Perennials

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Silver Spur Flower

Plectranthus argentatus, commonly called silver spurflower, is an upright-spreading, woody-based sub-shrub that is native to Australia. Although its flowers are somewhat showy, this plant is usually grown primarily for its attractive, fuzzy, gray-green foliage. 'Silver Shield' is more compact than the species. It typically grows to 24-30" tall and as wide, and features ovate, pointed, scallop-edged, gray green leaves (to 4" long) covered with a silvery sheen. Leaves are covered with down which gives them a velvety texture. Leaves compliment and contrast well with many types of flowering plants. Upright flower spikes (terminal racemes to 12" long) with tubular bluish-white flowers (each to 1/2" long) bloom in late summer.

By | 2016-03-29T04:12:41-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Clivia

The strap-shaped foliage is likely a Clivia, a perennial from tuberous rhizomes. Native to South Africa, it bears primarily orange, red, or yellow clusters of funnel-shaped flowers on stalks that emerge above the clumps of foliage in late winter-spring. Following the spent flowers, seed head berries appear that typically ripen to red-orange or yellow. Does not tolerate frost and, when grown outdoors, it needs partial to full shade, regular water, and a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. It should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. Does not like to be transplanted so leave in container as long as possible. Indoors needs bright, indirect light and water when the soil feels dry to the touch down to the first knuckle.

By | 2016-03-29T00:33:55-07:00 March 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Hosta After Transplaning

It's natural for a plant that's been transplanted in this season to have die-back, or yellowing leaves. Also, at this time of year hosta naturally start shutting down for the winter, especially if they are recently transplanted. Moving a plant disrupts the roots, no matter how carefully it's done, and the plant responds by getting rid of some of the foliage that it no longer has the roots to support. The good news is that Hosta are tough plants that will spring back the year after transplantation. Keep your plants deeply watered until they die back completely - water for a long time once a week. Once hosta are established they are fairly drought-tolerant but still do best with a long, deep soaking every one to two weeks if there hasn't been at least an inch of rain in that time.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:03-07:00 March 28th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Pitcher Plant

These are pitcher plants, one of several exotic and fascinating carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with liquid known as a pitfall trap. Sarracenia grows best outdoors as a container or potted plant. It makes an excellent addition to any sunny deck or patio. You may also grow it in a pond or fountain, but keep the crown of the plant above water. Because of its specific soil requirements, avoid planting it directly into the ground, unless you have created a specific type of bog garden. During the growing season, grow your pitcher plant outside in full sun. Provide 6 or more hours of direct sunlight for vigorous growth. For more info, see: http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com/Articles.asp?ID=258

By | 2016-03-27T22:46:44-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Clivia

The strap-shaped foliage resembles a Clivia miniata, a perennial from tuberous rhizomes. Native to South Africa, it bears primarily orange, red, or yellow clusters of funnel-shaped flowers on stalks that emerge above the clumps of foliage in late winter-spring. Following the spent flowers, seed head berries appear that typically ripen to red-orange or yellow. Does not tolerate much frost and, when grown outdoors, it needs partial to full shade, regular water, and a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming plants. It should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. Does not like to be transplanted so leave in place as long as possible. Indoors needs bright, indirect light and water when the soil feels dry to the touch down to the first knuckle.

By | 2016-03-27T06:31:32-07:00 March 27th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Silver Mound Artemisia

This appears to be an artemisia, probably a variety called 'Silver Mound.' As the plant gets more mature it should form a rounded mound form. This bright silver lacy mounded foliage is great for edging and is particularly excellent in full sun and drought tolerant gardens. Artemisia are prized for their silver leaves and excellent texture. Artemisia Silver Mound is one of the most popular silver foliage plants and is perfect near a meandering path or front of the border where its fine texture can be enjoyed. Fast growing. Can be cut back in spring to control size. Do not cut into old wood - look for buds to start and do not cut below that. Can be sheared during the summer if needed - new foliage will flush out quickly.

By | 2016-03-26T15:58:35-07:00 March 26th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Coreopsis

This appears to be one of the threadleaf coreopsis. Continuous blooming from early summer right into fall with full sun and well drained soil. Coreopsis verticillata are great cut flowers with its unusual narrow tapered foliage. Free flowering-continuously in bloom from early summer into fall. Spreads readily and can be used on a sunny bank, in a naturalized planting, or in a traditional border. Long blooming and easy to grow, they come in various heights and many shades of yellow, reds, pink, and white. Prefers a nice sunny well drained spot. Very easy to grow. Remove top one-third of plant with hedge shears after flowering to freshen foliage, if needed. Spreads reliably, so division every 2-3 years may be needed to restrain girth, but only if desired.

By | 2016-03-25T17:28:49-07:00 March 25th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Hayscented Fern

We can't say for sure without a long shot that shows the overall shape and size of the plant, but this looks like the native hay-scented fern, with 1-3 foot, deciduous fronds up to a foot wide, of a medium green and fine-cut texture. It can form large colonies (and quickly - it will run right over delicate woodland wildflowers). Your picture appears to show the beginning of its fall foliage, a golden (sometimes as soft as butter) yellow.

From a distance, hay scented fern can be confused with lady fern or silvery glade fern, but it may be recognized by the sweet scent of new mown hay which is released when the blade is crushed between the fingers or when it is dried.... and by its colony habit, and talent for spreading via underground root-like stolons.

By | 2016-03-24T12:30:45-07:00 March 24th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Spurge

This is a cultivar of a South African native spring-flowering perennial. It grows to 1 meter or more tall and wide and can be known to self seed a bit. The fragrance of the plant is unique. But, this early blooming perennial is a lovely filler in the garden for its drought tolerant foliage and lime green blooms that hold for weeks. It bleeds caustic, milky sap (beware if you have any allergies to latex) when you cut it, so keep it off your skin and our of your eyes. To prune this plant properly, cut old bloom stalks from the base of the plant when they look tired, about May or June. The new growth at the base will re-generate fresh new foliage for the rest of the year. It goes particularly well with tulips in a location that gets full sun and regular water.

By | 2016-03-24T01:13:23-07:00 March 24th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Cymbidium Orchid

Your plant is a Cymbidium orchid of which there are many, many species and cultivars. If you have ever attended an orchid show, you will be amazed at the array of Cymbidiums in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc. As a plant indoors, it needs bright indiirect light, regular water but make sure the water drains out - do not allow the plants to sit in water as this leads to root rot, and feed with a slow release fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants. After you have enjoyed the flowering spikes and the flowers are spent, it would be best to place outdoors in a little more sun or partial sun. When temperatures dip in winter, that will signal your cymbidium to form flowering spikes again, but does not tolerate frost.

By | 2016-03-22T15:31:39-07:00 March 22nd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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