Ajuga Grows Up
11/15/2023 2:10 pm
Ajuga 'Canary Cordial'
Ajuga is a well known evergreen ground cover good at choking out weeds. As an added bonus, it is deer and rabbit resistant due to the bitterness of its leaves. It is virtually a carefree plant. In recent years, I've not only allowed what I have to run, but I've moved it around and added new forms in lieu of mulching empty spots.
Perennial Profile Blog - Isodon Effusus
10/3/2023 8:26 am
Isodon effusus aka
Plectranthus effusus (longituba) aka Rabdosia effusus
(Long-Tubed Trumpet Spurflower)
Quite a few of the delighted guests at Michell Thurmond's Garden Party on September 30, 2023 were intrigued by a bright green leaved perennial growing in part shade that had tight flower buds showing a tip of purple. This plant -- which botanists have been changing the name of too frequently -- is one of the few dependable fall blooming charmers which is not in the aster family.
Isodon effusus grows in part sun to light shade. Until it begins to flower, the plant maintains a tidy, small shrub like shape. The flowers are borne along long panicles. As these flowers develop and open, the stems begin to arch from the weight of the multitude of lavender flowers.
Verbena bonariensis
9/17/2023 4:13 pm
Architectural, easy to grow and attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees of all kinds, Verbena bonariensis is surprisingly under-utilized perennial.
Dicliptera suberecta - Uruguayan Firecracker plant
8/3/2023 1:51 pm
If you've got some full sun in a well draining location and wish to have late summer hummingbirds visit, you should consider Dicliptera suberecta (Uruguayan Firecracker plant). Masses of thin bright reddish orange tubular flowers bring hummers in for close up viewing.
Cupheas - The Hardy Kind
6/27/2023 1:13 pm
Looking for a perennial plant that provides pops of color in your garden and is irresistible to hummingbirds and bees? Try the perennial forms of Cuphea. If you can give them at least a half day of sun, these are top notch at attracting pollinators and delighting humans.
Spigelia marilandica 'Little Redhead'
4/4/2023 9:31 am
A plant that ticks off the wish list of many, Spigelia marilandica 'Little Redhead' is a compact form of "Indian pink." It's a native, its flowers are stunning, hummingbirds love it and it is low maintenance!
Clematis 'Jeanne's Pink'
4/3/2023 2:35 pm
Flowers are a beautiful thing, no doubt, and Clematis 'Jeanne's Pink' certainly delivers on those. But as we all know, flowers are transitory and sometimes only last a day or a week or so. 'Jeanne's Pink' is one of those perennials that rewards for a long time, not with just flowers, but with stunning seed heads.
Camassia sp.
1/30/2023 4:09 pm
Camassia leichtlinii is a bulb that brings both high drama and structure to the garden. Growing 2 to 4 feet high, its tall blue spearheads of flowers stand out in late spring and early summer.
Triteleia Species
1/28/2023 4:23 pm
©️Lisa Roper, Chanticleer Garden
Triteleia is a charming late spring to early summer bulb. It was unknown to me by name until Lisa Roper spoke to us in January 2023 and showed how wonderfully this bulb blends into a garden.
Cyclamen for the Win!
1/15/2023 10:18 am
Cyclamen for the Win!
Cyclamen hederifolium 'Sweetheart Splash'
✓ Naturalizing low ground cover
✓ Tolerates weather extremes, drought to drenching, infernal heat to frozen tundra
✓ Grows in dry shade and part shade and under thirsty trees
✓ Charming flowers from summer through fall
✓ Attractive winter foliage that goes dormant in the summer to not clash with summer perennials
