Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’
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Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ Family: Rosaceae (KERR-ree-ah ja-PON-ih-ka) Common name: Japanese kerria; Japanese yellow rose |
 Description: Deciduous shrub with multiple bright green, upright and arching stems adorned with small, narrow, double-toothed ovate-lanceolate bright green leaves arranged alternately along the branches. Pompoms of double, golden yellow flowers appear in early spring, lasting for 2 to 3 weeks.
Deer and rabbit resistant. No pest and disease problems with the exception of possibility of kerria twig and leaf blight, a fungal disease caused by Blumeriella kerriae. This causes leaf spots and stem lesions which, if severe enough, may result in defoliation. Control spread by severely pruning out diseased stems, raking up leaves and disposing them. Do not wet leaves or stems of infected plants; water using soaker hoses.
Other than controlling this plant’s growth habit, we have experienced no other problems, disease or pest.
Posted on February 20, 2023 |
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Francoa sonchifolia
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Francoa sonchifolia Family: Francoaceae (fran-KO-ah son-chi-FOL-lee-ah) Common name: bridal wreath; Chilean bridal wreath; wedding flower |
| Description: An evergreen perennial with fuzzy, lance-shaped, sinuate*, lobed, dark green basal leaves that form a low rosette. Racemes of 4-petalled, soft-pink, orchid-like flowers each marked with a rose blotch, are borne on erect, 2 – 3 ft (60 – 90 cm) tall, dark green stems. Flowers appear from late June through summer.
Special Notes: Native to Chile, this plant performs best in a sunny or partially shady bed with humus-rich soil and good drainage. Boggy conditions can cause crown rot which will effectively kill the plant. Flowers are valued for use in floral arrangements and wedding bouquets. Drought tolerant once established. Good deer and rabbit resistance. Pest- and disease-resistant.
In our Zone 7a garden: This plant has spent many years in a tree-root choked bed in heavy shade in my front garden. There is not much nutrient in that bed other than what is supplied through an annual top-dressing. The floral display has been less than prolific, largely due to few sun hours, but I have been very impressed with its resilience, low care needs and its pest and disease resistance over the 15 or more years this plant has been competing with tree roots. Have had no issues with any pests or diseases on this plant.
Posted on February 22, 2023 |
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Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Gold’
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Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Gold’ Family: Ranunculaceae |
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Description: An herbaceous, small clump-forming perennial with thin, branching stems adorned with golden scalloped leaves. Somewhat upward-facing, short-spurred, soft pink flowers appear in early April through into late May or early June. Attracts bees and hummingbirds.
Given optimum growing conditions and regular water, the plant will develop a lovely clump. It readily self-seeds which ensures this purported short-lived perennial will enjoy many years in the garden. Easy care. Drought tolerant once established. Attracts bees and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant, however slugs and aphids may be a problem. Leaves are susceptible to leaf miner.
John has a clump in his back garden where it gets a fair amount of sun throughout the day. The leaves on this clump turn a green-gold colour quicker than those in my garden and the flowers are more of a dusky-rose colour. We both cut the leaves down to the ground as they get ratty-looking later in the season.
Posted on February 13, 2023 |
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Allium ‘Purple Sensation’
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Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ Family: Amaryllidaceae |
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Description: A bulbous perennial with short basal leaves that die down by flowering time. Flower head consists of over 100 small, star-shaped purple-red blooms that form a globular starburst atop a sturdy green stem. Special Notes: This allium looks great in a grouping of 7 – 9, or more. Recommend planting a low-lying perennial in front of the alliums to hide the less-than-stellar allium leaves. Flowers attract bees in good numbers. Deer and rabbit resistant. Can fall prey to the same diseases that afflict onions and garlic. Caution: All parts are poisonous to humans in some degree.
Posted on February 12, 2023 |
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Scrophularia auriculata ‘Variegata’
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Scrophularia auriculata ‘Variegata’ Family: Scrophulariaceae |
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Description: A slow-spreading, clumping-forming perennial. Ovoid green leaves with serrated edges are thickly margined in creamy-white and paired opposite on strong square, green stems. Clusters of tiny, maroon-red flowers appear in summer through into autumn and are a huge attraction to assorted bee species and hummingbirds. Special Notes: In Zone 6 and colder, this plant is herbaceous; in Zone 8 and warmer, it is evergreen year-round. Given the right growing conditions, loamy-rich soil and regular water, this plant can grow to be a sub-shrub. But is also quite drought tolerant once established. Propagate by division in spring or fall.
Depending on the severity of our winter weather, Scrophularia can be herbaceous or evergreen.
Posted on February 12, 2023 |
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