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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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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Hepatica nobilis
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Hepatica nobilis Family: Ranunculaceae (hi-PAT-ih-kuh no-BILL-iss) Common name: liverwort; liverleaf |
| Description: An evergreen, clump-forming perennial with kidney-shaped, 3-lobed leaves that are glossy green on top and a purple hue underneath. Showy violet-blue flowers with 6 – 7 sepals and conspicuous white stamens appear in March through April.
Recommend cutting back old leaves in late winter in order to enjoy the early spring flowers and give exposure to newly emerging, fresh leaves. Propagate by fresh seed sown in place in spring. Needs stratification in order to germinate. Dig up and divide larger clumps after flowering or in autumn. Reliably disease- and pest-resistant, as well as deer and rabbit resistant. Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit 1993
Posted on July 31, 2021 |
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Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’
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Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’ Family: Geraniaceae (jer-AY-nee-um FAY-um) syn. Geranium phaeum var. phaeum ‘Samobor’ Common name: mourning widow; dusky cranesbill Zone: 4 – 9 Height: 24-30 in (60-76 cm) Spread: 18-24 in (45-60 cm) Aspect: partial shade; full shade Soil: fertile; well-draining Water: moderate |
 Description: An herbaceous, clump-forming perennial. Deeply incised, palmate bright green leaves display a large, dark maroon-black splotch in their centre which splays outward towards the leaf tips. Appearing in May to June, the small-sized flowers are held aloft on upright slender stems and are an almost perfect colour match for the leaf splotch.
Special Notes: This cultivar of the species was discovered in 1990 by Elizabeth Strangman in a Kent nursery. It is one of the few geraniums which actually thrives in almost full shade. While tolerant of most soil types as well as wet and dry conditions, ‘Samobor’ will excel if given fertile soil and moderate water. Relatively low maintenance plant. When flowers are finished, either cut the spent stems back to the basal leaf or cut the entire clump back to one or two inches above the soil. The plant will rejuvenate and perhaps provide another flush of flowers in September. Good resistance to diseases and pests, including slugs and rabbits. Deer may nibble on the leaves.
In our Zone 7a garden: John has a lovely clump of ‘Samobor’ under a tall Pieris japonica where it does not receive any sun…unless it is from a setting sun at the end of the day and only at a certain time of the growing season. I have a clump of ‘Samobor’ near the front of my mixed hosta and fern bed…one of the shadiest beds in my garden. ‘Samobor’ does get some morning sun at the front of the bed and it seems to be just the right amount as my plant is typically a little ahead of John’s in full shade. Regardless of its location in either garden, it always solicits comments from visitors to our garden. A truly delightful plant.
Posted on March 10, 2021 |
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Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’
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Geranium sanguineum ‘Max Frei’ (jer-AY-nee-um san-GWIN-ee-um) Family: Geraniaceae Common name: bloody cranesbill; bloodred geranium |
| Description: An herbaceous perennial with a compact, clump-forming habit. Foliage consists of small, shallowly cut, dark green basal leaves and thinner, more deeply cut stem leaves. Round, 5-petalled, purple-pink, flowers to 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) in diameter and marked with darker veining, are formed singly on lax inflorescences. Prolific bloom period from mid-spring through summer and into autumn. Wonderful foliage colour changes to shades of red and orange in autumn given adequate sun.
Special Notes: Unknown origin other than it is a cultivar of the slightly taller species, Geranium sanguineum which is native to Europe and Asia. Excellent plant for front of borders. Very easy care but be sure to give it good drainage. Relatively pest and disease free. Rabbit resistant. Deer may nibble on hardy geraniums. Drought tolerant once established. Propagation by division in early spring or autumn.
In our Zone 7a garden: This is a beautiful workhorse in our landscape design. Truthfully, it is a fuss-free plant and looks good throughout the season with its long bloom period.
Posted on July 9, 2020 |
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