Featured Plant
Epimedium, Butterfly Weed, Spigelia and Hakone Grass
This was my third time speaking at the United States Botanic Gardens, and I think the gardens were more gorgeous than ever! Below are a few of the MANY plants that caught my eye. Two Workhorse Perennials for Shade: Epimedium, commonly called Barrenwort, and Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, commonly called Hakone or Japanese Forest Grass. Barrenwort…
Read MoreSome Exciting New Plants Coming down the Plant Pike
CAST (California Spring Trials) is an annual horticultural trade event hosted in northern and central California, showcasing spectacular new plants being introduced to the market. The acronym, CAST, was originally created when the trial only focused on annuals but now perennials, edibles and flowering shrubs are also part of the glamour show. My friend, Karen…
Read MoreEnkianthus and Phlox ‘Violet Pinwheels’
Enkianthus campanulatus This lovely flowering shrub, commonly called redvein enkianthus, deserves more attention. It has charming white, creamy-yellow, whitish-pink, or pink nodding flowers in spring. A slow-growing shrub, Enkianthus can range in height from 6’ to 15’, depending on the variety. All are acid loving shrubs, similar to Rhododendrons and Azaleas. I planted a pure…
Read MoreApplause for the American Rose Trials for Sustainability (ARTS)
Established in Portland, Maine in 2014, ARTS partners with other trial sites across the county to test roses for exceptional hardiness, disease resistance, drought tolerance, adaptability to different soils, and not requiring synthetic chemicals that many other roses need to look their best. The program identifies the best roses for 9 different climate zones in…
Read MoreSuperstar Perennials: Epimedium, Zizia and Thermopsis
Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Bicolor Giant’ I was giggling in delight when I purchased this drought tolerant, work horse, shade-loving perennial from Garden Vision Epimediums, one of the Gardeners Marketplace vendors at the 14th Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium. The gorgeous flowers are large and bi-color, and the leaves are super-sized as well, making it easier to…
Read MoreA flowering Vine to Fall in Love With
Passionflowers are exotic looking vines that make your heart race. I have grown a number of these beauties, all of which have been in the passiflora species. Most varieties are native to subtropical or tropical regions but there are a few that are cold hardy to Zones 6 and 7. Given that I garden in…
Read MoreClematis, Salvia, Coral Bark Maple and Deer Repellant
Clematis ‘Stand By Me’ This is a striking blue flowered bush Clematis. It only grows to 38”. ‘Stand By Me’ peak bloom time is May and June, although there is some re-bloom during summer months. After it is finished blooming, attractive cream thread-like seed heads draw the eye. Broad, green foliage completes the package of…
Read MoreRemarkable perennials, annuals, flowering vines and bulbs
Actaea pachypoda ‘Misty Blue’ This Northeast native perennial creates waves in shade gardens. It has always been one that folks ask about in my display gardens. The steely blue, lacey leaves provide an impressive backdrop to white fuzzy flowers that appear in late Spring. These flowers develop into panicles of showy white fruits (“doll’s eyes”)…
Read MoreHappy Hellebores and Heliopsis ‘Tuscan Sun’
Happy Hellebores Hellebores are like rays of glorious sunshine in early spring. They promise warmer weather ahead. There are approximately 20 different species of this deer and rabbit resistant perennial. Flowers can have single or double petals and range in color from pink, red, white, purple, green, yellow, and almost black. Green Hellebore (Helleborus viridis)…
Read MoreFlowering Houseplants to Cure Winter Doldrums
MORE Winter Flowering Houseplants Colorful winter flowering houseplants are a gardener’s balm in the dead of winter, at least for those gazing out on brown or white landscapes. In addition to commonly grown *Cyclamen, African Violets and Christmas Cactus, here are a few more winter blues-busters: Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus) Wonderful for low light areas. To…
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