Featured Perennials – Keep rabbits away!
Hepatica acutiloba (Sharp-lobed Liverwort) This delightful early spring-blooming native adds a charming touch to the woodland garden. Both the foliage and flowers command attention. Flowers can range from white to pink to blue. Mine were a soft lavender-blue (I say were because they were left behind in my Ballston Spa gardens). The leaves tend to be dark green (with darker markings in cooler weather), slightly leathery in appearance and are semi-ever green. Do not cut the leaves back in fall as the plant continues to use them as a source of nourishment. Hepatica acutiloba is hardy to Zone 4 and prefers part shade to shade. They grow between 4” – 8” tall and are deer resistant. Check your local independent garden centers in early spring for these beauties. They are also available online at Broken Arrow Nursery. (photo courtesy of Broken Arrow Nursery)
Astrantia major (Masterwort) This airy perennial is a blooming machine – adding magic to the landscape from summer into fall (deadheading helps encourage marathon blooms). Astrantia never failed to draw oohs and ahhs at my open houses. Flowers can be white, pink or burgundy red. A few of my favorites are ‘Claret’ (wine-red flowers) and ‘Sunningdale Variegated’ (dazzling green and gold variegated leaves with soft pinkish-white flowers) but there are MANY outstanding choices. The foliage is dark green and forms a neat mound. You can divide these in early spring or in fall. I recommend spring time for those in Zones 6 or colder. Astrantia does well in sun to part shade and can vary in height from 1’ to 3’ tall (in bloom). It is brilliant in the landscape as well as containers.
Astrantia is deer resistant but unfortunately enjoyed by rabbits. Stop their nibbling fast by using Plantskydd (OMRI rated – safe for ornamentals as well as edibles), the number one rated animal repellent by commercial growers and landscapers. Plantskydd is available in both liquid and granular forms. I find that the granular works best against bunnies. I also used it to keep squirrels from digging up my spring blooming bulbs and it worked like a charm! Simply shake it around threatened plants and bingo – an invisible glass shield seems to ‘appear’. And don’t take my word for this. Check out this testimonial from June Hutson, the Supervisor of the Kemper Demonstration Gardens at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
‘(Jane) has worked at the facility for 27 years in horticulture and currently as a field supervisor. She manages 8 acres of the 79-acre facility, where twenty-three distinct themed residential-scale gardens are exhibited at the Center for Home Gardening.
Hutson claims what is most difficult about her management position is “keeping the gardens in pristine condition at all times.” She notes that having rabbits and squirrels nibbling away at the displays does not make her job easier. The animals are attracted by tasty treats, such as of green beans, basil, cone flowers, balloon flowers and any species of violet.
The facility staff have had to be vigilant in watching for any signs of damage, and have been dedicated to “stopping [browse damage] before it takes a foothold.” This has been possible through “constant observation” and treating vulnerable plants prone to rabbit damage with Plantskydd Deer and Rabbit Repellent. When the directions are followed correctly, Hutson says animals will not return to the treated plant.’
Need I say more? Plantskydd is available at many garden centers as well as online at Plantskydd.com. You can save 10% when purchasing online at Plantskydd by using this special promo code: PyoursSpring2016. Orders over $55 receive free shipping.