Ajuga reptans BLACK SCALLOP
Ajuga reptans BLACK SCALLOP
(ah-JEW-gah REP-tanz)
syn. Ajuga reptans ‘Binblasca’ PBR
Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: bugleweed; carpet bugleweed
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 3 – 6 in (7.5 – 15 cm)
Spread: 6 – 24 in (15 – 60 cm)
Aspect: sun; partial shade
Soil: fertile; well-draining
Water: moderate
Description: An evergreen groundcover with glossy, dark maroon-purple to almost black, scalloped-edged leaves and a dense habit. Short, upright, spikes of dark violet, fragrant flowers four to six inches tall (10 – 15 cm) appear in mid- to late spring.
Special Notes: The genus Ajuga is native to Europe. BLACK SCALLOP is a mutation of Ajuga reptans ‘Braunherz’, discovered in an in-vitro nursery laboratory in 1998 and subsequently isolated to be developed and introduced as a new cultivar, Ajuga reptans ‘Binblasco’ PBR. U.S. Plant Patent was issued in June 2005. (PBR – Plant Breeder Registration)
BLACK SCALLOP tends to have a more compact habit than some of the other Ajuga cultivars. Plant where it will get more sun for deep, rich foliage colour but plants will require watering more often. In hotter climates, give it a little more shade from the sun.
Propagate by cutting the stolon, or plantlet, growing out from the mother plant to start a new plant. BLACK SCALLOP does not come true from seed.
Crown rot can be a problem if ajugas are allowed to grow too densely. Divide clumps every few years to thin the planting out. Aphids, slugs, snails and whiteflies can also be occasionally problematic. And while it is not unheard of for cucumber mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus to attack ajugas, there have been no reports of these viruses found on BLACK SCALLOP. However, remove the plants if you see these viruses and bag them for the garbage.
In our Zone 7a garden: We now have a few patches of BLACK SCALLOP in our landscape and we love them! Absolutely the best-behaved ajuga to plant in your garden for its dark leaves and dark violet flowers.
Posted on February 3, 2021; updated on August 6, 2024
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Princess Diana’
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Princess Diana’
(am-uh-LAN-kee-er x gran-dih-FLOR-ah)
Syn. Amelanchier laevis ‘Princess Diana’; Amelanchier ‘Princess Diana’
Family: Rosaceae
Common name: apple serviceberry; hybrid serviceberry; serviceberry
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 15 ft (4.5 m)
Spread: 12-15 ft (3.6-4.5 m)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: moist; acidic; well-draining
Water: regular
Description: Reasonably small, deciduous, understory tree with finely-toothed, 3 inch (7.6 cm) long, oval-lanceolate leaves, emerging with bronze tints in spring, gradually changing to dark green though summer before changing a brilliant red to orange-red in fall. Showy white flowers appear in April followed by edible 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) diameter edible berries which are a deep red-purple when fully ripe in late June through early July.
Special Notes: Amelanchier spp. are native to North America. Amelanchier x grandiflora is a hybrid cross between A. arborea (downy serviceberry) and A. laevis (Allegheny serviceberry), two species of North American serviceberries.
‘Princess Diana’, one of several named cultivars in this Amelanchier species, is known for its abundant floral display of white flowers, wide canopy and its vibrant fall colour. It was discovered in the mid-1980s in a garden in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. A U.S. Plant Patent PP6,041 was issued on October 20, 1987.
Pests and Diseases: There are no serious insect or disease problems, although amelanchiers can occasionally have problems with powdery mildew, leaf spot, rust, fire blight and canker. So far, our tree has not experienced any problems whatsoever. (Touch wood.)
In our Zone 7a garden: We absolutely adore this small tree in the back garden! It resides in the shadow of the ancient transparent apple tree and is further shaded by the 12 ft (3.6 m) tall cedar hedge. Still, the flowers appear in April and there always seems to be enough bees around at that time to perform their pollinating duties.
I keep a close watch on the berries when they start to come as I like to pick them for my Serviceberry Cobbler. (Click here for the recipe.) I have to be quick because the birds love these berries too, especially the cedar waxwings who make a point of arriving in our garden to feast on the serviceberries. Often, I am picking berries from the lower branches while several cedar waxwings are enjoying them above my head.
While I have yet to make jam or jelly from serviceberries, it is reported to be quite good. Perhaps I will attempt these preserves next season as we do love our Aronia Berry Jelly and Oregon Grape Jelly.
One good piece of information to note: serviceberries can be picked before they are fully ripe as they will finish ripening if laid out in newspaper-lined beer flats.
Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit 2012
Posted on October 20, 2021; updated on August 6, 2024
Allium flavum
Allium flavum Family: Liliaceae
(AL-ee-um FLAH-vum)
Common name: ornamental onion; small yellow onion
Zone: 5 – 8
Height: 10 – 12 in (25 – 30cm)
Spread: 4 in (10 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: fertile; well-draining
Water: moderate
Description: A bulbous herbaceous perennial which produces an umbel of lemon-yellow, bell-shaped flowers in late spring through early summer. Narrow, strap-like, blue-green leaves will wither as the flowers mature.
Special Notes: An heirloom dating back to the late 1750s. Native to region surrounding the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas; France, Morocco to Iran, Kazakhstan. A relative to culinary onions and garlic. Good for containers and rockeries. Plant bulbs 3 – 4 times their own depth in autumn. Naturalizes to create a pleasing display. Attracts bees. Can fall prey to the same diseases which afflict onions and garlic. Deer resistant.
Awards: Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 1993.
Posted on February 17, 2021; updated on August 6, 2024
Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’
Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’
(ah-jur-ah-TY-nah al-tis-SIH-mah)
syn. Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’
Family: Asteraceae
Common name: white snakeroot; purple bugbane
Zone: 4 – 9
Height: 4 – 5 ft (1.2 – 1.5 m)
Spread: 2 – 3 ft (60 – 90 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: fertile; moist; well-draining
Water: regular
Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright, clump-forming growth habit. Delightfully dark maroon-brown, oblong, toothed leaves on burgundy stems. Small, fluffy white flowers appear in late summer through autumn.
Special Notes: Native to North America. Quite tolerant of a range of soil conditions. Foliage is darker with more sun but plant will need more frequent water. Good cut flower. Attracts bees and butterflies. Deer and rabbit resistant. Relatively pest and disease free. Propagate by division in spring or autumn; softwood cuttings in summer. Will not come true from seed
Caution: All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and animals. Cows, goats, sheep, etc. may graze on this plant. The toxin is passed to humans through drinking the milk from these animals.
In our Zone 7a garden: We adore this plant for its rich foliage colour. A medium tall backdrop plant for showing off shorter plants with variegated, gold. or light green foliage. ‘Chocolate’ blooms late in the season in our garden, mid-August or early September. As the blooms are quite insignificant, we do not miss them, as the fall colours in the foliage are much preferred.
Great Plant Pick 2004
Posted on May 1, 2013; updated on August 6, 2024
Agastache rugosa
Agastache rugosa
(ag-ak-STAK-ee roo-GO-sah)
syn. Lophanthus rugosus
Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Korean mint; purple giant hyssop
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 24 – 36 in (60 – 90 cm)
Spread: 24 in (60 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: moist; well-draining
Water: regular
Description: An herbaceous perennial with an erect habit. Oval, closely-toothed, medium green leaves are slightly hairy on their underside. Short spikes of lavender-blue flowers appear from mid-summer through to early fall. Small seeds are black.
Special Notes: Native to Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam. Leaves have a strong mint and liquorice scent when rubbed. Ornamental and medicinal plant used for teas, seasoning meats and in Eastern medicine. Perfect dried flower. Attracts bees and butterflies. Relatively few pests and disease problems but watch for powdery mildew. Propagate by seed, by cuttings in early spring or in summer, or by division in early spring or autumn.
In our Zone 7a garden: I have placed a few of these plants in my front bed where they must compete with the roots of my mature Aesculus hippocastanum (European horse chestnut) and Acer saccharinum (silver maple) trees. The soil is not stellar in this area of my garden and I have a hard time getting enough water to the plants. The two trees are famous for sucking all of the benefits out of the soil. Having said that, Agastache rugosa is one plant species that survives in my garden under these tough conditions, despite what the reference sources stipulate are its growing needs. Of course, it is not as lush as if it were provided fertile soil and adequate water but by planting more plants close together I can achieve roughly the same effect as from one plant alone.
Posted on March 13, 2013; updated on August 5, 2024
