Clematis recta ‘Purpurea’
Clematis recta ‘Purpurea’
(KLEM-uh-tis RECK-tah)
Family: Ranunculaeae
Common name: purple ground clematis
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 3 – 5 ft (1 – 1.5 m)
Spread: 4 – 5 ft (1.2 – 1.5 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: humus-rich; moist; well-drained
Water: regular
Description: An herbaceous, clump-forming, non-climbing clematis with purple foliage on purple stems and panicles of small (¾-inch/1.9 cm), star-shaped, vanilla-scented white flowers from summer to fall, followed by attractive silvery seedheads.
Special Notes: Native to central and southern Europe, this unique ground-sprawling clematis can be trained to climb or left to crawl along the ground. Grow in a sunny or part sun location in fertile, alkaline, well-drained soil and water regularly. Be sure to keep roots shaded and cool, as you should with all clematis.
Treat this clematis as a Group C or 3; cut back old growth to 6 – 8 inches (15 – 20 cm) in late winter, preferably to a pair of strong buds. Young foliage is coppery purple, turning to purple with tinges of green as the season progresses. Flowers appear in early summer.
No serious insect or disease problems. Propagation by division. Can be grown from ripe seed that has had a period of vernalization.
In our Zone 7a garden: We have this plant in John’s back garden. It is mostly in shade from a large Magnolia shrub which provides some relief from the hottest of the summer days. Employing several wrought iron peony rings holds the mass of stems upright to display the ground-cover plants growing at their feet…keeping the clematis roots cool.
It garners much admiration from our garden visitors, especially when it is in full bloom.
Posted on February 28, 2024; updated on January 22, 2025
Chasmanthium latifolium
Chasmanthium latifolium
(kaz-MAN-thi-um lat-ih-FOE-lee-um)
Family: Poaceae
Common name: Northern sea oats, river oats
Zone: 3 – 8
Height: 3 – 4 ft (90 – 120 cm)
Spread: 2 – 3 ft (60 – 90 cm)
Aspect: Full sun; part shade; full shade
Soil: moist, fertile, well-drained
Water: average
Description: Clump-forming grass with light green lanceolate, bamboo-like foliage. Blades are 10 – 12 inches (25 – 30 cm) long and one-inch (2.5 cm) wide. The above ground stems (called culms) support showy, spike-like panicles above the leaves. Each panicle consists of 7 – 20 flat, green-tinged spikelets. Each individual spikelet is one-inch (2.5 cm) long, flat in appearance and scaly.
Special Notes: Native from the midwestern to eastern parts of the United States, this ornamental grass is one of the most drought and shade tolerant. While it prefers fertile soil conditions, it will thrive in all soils types and moisture conditions. Wonderful understory plant with an added benefit that it is tolerant of the toxic chemical juglone produced by black walnut (Juglan nigra) trees. Good coppery-brown fall colour in both foliage and seedheads.
Plant host to some caterpillars, particularly of the Northern Pearly Eye butterfly, and skipper species. Provides cover for birds and seeds for small mammals. Good plant for containers, in mass plantings and for erosion control. Excellent in dried flower arrangements and good winter interest. Deer resistant.
Posted on November 8, 2023; Updated on January 7, 2025
Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
(KAIR-ecks oh-shih-MEN-siss)
syn. Carex morrowii ‘Aureovariegata’
Family: Cyperaceae
Common name: variegated Japanese sedge
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 10 – 16 in (25 – 40 cm)
Spread: 10 – 16 in (25 – 45 cm)
Aspect: partial shade; full shade
Soil: medium; moist; well-draining
Water: moderate; regular
Description: A slow growing, evergreen perennial grass with a dense, clump-forming habit. Narrow leaves with creamy yellow centres edged in green form a ground-hugging, arching fountain shape. Insignificant brown flower spikes on triangular stems appear in summer.
Special Notes: Native to the rocky slopes and dry wooded areas of Honshu Island, Japan where it is commonly known as Oshima kan suge. A low maintenance, fine-textured grass which tolerates moist areas such as beside ponds but needs good drainage. Most references place this in at least partial shade but it does well in full sun with regular water. Foliage can be cut back to a low mound in late winter to rejuvenate the leaves. Spreads by rhizomes. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn. Relatively few pests and disease problems. Deer and rabbit resistant.
In our Zone 7a garden: Several clumps of ‘Evergold’ dot the landscape in my front garden as this grass species does exceptionally well in competition with the roots of my chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) and silverleaf maple (Acer saacharinum). As for deer resistance, I cannot confirm this fact as our garden is completely fenced against buffet-hunting ungulates. However, there are rabbits in the neighbourhood which can sneak in but they completely shun this grass, preferring to nibble on another grass called, Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, my tulips and hosta leaf tips instead.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993
Posted on April 27, 2013; updated on October 30, 2024
Campanula lactiflora ‘Loddon Anna’
Campanula lactiflora ‘Loddon Anna’
(kam-PAN-yew-lah lak-tih-FLOOR-ah)
Family: Campanulaceae
Common name: milky bellflower
Zone: 4 – 8
Height: 6 ft (1.8 m)
Spread: 3 ft (0.9 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: fertile; well-draining
Water: moderate
Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright habit. Medium green, oblong, toothed leaves on strong stems. Panicles of soft lavender-pink, delightfully fragrant, bell-shaped flowers appear in mid-June through July and August.
Special Notes: Native to the Caucasus region and eastern Turkey. Has commanding presence in the garden. Requires staking in its second year in exposed location. Long bloom period that attracts bees and butterflies. May produce a second flowering if cut back when first flush is ending. May suffer some slug and snail damage early in season. Propagation by seed; division in spring or autumn.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993; Great Plant Pick 2008
Posted on August 17, 2012; updated on October 2, 2024
Baptisia australis
Baptisia australis
(bap-TEE-zsah oss-TRAL-iss)
syn. Baptisia caerulea
Family: Papilionaceae
Common name: blue false indigo; blue wild indigo; plains false indigo
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 3-4 ft (90-120 cm)
Spread: 3 ft (90 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate
Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright, arching habit. Attractive blue-green, palmate leaves with inversely lance-shaped leaflets. Deep indigo blue pea-like flowers in racemes on erect spikes appear in June and July. Dark, pea-like seed pods follow in late summer.
Special Notes: Native to North America. Plant takes two to three years to establish well and flower. Site well in the garden as this plant is not partial to being moved. May require staking in a windy location. Drought tolerant. Attracts bees and butterflies. Good cut flower. Attractive seed pods are excellent in dried arrangements. May suffer occasional fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew and rust. Propagate by seed; division in spring or autumn.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993; Great Plant Pick 2011
In our Zone 7a garden: Patience is a virtue with this plant as it does take the two to three years to establish itself before flowering. But oh, is it ever so worth the wait! As for its purported dislike for being moved once planted…we have not experienced any horrific upset in the Baptisia australis plants we have moved around in our landscape design for one reason or another. Perhaps because we always amend the planting hole with compost or aged manure and add in a very generous helping of our homemade complete fertiliser before planting or transplanting any of our plants.
Posted on September 22, 2012; updated on September 23, 2024
