Perennials

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Azalea Care

If kept in a container, it does very well on a semi-shaded patio or veranda or under the sheltered canopy of a tree, especially if it is deciduous tree since in winter the azalea will receive more sun but in spring-fall will have the filtered light. If planted directly in the ground, it needs well-draining, acid soil planted under a tree with deep roots because azaleas are shallow-rooted and cannot compete with a shallow-rooted tree. Your garden center will be able to help with proper selections and site selections. Just remember that most azaleas thrive in dappled rather than full shade and mulch around the base of the azalea to conserve moisture and to protect its shallow roots from hot, dry weather. And when you do mulch, do not apply directly up against the trunk of the plant as this may lead to disease and insect problems. As mentioned in an earlier identification feed with an acid fertilizer and make sure the selected tree also thrives with acid food.

By | 2016-03-05T21:01:15-08:00 March 5th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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One Of The Many Varieties Of Heuchera

This is also known as coral bells and is a genus of about 55 species but it has grown so popular it now has an unknown number of hybrids. It has also been bred with others plants called Tiarella so you have x Heucherella. They like moist, well drained soil and depending on the variety like sun, part sun or light shade. They come in so many colors now and they are a beautiful addition to the garden, but we cannot identify a specific cultivar for you. Suggest you consult the following resources to help you narrow down your search:
The Heuchera Society :: photogallery
theheucherasociety.org/Photo-Gallery.php
The Heuchera Society. Home · About us · News · Blog · Plant of the Month · Membership · Photo Gallery · Cultivation > · Heuchera History · Contact · Links ... Hardy Plant Society - Heucheras Booklet or
www.hardy-plant.org.uk/publications/heucheras.php
The Hardy Plant Society is a registered charity that promotes the cultivation and ... It also describes the various Heuchera species

By | 2016-03-03T15:11:44-08:00 March 3rd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Azalea Care

It looks like you have an azalea. If kept in a container, it does very well on a semi-shaded patio or veranda or under the sheltered canopy of a tree, the azalea will receive more sun but in spring-fall will have the filtered light. If planted directly in the ground, it needs well-draining, acid soil planted under a tree with deep roots because azaleas are shallow-rooted and cannot compete with a shallow-rooted tree. Your garden center will be able to help with proper selections and site selections. Just remember that most azaleas thrive in dappled rather than full shade and mulch around the base of the azalea to conserve moisture and to protect its shallow roots from hot, dry weather. And when you do mulch, do not apply directly up against the trunk of the plant as this may lead to disease and insect problems. And feed with an acid fertilizer and make sure the selected tree also thrives with acid food.

By | 2016-03-03T00:45:35-08:00 March 3rd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Constances Spring Parsley

We believe you have correctly identified the plant. The photo isn't quite close enough for us to make a positive identification between bulbosus and constancei. But we are including a link to a site that may help you decide. Note the name was changed in 2012. Constance’s spring parsley is a low growing herbaceous perennial that is typically found in open areas of woodlands. This small plant produces a taproot that may be several inches long, the lower half of which is often enlarged. Each plant produces only a few stems that may bear one or two leaves but are usually leafless. Most of the leaves are basal (not attached to an upright stem) with the largest leaves growing only 4 - 6 inches long. The leaves are light gray-green in color, somewhat fleshy, and divided many times into leaflets that in turn are divided into sub leaflets giving the leaves a distinctive fern-like appearance. The leaf stalks (petioles) are also fleshy.

By | 2016-03-02T19:11:06-08:00 March 2nd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Lesser Celandine

This is a plant called lesser celandine, or fig buttercup. The botanic name used to be Ranunculus ficaria, and you'll still see it listed as such in several sources. The plant is found throughout Europe and west Asia and is now introduced in North America, where it is considered invasive in several states. Although it dies back when the weather warms, since it emerges so early it has an advantage over other plants and will choke out things in your garden as well as native wildflowers. If you wish to remove it before it takes over your entire yard, dig with a shovel so that you get the tuber-roots, and place it in garbage bags in the sun for many days to dry it before sending it out with the garbage or burning it. Many choose to use an herbicide on this pest that will kill the roots as well as the foliage and if you want to go that route go to your local garden center for product recommendations. Read more about this plant here: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/rafi1.htm

By | 2016-03-02T14:49:38-08:00 March 2nd, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Paint Brush

Your lovely plant is likely H. albiflos, native to South Africa and is an evergreen, bulbous type plant with smooth, strap-shaped leaves and umbels of white "flowers" (stamens) that have yellow tipped anthers. Flowers are followed by red berries. Provide dappled shade and regular to moderate water once established. Indoors where the autumn an winter months are prone to frost outdoors, place in an area that receives bright, indirect light, rotate the pot regularly so that it receives an even amount of light and water when the soil feels dry down to the first knuckle. Hopefully the container has drainage holes - water in the sink allowing the water to drain out completely before returning to a cover decorative pot or saucer. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Feed with a slow-release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants during its grown and "bloom" cycles.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:22-07:00 March 1st, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Lobelia Fan Blue

Fan Blue Cardinal Flower features showy spikes of blue tubular flowers with violet overtones rising above the foliage from early to mid summer, which emerge from distinctive deep purple flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Fan Blue Cardinal Flower will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. This perennial does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, although it seems to be quite loved by insects and hummingbirds, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.

By | 2016-03-01T03:40:13-08:00 March 1st, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Walking Iris Apostles Iris

An unusual member of the Iris family! Neomarica plants are clumping perennials that reach anywhere from 18 to 36 inches. This exotic-looking plant with its graceful sword-like foliage has flowers that resemble a cross between that of an orchid and an iris. Although they are short lived, lasting only a day, numerous blooms continue to follow over an extended period of time throughout spring, summer and fall. As the blooms finish the bloom stem falls to the ground and roots starting another plant seemingly "walking across the garden"! Grows best in moist, well-draining soil in areas with light to full shade but will also tolerate some sun as long as they receive adequate moisture. It is hardy in Zones 10 and 11, but has been reported to grow as far north as Zone 8 with adequate protection during winter. In colder zones, this plant needs to come inside for the winter, so in this case growing walking iris in containers is helpful.

By | 2016-02-29T19:23:09-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Bistort Mountain Fleece

This vigorous, but noninvasive perennial flowers from early summer into autumn with bright red, purple, or white blossoms. The narrow blossoms are up to 4 inches long, and are held on long stalks above pointed, slightly puckered leaves. It grows to 4 feet high and wide.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Persicaria are rhizomatous or stoloniferous plants that are spreading and sometimes invasive. They have fleshy stems and conspicuously veined leaves, some of which exhibit autumn color. Many are suitable in a mixed container or border, others naturalized in a woodland or meadow. All plant parts may cause skin irritation on contact and stomach upset if ingested.
Care: Grow in moist soil in full sun to partial shade.
Propagation: Divide plants in spring or fall. Sow seed in spring in a cold frame.
Problems: Aphids, Japanese beetles, slugs, snails
(Bistorta amplexicaulis, Polygonum amplexicaule). Native to Himalayas.

By | 2017-09-11T15:49:22-07:00 February 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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Lemon Geranium

This appears to be a Lemon Geranium - of course we'll trust your nose on this! Lemon geranium needs full sunlight and thrives in relatively cool daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees cooler during the night. In climates with warm, non-freezing winters, plant lemon geranium in any well-drained soil. In cooler climates, plant lemon geranium in a container with a drainage hole so the plant can be moved indoors in autumn. The flowers are pale and small but beautiful! The leaves contain essential oils which produce a wonderful aroma when you rub a leaf between your fingers. Scented geraniums are edible but only if you are positive it has been raised organically and there has been no chemical fungicide or insecticide sprayed on or near the plant. There are many features on the website regarding the culinary uses of scented geraniums such as www..sfgate.com/.../Scented-geraniums-expand-a-garden-s-cooking-2493855 .php‎


By | 2016-02-29T08:52:17-08:00 February 29th, 2016|Perennials|0 Comments
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