Pulsatilla vulgaris
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Pulsatilla vulgaris Family: Ranunculaceae |
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Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright, clump-forming habit. Entire plant is covered in silver-coloured, silky hairs. Mass of soft, feathery, light green-grey leaves are fern-like. Purple, cup-shaped, upward-facing flowers have brilliant yellow stamens with deep purple pistils in their centre. Blooms appear in mid- through late spring. Feathery seed heads follow.
Special Notes: Native to Eurasia and North America, pulsatillas have been a garden favourite since the early 16th Century. Requires good drainage. Reliably flowers about the middle of April, hence the common name “Easter flower”. Propagate by seed; root divisions in spring or autumn.
Caution: All parts of the plant are toxic. Sap can cause skin irritation for some people. Avoid contact in eyes. RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993
Posted on February 1, 2013 |
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Phlomis tuberosa
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Phlomis tuberosa Family: Lamiaceae Common name: tuberous Jerusalem sage Zone: 3 – 8 |
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Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright, bushy habit. Large, toothed, green leaves are in pairs up strong, semi-woody, ruby-red stems. Whorls of distinctly hooded, pink flowers appear up the stems in summer through autumn.
Special Notes: Native to Turkey and Syria. Not as fussy about perfect drainage as other phlomis species. Few pests or diseases, although slugs and snails may be a problem. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagate by seed; division in spring or autumn. Great Plant Pick 2011
Posted on February 1, 2013
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Hosta fortunei ‘Patriot’
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Hosta fortunei ‘Patriot’ Family: Hostaceae Common name: plaintain lily |
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Description: An herbaceous perennial with a mounding habit. Glossy, heart-shaped, puckered, medium-green leaves have wide, irregular streaks of creamy white on the margins. Panicles of lavender flowers appear on strong stems in July and August.
Special Notes: This hybrid seedling from Hosta ‘Francee’ has fairly good sun tolerance. A medium-sized cultivar, it is reported to be rabbit resistant. Watch for slugs and snails when leaf tips are emerging in early spring. Some seeds are fertile. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn.
Posted on January 31, 2013 |
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Geranium x ‘Johnson’s Blue’
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Geranium x ‘Johnson’s Blue’ Family: Geraniaceae Common name: cranesbill |
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Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright, non-clumping habit. Medium green, lobed leaves are finely cut. Masses of 2 inch (5 cm) lavender-blue flowers, flushed with reddish-pink tinge appear mid-spring through late summer.
Special Notes: A hybrid seedling selected from a crossing of Geranium himalayense and Geranium pratense. Does not set seed. However, it does grow into a fairly substantial clump within a relatively short period of time. Easy care; relatively pest and disease free. Because of loose growth habit, may need propping up. Cut back severely after flowering to tidy up; fresh new leaves will appear and perhaps a second flush of blooms. Fairly drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993
Posted on January 29, 2013 |
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Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’
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Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ |
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Description: An herbaceous perennial with gracefully arching stems and a slightly spreading habit. Of particular note, all of the stems bend gently in the same direction. Soft, medium green, ovate leaves are irregularly rimmed in pure white. Slightly fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers lightly tipped with green dangle in pairs from the underside of the stems in late spring into summer. Round, blue-black fruits follow as the leaves turn an attractive yellow in autumn.
Special Notes: Native to Europe and Asia, this is an easy-to-grow woodland plant well-suited for those difficult shade areas. Will tolerate average soils and drier conditions once established. Slowly spreads by rhizamous roots. Plant benefits from dividing every three or four years.
Caution: All parts of the plant are harmful if ingested.
Perennial of the Year 2013
Posted on January 15, 2013
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