4” dia.

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

July-September 8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, average, well-drained dry; drought tolerant once established seed, division in spring every 4 years, root cuttings in fall mid-border, prairie/meadow, woodland edge, mass plantings, naturalizes; cut flower, attracts butterflies, long bloomer

Flowers and foliage

easy; leave seed heads to feed birds during winter, a favorite of finches; tolerates heat, drought, wind slugs, Japanese beetle; leaf spot Native to eastern North Amercia. Native species has drooping petals. From Greek, echino, meaning hedgehog, referring to spiny brownish centeral disk. The flowers are used to make an extremely popular herbal tea, purported to help strenthen the immune system.

Flower close-up

Eryngium amethystinum SEA HOLLY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME:

UMBELLIFERAE, APIACEAE Big Blue, Blue Steel, Hellas, Miss Wilmott’s Ghost, Sapphire Blue 18-24 inches 8-10 inches upright, branching, clump 4-8, heat 8-4 biennial; long tap root from basal mound; rigid, leathery, bipinately compound, whorled on stems, prickly/spinulos (bearing spines), 4-6” long, light blue to purple, almost metallic looking ovate/globose teasel-like shape of terminal blooms nestled in upcurving collarlike bracts, .5-2” dia., on tall branching stems; top blooms first followed by sidebranching blooms; soft blossoms harden into prickly, long-lasting cut flower July-September

BLOOM LENGTH:

5 weeks

LIGHT:

Full Sun

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Big Blue’

sandy or loamy, well-drained, rich in calcium (alkaline, limestone/chalk) dry; drought and salt tolerant seed (self sows), root cuttings (does not like transplanting) specimen, architectural accent, border, rock garden, mass plantings; foliage color, dried flower

Close-up ‘Blue Steel’

save the seed; too much fertilizer will cause plant to flop; leave up for winter interest, in spring cut foliage to the ground no serious insect or disease problems Native to the Mediterranean and South America. Often found on sea shores. The roots have been used as a vegetable; young shoots and leaves are sometimes used as an asparagus substitute. The noted British garden devotee Ellen Wilmott was so impressed by E. gigantium that she carried its seeds in her pocket to scatter in gardens that she deemed uninteresting; the seeds sprouted and grew after her visit, ergo, ‘Miss Wilmott’s Ghost.’ E. yuccafolium = Rattlesnake Master.

Close-up ‘Hellas’

Eupatorium purpureum

JOE-PYE WEED, KIDNEY-ROOT, TRUMPET WEED FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEA Autopurpurem, Chocolate, Little Joe, Little Red 4-7 feet 18-24 inches clump forming, herb 4-9, heat 9-1 perennial stems: upright, thick, round, cane-like; whorls of 3-5 narrow, lanceolate leaves at each node, 8-12” long, coarse texture, strongly dentate, vanilla scent if crushed

Habit

tiny, paly pinkish-lavendar florets in dense cluster/corymb, convex domed shape, to 18” dia. July-September 6-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained; tolerates clay moist to wet; dies back in hot, dry sites stem cuttings, division in spring prairie/meadow, back of border, pond edging, rain garden, bog, architectural accent, naturalizes; attracts butterflies, dried flower low; cut down for winter

Single plant

aggressive spreader in right conditions; powdery mildew possible Native to North America. Common name for Indian healer, Joe Pye who used this plant for a variety of medicinal purpose, most notable to cure typhus. Teas of the roots or tops were used as a diuretic, as well as for rheumatism, gout, fevers, diarrhea, and respiratory disorders. Genus named for Erithridates of Eupotor, King of Pontus about 115BC said to have discovered this plant was an antidote to a commonly used poison; rugosum meaning wrinkled. Some confusion regarding this plant’s genus: Eupatorium, Eutrochium and Eupatoriadelphus... all three names for the genus are in current use.

Flower and foliage close-up

Helenium autumnal

SNEEZEWEED, HELEN’S FLOWER, DOGTOOTH DAISY, STAGGERWORT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Alabama Slammer, Bruno, Butterpat, Chippersfield Orange, Helena Rote Tone, Kupfersprudel, Pumilum Magnificum 3-5 feet 18-30 inches erect, clump forming 3-8, heat 8-1 shallow, fibrous root system; perennial rugged, heavy branched with ‘wings’; leaves: basal, alternate, lanceolate, prominent central vein, smooth or serrate margins, 4-6” long reducing upwards, 2-3” wide showy, wedge shaped yellow rays, notched/3-lobed at the tips, prominent raised, button-like center disk; 2” dia.; new cultivars available in red, rust, orange, gold August-October (frost)

BLOOM LENGTH:

6 weeks

LIGHT:

Full Sun

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

Habit

adaptable, prefers rich, average drainage evenly moist to wet seed, cuttings, division in spring every 3 years borders, prairie/meadow, cottage gardens, wildflower, pond edge, naturalizes; late season blooms

MAINTENANCE:

deadhead to prolong bloom time; cut back by half after flowering

PROBLEMS:

taller varieties may need staking; powdery mildew, rust and leaf spot possible

COMMENTS:

Native to North America. Genus is thought to have been named by Linnaeus for Helen of Troy; the legend is that the flowers sprung up from the ground where her tears fell. Blooms at the same time as ragweed, which contributes to its common name of sneezeweed; also, center disk flowers and leaves in past were dried and used as snuff, inhaled to cause sneezing that would supposedly rid the body of evil spirits.

Foliage close-up

Flower varieties

100

Heliopsis helianthoides

SMOOTH OXEYE, OXEYE SUNFLOWER, FALSE SUNFLOWER FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Ballerina, Ballet Dsncer, Gigantea, Golden Plume, Goldgreenheart, Incomparabilis, Karat, Lorraine’s Sunshine, Summer Sun 3-6 feet 12-18 inches upright, bushy 3-9, heat 11-3 fibrous root system; hardy perennial opposite to whorled, broadly ovate, rough texture, coarsely serrate margin, 4-6” long, 3.5” wide, dark green; stiff branched stems

Habit

solitary; daisy-like, 2-3” dia., prominent stamens, 10-16 orange-yellow rays, central disk is darker shade of yellow and a flattend cone; both ray and disk florets are fertile July-September 8-10 weeks Full Sun adaptable; average, well-drained; tolerates clay soils dry to moist; drought tolerant once established seed (self sows), cuttings from non-flowering shoots in summer, division when dormant

Flowers ‘Summer Sun’

border, cutting garden, prairie/meadow, naturalizes; attracts butterflies, cut flower; long bloomer low; deadhead to prolong bloom time

PROBLEMS:

aphids; powdery mildew if humid, crowded; reseeds abundantly becoming aggressive, deadhead in autumn to control

COMMENTS:

Native to North America. Heliopsis, Greek, helios, sun and opsis, appearance. Oxeye flowers closely resemble those of sunflowers. They can be distinguished by their ray flowers. Ray flowers of ox-eye have pistils, but those on sunflowers are sterile, as they have neither pistils nor stamens. Flower close-up

101

Hibiscus moscheutos

ROSE MALLOW, HARDY HIBISCUS, SWAMP MALLOW FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MALVACEAE Anne Arundel, Blue Moon II, Disco Belle, Fantasia, Fireball, Kopper King, Lady/Lord Baltimore, Luna Rose, Luna White, Plum Crazy, Southern Belle, Turn of the Century 2-5 feet 3-4 feet upright, multi-stemmed, shrubby 4-9, heat 12-1 hardy perennial alternate, 6-8” long, 2-3” wide; some unlobed, cordate, some maple-like with long petiole; smooth light green upper, velvety pale underside; multi-stemmed; stems become woody showy, single or in terminal saucershaped clusters, 5 petals, up to 9” dia., prominent tubular column stamens; numerous petal colors, all have a deep maroon eye; blooms last 1-2 days, many opening in succession over a long period; blooms under long-day conditions July-September 8-10 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained medium to wet; intolerant of drought seed, tip cuttings in July, [does not like root disturbance, i.e. transplanting or poor weeding techniques]

provide regular fertilizatoin; deadhead for neatness (flowers last only one day); cut back to 3-4” above ground in late fall, shoots come up in July, prune to contain size; protect from wind to minimize wind burn; mulch for root protection

PROBLEMS:

buds drop with very dry soil or with cold air; some susceptibility to aphids, Japanese beetles, whitefly; leaf spots, blights, rusts and canker; leaf scorch if allowed to dry out

102

Flowers and foliage ‘Southern Belle’

low hedge, screening, specimen, border, patio bed, planter, pond edge, bog; attracts butterflies

MAINTENANCE:

COMMENTS:

Habit

Native to the Carolina forests, United States.

Flower and bud

Hosta species PLANTAIN LILY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LILIACEAE, HOSTACEAE numerous; Elegans, Empress Woo, Gold Standard, Gingko Craig, Halcyon, Minuteman, Pandoras Box, Patriot, Piedmont Gold, Sum & Substance, Sunpower, Striptease 3-36 inches 6-48 inches mounding, clump forming 3-9, heat 9-2 long-lived perennial; rhizomatous

FOLIAGE:

basal, long petiole, broad lanceolate or ovate leaves, 1-18” long, .75-12” wide, various marked and colored foliage

FLOWER:

terminal racemes of white to purple tubular, trumpet shaped, pendulous blooms on long erect scape, open close to foliage and can rise 3-6’ high; 10-20 blooms per scape, 10-30 scapes per plant; some are fragrant; some are late season bloomers

BLOOM TIME:

June-September

BLOOM LENGTH:

4-8 weeks

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained

MOISTURE:

average to moist

PROPAGATION:

division in spring

USES: MAINTENANCE:

Characteristics overview

groundcover, edging, low hedge, border accent, containers, specimen; cut flowers, attracts hummingbirds

Hostas in the landscape

cut down foliage in fall to discourage overwintering slug eggs

PROBLEMS:

slugs, snails; deer browse; relatively disease free, except for recent infection by Hosta Virus X, transmitted from plant to plant by contaminated sap, symptoms include dark green ‘ink bleed’ marks in the veins of yellow-colored leaves, and/or tissue collapse between veins; takes years for symptoms to show, infected plants must be destroyed.

COMMENTS:

Native to Japan, Korea and China. Genus named in honor of Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host. Flowers of many hosta varieties make long lasting cut flowers: can last for two weeks in water. Young shoots, petiole and/or whole leaf may be eaten; called urui in Japan where they are commonly consumed. Flowers are also edible.

Variety of flower styles

103

Ligularia stenocephala

NARROW-SPIKED LIGULARIA, BIGLEAF GOLDEN-RAY FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE: FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Brit Marie Crawford, Butterflies, Desdemona, The Rocket 48-60 inches 24-36 inches mounding, irregular 4-8, heat 8-1 grows slowly, virtually indestructible if sited in damp shade mounds of large, glossy, long petioled, cordate to triangluar leaves, dentate margins, dark purple stems; bold texture

Habit

‘bottlebrush’ spikes of bright yellow, tubular or daisy-like blooms open base-up, stalks 48-60” tall July-August 4-6 weeks Part to Full Shade average to rich constantly moist to wet; plant ‘faints’ if too dry or too much sun division in spring or after floweing bog, back of border, architectural accent, cottage garden, pond edging; attracts butterflies deadhead for neatness

Foliage

wilts easily; many gardeners give up on this plant due to constant need for water to keep it going; slugs, snails Native to northern China, Japan and Taiwan. Ligularia refers to its ‘tongueshaped’ leaves; stenocephala refers to the ‘narrow-headed flower’. A true bog plant. Some people are allergic to this plant’s pollen.

Flowers close-up

104

Lobelia cardinalis CARDINAL FLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

CAMPANULACEAE Alba, Angle Song, Queen Victoria, Rosea, Russian Princess, Twilight Zone 24-48 inches 8-10 inches upright, clump forming 2-9, heat 9-2 often short-lived; self seeds basal rosette, alternate, sessile above, petiolate below, oblong to lanceolate, smooth or serrate margin, up to 4” long reducing up the stem; excretes milky sap; unbranched stalks intense scarlet red, bilabiate, top with 2 lips, bottom with 3 lips; tubular, peduncle, spike-like racemes up to 8” tall; flowers continue to develop at tip or spike; white and pink varieties also July-September 7-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained constantly moist to wet

PROPAGATION:

seed (self sows), layering, division every 3 years to maintain vigor

USES:

bog, pond edging, prairie/meadow, woodland edge, naturalizes; attraces butterflies and hummingbirds

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

Habit

protect from northern winds; deadhead for neatness do not let dry out or plant will die Native to North and South America. Introduced to Europe in the mid-1620’s, called Cardinal flower likely due to the similarity of the flower’s color to the vestments of Roman Catholic Cardinals. Native Americans used root to make a tea for stomach aches, syphilis, typhoid, worms. Leaf tea used for colds, croup, nosebleeds, fevers, headaches, rheumatism. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. No wildflower is brighter red. Flowers close-up

105

Perovskia atriplicifolia RUSSIAN SAGE, AZURE SAGE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

LAMIACEAE Blue Haze, Blue Mist, Blue Spire, Filagran, Lacy Blue, Little Spire, Longin 36-60 inches 36-48 inches upright, clump, sub-shrub 4-9, heat 9-4 perennial stiff upright square stems, silvery graygreen, opposite, finely dissected small leaves, 2” long 1” wide, basal, reduced upwards on stem, aromatic when crushed, minty scent; woody at base, considered a sub-shrub branched terminal panicles, 12-15” high, of small, bilabiate tubular blooms of blue or lavender; brings cool beauty, grace and soft airiness to the garden; cloud-like appearance; best flowering occurs on new growth July-October 12 weeks Full Sun average to poor, rocky or gravelly, welldrained; must have good drainage; tolerant of dry, chalky soils with high pH dry to moist; salt and drought tolerant

PROPAGATION:

seed (some self sowing), tip cuttings, layering; offshoots occur after 3 years

USES:

mid-border, mass plantings, herb garden, strong vertical element, cut flower, foliage color, late summer color, winter interest

MAINTENANCE:

do not fertilize as will tend to get floppy; in spring, cut back to 12 inches, do not cut into woody stem; can cut back by half in early summer for stouter plants but this also delays the bloom time

PROBLEMS:

plants tend to sprawl or flop over as summer progresses, particulary if not in full sun; pest resistant; mold, stem blight

COMMENTS:

Native to central Asia including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Tibet. Named for a 19th centure Russian general, V.A. Perovski. Relatively unknown as a landscaping plant until the 1990s. In native habitat, flowers are eaten fresh, and leaves are smoked like tobacco for its euphoriant properties.

106

Characteristics overview

Foliage

Flowers

Phlox paniculata GARDEN PHLOX

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

POLEMONIACEA Bright Eyes, Darwin’s Joyce, David, Eva Cullum, Fairest One, Little Blue Boy, Miss Jill, Nikki 36-48 inches 12-24 inches upright, clump forming 3-9, heat 9-4 perennial; old-fashion garden favorite opposite, narrow, lanceolate, 3-5” long, sturdy stiff stems which sometimes become woody; needs good air circulation, space well and thin out stems as needed large, dense, pyramidal terminal clusters of salverform blooms; to 8” dia., panicles 6-12” long, very fragrant, scent most notable at night; wide selection of colors, some with contrasting ‘eye’ July-October (frost) 7-10 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained; clay and juglone tolerant moist; intolerant of drought

PROPAGATION:

seed, stem or root cuttings, division of offshoots in spring

USES:

mid-border, background, cottage garden, mass plantings, naturalizes; long bloomer, cut flower, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Bright Eyes’

Flower varieties

deadhead for neatness and repeat bloom spider mites; powdery mildew, root rot Native to United States. Phlox, Greek for flame; paniculata, meaning the flowers are in groups of panicles. Plant has been widely used as a medicinal herb; leaf extract is used as a laxative and for treating boils.

Flower close-up ‘Bright Eyes’

107

Physostegia virginiana

OBEDIENT PLANT, FALSE DRAGONHEAD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

LABIATAE Alba, Crown of Snow, Miss Manners, Nan, Pink Boquet, Pink Manners, Rosea, Rosy Spire, Summer Glow, Variegata, Vivid 24-48 inches 24-36 inches erect, clump forming 2-9, heat 8-4 aggressive root system, rhizomatous basal rosette, opposite, narrow, oblong to lanceolate, slight serrated margin, 3-5” long; dark green above, lighter below; square stems upright spikes of densely held tubular, bilabiate 1” long florets on each side of square stems; opens base up; spotted 3-lobed lower lip August-October (frost) 6-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade acidic, well-drained (rich soils produce floppy plants)

MOISTURE:

moist; tolerates drier soils in part shade

PROPAGATION:

seed, division in spring every 2-3 years

USES:

mid-border, mass plantings, wildflower garden, meadow; cut flower, long bloomer, deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

spreads vigorously, can be invasive (keep in container, cut off bottom and sink into garden to help control spread); may need staking in soils with high fertility, prune back in early spring to reduce tendency toward flopping

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Foliage close-up

rust, occassionally Native to central and southern United States and Mexico. Genus called ‘obedient’ because each individual flower will, upon being pushed in any direction, temporarily remain in the new position as if it were hinged. Called false dragonhead because florets are suggestive of Dracocephalum.

Flowers ‘Rosea’

108

Sedum spectabile

STONECROP, ORPINE, BALLOON FLOWER FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

CRASSULACEAE Autumn Joy, Bertram Anderson, Brilliant, Carmen, Iceberg, Meteor, Neon, Ruby Glow, Star Dust, Vera Jameson

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

18-24 inches 18-24 inches clump forming 3-9, heat 8-3

LONGEVITY:

tuberous roots

FOLIAGE:

succulent, opposite or clustered in whorls of 3, obovate, sessile, fleshy, thick, dentate margins, bluish-green

FLOWER:

flat-topped, open branched terminal cyme of clustered star-shaped .5” florets; heads 3-6” dia.; flower heads look like broccoli before opening

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview ‘Autumn Joy’

August-October (frost) 10-12 weeks Full Sun average to poor, sandy, well-drained average to dry; drought and heat tolerant; intolerant of wet soils stem or leaf cuttings in early summer, clump division edger, border, rock garden, cottage garden, mass plantings, xeriscaping, specimen; late season color, textural highlight, attracts butterflies, deer resistant, winter interest

Foliage and flower

pinch back in early June for fuller/bushier growth root rot if too much moisture Native to China and Korea. Showy sedum was crossed with orpine (S. telephium) in 1955 to produce the very popular hybrid, Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’. By removing a leaf and gently squeezing the leaf base to part the upper and lower surfaces, you can blow the leaf up like a balloon. Many sedums can be grown as house plants.

Flower close-up ‘Brilliant’

109

Veronicastrum virginicum CULVER’S ROOT, BLACK ROOT

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

SCROPHULARIACEAE, PLANTAGINACEAE Alba, Erica, Fascination, Pink Glow, Temptation 36-84 inches 24-48 inches upright, tall, clump forming, herb 3-8 central taproot with rhizomes groupings of 3-7 leaves whorled on unbranched rounded, smooth stems, lenceolate, serrated margins, 5-7” long, 1.5” wide dense, slender 8-9” long candelabra of tapering spikes/racemes of tiny, tube-like .25” long florets, opens bottom up July-September 4-6 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average, well-drained; sand and clay tolerant evenly moist to wet; wet tolerant

PROPAGATION:

seed, softwood cutting in late spring, root division in spring

USES:

back of border, prairie/meadow, architectural accent, cut flower, attracts butterflies

MAINTENANCE:

staking if in too much shade; do not allow soil to dry out; usually takes several years to establish itself in the garden

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Pink Glow’

Foliage close-up

no serious insect or disease problems Native to northeastern North America. Genus name, Veronica and suffix astrum (false) describes resemblance to Veronicas. This plant is like veronica on steroids! Common name to honor Dr. Coulvert, 18th century American physician, who prescribed the plant as an effective laxative.

Flower close-up

110

Vinca minor

PERIWINKLE, MYRTLE FAMILY:

APOCYNACEAE

CULTIVARS:

Alba, Argenteovariegata, Aureovariegata, Autopurpurea, Bowles, Gertrude Jekyll, Plena, Ralph Shugert

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

6-10 inches 8-10 inches dense, prostrate, trailing vine, sub-shrub 4-10, heat 9-1

LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

long-lived perennial stems root as they spread where node makes contact with soil; opposite, elliptical, 1.5” long, .75” wide, shiny green leaves, leathery texture, entire margin, semi-evergreen; thin, somewhat woody stems; dense habit smothers most weeds; medium growth rate

Characteristics overview

solitary in leaf axils, bluish-violet, salverform, 5 petals, 1” dia. July-September 4-6 weeks, then intermittently Part Sun to Full Shade; not tolerant of Full Sun adaptable; rich, well-drained evenly moist; some drought tolerance once established seed, stem cuttings, crown division, layering groundcover, under tall trees, erosion control; deer resistant

Habit

deadhead for neatness stem blight in contstantly moist or wet conditions Native to central and southern Europe. Vinca, Latin, vincio which translates ‘to bind’ referring to the stems; minor, small, referring to the foliage size. Dried leaves used medicinally to enhance blood circulation and treat cardiovascular disorders. The color name, periwinkle, is derived from the flower. The association of vinca with death is most ancient, worn as wreathes in human sacrifices and to garland criminals in the Middle Ages being hung from scaffolds. Culpepper wrote of the old tradition of a man and woman eating vinca together as it would forever bind them in love, and bless them with fertility.

Flower close-up ‘Ralph Shugert’

111

Anemone x hybrida

WINDFLOWER, JAPANESE ANEMONE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

RANUNCULACEAE Alice, Alba/Honorine Jobert, Party Dress, Robustissiima, Rosenschale, September Charm, Serenade, Whirlwind 30-36 inches 12-18 inches mounding, clump forming 4-8, heat 9-3 vigorous, fibrous-rooted, spreads by creeping rhizome; may be slow to establish

FOLIAGE:

long petiole, trifoliate/grape leaf look, serrate margins

FLOWER:

solitary 2-3” dia. blooms on many branched, long, wiry stems, single or double forms, shiny overlapping petaloid sepals, many stamens, resembles poppy, they sway in the breeze

BLOOM TIME:

August-October (frost)

BLOOM LENGTH:

4-8 weeks

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL:

Rich, well-drained

MOISTURE:

consistently moist; avoid wet, poorly drained sites; sensitive to drought or overwatering

PROPAGATION:

seed, root cuttings, division in spring

USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

mixed border, mass planting, naturalizes, cut flower, deer and rabbit resistant, late season bloomer

Foliage close-up

low; best with protection from wind; foliage tends to burn in hot, dry sunny summer conditions; do not allow to dry out; may die out in the North in a dry winter without snow cover; tall plants may need staking no serious insect or disease problems; needs a lot of space over time Native to central China and Japan. First named and described in Flora Japonica, 1784, by Carl Thunberg. In China it was often found planted around graves. ‘Honorine Jobert’ is an old garden hybrid discovered in Verdun, France in 1858. Note: spring flowering Anemone are from bulbs.

112

Habit and botanical illustration

Flower close-up ‘Hortensis’

Aster species

MICHEALMAS DAISY FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Alma Potschke, Calico, Frikart, New England, New York, Purple Dome, Wood’s 6-48 inches 12-36 inches rounded, mounding, bushy 3-8, heat 9-1 rhizomatous

FOLIAGE:

alternate, sessils, narrow, lanceolate

FLOWER:

masses of 1-2” dia. daisy-like flowers on branched woody stems, wide range of colors; rows of bracts under the flower head; cut flower with a vase life of 5-10 days

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

September-October (frost) 5-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained, mulched evenly moist, fertilized seed, cuttings, division in spring every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and increase display

USES:

borders; with conifers, shrubs or grasses; attracts butterflies. cut flower

MAINTENANCE:

pinch in early summer to create short, stocky, compact, bushy plants having extra lateral shoots laden with flowers

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Foliage close-up

powdery mildew Native to Eurasia and North America. Aster, ancient Greek, meaning star, referring to the shape of the flower head. From mythology: the goddess Astera looked down to Earth, and seeing no stars began to cry; where her tears fell, asters sprang up. Introduced to Europe by John Tradescant (the younger) in 1637. Become known as Michaelmas Daisies because they flowered around the time of the feast of St. Michael. ‘Purple Dome’ found growing in a field in Pennsylvania by Dr. Richard Lighty, and after testing was introduced commercially in 1990. Flowers

113

Chrysanthemum x morifolium GARDEN MUM

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

hundreds available; My Favorite 12-36 inches 18-30 inches rounded, mounded 3-9, heat 12-1 stoloniferous

FOLIAGE:

thick, deeply lobed, 3-5 lobes, 3” long

FLOWER:

early, midseason and late developing varieties; many cultivars grouped by flower form: Anemone, Cushion, Daisies, Double or Semi-double, Pompon, Button, Irregular Incurve, Reflex, Regular Incurve (formerly Chinese), Spoon, Quill, Spider, Brush & Thistle, Exotic; wide variety of colors

BLOOM TIME:

BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

114

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE

Habit

August-October (frost); are photoperiodic, they bloom in response to shorter days/ longer nights (don’t plant near street lights) 6-8 weeks Full Sun rich, well-drained evenly moist tip cuttings, division in spring every 3 years shelter from NW winds; borders, mass plantings; late season blooms encourage branching and fullness by pinching when shoot tips are 6-8” long, continue until mid-summer when flower buds begin to form; in fall do not cut back, but mulch at base to overwinter

Foliage close-up

aphids, spider mite; powdery mildew Native to Asia and northeastern Europe. Genus name derived from Greek, chrysous meaning gold, and anthemon meaning flower. Prior to 1999, this genus was included within the genus Dendranthema. First cultivated in China as a flowering herb since 15th century. Renowned as one of the Four Gentlemen in chinese and East Asian art (the others being the plum blossom, orchid and bamboo). C. x moriflolium derived primarily from C. indicum. Petals of the yellow or white varieties are boiled to make a sweet tea, call chrysanthemum tea, which aids in the recovery from influenza due to its antibacterial and antimycotic properties. The leaves are steamed or boild and used as greens, especially in Chinese cuisine. In some countries this flower is symbolic of death, lamentation and/or grief. In other countries it represents honesty.

Flower types and colors

Cimicifuga racemosa

BUGBANE, BLACK COHOSH, FAIRY CANDLE, BLACK SNAKEROOT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

RANUNCULACEAE Autopurpurea, Brunette, Hillside Black Beauty 4-8 feet 10-12 inches 3-9, heat 12-1 long taproot, rhizomatous

FOLIAGE:

large, tripinnately compound, ovate leaflets, dentate margins; basal leaves up to 3’ long and broad; burgundy or green

FLOWER:

wand-like bottlebrush spike of white or pink, racemes up to 20” long on branching stems 3-8’ tall, no petals or sepals, flowers consist of many stamens around a white stigma, fragrant with cotton candy scent; buds are like pearls

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

August-September 4-6 weeks Part to Full Shade rich, cool, acidic, well-drained consistently moist; stunted growth or dies back if too dry seed, division back of border, naturalizes, shade garden, wildflower garden, architectural accent, pond edging, bog/wet garden; attracts butterflies

Foliage close-up

leave seedheads for winter interest must be kept moist Native to eastern North America. First described by botanists in 1705. Species has a history of taxonomic uncertainty; Linnaeus designated genus as Actaea, the was later revise by Thomas Nuttall to Cimicifuga based solely on the dry follicles/fruit appearance; now revised back to Actaea. Roots and rhizomes used medicinally by Native Americans; extracts possess analgesic, sedative and antiinflammatory properties. Black cohosh preparation today used mainly to treat menopausal hot flashes. The root was an official drug of the US Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1926. Some consider the fragrance unpleasant, earning it a reputation as an insect repellant plant, thus called Bugbane.

Flower

115

Lysimachia clethroides GOOSE NECK LOOSESTRIFE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

PRIMULACEAE Geisha, Heronswood Gold 24-36 inches 24-36 inches spreading, clump forming 3-8, heat 9-3 rhizomatous, very aggressive spreader; needs containment

FOLIAGE:

alternate, ovate-lanceolate with tapering ends, 3-6” long, rolled margin; olive green foliage turns red in fall

FLOWER:

white, gracefully arching terminal raceme, 3-6” long, tapering, densely packed with numerous tiny, star-shaped florets .5” wide, whimsical ‘gooseneck’ appearance on stems of 12” tall

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE:

Habit

July-September 4-5 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained moist seed, division, stem cuttings wildflower, cottage garden, mass plantings, stream/pond edgins, wet meadows, natualizes; unusual flower form, architectural accent, fall color; rabbit resistant do not let this plant dry out; usually doesn’t rebloom

PROBLEMS:

aggressive spreader; no serious insect or disease problems

COMMENTS:

Native to Japan and China. Genus named in honor of Lysimachus, king of ancient Sicily, who is said to have calmed a mad ox by feeding it a member of the genus. All plants point in the same direction, giving the effect of a gaggle of geese.

Flowers and foliage

Flower close-up

116

Solidago hybrids GOLDENROD

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Crown of Rays, Fireworks, Golden Baby, Golden Fleece, Little Lemon, Solar Cascade 12-60 inches, hybrids typ. 12-36 inches 18-24 inches upright, clump forming 2-8, heat 9-6 rhizomatous perennial

FOLIAGE:

alternate, linear-lanceolate, 2-5” long, finely serrated margin, some are smooth, others are hispid; stems can be decumbent to ascending or erect

FLOWER:

very small, .125” long, clustered in long arching panicles or at terminals of branching stems; in shades of yellow to gold

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

July-September 4-6 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained moist

PROPAGATION:

seed (self sows), rhizome division, cuttings

USES:

informal borders, naturalizes, prairie/ meadow, specimen; attracts butterflies, cut flower

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Crown of Rays’

low

Inflorescence Styles

may become invasive; leaf fust Native to North America. Genus name derived from Latin, solidus, whole, and ago, resembling or becoming, referring to the healing properties of this plant. Goldenrod has been wrongly accused of causing allergies and hay fever; it is actually Ragweed that is the culprit, which blooms at the same time. Have long been considered by Americans as weeds, but prized as garden plants in Europe; have gained some acceptance in American gardening since the 1980’s. Inventor Thomas Edison experimented with goldenrod to produce rubber, which it contains naturally only in its leaves; his experiments produced 12’ tall plants yeilding up to 12% rubber; tires on the Model T given to him by friend Henry Ford were made from goldenrod. Native Americans chewed the leaves to relieve sore throats and chewed the roots to relieve toothaches.

Habit ‘Fireworks’

117

Euounymus fortunei

PURPLELEAF WINTERCREEPER FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

CELASTRACEAE, SOLANACEAE Colorata, Kewensis, Variegated 12-15 inches 12-24 inches vining; procumbent, trailing groundcover 4-10, heat 9-5 fast growing; life expectancy of 30 years broadleaf semi-evergreen with aerial roots, to 1’ tall when not near supportive structure; glossy green or variegated leaves, opposite, elliptical, finely serrated or crenate margins, 1-3” long becomes intensely burgundy-purple/plum in winter (bronzing) inconspicuous

BLOOM TIME:

n/a

BLOOM LENGTH:

n/a

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

Full Sun to Full Shade adaptable; poor to rich, well-drained evenly moist rooted stem cuttings

USES:

raised planters, borders, foundations, rock gardens, wall climber, groundcover, mass planting, erosion control

MAINTENANCE:

protect from winter sun and wind; can be easily pruned to maintain size and shape

PROBLEMS:

COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

Foliage of ‘Colorata’

Euonymus Scale, often slowly lethal unless treated with pesticides and/or dormant oil; unsightly as a white or gray ‘powder’ on the stems and underside of foliage; retains blown leaves due to the numerous low, upright stems and retentive foliage Native to China. Garbage and dead leaf collector (due to low branching). Euonymus translates as “good name” (used ironically, since the genus once had a bad reputation for poisoning cattle). fortunei is named for Robert Fortune, a botanist who collected plants from 19th century China.

Habit of ‘Colorata’

118

Grasses Ornamental Grasses have two classifications: Cool Season —

beginning to grow in spring, flower in early summer, grow best between 60-75°, go dormant or begin to grow slower in heat are often evergreen, and require more moisture.

Warm Season —

grow best when temperatures reach 80°, flower in late summer, go dormant in cold weather, provide the most colorful autumn display, and, left standing, provide good winter interest.

In the landscape, ornamental grasses add: height, texture, movement and susurration.

Ornamental Grasses Suitable for Michigan Gardens Dr. Art Cameron Horticulture Deptartment

Michigan State University

cameron@msu.edu

Short Sweeties ... Containers and ground covers

Large Grasses ... For masses, screens and

Mop head carex Carex comans ‘Toffee Twist’ New Zealand sedge Sedge Carex morrowi ‘Evergold’ Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’ Blue fescue Eragrostis ‘Wind Dancer’ Chinese love grass Hakonechloa macra Variegated Japanese grass ‘Aureola’, ‘All Gold’ Blood grass Imperata ‘Red Baron’ Molinia 'Variegata' Variegated moor grass Pennisetum ‘Little Bunny’ Dwarf fountain grass Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ Fountain grass

Arundo donax variegatus

(less than 3 feet) Carex ‘The Beatles’

Medium Beauties ... Great for perennial beds (3-5 feet)

Calamagrostis xacutifolia ‘Karl Foerster’ ‘Avalanche’ ‘El Dorado’

Feather reed grass

Calamagrostis brachytricha Fall-blooming reed grass Chasmanthium latifolium Northern sea oats Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hair grass Helichtotrichon sempervirens Blue oats grass Miscanthus purpurascens Flame grass Miscathus sinensis Japanese silver grass ‘Graziella’ ‘Gold Bar’ ‘Morning Light’ ‘Rigoletto’

Panicum virgatum

‘Hanse Herms’ ‘Heavy Metal’ ‘Rotstrahlbusch’ ‘Shenandoah’

Switch grass

‘Karley Rose’

(5-10 feet)

Miscanthus sinensis

Variegated giant reed grass Japanese silver grass

Molinia litoralis

Tall purple moor grass

Panicum virgatum

Switch grass

‘Cabaret’ ‘Gracillimus’ ‘Malapartus’ ‘Sarabande’ ‘Silberfeder’ ‘Strictus’ ‘Variegatus’

‘Skyracer’ ‘Windspiel’

‘Cloud Nine’ ‘Dallas Blues’ ‘Northwind’

HUMONGOUS Grasses… friends (>10 feet)

To impress your

Arundo donax Giant reed grass Giant silver grass Miscanthus giganteus aka Miscanthus floridulus Saccharum ravennae Ravenna grass

Tender perennials ...

Plant again each year - but many are worth it!!

Pennisetum orientale Schizochyrium scoparium Spodiopogon sibericus Sporobolus heterolepis

specimens

Little bluestem Frost grass Prairie dropseed

Carex buchananii Leather leaf sedge Mexican feather grass Nasella tenuisima Pennisetum xadvena Fountain grass Purple fountain grass Pennisetum xadvena ‘Rubrum’ Pennisetum sp. Purple millet Rhynchelytrum nerviglume Ruby grass a.k.a Melinus nerviglumis Saccharum officinalis Sugar cane

Best native grasses ... for the wild spot Andropogon gerardii Bouteloua sp. Carex muskingumensis

Big bluestem

Eragrostis spectabilis Koeleria macrantha Luzula multiflora Panicum virgatum Schizachyrium scoparium Sorghastrum nutans Sporobouls heterolepis

Purple love grass

esp Little Midge

Side oats gramma Palm sedge June grass Woodrush Switch grass Little bluestem Indian grass Prairie Drop Seed

Tough as Nails ... for cold and dry - Zone 4 hardy Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ Miscanthus giganteus Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ Miscanthus ‘Silberfeder’ Miscanthus ‘Strictus’ Molinia ‘Skyracer’ Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’, ‘Cloud Nine’ Sorghastrum nutans - Indian grass

Shade tolerant ...

Carex (Sedges) - many American species Chasmanthium latifolium Hakonochloa macra ‘All Gold’ is a great cultivar Luzula sylvestris

Sources of Ornamental Grasses

Sometimes finding specific new (and old) cultivars may be a

Herbaceous Perennial Picks

These work great with grasses in mid-Michigan.

Most require minimum care and are drought tolerant.

Achillea ‘Fireland’, ‘Anthea’, ‘Moonshine’ – Yarrow Amsonia hubrichtii – Threadleaf Blue Star Amsonia tabernaemontana - Blue Star Artemesia ludoviciana ‘Valerie Finnis’ Buddleia globosa ‘Nanho Blue’ - Butterfly Bush Coreopsis verticillata ‘Flying Saucers’ Echinacea purpurea – numerous cultivars - Purple Cone Flower

Eupatorium ‘Gateway’ and ‘Little Joe’ - Joe-Pye Weed Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterfly’ and others Geranium ‘Rozanne’ Helianthus salicifolius - Willow-Leaved Sunflower Nepeta faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant’, ‘Walker’s Low’ Catmint

Oenothera fruticosa - Sundrop/Evening Primrose Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage Ratibida pinnata – Yellow conflower Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ - Black Eyed Susan Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, ‘Brilliant’, ‘Matrona’, ‘Rosy Glow’ Silphium perfoliatum Cup plant Vernonia missourica Ironweed

Some Suggested Reading Rick Darke. 2007. The Encyclopedia of Grasses for

challenge:

Livable Landscapes. Timber Press.

Several Michigan Nurseries produce ornamental grasses

design ideas.

including Walter’s Gardens, HorTech, and Amber Waves.

Tip: Mail-order using the web is an option for unique plants.

Using a search engine, enter the species and

cultivar name.

Very well done - a standby in my book collection for Piet Oudolf. 1999. Designing with Plants. Timber Press. Outstanding browsing

photos

when

and

you

descriptions.

are

Great

daydreaming

for

about

combinations.

Michael King and Piet Oudolf. Gardening with Grasses. 1998. Timber Press.

Excellent reading with more than enough information and design ideas to keep you busy for years.

Taylor’s Guide to Ornamental Grasses. 1997. Roger Holmes, editor. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Andropogon gerardii

BIG BLUE STEM, TURKEYFOOT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Pawnee 4-7 feet 2-4 feet upright, clumping 3-8 warm-season; rhizomes survive many years

FOLIAGE:

bluish stems, 2.5-3’ tall, becomes burgundy and copper at first frost; root system can extend down more than 10 feet, each year one-third of these roots die, opening up channels for water

FLOWER:

purplish red flowers appear in groups of 3 or 6 which look like a turkey foot; two flower parts: yellow hanging bits (male), and fuzzy bits (female); showy red seed heads, 7-12” long

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL:

August-October 10-12 weeks Full Sun adaptable; best in fertile, well-drained

MOISTURE:

adaptable; dry to medium; drought tolerant

PROPAGATION:

seed, collect in early Oct, plant late spring; division; moderate rate of spread, more rapid with early spring fires

USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

accent, screening, tall grass prairie, erosion control; attracts birds, dried flowers

Flowerheads, like a turkey foot

low; cut old foliage down in early spring no serious insect or disease problems Native to North America. Most widespread of all the prairie grasses, largely responsible for the formation of the famous prairie sod.

Seedheads in fall

119

Bouteloua gracilis

MOSQUITO GRASS, BLUE GRAMA GRASS, EYEBROW GRASS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

POACEAE Blond Ambition, Hachita 18-36 inches 12 inches erect, clump forming 4-8

LONGEVITY:

warm-season; spreads from basal tillers

FOLIAGE:

basal, narrow, fine-textured, blue-green blades sometimes curled, generally flat; 1-6” long, glaborous, forms dense mounds, tan fall color

FLOWER:

one-sided spike of long, narrow flag-like flowers on stalks 6-20” tall; elongated seedheads at right angle to the stem resemble tiny combs, provide visual interest; spikelets numerous, arranged in two rows on one side of the rachis, curved and comb-shaped at maturiy; turns purple in the fall

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

July-September 12 weeks Full Sun adaptable, well-drained; sandy dry; very drought tolerant; intolerant of wet winters seed: collect early Oct. to Nov.; drops readily when dry; easily germinated dried flower

MAINTENANCE:

cannot tolerate shading by taller plants; cut to 6” tall in early spring

PROBLEMS:

damping off, rust, head and leaf smuts, tar spot, root rot

COMMENTS:

120

Habit ‘Blond Ambition’

Native to western North America. ‘Blond Ambition’ discovered and introduced by David Salman of High Country Gardens. Often blooms and sets seed fIrst year. Seed set often low. Plants tolerate moderate grazing and trampling. This bunch grass was an important plant for retaining the soil. When much of it was plowed under for agriculture, the loss of the root structure contributed to the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s. Named “Eyebrow Grass” because the flowers resemble an eyebrow floating on thin stems.

Seedheads in fall

Seedhead up-close

Calamagrostis acutiflora FEATHER REED GRASS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Avalanche, Karl Foerster, Overdam, Stricta 4-7 feet 18-40 inches upright, columnar, clump forming 4-9 cool-season

FOLIAGE:

green, linear blade 12-36 inches long by .5” wide, becomes buff colored in fall

FLOWER:

emerge light green, quickly change to pink-purple; on 3-6’ stalks from center of clump; blossoms change color throughout the season; terminal grain clusters remain on plant until winter snows bring them down

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Characteristics overview

June-July 8-10 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained adaptable, average to wet; amount of moisture determines ultimate size clump division in spring specimen/focal point, hedge, screen, backdrop for roses/perennials, architectural accent, mass planting, border, fresh water bogs, naturalizes cut back to 4” above crown in early spring

Mass Planting of ‘Karl Foerster’

pest and disease free Native to Europe. Calamagrostis translates as ‘reed of the field’; acutiflora means ‘sharp (pointed) flower’. One of the first ornamental grasses to emerge from dormancy with new foliage growth. Seeds are sterile, won’t self seed. ‘Karl Foerster’ and ‘Stricta’ often confused/mislabled... ‘KF’ height to 5’, ‘Stricta’ taller up to 7’. ‘Overdam’ is variegated with longitudinal white striping, smaller in size, more refined, likes shade.

Terminal grain clusters up-close

121

Calamagrostis brachytricha

KOREAN FEATHER REED GRASS, FOXTAIL GRASS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE, GRAMINEAE 3-4 feet 18-24 inches upright, arching, clump forming 4-9 warm-season; slow spreading

FOLIAGE:

narrow, stiff, green blades; 2’ tall, .25.625” wide; yellowish-buff fall color

FLOWER:

tall, fluffly panicles to 10” long of pinkish-silver blooms; fades to pale golden brown in autumn; carries its top heavy seedhead on 4’ stalks unshattered throughout winter (although some stalks will completely lodge/sprawl open); remains open and feathery when dry

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit - late summer

September-October (frost) 10-12 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, rich, well-drained; clay tolerant; jugalone tolerant medum to wet seed, clump division container, grouping, mass planting, architectural accent, pond/stream edging; dried flower do not allow to dry out; cut to the ground in early spring

Habit - winter

pest and disease free Native to eastern Asia. Prefers part shade.

Seedhead close-up

122

Carex buchananii

LEATHERLEAF SEDGE, CURLY TOP FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CYPERACEAE Red Rooster, Toffee Twist 12-24 inches 12-14 inches upright, arching, dense tussock 6-11 tender perennial; short lived 2-3 years

FOLIAGE:

evergreen, arching, tussock-forming sedge in shades of brownish-red; stiff, narrow blades, slightly in-curled; curves at blade tip like a shepherdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff

FLOWER:

insignificant, followed by closely held seed heads

BLOOM TIME:

n/a

BLOOM LENGTH:

n/a

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Full Sun to Part Shade fertile, well drained moist to wet seed (self sows modestly), division in spring border, container, groupings, very wet areas, water garden, woodland garden, accent; popular with poultry; gives off a warm glow when backlit by the sun; deer resistant use a small hand fork to comb out old growth in spring; cut back in spring if the plant is becoming untidy

Mass planting

aphids, mealybugs are possible if in dense clumps in hot climate. Rust, smut and leaf spot. Native to New Zealand. Its natural habitat is low-lying wetlands. The study of carex, known as true sedges, is known as carigology.

Seedhead close-up

123

Carex oshimensis

VARIEGATED JAPANESE SEDGE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CYPERACEAE Everest, Evergold, Gold Strike 8-12 inches 18-24 inches sprawling, clump forming 5-9 cool-season; rhizomatous, stoloniferous

FOLIAGE:

evergreen, dense drooping tussocks; grass-like, arching, variegated leaves, 10-15” long, .25” wide, which are creamy yellow with dark green borders

FLOWER:

insignificant; brownish flowers on 6” long solid triangular stems without nodes in late spring

BLOOM TIME:

May

BLOOM LENGTH:

n/a

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, average, well-drained moist, but not wet; this sedge, unlike others, is not a wetland plant clump division

USES:

filler, specimen, border, groundcover, containers/hanging baskegt, groupings, mass planting; deer resistant; winter interest

MAINTENANCE:

foliage color richer in shade than in sun; do not allow to dry out; cut back to ground in early spring; mulch for winter

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Gold Strike’

‘Everest’ and Heuchera ‘Marmalade’

no serious insect or disease problems Native to Japan; dry woods and rocky hillsides.

Close-up: female and male inflorescences

124

Chasmanthium latifolium NORTHERN SEA OATS

FAMILY:

POACEAE

CULTIVARS:

River Mist

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

2-5 feet 12-30 inches upright, clump forming 3 to 8 warm-season; spreading

FOLIAGE:

bright green leaves, 5-9â&#x20AC;? long, turn a coppery color after frost and eventually brown by winter

FLOWER:

flat, drooping seed heads which hang in terminal clusters on thread-like pedicils from slightly arching stems; seed heads emerge green but turn purplish bronze by late summer

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

August to September 6-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained; tolerates poor soil, jugalone moist to wet seed (self sows, may spread aggressively) showy flowers, excellent contrast and texture year-round; border, shade garden, pond edging, specimen, accent; good fall color, winter interest; cut or dried flower, natualizes

Habit with seedheads

low; leave foliage in place over winter, adds interest to the landscape and helps protect crowns from the cold; cut back to the ground in early spring no serious insect or disease problems Native to Eastern United States, northern Mexico. One of the more shade tolerant of the ornamental grasses. Once known as Uniola latifolia.

Spikelets close-up

125

Deschampsia caespitosa

TUFTED HAIR GRASS, TUSSOCK GRASS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

POACEAE Goldstaub 12-18 inches 1-2 feet rounded, clump forming 4-9 cool-season very thin .2” wide, arching, flat to inrolled, dark green blades up to 2’ long; upper surface of leaf blade feels rough and can cut in one direction, but is smooth in the opposite direction; upper side of leaf blade is deeply grooved

Characteristics overview

showy, yellow, tones of gold, silver, purple and green; numerous flower stems bear wide, airy panicles up to 20” long of tiny, variably-colored flowers which form a cloud over the foliage; particularly attractive when backlit; panicles turn yellowish-tan as the seed ripens; spikelets .125” long; remains attractive through the winter July-September 8-10 weeks; seeds mature Sept-Oct Full Sun to Part Shade average, well-drained; tolerates air pollutions, jugalone medium, prefers moist seed, tillers, division

Flowering; close-up

specimen, border groupings, large rock gardens, edges of ponds or streams, mass plantings, naturalizes; mixes well with ferns and hostas; attracts birds low; cut old foliage down in early spring no serious insect or disease problems Native to Northern Hemisphere.

Grouping of ‘Goldstaub’

126

Festuca glauca

BLUE FESCUE, BLUE MOUNTAIN GRASS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Blue Dune, Boulder Blue, Elijah Blue, Golden Toupee, Intense Blue 6-10 inches 6-10 inches rounded, clump forming 4-9 cool-season

FOLIAGE:

low-growing, finely-textured, domeshaped porcupine-like tuft of erect to arching, needle-like blades 6-8” long

FLOWER:

light green flowers with purple tinge, in terminal panicles 10-14” long; not showy; puffy wheat-like seed heads

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

Characteristics overview

June-July 4-6 weeks Full Sun for best color - Part Shade average to poor, well-drained; jugalone tolerant dry to moist; tolerant of drought, neglect, lack of nutrients; intolerant of wet

PROPAGATION:

seed, clump division in spring every 2-3 years

USES:

densely massed as groundcover, border edging, rock garden

MAINTENANCE:

clumps tend to die out in the center; foliage declines in very hot, humid summers; cut back foliage in spring to 3-4”

PROBLEMS:

rabbit and vole candy; loses color if overwatered, may die if overwatered

COMMENTS:

Native to central and southern Europe. Originally described by Dominique Villars, French naturalist. Species name derived from Latin, glaucus meaning ‘pale bluegray’.

Habit: ‘Elijah Blue’, ‘Golden Toupee’

In the landscape

127

Hakonechloa macra HAKONE GRASS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

POACEAE Allgold, Aureola, Naomi 14-16 inches 12-24 inches sprawling, cascading, clump forming 5-9, heat 9-5

LONGEVITY:

warm-season; stoloniferous, slow growing

FOLIAGE:

bright yellow with very thin green stripes, .5” wide, resembles a cascading miniature bamboo, mounds to create a waterfall effect; becomes tinged with pink and red in fall

FLOWER:

tiny, inconspicuous spikes

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Allgold’

August-September 4-6 weeks Part to Full Shade rich, well-drained; intolerant of clay moist division in spring groundcover, border front specimen, mass planting, container; deer resistant do not allow to dry out; cut back foliage in early spring pest and disease free Native to Honshu Island, Japan. Genus/ species name derived from Hakon, a region in Japan, and chloa, Greek for grass; macra, Latin, large. Stunning when mass planted: entire area glows like thousands of lightning bugs on a dark summer’s night.

Habit & leaf close-up ‘Aureola’

In the landscape

128

Helictotrichon sempervirens BLUE OAT GRASS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE, GRAMINEAE 24-30 inches 24-30 inches rounded, clump forming 3-9 cool-season

FOLIAGE:

semi-evergreen, stiff, thick blade, bristled at tip; 20-24” high, .25” wide; blue-green color echoes dwarf blue spruce and blue junipers

FLOWER:

pinkish-brown, rounded stems 20-40” high

BLOOM TIME:

June-August

BLOOM LENGTH:

10-12 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

Full Sun fertile, adaptable, good drainage essential moist; drought tolerant once established seed (self sows), divide clumps every 3 years

USES:

border, mass planting, rock garden, xeriscaping; deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

never cut back; remove straw colored old growth in spring by tugging

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

pest and disease free

Habit, in flower

Native to Eurasia and western Mediterranean. Genus name, Greek, helix meaning spiral and trichos meaning hair. More enduring than blue fescues.

In the landscape

129

Miscanthus sinensis

MAIDEN GRASS, CHINESE SILVER GRASS, ZEBRA GRASS, EULALIA FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

many; Adagio, Border Bandit, Cabaret, Cosmopolitan, Gold Bar, Goldfeder, Gracillimus, Morning Light, Purpurascens, Rigoletto, Silver Feather, Strictus, Variegatus, Zebrinus 4-10 feet 3-10 feet upright, arching, clump forming 4-9 warm-season; rhizomatous, fast growing

FOLIAGE:

tickly dense, many types of variegation on medium green foliage: silver, white, cream, yellow; linear blades 3-5’ long, .25-2” wide

FLOWER:

plumes resembling corn tassels atop central vertical stalks, various colors depending on cultivar: silver, gold, pinkish, purplish, reddish or a mixture; most persist throughout winter

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

130

POACEAE

Habit ‘Adagio’

July-October (frost) 12-16 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, rich, well-drained average; tolerates some drought and occasional wetness seed, crown division every 3-4 years specimen, screen in summer/fall, pond edging, foundations, group or mass plantings; deer resistant, attracts birds, butterflies; cut/dried flowers

Foliage ‘Gold Bar’

handles snow load well; cut back foliage to 3” above ground in spring pest and disease free; center of clump dies out with age Native to eastern Asia; China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea. Miscanthus, Greek, flowering stem; sinensis translates as ‘of China’. M. sinsensis is a candidate for bioenergy production in the US due to its high yield even in high stress environments, easy propagation, effective nutrient cycling, and high genetic variation. No other ornamental grass has so many cultivars.

Seedhead close-up

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea TALL MOOR GRASS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Skyracer, Variegata 4-8 feet 2-3 feet upright, arching, clump forming 4-9 warm-season; slow growing

FOLIAGE:

narrow, arching, blue-green clump, 2-3’ tall; golden yellow in fall; no winter interest as foliage and flowers decline in late fall

FLOWER:

profuse, narrow, see-through flower spikes with tiny purple blooms on 6-8’ tall erect, stiff stalks; rice-like seedheads are orange-yellow in fall fading to buff

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Variegata’

July-September 8-10 weeks Full Sun average, well-drained, acidic medium to wet; jugalone tolerant seed (self sows) accent, specimen, erosion control, rain gardens, naturalizes cut to ground in late fall takes several years to become established; pest and disease free

Habit ‘Skyracer’

Native to bogs and moors of Europe and Asia.

‘Skyracer’ seedhead close-up

131

Panicum virgatum SWITCH GRASS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

POACEAE Dallas Blues, Heavy Metal, Northwind, Prairie Fire, Rehbraun, Shenandoah 3-5 feet 24-30 inches strongly upright, clump forming 2-9 warm-season; rhizomatous, deep rooted to 10 feet or more blades up to 5’ long, 2” wide; olive green to steel blue, turns yellow in fall; very sturdy round, reddish stalks, stays upright through even severe rain, snow and wind 10” tall pink flower plumes in late summer; silvery seed heads add to winter interest; teardrop shaped .125” seeds August-October 8-10 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL:

average, well-drained; best when mychorrhizae fungi present; intolerant of clay

MOISTURE:

prefers moist; tolerant of wet and drought

PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Dallas Blues’

seed (only a small percent are viable) dense screen, architectural accent, naturalizes do not fertilize; cut back to 6” tall in spring

Habit ‘Northwind’

becomes an aggressive competitor as it gets older; pest and disease free Native to eastern North America. Used primarily for soil conservation, forage production, game cover, ornamental grass, and more recently as a biomass crop for ethanol and butanol and in phytoremediation projects. Most varieties sold are cultivated. ‘Northwind’ hybridizer is Roy Diblik; a good ornamental grass for a backdrop or a tight space, because it is tall and narrow. Adds great fall and winter interest with its bright fall foliage and fluffy seed heads. Does not bend or collapse in rough winter weather. Very adaptable and tolerant of various growing conditions. ‘Shenandoah’ new growth is red; shorter and not as dense as other cultivars; 1.52.5’ tall, 24-30” spread.

132

‘Heavy Metal’ seedheads close-up

Pennisetum orientale FOUNTAIN GRASS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Karley Rose, Purple Fountain, Tall Tails 2-3 feet 2-3 feet arching, clump forming 5-9 warm-season; rhizomatous

FOLIAGE:

narrow, linear, gray-green blades, .25” wide; yellowish-tan in fall

FLOWER:

cottony pink to rose-purple, soft, longbristled spikelets formed in long, narrow panicles that resemble bottle brushes or bunny tails, on stalks 24-36” tall; glow when lit from behind; color matures to light brown

BLOOM TIME:

June-August

BLOOM LENGTH:

10-12 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Habit ‘Karley Rose’

Full Sun to Part Shade average, sandy-loams, well-drained evenly moist; drought tolerant once established seed, division of root mass in spring specimen, border, mass plantings, containers, foundations cut foliage to 4” above crown in early spring

PROBLEMS:

will rot out in the center if the root crown is planted below the soil surface; pest and disease free

COMMENTS:

Native to central and southwestern Asia. ‘Karley Rose’ has deeper green foliage; darker, smoky rose-purple flower spikes that are larger and fuller; blooms into September and offers better winter hardiness.

Flowers close-up

In the landscape

133

Pennisetum setaceum rubrum RED FOUNTAIN GRASS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Burgundy Giant, Fireworks, Gigantum, Rubrum 3-5 feet 2-4 feet upright, arching, clump forming 9-10 warm-season; tender perennial; rapid growing

FOLIAGE:

arching, linear, narrow, burgundy-red or bronzed, to 3’ tall

FLOWER:

fluffy, burgundy-purple bottlebrush-like spikes to 12” long on hollow stalks that rise above foliage to 4’ tall

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

July-October (frost) 12-16 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade well-drained; tolerant of jugalone consistently moist; once established needs only occassional watering

PROPAGATION:

treat as an annual, or cut back and winter over in a greenhouse environment

USES:

specimen, grouping, mass planting, border, foundations; attracts birds

MAINTENANCE:

site in area protected from strong winds;

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

pest and disease free

Flowers close-up

Native to Africa, southeast Asia and the Middle East. P. setaceum is a declared noxious weed in the western US; this cultivar is more correctly identified as P. macrostachys, but will actually be renamed to Pennisetum advena in the grasses section of Flora of North America. Latin, advena, meaning ‘newly arrived’ or ‘stranger’.

In the landscape

134

Schizachyrium scoparium LITTLE BLUE STEM

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Carousel, Prairie Blues, The Blues, Sapphire 12-48 inches 12-24 inches compact, clump forming 3-9 warm season; rhizomatous, 1-2’ crownspread yearly

FOLIAGE:

long, narrow blue-green blades, turns shades of pink, orange and brown in fall; some cultivars tend to be lodging (sprawling open) in rainy weather

FLOWER:

fuzzy-looking, pinkish-tan flower stalks in late summer; fluffly, silvery seedheads remain interesting over winter

BLOOM TIME:

July-August

BLOOM LENGTH:

8-10 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘The Blues’ in summer

Full Sun adaptable, needs well-drained dry; drought tolerant once established seed, division of tillers host plant for several butterfly species; seedheads attract small birds; deer resistant cut foliage to 6” in spring tall, floppy growth if too much shade, wet soils, nutrient-rich soils or additional fertilizing

Habit ‘The Blues’ in fall

Native to eastern North America.

Flowers close-up

135

Spartina pectinata

CORD GRASS, SLOUGHGRASS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

POACEAE Aureo-Marginata 4-7 feet 3-6 feet rigid, upright, dense clumps 4-9

LONGEVITY:

warm-season; rhizomatous, rapid spread

FOLIAGE:

tough, linear, .25-.50” wide, glossy, dark green, succulent appearance, rough margins; bright gold in fall

FLOWER:

raceme up to 18” long; containing spikes of 3-5” long that are widely spaced along stalk; 40-80 appressed tan-colored spikelets in two rows along one side of secondary stalk

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

July-September 10-12 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable; rich, loamy, well-drained moist to wet

PROPAGATION:

division of rhizomes (rarely produces viable seed)

USES:

bogs, stabilizes pond edges and streambanks, erosion control, naturalizes; attracts birds and wildlife

MAINTENANCE:

wear gloves when handling this grass

PROBLEMS:

pollen may cause hay fever; pest and disease free

COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Aureo-Marginata’

‘Aureo-Marginata’ in flower; leaf blade close-up

Native to central North America. Spartina, Greek, spartine which is a cord made from Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom) and used for this genus due to its tough leaves and stem. Species name from Greek, pectinatus, meaning comb, referring to the appearance of the plant’s flowering branches. One of the tallest prairie grasses. Native Americans used cord grass leaves and stems to thatch their lodges before covering them with soil. This grass is sometimes called ‘ripgut’ due to the pointed teeth along the blade margins, which can cut skin. Seedhead close-up

136

Sporobolus heterolepsis PRAIRIE DROPSEED

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

POACEAE Tara 24-36 inches 24-36 inches whorled, arching, clumping mound 3-9 warm-season; slow growing

FOLIAGE:

very fine, gracefully arching leaves to 20” long, summer green; gold/orange in fall; crown expansion rapid after second growing season, slow first year; remains as a bunch grass, may form small colonies.

FLOWER:

airy branching panicles of pinkish brown on 36” tall stiff slender stems; unique fragrance similar to coriander; decorative seedheads

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

August-October 8-12 weeks Full Sun adaptable, well-drained; jugalone tolerant dry to wet; drought tolerant seed (self sows) adds elegance; accent, border, groundcover, erosion control, prairie/meadow, naturalizes, rain garden; considered by many to be the most handsome of the prairie grasses; attracts birds, deer resistant

In Flower

low slow to establish; pest and disease free Native to North America. Miscellaneous: Seed expensive. Germinates easily but seedling quite sensitive to sun, drought, and competition. Suggest starting in greenhouses and transplanting out second growing season. Plains Indians ground the seed to make a tasty flour.

In the landscape

137

Annuals An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season and can only be propagated by seed. A tender perennial is a plant whose life cycle is longer than 2 years and although it cannot survive in our growing zone, it can be propagated by seed, tip- stem- and root-cuttings or via tissue culture.

Ageratum houstonianum

FLOSS FLOWER, BLUEMINK, BLUEWEED, PUSSY FOOT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

Blue Blazer, Blue Danube, Blue Horizon, Blue Mink, Hawaii 6-28 inches 6-12 inches; 4 per sq. foot compact, mounded 5-12 frost-tender annual

FOLIAGE:

leaves ovate to triangular, cordate at the basee, hairy, slightly quilted, 1-3â&#x20AC;? long, soft green

FLOWER:

flattened to slightly rounded, dense corymbs with threadlike ray flowers; blue, lavender, pink, white

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS:

COMMENTS:

138

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE

Habit

June-October (frost) 16+ weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained consistently moist seed (easy) bedding plant, edger, containers, rock gardents, mass plantings; attracts butterflies prompt deadheading is not necessary as spent flowers will fall to the ground as they fade, but deadheading will keep appearance tidy and promote uninterrupted bloom; taller varieties may need staking

Flowers close-up

plant will wilt quickly if soils are allowed to dry out; avoid overhead watering to prevent powdery mildew; no serious insect or disease problems; watch for aphids, whiteflies; root rot in poorly drained soils Native to Central America and Mexico. Ageratum has evolved an ingenious method of protecting itself from insects; it produces a precocene compound which interferes with the normal function of the corpus allatum, the organ responsible for secreting juvenile hormone. This chemical triggers the next molting cycle to prematurely develop adult structures, and can render most insects sterile if ingested in large enough quantities. Is toxic to grazing animals, causing liver lesions. Has become an invasive weed in eastern US, Australia, Europe, Africa, China, Japan and New Zealand.

In the landscape

Amaranthus caudatus

LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING, PENDANT AMARANTH, TASSEL FLOWER FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

AMERANTHACEAE Green Tails, Viridus 12-48 inches 8-12 inches; 2 per sq. foot erect, arching 10-12 frost-tender annual

FOLIAGE:

oval, light green leaves to 6” long

FLOWER:

petalless flowers bloom in narrow, drooping, tassel-like, terminal and axillary panicles, 12-24” long; dark red

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

July-October (frost)

Habit

12+ weeks Full Sun (best) to Part Shade poor to average, well-drained moist; drought tolerant seed (easy), from seed: flowers don’t appear until approx. 3 months after sowing; cuttings root easily hanging baskets, beds, borders, edging low; may need staking no serious insect or disease problems; aphids, root rot in poorly drained soils; aster yellows Native to North and South American tropics, Africa, India, Peru. Amarantos, Greek, meaning unfading; anthos, Greek, meaning flower; Many parts of the plants, including the leaves and seeds, are edible, and are frequently used as a source of food; a grain crop in India and South America. Used in Thai cuisine, known as Pak Khom. Flowers retain some color when dried. Do not eat this plant if it is treated with synthetic fertilizers as the leaves will concentrate nitrates in nitrogen rich soils; nitrates contribute to stomach cancers, blue babies and other health problems; eat only organically grown. Seed is very nutritious; eaten cooked, ground into a powder, used in baking, can be popped like popcorn. Contains 13-18% protein, rich in the amino acid lysine; contains good quantities of calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin B complex. A red food coloring called ‘betalaina’ is obtained from the red cultivars. All members of this genus photosynthesize by a more efficient method than most plants: C4 carbon-fixation pathway.

Flowers close-up

In the landscape

139

Antirrhinum majus SNAPDRAGON

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SCORPHULARIACEAE, PLANTAGINACEAE Black Prince, Bright Butterflies, Dulcinea’s Heart, Little Gem, Madame Butterfly, Magic Carpte, Monarch, Peaches & Cream, Pixie, Rembrandt, Rocket Mix, Supreme Double, Tahiti Mix, Tom Thumb, Vanity Fair 4-36 inches 6-12 inches erect 7-10 annual

FOLIAGE:

spirally arranged, broadly lanceolate, .503” long, 1” wide, dark green

FLOWER:

tall spike of bilabiate blooms, each 1-2” long; available in an endless palette of colors, except true blue; 6 groups: tall, intermediate, short, dwarf, trailing, butterfly

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

May-October (frost) continuous, 16+ weeks Full Sun rich, very well-drained frequent watering following transplanting; once established keep evenly moist; not drought tolerant seed, cutting of half-ripe wood in Sept.

USES:

dwarf varities for beds, borders, edging, window boxes, containers; taller plants for borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens; attracts hummingbirds, butterflies

MAINTENANCE:

avoid overhead watering; pinch tips to promote bushiness and prevent leggy growth; deadhead to prolong bloom; if flowering slows drastically after first flush, cut back hard and fertilize

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up & botanical illustration

aphids; rust, mold, fungal leaf spots, downy mildew, wilt, root rots Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. The common name “snapdragon”, originates from the flowers’ reaction to having their throats squeezed, which causes the “mouth” of the flower to snap open. Wide variety of colors

140

Argyranthemum frutescens

COBBITTY DAISY, PARIS DAISY, FRENCH MARGUERITE FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE: FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Argyraketis, Bright Carmine Supralight, Butterfly, Jamaica Primrose, Madeira Crested, Madeira Red, Lemon Sugar, Sassy Pink, Snow Baby, Vancouver 12-24 inches 12-24 inches; 1 per sq. foot upright, mounding, clump forming 10-11 annual or short-lived tender perennial deeply cut, dark green leaves, some with blue-green foliage; aromatic when bruised; shallow rooted

Habit in the landscape

daisy-like white flowers, 2.5” dia. with yellow center disks; ray flowers of white, yellow, pink, or red May-October (frost) continuous with deadheading Full Sun average to rich, well-drained evenly moist cultivars not true from seed; root greenwood or semi-ripe cuttings of nonflowering shoots, 2-4” long, in late summer or mid-spring beds, borders, large container (thriller) pinch out the growing tips to encourage a compact habit; prune in early to midspring to induce more branching; deadhead to encourage additional bloom

Flower color choices

growth slows in the heat of summer; crown gall, chrysanthemum leaf miner Native to the Canary Islands in Macronesia. Often mistaken for or offered as a Chrysanthemum.

Flower close-up

141

Bacopa cordata, or Sutera cordata BACOPA

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

Bridal Showers, Cabana, Pink Domino, Snow Flake, Snowstorm 2-4 inches 12-18 inches; 1 per sq. foot procumbent, spreading, trailing 9-11 annual

FOLIAGE:

small, .375 to .75” long, thickish petiolate leaves, ovate to cordate, incised margin

FLOWER:

small, perfect, rounded, 5 petaled white flowers at the branch tips; terminal; salverform, five-petals fused at the base into a narrow throat and recurved distally to form a flattened, small five-lobed white flower; the corolla is surrounded by a five-lobed green calyx; typ. white; additional colors in the blue, pink, and lavender range are being developed via hybridization with other species

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS:

COMMENTS:

142

SCORPHULARIACEAE

Habit

June-October (frost) continuous Full Sun rich, humic, well-drained consistently moist; not drought tolerant seed groundcover, hanging baskets; window boxes, low walls, rock gardens

‘Giant Snow Flake’ close-up

low plants frequently tend to slump or succumb to the heat of summer, but if they survive, they may return to flower in autumn; recovery from severe drought stress is poor; white flies; root/stem rot in wet soils Native to South Africa. Much confusion as to the taxonomy of this group has arisen from the erroneous  classification of the first cultivar to be widely grown, Sutera cordata ‘Snowflake’, under the incorrect species names Bacopa cordata or Bacopa monnieri (the Water Hyssop); this confusion is still present in much of the literature and appears to be even further muddied by the fact that many of the newer cultivars with a wider range of flower colors are of hybrid origin among two or more species;  Bacopa genus is an aquatic plant, family Plantaginaceae, commonly called water hyssop and often used in freshwater aquariums.

Bacopa, Lobelia and Calibrachoa

Begonia semperflorens WAX BEGONIA

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

BEGONIACEA Cocktail series, Dragon Wings, Earnst Benary 4-12 inches 6-8 inches; 3 per sq. foot compact, bushy, mounded 9-11 annual

FOLIAGE:

fleshy succulent stems, waxy dark green, or mahogany, red, variegated to bronze leaves; bronze-leaved varieties more tolerant of full sun

FLOWER:

loose cymes of single or double flowers ; wide spectrum of colors: white, pink, red, bicolor

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

June-October (frost) continuous Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL:

rich, high organic matter, well-drained

MOISTURE:

moist; tolerant of dry soil, hot, humid, jugalone; low drought tolerance

PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Habit

stem cuttings in spring; from seed difficult due to their small size mass plantings, bed, border, edging, containers, window boxes space plants well: 8” for dwarf, 12” for taller varieties to promote good air circulation and reduce potential fungal disease problems; container plants may be cut back in fall and overwintered indoors in a cool location with reduced watering

PROBLEMS:

none serious; mealybugs, thrips; bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, blight, stem/ crown rots

COMMENTS:

Native to Brazil. This plant has been popular in gardens since the Victorian era.

Flowers close-up

‘Dragon Wings’ in the landscape

143

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

ORNAMENTAL CABBAGE, FLOWERING KALE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

144

BRASSICACEAE Red and White Peacock, Coral Queen, Coral Prince, Kamone Series, Nagoya Series, Sparrow Red, Sparrow White 12-18 inches 15-18 inches; 1 per sq. foot cushion, mound or clump 7-10 frost tolerant annual leaves vary in color depending on cultivar: green, white, cream, pink, red or bicolor; kale is deeply lobed, fleshy, and feathery; all with ruffled and frilled edges; cabbage leaves are rounded; for both: lower leaves tend to sag down and the upper ones are more erect and cup-shaped

Habit and variety

inconspicuous September-November n/a Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well drained, tolerates salt and lime; intolerant of competition from other plants regular watering seed, cuttings edible landscaping, remains colorful into early winter; beds, borders

‘Tokyo Pink’ close-up

low to none pest and disease free Native to coasts of north Africa and Europe. All members of the genus Brassica contain very high levels of antioxidant and anticancer compounds. Some authorities say that kale has the highest concentrations of all. Some of these compounds enhance antioxidant and detoxification effects in the body. Others inhibit tumor growth; some block cancer causing compounds, and some prevent the formation of carcinogens. It has also been reported that compounds in brassicas can protect the eyes against macular degeneration. The earliest records of cabbage being cultivated for food come from the Greeks around 600 BC. Note: some include collards under this genus/ species, but that is incorrect as they are not ‘head’ producing.

In the landscape

Calendula officinalis POT MARIGOLD

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

COMPOSITAE Alpha, Bon Bon series, Chrysantha, Jane Harmony, Lemon, Pink Surprise, Prince series, Sun Glow, Variegata 12-24 inches 12 inches; 3 per sq. foot mounding, clump forming; herb 6-10 frost tender annual sparsely branched, lax or erect stems; leaves are spirally arranged, oblonglanceolate, 4â&#x20AC;? long long, hairy on both sides, margins entire or occasionally waved or weakly toothed; lower leaves oval with a rounded tip (spatulate) and upper leaves lance-shaped with pointed tips

Habit

yellow, orange, apricot, cream; held on thick sturdy stems; having a thick capitulum or flowerhead, 2-3â&#x20AC;? dia., surrounded by two rows of hairy bracts; disc florets are tubular and hermaphrodite, generally of a more intense orange-yellow color than the female, tridentate, peripheral ray florets; single or double; flowers close when wet weather is likely to occur and can therefore be used as a rough means of weather forecasting; most have a spicy or pungent scent May-September continuous with deadheading Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, well-drained

Flower close-up

average seed florets are edible; beds, borders deadhead spent blooms pest and disease free Native to Southern Europe around the Mediterranean Sea. One of the most versatile flowers to grow in a garden. They have a history of use as a potherb and in salads. Flowers were used in ancient Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern and Indian cultures as a medicinal herb as well as a dye for fabrics, foods and cosmetics. Good for companion planting because of its insect repelling properties. Called pot marigold because the outer petals of the flower are used in cooking as both a flavoring and coloring agent in soups, stews, cheeses, and margarine.

In the landscape with Celosia

145

Calibrachoa x hybrida

MILLION BELLS, MINI PETUNIA FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SOLANACEAE Cabaret Hot Pink, Cabaret Purple Glow, Can-Can Mocha, Coral, Lilac Star, Terra Cotta, Superbells: Dreamsicle, Tequila Sunrise; MiniFamous Compact Dark Red, MiniFamous Doubles: Blue, Blush, Pink 6-10 inches 12-15 inches prostrate, sprawling 9-11 annual

FOLIAGE:

fine, ovate, 1” long, dark green

FLOWER:

hundreds of 1” dia. trumpet shaped blooms that resemble small petunias; violet, blue, pink, red, magenta, yellow, bronze, white

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

June-October (frost) continuous Full Sun sandy/gravelly to rich, well-drained consistently moist

PROPAGATION:

tip cuttings, but most hybrid cultivars are patented thus prohibiting vegetative propagation

USES:

hanging baskets, containers, small area ground cover, border fronts, rock gardens; attracts hummingbirds

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

‘Orange Eye’ flower close-up

low, flowers are self cleaning; does not typically decline during the heat, unlike its petunia relatives pest and disease free Native to South America. Calibrachoa is named after Antonio de la Cal y Bracho, a 19th century Mexican botanist and pharmacologist. Calibrachoa is not recognized as a separate genus by many authorities including the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Hortus Third. It is sometimes sold in commerce as Petunia ‘Million Bells’.

In the landscape

146

Catharanthus roseus

PERIWINKLE, ANNUAL VINCA FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

APOCYNACEAE Carpet Series, Cooler series, Pretty series, Albus, Grape Cooler, Morning Mist, Parasol

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

4-24 inches 8-10 inches; 3 per sq. foot mounding 9-11

LONGEVITY:

annual or tender perennial

FOLIAGE:

semi-woody, evergreen; opposite, glossy oval-oblong leaves 2-3” long, short petiole

FLOWER:

5 petaled, tubular, slender corolla tube about 1” long; 1.5” dia. corona; borne singly; white, rose-pink, red, purple; broken stems exude a milky latex sap

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

July-September continuous best in poor, well-drained Full Sun to Part Shade moderate seed, cuttings taken in spring/summer

USES:

ground cover, beds, containers, borders

MAINTENANCE:

pinch back early in season to encourage branching and more blooms

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

flowering suffers if soils are too fertile Native to Madagascar. In frost-free climates it develops a woody stem near the base and can get 2-3’ tall with equal spread. The species has long been cultivated for herbal medicine and as an ornamental plant. In traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from it have been used to treat numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria, and Hodgkin’s disease. The substances vinblastine and vincristine extracted from the plant are used in the treatment of leukemia and other cancers. Conflict between historical indigenous use, and recent patents on C.roseus-derived drugs by western pharmaceutical companies, without compensation, has led to accusations of biopiracy. It can be dangerous if consumed orally. It can be hallucinogenic, and is cited (under its synonym Vinca rosea) in Louisiana State Act 159. Its alkaloids are hypotensive, sedative and have tranquilising properties and are anti cancerous. It helps in relieving muscle pain, depression of central nervous system and wasp stings. Grown commercially for its medicinal uses in Australia, Africa, India and southern Europe.

Flowers and foliage

Flower close-up

147

Celosia argentea

PLUMED COCKSCOMB, FEATHERED CELOSIA, FOXTAIL AMARANTH FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

AMARANTHACEAE Apricot Brandy, Century, Forest Fire, Kimono series, Big Chief Mix, Jewel Box Mix 4-36 inches 4-12 inches; 3 per sq. foot erect 10-12

LONGEVITY:

frost tender annual; lover of hot / humid

FOLIAGE:

oval or lanceolate, strongly veined, 2-6” long; on branching stems; medium green

FLOWER:

hundreds of tiny flowers packed in dense flowerheads; brightly colored: orange, red, magenta, yellow, cream; Plumosa Group: feathery, plumelike heads, 4-10” tall; like tiny xmas trees; Cristata Group: compact, rounded, crested or fan-shaped heads with convoluted ridges, 3-12” across, like little velvety brains or rooster’s combs

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

July-September 8-10 weeks Full Sun average to rich, well-drained constant moisture seeds

USES:

border, mass plantings, containers, cut or dried flowers

MAINTENANCE:

water before soil dries out; even short periods of drought will stunt growth; temps below 60° also stunt growth

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

3 main forms: spicata, plumosa, cristata

pest and disease free A traditional food plant in Africa and southeast Asia; young leaves and flowers are edible; var. argentea, called Lagos spinach, and is boiled.

cristata, ‘Green Bombay’ Cocskcomb, close-up

148

Centaurea cineraria

DUSTY MILLER, SILVER RAGWORT FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE: FLOWER: BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Cirrus, Cochester White, New Look, Ramparts, Silver Dust, Silver Lace, Silver Filigree, White Diamond 6-24 inches 8-10 inches; 3 per sq. foot upright 7-10 tender perennial; can overwinter with protection deeply cut oak leaf shaped or finely dissected and lacy; tomentose, velvety or wooly texture; silver-gray

Habit

small, daisy like, mustard yellow or pale lavender; usually pinched off as they detract from dramatic foliage effects July-November 6-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained; salt tolerant average; some drought tolerance seed, stem cuttings borders, edging, moon garden, xeriscaping; deer resistant; fire resistant do not overwater, ‘wet feet’ causes rot

PROBLEMS:

downey mildew, powdery mildew if in overly damp sites

COMMENTS:

Native to the Island of Capraia, Italy. Also classified as Senecio maritima or Jacobaea maritima.

Foliage close-up

In the landscape

149

Cleome hassleriana SPIDER FLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE:

CLEOMACEAE, CAPPARIDACEAE Queen series 36-72 inches 10-12 inches; 3 per sq. foot upright 8-12 frost tender annual, fast growing spirally arranged, palmately compound leaves, with 5-7 lanceolate leaflets; to 11” long, 3” wide; rigid stems; leaves are aromatic and sticky due to being covered with glandular hairs; sharp spines at base of each leaf stalk; has a taproot

Habit

fragrant, showy, unusual appearance; dense, elongated terminal racemes; 4 petals, 6 long protruding stamens are the ‘spidery legs’; blooms are 1-2” long and wide; white, pink, purple, bicolor; seed pods up to 6’ long, can aggressively selfseed June-October (frost) 10-12 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable; average, well-drained slightly dry to moist; drought resistant once established; intolerant of wet seed beds, borders, large containers, bird/butterfly garden, as screening, naturalizes; attracts birds, hummingbirds, butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant

‘Rose Queen’ flowers close-up

best with consistent watering during growing season

PROBLEMS:

none serious; aphids, spider mites, whiteflies; mildew, rust

COMMENTS:

Native to South America: Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil. Bats and moths are primary pollinators in its native habitat.

In the landscape

150

Cosmos bipinnatus

MEXICAN ASTER, GARDEN COSMOS FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE: FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Candy Stripe, Crest Red, Daydream, Gazebo Mix, Gloria, Klondyke Mix, Ladybird series, Picotee, Seashell Mix, Sensation, Sonata Mix, Tetra Versailles 12-62 inches 10-12 inches; 2 per sq. foot upright, bushy 9-10 half-hardy annual finely dissected, bipinnate, thread-like; feathery appearance; to 10” long; medium green solitary blooms on slender stems; 2-3” dia.; central disk is yellow, and ray flowers are crimson, maroon, pink, purple, white or bicolor July-October (frost) 12-16 weeks Full Sun lean, sandy, well-drained; prefers alkaline conditions, add lime slightly dry; water only when foliage begins to wilt seed (germinates best in hot soil)

USES:

background in beds, borders, wildflower garden, meadow; attracts birds, butterflies

MAINTENANCE:

this plant is sensitive to ‘over care’, thrives with some neglect; high fertility suppresses flowering and produces tall, lanky plants; may require staking for taller varieties; shear plants to 12-18” tall every 30 days/or when seed pods predominate to encourage rebloom; best in hot, dry sites

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Flowers and foliage

Color and variety

pest and disease free Native to Mexico and southwestern US.

Flowers close-up

151

Dianthus chinensis CHINA PINK

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Baby Doll, Carpet series, Diamond series, Floral Lace series, Parfait series, Telstar 6-18 inches 6-9 inches; 4 per sq. foot compact, bushy 6-9 annual; biennial, tender perennial

FOLIAGE:

slender, lanceolate, 1-3” long, .0625” wide; green to grayish-green

FLOWER:

5 petals, 1-2” dia., singly or in clusters of 10-15; toothed, fringed petals; red, pink, lavender, white, bicolor

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

June-October (frost) 16-20 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained, alkaline dry to moist; drought tolerant once established seed beds, borders, edging, containers, mass plantings; attracts hummingbirds; deer resistant

MAINTENANCE:

deadhead or shear to prolong bloom/promote rebloom

PROBLEMS:

rabbits enjoy new growth; snails, slugs; crown rot and rust in poorly-drained soils

COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up

Native to China, Korea, Mongolia and southeastern Russia.

In the landscape

152

Diascia barberae TWINSPUR

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SCROPHULARIACEAE Appleby Apricot, Belmore Beauty, Blue Bonnet, Coral Belle, Flying Colours series, Ice Cracker, Ice Cream, Little Dancer, Little Tango, Pink Panther, Red Ace, Redstart, Whisper series, Wink series 10-12 inches 12-18 inches; 1 per sq. foot upright, mat-forming clumps 8-11 tender perennial, fast growing

FOLIAGE:

ovate, glossy, toothed, 1” long, green

FLOWER:

delicate, loose terminal racemes, blooms .75” dia., yellow throat spots and two downward-angled spurs; on stems of 6-12” tall; pink, salmon

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT:

May-October (frost) 16-20 weeks Full Sun

SOIL:

rich, well-drained

MOISTURE:

consistently moist

PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

seed, softwood cuttings in spring, semiripe cuttings in summer; overwinter in greenhouse borders, rock gardens, cottage garden, containers, hanging baskets pinch young stems to promote bushiness; deadhead to prolong bloom; when flowering declines shear to promote fall bloom

Flower close-up

snails, slugs; may stop blooming in hot weather Native to southern Africa. Genus name from Greek, di meaning two and askos meaning bag, pouch or sack; does not refer to the spurs, but to the two translucent sacs know as ‘windows’ found in the upper part of the corolla of the original type specimen. The spurs of the flower contain a special oil, which is collected in the wild by certain species of bees (Rediviva) that appear to have co-evolved with the plants, as they have unusually long hairy forelegs for collecting the oil. The ‘windows’ may help the bees to find the correct position within the corolla when gathering oil from the glands within the spurs.

In the landscape

153

Dichondra argentea

SILVER PONYSFOOT, SILVER NICKEL VINE, KIDNEYWEED FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CONVOLVULACEAE Emerald Falls, Silver Falls 2-4 inches 36-48 inches; 1 per sq. foot prostrate, creeping, cascading 9-12 annual, fast growing

FOLIAGE:

evergreen; dense, soft, rounded, fanshaped, silver leaves to 1â&#x20AC;? dia., metallic appearance; branching stems, spreads by adventitious runners

FLOWER:

inconspicuous; white, greenish or yellowish

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

May-June n/a Full Sun to Part Shade average to sandy, well-drained dry to moist; drought tolerant seed (slow to germinate) seasonal groundcover, hanging baskets, containers, rock walls, erosion control low; takes root readily at the leaf nodes no serious insect or disease problems Native to the desert regions in western Texas, New Mexico, southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico.

Foliage close-up

In the landscape as a groundcover

154

Fuchsia x hybrida

FUCHSIA, LADIES’ EARDROP FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ONAGRACEAE Dark Eyes, Eternity, Pink Fantasia, Purple Patch, Snowy Summit, Swingtime 12-36 inches 20 inches; 1 per sq. foot upright or trailing 7-12 frost tender annual

FOLIAGE:

opposite or in whorls of 3-5, simple, lanceolate, serrated margins

FLOWER:

pendulous, ‘teardrop’ shape; 4 long slender sepals, 4 shorter broader petals; sepals usually bright red, petals purple; colors can vary to shades of pink, purple-blue, orange, cream, white, bicolor; produces edible berry described as having a subtle grape flavor spiced with black pepper; flowers on new growth

BLOOM TIME:

June-September

BLOOM LENGTH:

continuous

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Flower and bud of ‘Dark Eyes’

rich, fertilized (heavy feeders), well-drained consistently moist, but not wet cuttings containers, baskets mist plant if it begins to wilt in heat and humidity; remove seedpods if they form or plant will stop blooming; if overwintered in greenhouse, must be pruned annually, cut back by 1/2 to 2/3 (similar to roses)

Hummingbird attractor

aphids, whitefly, spidermite Native to Central and South America. The first to be cultivated, Fuchsia triphylla, was discovered on the Caribbean island of Dominican Repulic/Haiti in 1703 by the French Minim monk and botanist, Charles Plumier. He named the new genus after the renowned German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1501–1566). While the original pronunciation from the word’s German origin is “fook-sya”, the standard pronunciation in English is “fyusha”. As a consequence, fuchsia is often misspelled as fuschia in English. Called Chilco, in South America, meaning “that which grows near the water”, it’s natural habitat being along streams and lakes.

In the landscape, upright habit

155

Gazania rigens TREASURE FLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Aztec Queen, Burgundy, Copper King, Daybreak series, Dynamo, Fiesta Red, Goldrush, Kiss Mix, Mini-Star series, Tiger Stripe Mix 6-12 inches 6-12 inches; 3 per sq. foot clumping 9-11 annual

FOLIAGE:

basal rosette, lanceolate to spatulate, leathery

FLOWER:

daisy-like; flowers close at night, may only partially open on cloudy days; wide array of vivid color variations and variegation: red, pink, yellow, gold, orange, burgundy; often with brown blotch at base of petals (hybrid from G. pavonia cross)

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June-September continuous Full Sun sandy to average, well-drained; salt tolerant moist; drought tolerant once established, but prefers consistent moisture seed, basal offsets or cuttings in late summer groundcover, borders, containers, mass plantings, rock gardens, xeriscaping

Color and variety

best in hot weather; deadhead to encourage continuous bloom; do not fertilize; do not overwater as roots sensitive and could rot no serious insect or disease problems Native to South Africa. Discovered by German botanist Joseph Gaertner in 1791; named the genus after Theodorus Gaza, a 15th century translator of the works of Theophrastus.

‘Dynamo’ flower close-up

156

Gerbera jamesonii

TRANSVAAL DAISY, BARBERTON DAISY FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Festival series 12-18 inches 12-24 inches; 1 per sq. foot clump forming 8-12 annual or tender perennial basal rosettes, petioled, oblong-spatulate, deeply lobed, dark green, 8-10” long, covered with silky hairs; plants develop deep root systems, resent disturbance and can be difficult to pot up in fall for overwintering showy, solitary, 4-6” dia., atop thick, naked stalk 12-18” tall; single or double form; red, pink, orange, yellow, cream, white May-September continuous Full Sun to Part Shade loamy or sandy, well-drained; fertilize regularly moderate seed, basal offsets, crown divisions beds, borders, edging, containers; as cut flower: hydrate well, then cauterize stem end before putting in vase; 14 days vase life

MAINTENANCE:

deadhead to encourage futher blooming

PROBLEMS:

rot will occur if the crowns are buried or drainage is poor; aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies; gray mold, powdery mildew, anthracnose

COMMENTS:

Habit

Native of South Africa. The genus name Gerbera is in honour of the 18th century German naturalist Traugott Gerber, and the species was named after Robert Jameson who collected live specimens while on a prospecting expedition to the Barberton district in 1884, even though the species had been collected on three earlier occasions by other people. The breeding of Gerbera started at the end of the 19th century in Cambridge, England, when Richard Lynch crossed G. jamesonii and G. viridifolia. Most of the current commercially grown varieties originate from this cross.

Flower close-up

Cut flower often used in boquets

157

Helianthus annuus SUNFLOWER

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Autumn Beauty, Holiday, Russian Giant, Teddy Bear, Valentine, Velvet Queen 1-15 feet 1-3 feet; 1 per sq. foot tall, upright 8-10 annual; ornamental or agricultural crop

FOLIAGE:

rough, hairy stem; leaves: broad, oval to cordate, rough, coarsely toothed margins

FLOWER:

large inflorescense, 8-12” dia.; outer ray petals are sterile and in yellow, cream, or burgundy; disc florets, fertile, brown, mature into seeds; disc florets arranged in a spiral pattern; single, semi-double and double forms

BLOOM TIME:

July-October

BLOOM LENGTH:

12-16 weeks

LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

158

Habit ‘Sunny Smile’, 12” tall

Full Sun fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline moist seed specimen, temporary screen; small cultivars in mass plantings or borders, dwarf cultivars in containers; attracts bees, birds, butterflies; cut flower

Flower and seedhead close-up

staking may be needed no serious insect or disease problems Native to Central America. First domesticated in Mexico by at least 2,600 BC; earliest in North America, in Tennessee around 2,300 BC. Sunflower seeds were brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, where along with sunflower oil, they became a widespread cooking ingredient. Leaves of the sunflower can be used as cattle feed, while the stems contain a fibre which may be used in paper production. Sunflowers can be used in phytoremediation efforts as they extract toxic ingredients from soil, such as lead, arsenic and uranium, and were used after the Chernobyl disaster to remove cesium-137 and strontium-90.

Grown as an agricultural crop

Heliotropium arborescens

HELIOTROPE, CHERRY PIE PLANT FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

BORAGINACEAE Chatsworth, Florence Nightingale, Mary Fox, Marine, Princess Marina, White Lady, White Queen

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

12-18 inches 10-18 inches; 1 per sq. foot erect, compact, clump forming 10-11

LONGEVITY:

annual; tender perennial shrub

FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

alternate, rough, elliptic-lanceolate, dark green leaves, 1-3” long; prominently veined giving quilted look, rugose; foliage can be burgundy

Habit

highly fragrant, scent of vanilla or freshly baked pie; a profusion of tiny, .25” long, 5 petaled, tubular florets in complex irregular cymes; flower heads 6-10” dia.; lavender, purple, white, yellow June-September 12-16 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained, acidic evenly moist seed, cuttings in late summer beds, borders, containers; cut flower; can be trained as a standard; attracts butterflies, hummingbirds; deer resistant

Flowers and foliage

do not allow soils to dry out; pinch back to encourage bushy growth; deadhead to encourage additional bloom; can overwinter container plants in bright cool location with temps between 50-55° whiteflies; rust, leaf spot; root rot in wet, poorly drained soils; chlorosis on high pH sites Native to Peru. Genus name derives from Greek, helios, sun and trope, to turn; species name, arborescens, meaning tree-like, referring to its ability to become large, to 12’, in its native habitat. ‘Chatsworth’ is the cultivar commonly used for producing standards. Old garden favorite. In Europe this is sometimes cultivated as a perfume plant. In the Victorian language, flower of the Heliotrope meant devotion or fidelity.

Flowers close-up

159

Impatiens walleriana

GARDEN IMPATIENS, BIZZY LIZZY, BALSAM FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

BALSAMINACEAE many; Super Elfin Mix 12-24 inches 8-10 inches; 2 per sq. foot mounding, spreading 10-11 annual

FOLIAGE:

small, alternate, ovate-elliptic, .50-3” long, pointed tip; light green to dark green, sometimes with a bronze-red cast

FLOWER:

profuse, five petals, small spur, 1-2.25” dia.; single or double forms; flattened appearance; white, pink, salmon, orange, red, bicolors

BLOOM TIME:

June-October (frost)

BLOOM LENGTH:

continuous, non-stop

LIGHT:

Full Sun to Full Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Habit, in the landscape

rich, well-drained evenly moist seed, stem cuttings mass plantings, borders, edging, containers, groundcover pinch back to encourage compactness, bushiness; can overwinter in bright light, warm location

PROBLEMS:

slugs; fungus prone (Botrytis), doesn’t like cold or wet

COMMENTS:

Native to eastern Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique. One of the best known and most popular garden plant due to prolific blooms and ease in growing. #1 requested flowering annual for shade in the US. ‘Super Elfin’ is the dominantly available commercial cultivar; was bred by Claude Hope in Costa Rica. New Guinea impatiens is a hybrid which is more tolerant of sun, often has burgundy colored stems, and grows taller and more upright.

Wide array of colors available

Flowers close-up

160

Lantana camara

SHRUB VERBENA, SPANISH FLAG, WEST INDIAN LANTANA FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE:

VERBENACEAE Alba, Bandana, Gold Mound, New Gold, Patriot 12-48 inches 12-36 inches; 1 per sq. foot sub-shrub 9-11 tender perennial; spreads quickly evergreen, multi-stemmed, deciduous; leaves: 2-5” long, 1-2” wide, ovate, toothed margin, slightly rugose, dark green; stems and leaves have rough hairs; unpleasant odor when crushed, like cat urine pungent odor; dense, hemispherical umbels typ. 1-2” dia.; white, apricot, yellow, cherry, purple; color changes as blooms age June-September two flushes per season Full Sun adaptable, tolerates poor soil; welldrained; salt tolerant dry to average; drought tolerant; tolerant of extreme heat

PROPAGATION:

seed, cuttings in summer; hybrids by cuttings

USES:

beds, borders, xeriscaping, butterfly garden, containers; attracts butterflies

MAINTENANCE:

low; coppices well to form thick, dense shrub; too much water or fertilizer will reduce bloom; overwinters in bright, cool locations with temps between 40-50°

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit, shrub verbena

Flower close-up

whiteflies, spider mites (particularly in greenhouse); unripe berries and foliage are toxic to livestock Native to the American tropics: Mexico, Central America, Bahamas, Columbia, Venezuela. Is considered an invasive species in many tropical and sub-tropical areas, including Florida, Texas, Hawaii. Extracts of the fresh leaves are antibacterial and are traditionally used in Brazil as an antipyretic, carminative, and in the treatment of respiratory system infections. Produces allelopathic substances in roots and shoots, increasing its competitive ability; tolerates fire by regenerating from basal shoots.

lantana montevidensis, the trailing form of verbena

161

Lobularia maritima SWEET ALYSSUM

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

BRASSICACEAE Easter Bonnet Violet, Oriental Nights, Rosie O’Day, Royal Carpet, Snow Queen, Violet Queen 3-6 inches 6-9 inches; 4 per sq. foot spreading, mat-forming 5-9 annual; tender perennial

FOLIAGE:

very branching stems; leaves: very small, alternate, sessile, hairy, linear, lanceolate, entire margin, gray-green, to 1” long

FLOWER:

sweet fragrance of warm honey; dense clusters of small blooms, .2” dia., 4 rounded petals; of white, pink, violet, lilac; single and double forms; darker colors better in cooler temperatures; profusion of flowers usually hides the foliage

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

Habit, in the landscape

June-September 10-16 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade sandy to average, well-drained; alkaline dry to moist; drought tolerant seed edging, baskets, rock gardens, mass plantings

MAINTENANCE:

pinch back to keep compact and bushy; shear after first bloom to promote second flush

PROBLEMS:

overwatering causes rot; declines in the heat of late summer, cut back by half at that time to encourage fall bloom; damping off with seedlings

COMMENTS:

Native to the Mediterranean, Southern Europe. The genus name lobularia comes from Latin, globulus, meaning small globe, referring to the shape of the flower clusters; species name, maritima refers to its habitat, sandy dunes near the sea.

Flower close-up

Used in container plantings

162

Nicotiana alata

FLOWERING TOBACCO, WINGED TOBACCO, JASMINE TOBACCO FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS:

COMMENTS:

SOLANACEAE Series: Domino, Havana, Merlin, Metro, Nicki, Starship 12-48 inches 8-14 inches; 3 per sq. foot upright, spindly 10-11 annual; tender perennial basal rosette, spatulate leaves 6-12â&#x20AC;? long, attach to stem via distinctive winged petioles; upper stem leaves much smaller, ovate, thick, slightly wavy to crinkled, sessile; very pubescent and sticky, scented when bruised/crushed; winged petioles less obvious in hybrids

Habit

showy; fragrant at night; terminal and lateral, on branched stalk; long thin corolla tube beneath 5 fused petals; white, pink, red, crimson, maroon, lime green; hybrids often non-fragrant and open during the day June-October (frost) 16-20 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained consistently moist; heat tolerant seed (self sows) mass in borders, rock gardens; attracts birds, butterflies

Flower close-up

low; deadhead to encourage rebloom do not site this plant near vegetable gardens having other Nightshade members (eggplant, tomato, potato, peppers) due to the susceptibility to common viruses Native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina. Genus name honors Jean Nicot, 16th century French consul who introduced the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) to France; species name, alata, means winged, referring to the leaf petioles.

Another flower close-up

163

Osteospermum ecklonis

AFRICAN DAISY, CAPE DAISY, CAPE MARGUERITE, STAR OF THE VELDT FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Acapulco, African Queen, Big Pink, Buttermilk, Duet, Ice White, Marbella, Nairobi Purple, Nasinga Purple, Passion Mix, Pink Whirls, Silver Sparkler, Starshine, White Whirls 10-36 inches 14-20 inches; 3 per sq. foot erect 10-11

LONGEVITY:

annual; tender perennial; half-hardy subshrub

FOLIAGE:

alternate or opposite, lanceolate, entire or toothed margins

FLOWER:

daisy-like, with disc and ray florets; solitay; flowers only open in sunlight; white, yellow, pink, apricot; petals close at night or when it is getting colder

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit and color variety

June-September continuous; cooler night temps prompt additional flush in fall Full Sun rich, well-drained; tolerates poor soil, salt evenly moist; tolerant of drought and neglect; likes it hot and dry seed, root division, cuttings bedding plant, border, ground cover, rock garden, containers; attracts buterflies; deer resistant

pinwheel of spoon-shaped petals on some varieties

deadhead for continuous bloom aphids; downy mildew, wilt; doesn’t like its foliage to get wet; root rot if overwatered Native of South Africa. The genus name, Osteospermum, is derived from two Greek words which when combined translate to “bone seed” (osteon, bone and spermum, seed). The “bone seed” refers to the hard fruit casing around the seed from the plants. Now classified in genus Dimorphotheca. This plant is now regarded as a weed in parts of Australia. ‘Copper Amethyst’ flower close-up

164

Pelargonium x hortorum

ZONAL GERANIUM, HORSESHOE GERANIUM, SEED GERANIUM FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

GERANIACEAE over 500 6-18 inches 9-12 inches; 4 per sq. foot spreading, mounding 9-10 annual; tender perennial clustered at base, opposite on thick upper stems, cordate, bold textured, 3-5” dia., with 3-5 shallow lobes, crenate margins, long thick petioles; sometimes ‘zoned’ with a dark bronzed band halfway down the leaf blade and parallel to margin; somewhat pubescent; fragrant when bruised

Habit and foliage variations

showy, spherical clusters atop long stiff peduncles; held well above the foliage; white, pink, orange, red, salmon, violet, bicolor; single and double forms June-October (frost) continuous Full Sun to Part Shade well-drained moist; allow to dry between waterings seed, stem cuttings groupings or massed in beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets deadhead to encourage continuous bloom; can train as a standard; allow sufficient air flow in plantings, avoid overhead watering which wets foliage; leaf tip browning in hot, dry weather

Developing flower heads

mite, mealybug, caterpillars; leaf spot, black leg, Botrytis blight, root and stem rots, rust Native to South Africa. Pelargonium, Greek, pelargos meaning “stork”, due to the similarity in shape of the fruits to a stork (or crane’s) elongated beak; x hortorum translates as “of gardens” and refers to its domesticated usage as a complex hybrid. Geranium, the common name, from Greek geranos, as “crane”, again to describe the similarity in shape of the seldomnoticed fruits to a crane’s (or stork’s) elongated beak. The name was introduced by Johannes Burman in 1738. Zonals are one of 9 major cultivar groups and covers: Fancy Leaf: Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf, Butterfly Leaf & Tri-Colour; Fancy Flowered: Carnation Flowered, Tulip Flowered, Cactus Flowered, Rosebud Flowered; Dwarf Zonals which are no taller than 8” when grown in a 4” pot; and Miniature Zonals which are no taller than 5” when grown in a 4” pot.

Petal forms

165

Petunia x hybrida PETUNIA

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

SOLANACEAE many; Grandiflora: Daddy Series, Supercascade Series, Ultra Series; Hedgiflora: Tidal Wave, Surfinia, Opera Supreme; Multiflora: Carpet Series, Madness Series; Milliflora: Fantasy Series, Supertunia Mini Series 6-18 inches 9-12 inches; 2 per sq. foot bushy, sprawling 9-10 annual; tolerates cool temperatures

FOLIAGE:

leaves, and stems are sticky, distinctive odor; leaves: oval, 1-2” long, 1.5” wide, soft, lightly pubescent

FLOWER:

4 categories: Grandiflora: 4-5” dia., trailing, widest variety of forms and colors, most easily damaged by heavy rain; Hedgiflora (spreading) groundcover, low height, wide spread; Multiflora, 2” dia., more sun-tolerant, bushier, spreads quickly; Milliflora; smallest, 1” dia., commonly mixed with other plants in containers; ALL are funnel-shaped, can be single or double form, with wavy or frilly margins; white, pink, yellow, purple, red, bicolors

BLOOM TIME:

June-September

BLOOM LENGTH:

continuous, non-stop

LIGHT:

Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

average to rich, well-drained

Color and form varieties

moist; avoid overwatering, intolerant of wet seed beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets ‘Wave’ series is self-cleaning; pinch tips to encourage bushiness; cut stems back to 6” if plants get scraggly in mid-season overhead watering causes fungal issues with petals Native of South America. Genus name, French, petun, meaning tobacco. Species first sent from S. America to Paris in 1823. Most popular annual for Sun. More color and form varieties

166

Portulaca grandiflora

MOSS ROSE, MOSS-ROSE PURSLANE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

PORTULACACEAE Afternoon Delight, Sundance, Sundial series 4-8 inches 6 inches; 4 per sq. foot prostrate, trailing, groundcover 5-11 annual

FOLIAGE:

leaves: alternate or in small clusters, cylindrical, thick, fleshy, succulent, pointed tips, to 1” long, bright green; stems: multi-branched, reddish

FLOWER:

terminal, 1-2” dia., 5 petals, ruffled margins; single, semi-double and double forms; hot pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, white; open only during bright sunlight, closing at night and on cloudy days

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

Habit

June-September continuous Full Sun poor, sandy, gravelly, very well-drained moist; drought tolerant once established seed beds, borders, containers, rock gardens low; thrives on neglect

PROBLEMS:

overhead irrigation can damage flowers; crown rot in poorly-drained soils; rootknot nematodes, aphids

COMMENTS:

Native to Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay.

Flower form: single; can be full/double

‘Sundial Mix’ in flower box

167

Salvia farinacea MEALY-CUP SAGE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LAMINACEAE Argentea, Black & Blue, Blue Bedder, Indigo Spires, Mystic Spires, Strata, Victoria 18-48 inches 9-10 inches; 2 per sq. foot upright, mounding; herb 8-10 annual; tender perennial (may last up to 5 years)

FOLIAGE:

narrow, lanceolate, shiny, in clusters, gray-green; square stem

FLOWER:

3-9” tall interrupted spires of 5-lobed, bilabiate blooms of violet, violet-blue, white; .50-.75” long; sepals covered with felted hairs; whorled on stem; sage fragrance

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Evolution Violet’

June-October continuous Full Sun to Part Shade sandy, gravelly, average, well-drained moist to dry; intolerant of wet seed, clump division, layering, cuttings back of border, cottage garden, meadow, containers; attracts butterflies, hummingbirds; deer and rabbit resistant low; avoid overwatering

Flower close-up

aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies; powdery mildew, rust stem rot, fungal leaf spots Native to Mexico and Texas. Named for the mealy-white appearance of the sepals.

Whorled arrangement on stem

168

Salvia splendens SCARLET SAGE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LAMINACEAE Alba, Atropurpurea, Atrosanguinea, Bicolor, Bonfire, Compacta, Firecracker, Grandiflora, Issanchon, Nana, Red Arrow, Salsa, Salsa Burgundy, Scarlet Pygmy, Semperflorens, Sizzler, Sparkler Series, St. John’s Fire, Van Houttei, Violacea 12-36 inches 8-10 inches; 2 per sq. foot upright, clump forming 10-11 annual; tender perennial

FOLIAGE:

bright to dark green, elliptical, serrate margins, to 3” long; square stems; pleasant fragrance when bruised

FLOWER:

dense, terminal spikes of bilabiate blooms, 2” long; scarlet, purple, white, salmon, pink

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

MAINTENANCE:

Habit ‘Vista Mix’

June-October (frost) continuous Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained average to slightly dry seed, stem cuttings in late summer beds, borders, cottage gardens, mass plantings, good vertical accent in containers; attracts butterflies, hummingbirds; deer resistant

Flower close-up

trim back when flowers drop leaving a ragged spike

PROBLEMS:

aphids, slugs, snails; downy and powdery mildew; seedlings prone to damping off

COMMENTS:

Native to Brazil. First described and named in 1822, called Lee’s Scarlet sage.

In the landscape

169

Solenostemon scutellarioides COLEUS, PAINTED NETTLE

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

170

LAMIACEAE numerous; Black Dragon, Brillancy, Dark Star, Gold Giant, Rainbow Blend, Vulcan, Wizard Mix 6-36 inches 10-24 inches; 3 per sq. foot upright 10-11 annual; tender perennial; fast growing evergreen; very showy foliage; almost infinite number of color combinations in most colors of the spectrum except true blue; square, succulent stems; leaves ovate to oblong, toothed

xxxxx

not showy; terminal racemes of small bilabiate blooms in purple, blue, or white; visually detracts from attractiveness of foliage; pinch off to prolong plant life and good color June-October n/a Full Sun to Full Shade average to rich, well-drained evenly moist seed, stem/tip cuttings (very easy) beds, borders, containers, mass plantings, groupings; can create subshrub or trained into standards

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Black Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; foliage and flower

do not allow soil to dry out; pinch stem tips to keep plants compact and promote bushiness; plant may be overwintered indoors

PROBLEMS:

aphids, spider mites, whiteflies; plants may wilt or sunscald in too much sun; plants grown in deep shade become leggy

COMMENTS:

Native to Southeast Asia and Malaysia. Genus name from Greek: solen, meaning tube and stemon, for stamen; because the stamens are joined at the base of the corolla tube; blooms resemble Scutellaria flowers, thus the species name. Coleus, from Greek, koleos meaning sheath; referring to the male portions of the flowers, the stamens are fused into a tube or sheath. New cultivars have been developed that tolerate Full Sun. Has been a popular foliage plant since the Victorian times. Introduced in 1851.

Wide variety of foliage colors and textures

Tagetes patula

FRENCH MARIGOLD FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Antigua series, Bonanza series, Hero series, Janie series, Zenith series 6-12 inches 8-10 inches; 3 per sq. foot mounding, clump forming 10-12 annual

FOLIAGE:

dark green, opposite, 3-6” long, deeply lobed to the midrib, each lobe has coarse serrated margins; leaves are coated with oily glands that produce a pungent scent

FLOWER:

.50-1.50” dia., petal-like ray flowers surround central disc flowers; bright colors: yellow, orange, mahogany, rust, maroon, yellowish-white, bicolors; single or double forms

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June-October (frost) continuous Full Sun adaptable; well-drained; heat tolerant evenly moist; drought tolerant; intolerant of wet seed (self sows slightly) edging, borders, containers, mass plantings deadhead for neatness; pinch young plants to promote compact bushiness

Flowers close-up

slugs, snails, spider mites, thrips; powdery mildew, Botrytis, leaf spot and rots Native to the Americas and South Europe. Tagetes is named for Tages, an Etruscan diety who sprang from the plowed earth; patula translates as “spreading”, referring to its growth habit by the end of the growing season. Flowers used to color foods, and yield a yellow dye used to color textiles. Plant is used in companion planting for many vegetable crops: its root secretions kill nematodes in the soil, its pungent scent repels harmful insects including white fly around tomatoes; whole plant contains substances that are toxic to cockroaches. In the landscape

171

Thunbergia alata

BLACK-EYED SUSAN VINE FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

ACANTHACEAE African Sunset, Bright Eyes, Canary Eyes, Spanish Eyes, Susie Mix, Tiger Eyes 6-8 feet 12 inches; 1 per sq. foot vining 10-11

LONGEVITY:

annual; tender perennial, fast growing

FOLIAGE:

cordate or arrow-shaped leaves, 1-3” long; many twining stems climb to 20’

FLOWER:

salverform, borne singly in leaf axils, 2” dia.; yellow-orange, orange, salmon with characteristic dark spot in center of 5-petaled blooms

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

June-October continuous Full Sun to Part Shade adaptable, well-drained moderate seed, stem cuttings containers, groundcover, as a screen when trained on fences, trellises, arches, arbors train on a supporting structure; can overwinter indoors scale, spider mites and whiteflies on indoor plants

Flowers and foliage close-up

Native to eastern Africa. Thunbergia, named in 1780 by Retzius, honors Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828), a Swedish botanist, doctor, explorer and author who was perhaps the greatest pupil of Linnaeus. Species name from Latin alatus, meaning winged, referring to the winged petioles but could also allude to the seeds that have projections which resemble wings.

Typically in orange and shades of salmon

172

Tropaeolum majus

NASTURTIUM, INDIAN CRESS, MONKS CRESS FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY: FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

TROPAEOLACEAE Alaska series, Burpeei, Gleam series, Hermine Grasshof, Jewel series, Salmon Baby, Whirlybird 6-12 inches 8-10 inches; 2 per sq. foot trailing, climbing or bushy 9-11 annual; fast growing large, orbicular leaves, slightly lobed, wavy margins, veins radiate from center, pale green, 2-5” dia., borne on long petioles like umbrellas; climb by using coiling petioles

Habit

red, pink, orange, yellow, bicolor; long spurred, 1-2.50” dia., some cultivars fragrant; single, semi-double and double forms; 5 sepals united intoa cuplike calyx with one sepal modified into a nectarbearing spur 1” long June-October continuous Full Sun adaptable, well-drained; flowers best in poor sandy soils; prefer cool temps evenly moist; not drought tolerant seed as ‘aphid lures’ in organic gardens; beds, salad gardens, hanging baskets; cut flower; attracts hummingbirds

Variety of flower colors

do not fertilize as this reduces flowering; they stop flowering in the heat of late summer; can overwinter indoors aphids, slugs, snails; leaf spot, wilt Native to South America. Name by Linnaeus from Latin word for trophy--as a sign of victory in war, captured helmets were once hung on posts; he compared the leaves of the vines climbing posts to the shields and the flowers to the bloodstained helmets. Common name of Indian Cress from pungent flavor of leaves similar to related watercress (N. officinale). Flowers contain mustard seed oil, so flowers and young fruits can be used for seasoning and pickling. Leaves and flowers are edible, often used in salads, impart a delicate peppery flavor. Seeds are also edible and can be used as a caper substitute.

Dwarf ‘Peach Melba’ close-up

173

Verbena x hybrida VERBENA

FAMILY:

VERBENACEAE

CULTIVARS:

Amethyst, Babylon Red, Cardinal, Carousel, Peaches and Cream, Novalis series, Princess Dark Lavender, Romance series, Superbena Lilac Blue

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

6-18 inches 8-18 inches; 2 per sq. foot trailing, erect-bushy, or open-spreading 8-10

LONGEVITY:

annual; tender perennial

FOLIAGE:

opposite, oblong to oblong-ovate, 2-4” long, bright green; many branched

FLOWER:

dainty, salverform blooms in dense clusters 1-3” dia., that are either flattened, rounded or spike-like; white, pink, crimson, scarlet, vermilion, purple, blue, yellow; usually with a white eye; some are fragrant

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

June-October (frost) continuous Full Sun rich, well-drained evenly moist; some not drought tolerant seed, stem cuttings

USES:

bed, borders, edgins, containers, hanging baskets, mass plantings; cut flowers

MAINTENANCE:

pinch young shoots to increase compact bushiness; consistent deadheading needed to encourage continuous blooming, can shear back by 1/4 after first flush to encourage branching which results in even showier and prologed display of blooms; may stop blooming in heat of late summer but will perk up again with cooler fall weather

PROBLEMS:

powdery mildew in humid or overcrowded conditions

COMMENTS:

Habit

Flowers close-up

Native to South America. Introduced into cultivation between 1826-1837.

In the landscape

174

Viola x wittrockiana PANSY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

VIOLACEAE Clear Crystal series, Imperial series, Swiss Giant series 6-9 inches 6-9 inches; 4 per sq. foot mounding 7-10 annual, biennial; provides early & late season color

FOLIAGE:

alternate, ovate to oblong, 1-2” long, dentate margins, medium green

FLOWER:

2-3” dia., 2 slightly overlapping upper petals, 2 side petals and 1 bottom petal with a slight beard emanating from the throat; wide range of colors

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

May-October continuous Full Sun to Part Shade average to rich, well-drained evenly moist; do not overwater seed, division, cuttings beds, borders, mass plantings, containers deadhead for neatness, to promote continuing bloom; aphids, snails, slugs; leaf spot, mildew; does not perform well in hot, muggy weather, prefers cooler temps

Flower faces and colorations

Native to Europe and Asia Minor. Pansy is derived from the French, pensée, meaninng thought, and was bestowed upon the plant for its resemblance to a pensive human face. Viola x Wittrockiana the result of extensive hybridizing and selecting involving the species Viola tricolor, V. lutea, V. altaica and others. A round flower of overlapping petals was the aim of early trials; in the late 1830s a chance sport that no longer had narrow nectar guides of dark color on the petals but a broad dark blotch on the petals (which came to be called the “face”), was found. It was developed in James Gambier’s garden and released to the public in 1839 with the name “Medora”. In the landscape

175

Zinnia elegans ZINNIA

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

COMPOSITAE, ASTERACEAE Dreamland series, Envy Double, Fireworks, Purple Prince, Profusion series, Star series, Thumbelina series 8-36 inches 6-10 inches; 4 per sq. foot upright, bushy 10-12 annual

FOLIAGE:

leaves: opposite, sessile, ovate to lanceolate, sandpapery texture, 3-5” long; stems: hairy, branching

FLOWER:

solitary on tall stems; 2-6” dia.; ray and disc flowers; wide range of colors: white, yellow, orange, red, lilac, purple; some striped, speckled or bicolor; single, semidouble, double and pompon forms

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

Habit

July-October (frost) continuous Full Sun loamy, well-drained; fertilize for best blooms; jugalone tolerant evenly moist; drought tolerant once established seed beds, borders, mass plantings, cottage gardens, containers; attracts butterflies; cut flower

MAINTENANCE:

pinch young stems to promote branching and greater profusion of blooms; deadhead to prolong flowering; will produce larger (but fewer) blooms if side shoots are removed

PROBLEMS:

powdery mildew in humid conditions, leaf spots, root rots, blight, Botrytis

COMMENTS:

Native to Mexico. Genus name derives from the German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727-1759). Zinnia violacea is an older name used for this species in 1791 that some continue to use for this plant.

Various colors and flower forms

Flower close-up

176

Bulbs Bulbs are either Hardy or Tender. Hardy Bulbs:

are planted in the autumn, can overwinter in the ground, and bloom in spring to early summer

Tender Bulbs:

are planted in spring, must be lifted and stored for winter, and bloom in summer to early autumn

Bulbs can be divided into 5 categories: True Bulb:

an underground modified leaf bud; consists of a short, thick stem & flesh scales, serves as a food storage unit; has a point on top & basal plate, and is covered with a papery tunic

Corm:

a stem that is modified into a mass of undifferentiated storage tissue; the leaves and flowers emerge from buds on the stem; it has a round and slightly flattened appearance and is covered with a fibrous tunic

Tuber:

cell structure is a stem; usually oblong or rounded with visible nodes from which new plants arise

Rhizome:

thickened branching storage stems that are solid but lack a tunic; they grow laterally at or just below the soil surface; roots develop on the underside, shoots from buds along the top

Tuberous Root: cell structure is a root; typically grow in a cluster; the end formerly attached to the plant has crown tissue that produces buds which grow into new stems and foliage, the other end produces fibrous roots

Allium giganteum GIANT ONION

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ALLIACEAE Firmament, Gladiator, Globemaster, Mount Everest 3-4 feet 1-2 feet; depth: 5-8 inches strongly vertical 5-8 true bulb, large 2-3” dia.; monocot

FOLIAGE:

basal rosette, stiff, linear, strap-like; 18” long, 2” wide, glaborous; wither and disappears shortly after bloom; onion or garlic scent when crushed

FLOWER:

from center of each rosette rises a thick, naked 3-4’ tall thick, scape topped by a dense, globular, softball-sized umbel of tubular florets; 5-6” dia.; opens at top first; lilac, pink or white; flowers have a pleasant, violet-like scent

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

early May-June 4-8 weeks Full Sun average, well-drained; jugalone tolerant; mulch well in zone 4 evenly moist; allow to dry once it goes dormand in late summer divide in fall or spring

USES:

accent, groupings; cut/dried flower; deer and rabbit resistant

MAINTENANCE:

staking or planting in close groupings for self support; best sited in locations sheltered from strong winds

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit; bud; seedhead

Florets close-up

bulb rot Native to grassland in central Asia. Allium, Latin, meaning garlic. Contains sulphur compounds which give them the onion scent/flavor and when added to diet on a regular basis helps reduce cholesterol, acts as a tonic to the digestive system, and tonifies the circulatory system. Juice of this plant is used as a moth repellent. Whole plant is said to repel insects and moles. Inhibits the growth of legumes; a bad companion for alfalfa; beneficial as a campanion with roses, carrots, beets and chamomile.

Favorite: A. Schubertii

Favorites: A. christophii ‘Star of Persia’ and A. schubertii.

179

Crocus vernus DUTCH CROCUS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

IRIDACEAE Enchantress, Grand Maitre, Jeanne dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arc, Pickwick, Rememberance, Silver Coral, Striped Beauty, Yellow Mammoth 4-5 inches 3-4 inches; depth: 2-4 inches clump forming 3-8 corm; moderate growth rate

FOLIAGE:

basal, grass-like, dark green with white stripe at midrib

FLOWER:

upright, cup-like flowers, vase shaped when first opening; darker purple feathering or stripes on outside of petals; flowers close at night, open up in the morning, remain closed on cloudy/rainy days

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

late March-April 4-6 weeks

LIGHT:

Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL:

average, well-drained

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

evenly moist divide every 4-5 years, discard mother corm mass in lawns, under trees; large sweeping drifts can be spectacular; border, rock gardens, naturalizes

Flowers close-up

if planted in the lawn, foliage should be left unmowed until it yellows (about 6 weeks after bloom). squirrels, mice, other rodents can be problems Native to eastern Europe, western Russia. Blooms shortly after Snowdrops (Galanthus). Goes dormant by late spring.

Naturalize by planting in lawn

180

Fritillaria imperialis

CROWN IMPERIAL, KAISER’S CROWN FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LILIACEAE Lutea Maxima 3-4 feet 8-10 inches; depth: 6 inches strongly vertical 5-8 true bulb

FOLIAGE:

lance shaped, glossy, 6-12” long, 2” wide, at intervals along lower half of stem, wavy margin

FLOWER:

prominent terminal whorl of pendulous, downward facing blooms, topped by a pineapple-like ‘crown’ of small leaves; wild form usually orange-red, others: scarlet, oranges, yellow; foxy/skunk-like odor repels mice, moles, other rodents

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

May-June 2-3 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade sandy around the bulb, fertile beyond the bulb, well-drained; jugalone tolerant medium moisture, allow to dry between waterings seed,division of offsets in late summer beds, borders, container, cut flower, specimen, cottage garden Best to plant bulb on its side to prevent water causing rot at the top of the bulb, as the stem emerges from a depression in the top of the bulb; cut stems to soil level after leaves have died; mulch to provide winter protection

Flower close-up

bulb rot, rust, leaf spot, mosaic virus Native to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Himalayan foothills. One of the earliest plants to be cultivated.

‘Lutea Maxima’

181

Hyacinthus orientalis HYACINTH

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

Carnegie, Delft Blue, Fondant, Woodstock -over 200 cultivars 6-10 inches 8-10 inches; depth: 6 inches low, erect, clump forming 3-8; best in cool climates true bulb, short-lived; tunic of the bulb is the flower color

FOLIAGE:

basal whorl, 4-6 strap-like leaves to 12” long, 1” wide, soft succulent texture, inrolled margin

FLOWER:

most fragrant, showy; 12” spike of tubular, funnel-shaped flowers, six lobed, strongly reflexed petals, 1-1.5” long; 40100 flowers per spike; commonly 1 spike per plant; brightly colored: white, pink, purple, yellow, blue, red

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

182

HYACINTHACEAE + ASPARAGACEAE

Characteristics overview

April-May 6-8 weeks Full Sun sandy-loam, well-drained moderately dry seed, division of offsets; cutting crosswise slits on a mature bulb before planting will stimulate production of offsets; will take a new offset bulblet 2-3 years to reach flowering size

Flowers in a wide array of colors

borders, beds, mass planting, containers, rock gardens replace bulbs every 2-3 years to ensure large, high-quality flowers; let overwintering bulbs dry out no serious pest or disease problems Native to eastern Mediterranean and northern Africa. Introduced to Europe in 16th century. In Greek mythology, Hyakinthos was a young man admired by Apollo and Zephyr, but killed by a discus in a jealous fight between the two gods; a flower was allegedly named after him when it sprang from his blood. Essential oil obtained from flowers is used in perfumery. Contact with hyacinth bulbs or sap can cause severe skin irritation in certain sensitive people, and all parts cause stomach pains if ingested. Fragrance can irritate those with asthma.

In the landscape

Lilium longiflorum EASTER LILY

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

LILIACEAE Nellie White (most common), White Heaven

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

18-36 inches 8-10 inches; depth: 10-12 inches strongly vertical 4-9

LONGEVITY:

true bulb, no tunic; heavy feeders

FOLIAGE:

arising from bulb, lanceolate to 6” long and .50” wide, scattered around and up stem, dark shiny green; number formed is determined by amount of cooling--more cooling, more leaves

FLOWER:

fragrant, white, terminal, trumpet shaped, outward facing, held horizontal to stem; usually 2-6 per stalk; yellow anther sacs of pollen should be removed carefully upon flower opening to increase life of flowers and prevent staining of petals

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

August-September 3-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade average, well-drained, pH 6.5-7.0 evenly moist; flouride sensitive (leaf scorch) division of bulblets container, bed

MAINTENANCE:

mulch to keep root zone cool; bulb is never dormant

PROBLEMS:

aphids, spider mites; leaf spots, gray mold, root rots, bulb borers

COMMENTS:

Habit

Native to Ryukyu Islands, Japan and Taiwan. Prior to 1941, most bulbs were imported from Japan; supply suddenly cut off after the attack on Pearl Harbor causing Easter lilies to become extremely valuable in the US for commercial production. Now, 95% grown by just ten farms in Oregon and California. 4th largest crop in wholesale value in US pot plant market behind poinsettias, mums and azaleas. This crop is known as the “wheelbarrow” crop as it is continually being moved from cool to warm and back depending on how fast or slow it is growing that particular season, with different bulbs responding differently; much research has been done on timing for commercial production, with leaf and bud counting, and graphical tracking often used. Since the beginning of time, lilies have played significant roles in allegorical tales concerning the sacrament of motherhood. Symbolic of purity and grace throughout the ages.

Buds and flowers

Flowers close-up

183

Muscari armeniacum GRAPE HYACINTH

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ASPARAGACEAE Album, Blue Magic, Blue Spike, Cantab, Côte d’Azur, Dark Eyes, Fantasy Creation, Mount Hood, Peppermint, White Magic 6-9 inches 4 inches; depth: 3 inches radiating, clump forming 4-8 true bulb; winter hardy; quickly multiplies

FOLIAGE:

finely textured; basal, 6-8 leaves to 12” long, .25” wide; dries in June then goes dormant

FLOWER:

numerous downward facing urn shaped flowers, densely clustered on spike; resembles grapes; blue, purple, white, bicolored; fragrance noticeable in larger plantings

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

April-May 2-3 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade sandy to rich, well-drained; intolerant of wet site moderate to dry division of offsets lawns, borders, rock gardens, containers, naturalizes; deer resistant allow foliage to senesce before removal in early summer

Flowers close-up

pest and disease free Native to Eurasia. From Latin, muscus as scent is said to resemble musk; armeniacum translates as “of Armenia”. There is a famous planting of them at the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland which is known as the Blue River.

In the landscape, a blue river

184

Narcissus hybrid DAFFODIL, JONQUIL

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

AMARYLIDACEAE over 13,000 hybrids 6-24 inches 6-12 inches; depth: 5-6 inches upright 3-8 true bulb

FOLIAGE:

basal, strap-like to 15” long, .75-1” wide; shiny, rounded tip

FLOWER:

scape with 1 to several salverform blooms, corona may be bell-, bowl- or disc-shaped surrounded by a star-shaped ring of six sepals called the perianth; comes in all sizes: 5” blooms on 2’ stems to .50” blooms on 2” stems; corona often a contrasting color to the perianth; variety of color combinations

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

early April-mid May 3-4 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained; intolerant of wet sites evenly moist division of offsets every 4-5 years

USES:

naturalizes; deer, rabbit and rodent resistant

MAINTENANCE:

allow foliage to senesce before removal in early summer

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Cultivar examples

pest and disease free Native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. Two dreivations of the name: 1) a youth of Greek mythology called Narcissus, who became obsessed with his own reflection as he gazed into a pool of water that he fell in and drowned; this plant first sprang from where he died. 2) from Greek, narkao, meaning ‘I grow numb’ referring to the plant’s narcotic properties. Bulbs contain the poison lycorine; sap of some cultivars can cause dermatitis. Daffodils are grown commercially near Brecon in Powys, Wales to produce galantamine, a drug used to combat Alzheimer’s disease. Narcissus/daffodils have been recorded in history as early as the 2nd century BC. In the landscape

185

Scilla siberica

SIBERIAN SQUILL, WOOD SQUILL FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LILIACEAE Alba, Spring Beauty 4-6 inches 2-4 inches; depth: 3 inches, 20-30 per sq. ft. upright 2-8 true bulb; plant in fall

FOLIAGE:

2-5 grasslike, basal leaves; 6” long, .50” wide, blunt tipped, bright green

FLOWER:

deep blue; bell shaped, nodding, downward facing, 6 petals; .50” wide; raceme of of 3-5 blooms; 1-6 thin scapes per plant; middle of petal is striped; dark blue pollen; fragrant

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

April 2-3 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade fertile, sandy, well-drained; jugalone tolerant medium while growing; dry in summer seed, division of bulblets lawn, under deciduous shrubs, trees; mass planting, rock garden; colonizes/ naturalizes; deer resistant low; goes dormant by the time lawn needs to be mowed

Flower close-up

crown rot if too wet Native to southwestern Russia and Turkey. Despite its name, it is not native to Siberia. Appears in landscape shortly after Showdrops (Galanthus).

In the landscape

186

Tulip hybrids TULIP

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

LILIACEAE over 400 named cultivars; early-, midand late-season blooming varieties 6-36 inches 4-6 inches; depth: 5-6 inches upright; clump forming 3-10 true bulb; plant in fall

FOLIAGE:

basal, typ. 2-6 alternate, broad, thick, smooth, shiny leaves; 6-10” long, 1-2” wide; bluish-green

FLOWER:

usually solitary; erect; saucer shaped; 6 petals and tepals (except doubles); tepals often marked near the bases with darker coloring; multitude of colors and flower forms; as short as 4” tall to 28” high

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

early April-late May 3-4 weeks Full Sun sandy, humus-rich, well-drained evenly moist when growing seed, division of bulblets, TC mass plantings; some will naturalize, but many hybrids are short lived and last only 3 years deep planting discourages bulb multiplication, but encourages good-sized flowers for severals years; species tulips require shallower planting or may not bloom

Variety of flower forms and colors

deer and rabbit candy; gray mold Native to southern Europe, North Africa, China. Genus name, Latin tulipa, from Turkis tulben, meaning muslin or gauze. In Turkish, called Lale, lay-lah. Most cultivars are derived from Tulipa gesneriana. Classes: Mendel, Fosteriana hybrids, Kaufmanniana hybrids, Greigii hybrids, Triumph, Darwin hybrid, Lily-flowered, Cottage, Rembrandt, Parrot, Double-flowered and Species tulips. Tulips grown from seed often need 5-8 years growth before plants flower. Holland is the world’s main commercial producer of plants, up to 3 billion bulbs annually; first began cultivation in 1594. TBV, tulip breaking virus, used to produce variegated colors and parrot forms; a mosaic virus carried by the green peach aphid.

In the landscape

187

Begonia tuberhybrida TUBEROUS BEGONIA

FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

BEGONIACEAE Bonfire, Go Go Yellow, ‘Nonstops’

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

6-12 inches 9-10 inches; 2 per Square Foot upright or arching, trailing 10-11

LONGEVITY:

tender perennial; tuberous root

FOLIAGE:

asymmetric: winged or off-center; dark green, red, burgundy or bicolor

FLOWER:

single or double, smooth or ruffled; white, pink, red, orange, yellow; bicolors

BLOOM TIME:

June-October

BLOOM LENGTH:

16+ weeks

LIGHT:

Part Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES:

rich, well-drained evenly moist seed, stem or root cuttings containers, hanging baskets, beds, borders

MAINTENANCE:

deadhead to improve appearance and encourage additional bloom; lift in fall, store in cool area in very lightly moist peat moss; plant with hollow side up

PROBLEMS:

stored tubers can dry out if conditions to warm and dry; can rot if conditions too warm and moist; excessive exposure to sunlight can scald flowers and leaves; too much shade results in lush foliage but few flowers

COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower close-up

Native to South and Central America, Aftric and Asia. Genus name honors Michel Begon, a former governor of the French colony of Haiti. With around 1,500 species, Begonia is the 6th largest angiosperm genus.

Container arrangement

188

Caladium x hortulanum CALADIUM, HEART OF JESUS

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ARACEAE over 1,000 named cultivars; fancy, strapleaved and dwarf varieties 1-2 feet 8-12 inches; 2â&#x20AC;? deep, 2 per Square Foot clump forming 10-11 tender perennial; corms and tuber

FOLIAGE:

shield/heart shaped; fleshy, fragile tissue; strong venation; variegated, white, green, pink, red, silver

FLOWER:

spathe and spadix with some cultivars

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH:

Summer; needs 70-75Â° before any plant growth n/a

LIGHT:

Part to Full Shade

SOIL:

rich, well-drained

MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

evenly moist when foliage present; heavy feeders: regularly fertilize; not drought tolerant division after growth has started in spring borders, containers, groundcover Each caladium tuber has a large, central bud surrounded by several small buds. If the large, central bud is allowed to grow it will prevent the small buds from growing and producing leaves. Use the tip of a sharp knife to lift out the large, central bud, being careful not to injure any of the surrounding small buds. De-eyeing will stimulate the production of a greater number of, but slightly smaller, leaves. Lift before frost; do not water soil when tubers are dormant; if planted too early in spring, cool soil temps will cause tubers to rot before they sprout: start indoors 4 weeks before planting outdoors

In flower

slugs, snails; tuber rot, leaf spot, leaf burn, gray mold, stem rot Native to Brazil and other areas of central and south America. Have been in cultivation in Europe since the late 18th century. Currently, approximately 98% of all caladium bulbs are from Lake Placid, Florida. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

In the landscape

189

Canna x generalis INDIAN SHOT

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

CANNACEAE Alberich, Bengal Tiger, Pretoria, Wyoming 18-72 inches 9-24 inches; 1-2 per Square Foot strongly upright 8-11 tender perennial; rhizome

FOLIAGE:

broad, flat, alternate leaves grow from stem in a long narrow roll and then unfurl; 2’ long, 6” wide; smooth, entire margin; solid green, brownish, maroon or variegated

FLOWER:

3 sepals, 3 petals; 4-6” dia. on long scape; scarlet, apricot, coral, pink, yelloworange

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit ‘Bengal Tiger’

July-September 6-8 weeks Full Sun rich or sandy, well-drained moderate, evenly moist seed (scarification needed), division, TC borders, beds, containers, water garden; attracts bees, hummingbirds, bats provide shelter from strong winds; lift before frost generally pest and disease free; slugs, snails, red spider mite, Japanese beetles

Various flower forms and colors

Native to southern US and south to northern Argentina. Genus name Canna derives from the Celtic word for cane or reed. One of the world’s richest starch sources as an agricultural plant. Seeds are used as beads in jewelry, and within musical instruments (rattles). Fibre from the stems is used as a jute substitute. Fibre from the leaves is used to make a light tan paper. A purple dye is obtained from the seeds. Smoke from burning leaves is said to be insecticidal. Cannas are used for phytoremediation to extract undesirable pollutants from wetland environments.

Canna ‘Picasso’ flower close-up

190

Colocasia esculenta ELEPHANT’S EAR, TARO

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

ARACEAE more than 200 cultivars; Black Magic, Fontanesia, Illustris, Jet Black Gold, Jet Black Wonder, Trinidad 3-7 feet 3-6 feet; 1 per Square Foot strongly upright 8-11 tender perennial; corms and tuber

FOLIAGE:

tiangular-ovate with rounded base; to 2’ long on long succulent petioles; green, dark purple or variegated

FLOWER:

spathe and spadix, yellowish white

BLOOM TIME:

July-August

BLOOM LENGTH:

infrequently produced

LIGHT:

Full Sun to Part Shade

SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION:

rich, well-drained consistently moist to wet; can be an aquatic division of cormels

USES:

specimen, grouped, large containers, rain garden, water plant, pond margins in up to 6” of standing water

MAINTENANCE:

do not allow plants to dry out; lift tubers after first frost and overwinter in cool dry place in dry peat moss

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

Flower and bulbs

pest and disease free Native to Malaysia and India. Tropical plant grown primarily for its edible corms, the root vegetables called Taro. It is believed to be one of the earliest cultivated plants; cultivated for more that 6,000 years. Commercially grown in Hawaii as a food crop called Poi (from the tubers). Sometimes called ‘the potato of the tropics’.

In a conservatory setting

191

Dahlia hybrids DAHLIA

FAMILY: CULTIVARS: HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE: LONGEVITY:

genus with 30 species; over 20,000 cultivars 12-72 inches 6-9 inches; 3-4 per Square Foot erect 7-11 tender perennial; tuberous root; shortlived, 3-4 years

FOLIAGE:

opposite or whorled, simple or pinnately compound, green or burgundy, smooth or serrate margin

FLOWER:

range in size from .50” pompons to dinner plate forms of 12” dia., forms include daisy-like singles and doubles, cactus, collarettes, anemone types; any color except blue

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

192

ASTERACEAE

FORMS: 1-Formal Decorative; 2-Informal Decorative; 3-Semi-cactus; 4-Straight-cactus; 5-Laciniated; 6-Waterlily

July-October (frost) continuous with deadheading Full Sun sandy/rich, well-drained consistently moist; heavy feeders, needs potassium for root development seed, stem cuttings, root division beds, containers pinch/disbud first terminal flower buds to promote branching with more blooms; large types need staking

PROBLEMS:

regular deadheading needed to encourage continuing blooming; tubers are very susceptible to rotting, dust with sulphur or Captan; plant in warm soil - needs soil temp of 62° to begin germination; slugs, snails, earwigs; powdery mildew; deer and wood chucks eat tubers

COMMENTS:

Native to central Mexico to Columbia. First described by Francisco Hernandez in 1570, during time of the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec culture; he called them Acocotli and Cocoxochitl. In October 1789, the first Dahlia bloomed in Europe at the Madrid Botanical Garden; became popular in European gardens by the early part of the 1800s. Dhalias provide one of the widest arrays of flower colors, sizes and forms. They are octoploids, having 8 sets of chromosomes, (whereas most plants only have two) enabling them to be cultivated with an extremely high variety of results.

FORMS: 7-Collarette; 8-Anemone; 9-Ball; 10-Single; 11-Orchid; other styles are in the novelty category

In the landscape

Gladiolus x hortulanus GLADIOLA, SWORD LILY

FAMILY:

IRIDACEAE

CULTIVARS:

numerous

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

24-60 inches 4-6 inches; depth: 6â&#x20AC;?; 4 per Square Foot erect, spreading 7-10

LONGEVITY:

tender perennial; corms with fibrous tunic

FOLIAGE:

basal, unbranched stems with 1-9 narrow, sword-shaped leaves with longitudinal grooves, fanlike arrangement enclosed in a sheath

FLOWER:

funnel shaped with reflexed sepals/petals, on flat, one-sided scape; opens bottom up; all colors except blue

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE:

PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

Habit

July-September continuous with staggered planting times Full Sun fertile, well-drained evenly moist seed, division of cormels mass plantings, borders; attracts butterflies; cut flower always needs staking; lifted in autumn and stored over the winter; start planting in mid-May, then again every two weeks through mid-June to keep flowers coming from July through August

Variety of colors

aphids, thrips; core rot, cucumber mosaic virus, fusarium root rot, rust Native to Mediterranean Europe, Asia and Africa. Gladius, Latin, a sword, referring to leaf shape. Extensively hybridized.

Mature corm with cormels

193

Zantedeschia

CALLA LILY, ARUM LILY, PIG LILY FAMILY: CULTIVARS:

ARACEAE many; Black Star, Dark Eyes, Edge of Night, Elliot’s Calla, Fire Glow, Flame, Green Goddess, Hercules, Mango, Picasso, Red Desire, Red Sox, White Giant

HEIGHT: WIDTH/SPACING: HABIT: ZONE:

8-24 inches 12-24 inches; depth: 4”; 1 per sq. foot clump forming 8-11

LONGEVITY:

tender perennial; rhizome; fast growth

FOLIAGE:

FLOWER:

BLOOM TIME: BLOOM LENGTH: LIGHT: SOIL: MOISTURE: PROPAGATION: USES: MAINTENANCE: PROBLEMS: COMMENTS:

long petioled, basal, arrow shaped, 1218” long, 8-10” wide; rich green, some cultivars have spotted leaves; dwarf to giant cultivars

Habit

large, flaring, trumpet shaped spathe surrounds spadix covered with tiny flowers; on leafless stalk 12-48” tall; white, yellow, gold, bronze, pink, red, purple mid May to mid June 6-8 weeks Full Sun to Part Shade rich, well-drained consistently moist; originally from marshlands habitat seed, division beds, borders, containers, cut flowers lift in autumn and store in peat moss over the winter

Foliage

leaf spot possible Native to South Aftrica. Calla, Greek, meaning beautiful. Genus named for Giovanni Zantedeschi, botanist. Often associated with funerals and popular in wedding boquets. Also called pig lily or Varkoor, from the Afrikaans for ‘pig’s ear’.

Variety of colors

194