Perennials

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Spurge

This is a euphorbia commonly known as spurge. Though this is a rapidly growing group of popular hybrids, we can't tell which one without seeing the whole plant and looking at its flower; because there are many similar kinds. Euphorbia prefer full sun and good drainage. Larger cultivars can be as large as shrubs growing 3-4ft tall and wide, then there are many that are smaller, under 2ft. They come in a wide range of foliage colors and growth habits too, from those that can re-seed and become quite weedy, to those that have underground runners that act like ground cover to those that are quite polite and easy to deal with in any location.
The best way to propagate these is by divisions taken now (divide the rootball with a shovel and transplant part of it where you want to grow it). But you can also propagate it from cuttings taken now. After you make the cutting, put the stem in warm water for a few hours so that the white sap doesn't congeal and seal off the bottom of the stem. Then dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant in a pot full of potting mix. Make a plastic tent over it (easily made with a coat hanger and a clear plastic sleeve that comes back from the cleaners with your clothes) to hold in the humidity. Keep the soil moist, and keep the plant in a frost-free, warm place (like a north window) where it gets plenty of indirect light, and it should root in a couple of weeks.

By | 2016-01-10T03:38:50-08:00 January 10th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Hosta Tattered Edges

The tattered edges on variegated hosta are usually from a combination of causes.
1. Leaf spot fungus. We see dark spots on your leaves that are typical of fungal diseases that hostas get, especially when splashed with water from irrigation systems or hoses. Water hostas deeply once a week (they are pretty drought tolerant) to avoid such fungal probems.
2. Earwig or slug damage. Both earwigs and slugs love to eat hostas and they are particularly fond of the white variegated varieties. Use a product such as Sluggo Plus from early in the season on to help with insect and slug damage. Dusting with diatomaecous earth can also help.
3. End of season environmental damage. Yes, too much sun can damage hostas but at this time of year many hosta show signs of environmental damage from sun, drought, wind, or just "it's the end of the line weariness." Most perennial plants begin draining their energy into their roots at this time of year and this makes various leaf-spots and other damage more noticeable. Not to worry, however, because this means the plant is doing as it should...shutting systems down and storing sugars in the roots for use in breaking dormancy next year.

Bottom line: this is nothing unusual. Relax and enjoy the fall colors.

By | 2016-01-07T19:09:37-08:00 January 7th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Gerbera Daisy

Your cut flower is likely a Gerbera daisy. Gerbera daisy flowers exhibit large (up to 4") blooms.. The rays are most commonly yellow, red, or orange. However, growers have also produced varieties in white, pink, and violet. All have contrasting disc flowers, usually yellow. As plants, Gerbera daisy flowers reach a little over one foot in height, with a width slightly less than that. Popular in cut flower arrangements. Provide indoor, potted Gerbera daisies with bright, all-day sunlight in spring, summer and fall. Typically supply the indoor daisies with at least three to five hours of direct, morning sunlight, and provide them with afternoon shade. They prefer morning sunlight when planted outside too. They have medium water requirements. Water the daisies when the top 1/2 inch of their soil begins to dry. Indoor plants typically require watering every three to five days. Empty the water that collects in their pot's drip tray after each watering session. Reduce the amount you water the plants during winter, but don't allow their soil to dry completely.

By | 2016-01-05T02:30:59-08:00 January 5th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Sedum Groundcover

Sedum reflexum or Sedum rupestre, also known as reflexed stonecrop, blue stonecrop, Jenny's stonecrop is a species of perennial succulent plant of the genus Sedum, native to northern, central, and southwestern Europe.
The Sedum reflexum plants typically have sprawling stems and stiff foliage resembling spruce branches, with softer tissue. The leaves are frequently blue-gray to gray but range to light greens and yellows; the flowers are yellow. Like most other Sedum species, it has a prostrate, spreading habit.Sedum reflexum is a popular ornamental plant, grown in gardens, containers, and as houseplants. It is drought-tolerant. There are named cultivars with variegated (multi-colored) leaves.Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Good tolerance for light shade. Also tolerates moist (not wet) soils with good drainage. Thrives in sandy to gravelly soils of moderate to low fertility. Plants will naturalize to form an excellent ground cover. Propagate by division or seed. Because there are so many we are unable to identify which cultivar.

By | 2016-01-03T15:27:49-08:00 January 3rd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Gerbera Daisy

The large daisy-like flower is a Gerbera daisy. Gerbera daisy flowers exhibit large (4") blooms, often with yellow/orange or other contrasting colored central disks surrounded by colorful rays. The rays are most commonly yellow, red, or orange. However, growers have also produced varieties in white, pink, and violet. Gerbera daisy flowers reach a little over one foot in height, with a width slightly less than that. Popular in cut flower arrangements. Provide indoor, potted Gerbera daisies with bright, all-day sunlight in spring, summer and fall. Typically supply the indoor daisies with at least three to five hours of direct, morning sunlight, and provide them with afternoon shade. They prefer morning sunlight when planted outside too. They have medium water requirements. Water the daisies when the top 1/2 inch of their soil begins to dry. Indoor plants typically require watering every three to five days. Empty the water that collects in their pot's drip tray after each watering session. Reduce the amount you water the plants during winter, but don't allow their soil to dry completely.

By | 2016-01-02T00:20:01-08:00 January 2nd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Zonal Geranium

There are four basic types of Geranium (Pelargonium species and varieties). This is one of the many Zonal Geraniums. All are of easiest culture and are easily propagated by cuttings. There are countless named varieties, but all do well in full sun or partial shade in the hottest of climates, regular water and feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants.
Zonal geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum), also called Common and Garden Geraniums, receive their name from the colored bands, dubbed zones, present on their leaves. Zonal Geraniums include hundreds of varieties, each producing single or double blooms in ball-shaped clusters throughout the growing season. Flower colors include orange, red, salmon, pink, white and lavender, and a single plant produces multiple balls at one time. Zonal Geraniums grow in a rounded, upright shape and work well in planters, borders, mixed flowerbeds and containers. Some varieties of zonal geraniums produce lacy leaves, or leaves with white margins or variegated patterns. It's nearly impossible to ID a specific Zonal variety from a picture of the flower color and leaf. There are hundreds of varieties available in every color and more are hybridized each year.

By | 2015-12-30T19:12:37-08:00 December 30th, 2015|Perennials|0 Comments
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Variegated Mugwort Artemisia

This appears to be variegated mugwort, which is related to the plain variety, which is an aggressive plant and often considered a weed that grows in sun to shade and tolerates a wide range of soils. The flowers are small and unobtrusive. It's used in herbal medicine and for making smudge sticks. If you dig up this plant, you will likely see a ropey, white root that travels sideways underground. This is how it spreads. Any roots left behind will re-sprout. While the variegated form is attractive, it forms an upright, bushy clump with attractive foliage that has a tendency to quickly spread all over the border. Leaves are medium green, brightly splashed with creamy-yellow to ivory. A great use for this selection is in containers with other perennials, therefore the foliage can be enjoyed from up close but the plant may be easily controlled. For best effect, cut back hard in late June to rejuvenate the plant with new growth. Plants should not be allowed to set seed or you will have a monster on your hands -äóñ trim off flowers heads as they appear. DO NOT unleash this plant in areas where it can invade in roadsides or along forested regions. If concerned about its invasiveness, dig it out immediately.

By | 2015-12-29T13:57:40-08:00 December 29th, 2015|Perennials|0 Comments
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Carnation Spurge False Caper

Carnation spurge, Euphorbia terracina (family Euphorbiaceae), also known as false caper, is a short-lived perennial herb found on southern Californiaäó»s coast and in the Bay Area. It is a "B" rated California Code of Regulations Œ_4500 listed noxious weed. "B" rated weeds are plants known to be of economic importance and of limited distribution in the state.
Carnation spurge can form dense patches in a wide variety of habitats such as disturbed grasslands, coastal bluffs, dunes, salt marshes, riparian areas and oak woodlands. Although carnation spurge was recently introduced to southern California and is not yet widely distributed, it has the potential to spread rapidly after fires and into undisturbed native plant communities.
Carnation spurge spreads only by seed, which are expelled explosively by the dehiscent flower. The seed bank can last from 3 to 5 years. Carnation spurge is reported to cause dermatitis and temporary vision impairment or permanent vision impairment in sensitive individuals and has aleopathic properties.
It can survive in a wide variety of conditions äóñ cool, hot, dry, moist, sunny, shady, disturbed and undisturbed sites. Populations appear to be exploding.

By | 2015-12-29T13:49:46-08:00 December 29th, 2015|Perennials|0 Comments
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Mexican Marigold

Does this plant have fragrant foliage? If so it may be Mexican Marigold. A bushy evergreen shrub that grows 4-6+ feet tall and spreading 6-10 feet wide. A strong fragrance from the finely divided foliage is released when rubbed or brushed against. Orange-yellow flowers in fall-winter with off bloom in other seasons - flowering is triggered by short day length so overcast weather can extend flowering in spring. Plant in sun or part shade in a well-drained soil. Drought tolerant in coastal gardens but looks best with a little irrigation - too much water or too little light produces leggy plants that don't bloom well. Frost tender to a hard frost but rebounds quickly and overall hardy to at least 18ŒÁ F, which this plant experienced in our nursery in 1990. It can be cut back severely or even hedged but this may reduce or delay flowering - use care when pruning as some have reported this plant to cause a slight dermatitis. Tagetes lemmonii comes from southern Arizona south into northern Mexico where it grows in canyons at elevations between 4,000 and 8,000 feet and is known commonly as Mountain Marigold, Copper Canyon Daisy and Perennial Marigold. Some people enjoy the pungent aroma of this plant, likened to the scent of marigold mixed with lemon and mint, others find the smell quite displeasing and deer seem to completely leave this plant alone.

By | 2015-12-28T17:52:45-08:00 December 28th, 2015|Perennials|0 Comments
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Spurge

This appears to be a euphorbia, though we can't tell which one without seeing the whole plant and looking at its flower; there are many similar kinds. Because there isn't a lot of fine detail in your picture, this is a best guess that is easily confirmed: when you took the cutting, if the plant bled white sap, then it is a euphorbia. The best way to propagate these is by divisions taken now (divide the rootball with a shovel and transplant part of it where you want to grow it). But you can also propagate it from cuttings taken now. After you make the cutting, put the stem in warm water for a few hours so that the white sap doesn't congeal and seal off the bottom of the stem. Then dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant in a pot full of potting mix. Make a plastic tent over it (easily made with a coat hanger and a clear plastic sleeve that comes back from the cleaners with your clothes) to hold in the humidity. Keep the soil moist, and keep the plant in a frost-free, warm place (like a north window) where it gets plenty of indirect light, and it should root in a couple of weeks.

By | 2015-12-28T10:40:26-08:00 December 28th, 2015|Perennials|0 Comments
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