White Gaura

White Gaura

Oenothera lindheimeri

(ee-no-THEE-ruh) (lind-HY-mer-ee)

Synonyms: Gaura (GOW-ra), Apple blossom Grass, Lindheimer's Beeblossom, Wandflower

This plant changed its scientific name a while back and I still use the old one. I am so not a trendsetter or rider. It is now classified as an Oenothera and I am not sure why. That is a genus, which sends a bit of a chill up my spine because of tendency to run a little rampant and be invasive. However, I have leaned to grow Sundrops and know how to manage them now (borderline iron fist). This plant is much more graceful and a better garden citizen then most Oenothera.

This is a tough plant that is long blooming. It absolutely needs full sun to flower properly and good drainage. It is drought tolerant and can grow in dry areas but I have found it likes a bit of moisture too, especially during establishment. It can be short lived but worth having as a supporting character in the border.

Since I haven’t posted in some time here is a bonus photo

Garden Peony Coral 'n' Gold
Paeonia lactiflora
(pay-OHN-ee-uh) (lak-tee-FLOR-uh)

This photo doesn’t quite do justice to the color of this flower. It’s a Mr. Lyman Cousins’ “Innerglow” hybrid. Known for their luminous qualities and fragrance. A true winner.

Lipstick Lychnis

Lychnis Lipstick

Lychnis (LIK-niss)

This is a plant that clearly exceeded its ability to get named. There are many identities that this plant is masquerading under. Developed by Sunny Border Nurseries here in Connecticut this plant shows a lot of potential. The vermillion color is super and only partially represented here. The dark foliage tips add a beautiful background that is a nice compliment to the flowers.

Generally I think of Lychnis as a cooperative plant that grows well in lean soil and dry conditions. It often reproduces from seed but not in a bothersome way. This plant can be used in the cottage garden, perennial border and in tough rocky areas.

Here is another one from my non-flower photography tries. It is a conversion from a color shot because the D70s does not have a monochrome setting. It is a box car on the Housatonic Railway.

Clematis ‘Diamantina’

Clematis ‘Diamantina’

(KLEM-uh-tiss)

Clematis is one of the vines we always get requests for but not many people know how to grow it.  After 30 years of trying I have to admit I am still a bit stumped but have developed some general rules for success. One thing that these plants seem to like is a ‘hot top, cool bottom.’ Which implies exactly that, the roots like to be shaded by other shrubs or mulch but the leaves need a lot of sun to flower properly.

Each type of Clematis seems to have it’s own likes about flowering on new wood or getting cut back completely. Often times the varietal names are lost so you have to guess what they want. My way is to wait until spring and see what part of the plant has been killed by winter and prune to that spot. It is also a plant that I install slightly deeper then most other plants. Covering one or two buds under the soil seem to help it establish stronger.

This 2010 introduction is from Raymond Evison, who has been breeding and introducing Clematis for over 50 years now. They have some very distinctive and showy types. Raymond seems to be one breeder that doesn’t rush varieties to the market, which is a welcome change.

Clematis is generally a pain in the butt to grow but is one of those plants if it likes the conditions it grows very well. If it doesn’t like them it struggles and eventually peters out. They are also subject to Clematis wilt, which often takes the plant out just before it flowers. The only way I have found to slow the wilt down is with a couple of well timed fungicide applications early in the season and that doesn’t always work. In general you can help the plants by watching your watering timing and keeping the area around the stems clean (good fall clean up). The fungus kills the top but usually leaves the roots alive.

Sombrero Hot Coral Coneflower

Sombrero Hot Coral Coneflower

Echinacea x purpurea 'Balsomcor'

(ek-in-AY-shee-a) (pur-PUR-ee-uh)

I am actually starting to plan my spring now. I have been working for an organic landscaping company and learning about some different ways to take care of plants. One customer wanted their perennial border spiffed up and the owner loves bold colors. Echinacea is always a “go-to” plant for me and it does well in borders. It seems to be able to grow organically. 

This very blog has railed against all the Coneflower breeding that has been going on down in Atlanta, but the market seems to shake out the lame attempts at new cultivars. I really try to keep an eye out on gardening trends but my strategy is mainly to wait before adopting new ideas. This coneflower has been out for a couple of years now and seems to be sticking around. Most of the time it really gets to be about availability and this plant is available. It certainly meets the bold color specification. The color is one seldom seen in the garden.

Here is a link to a page with some new flower varieties for 2017. Can you see the color trend?  I guess I would try that PUFF Vanilla Coneflower. I have found the white ones a little harder to grow.

New Garden Flowers for 2017

I have a written work I’m finally trying to bring to market. That is taking up a lot of time but I will try and update this space a little more often.

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

(rud-BEK-ee-a) (FUL-jih-duh)

I decided to post this flower since it reminds me a little bit of the sun, which we need around here. After getting an extended snow and ice storm last night it is raining hard now with up to an inch expected. That’s after our weekend battle with sub zero temperatures.

Black-eyed Susans are a wonderful true perennial that gradually increases it size in the garden. It’s not fussy but needs a good amount of sun to do best.

Wall Rock Cress

Wall Rock Cress

Arabis caucasica

(AR-uh-biss)

Synonym: alpina subsp. caucasica

An alpine perennial Arabis is especially good for rock gardens and the edging of borders. It forms a nice mound of foliage and a early spring a carpet of flowers. The flowers are fragrant and remind me of Sweet Alyssum. There are many species available but this one seems to be, in my experience, the most available.

Like most alpine plants there is a requirement for good drainage. The winter drainage is most important for keeping a patch going but it will not tolerate poor drainage in the summer either. It’s low maintenance only requiring a light shearing after blooming and we raked it out at the end of the season.

In this picture on the timbers that forms an edge of a rock garden. The Rock Cress has grown right up to the wood and formed a carpet.

Happy Patch of Daisies

Shasta Daisy

Leucanthemum x superbum

(lew-KANTH-ih-mum) (soo-PER-bum)

Remembering encountering this patch of daisies is easy since it imparted a warm and happy feeling. Some of that was the struggle over several seasons getting them to cooperate. This year I decided to feed them in the early spring while I was literally fertilizing hundreds of different trees and plantings and it worked out well. The flowers seemed more numerous, sturdier and there were no pest problems. I can see the patch is headed for dividing in a season or two.

Golden Bleeding Heart

 

Golden Bleeding Heart
Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart'
(dy-SEN-truh) (speck-TAB-ih-liss)
Fumariaceae

This plant is always a treat to see in the spring. It exhibits a modern twist on an old classic. The color of the foliage is a little variable, which I haven’t been able to figure out if that is related to parentage or the amount of light it gets in the garden. It’s handsome even when it is in full chartreuse shady glory. The flowers are large and traditionally colored.

Ballerina False Sunflower

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides 'Ballerina'

(hee-lee-OP-sis) (hee-lee-an-THOY-dees)

Synonyms: Rough Heliopsis, Orange Sunflower

This flower was featured here several years ago and this shot is from the same patch this year. That makes it a true perennial for gardens around here. With a slightly coarse and rambling appearance this plant has been a stalwart in the border. It has deep yellow golden color that can appear almost metallic in the right light. At a height of 2-3 feet it works well in the middle of the border or the back.

Blue Columbine

Columbine

Aquilegia

(a-kwi-LEE-jee-uh)

This wonderful colored Columbine came up in a patch of seedlings. The mother plants have long since disappeared only being vigorous for a couple of seasons. I was happy to have it and hopefully it will seed itself.

It’s coming to the time of year where I gather up a lot of pictures for use during the winter. There could be pictures from any time of the year.

Cappadocian navelwort

Omphalodes cappadocica

(om-fal-LOW-deez) (kap-puh-do-SEE-ka)

"The little windflower, whose just opened eye is blue as the spring heaven it gazes at."

William C. Bryant

This is a nifty shade groundcover if you can provide the right moisture and light.

Dwarf Spike Speedwell

Dwarf Spike Speedwell
Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'
(veh-RON-ih-ka) (spi-KAH-tuh)
Synonyms: ‘Glory’

One of the reasons I like this plant is it stays shorter and is less rampant then the other cultivars. It can really fill a bright, sunny, dry place very well. After blooming a light shearing will help clean up the look and give a nice uniform ground cover. This isn’t the best flower picture I have ever shot it does give that forest of blue look that this plant can give. It is really a lovely color.

Yellow Garden Mum

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Garden Mum

Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum 'Donna'

(kris-AN-the-mum) (gran-dih-FLOR-um)

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Synonym: Chrysanthemum x morifolium

Here are two Chrysanthemums that have been brightening up the landscape here. You may not realize it but when you go to the nursery or pick up a couple of mums at the supermarket you are practicing an age-old tradition dating back centuries. While the mum you plant may look like any other flower it is actually the product of years of scientific research and breeding work. ‘Donna’ is a bright yellow member of the Yoder brothers Prophets Series. It was introduced in 1991 and has shown remarkable staying power by keeping on the available varieties list that long. Most varieties are changed out every couple of years.

A new trend for my mums is the actual regrowth of them in the spring. Most of these mums have always been sold as “hardy” but failed to come back. The last couple of years, despite harsh winters, they have appeared in the spring. This is what I have learned about this process. I move the mums in early spring because they have been planted in our seasonal display areas. It is an easy job since they don’t really make a root system during the fall. I usually place them in the perennial border or in the rock garden for the rest of the year. Since we often plant a lot of mums at once in the fall a selection process takes place in the spring where we only take the healthiest and strongest plants for replanting. That way we don’t get overrun with any particular variety. If the plants warrant it division of the roots is okay at this time. A full sun area with adequate water is needed for placement. We usually pinch the mums several times during the season to promote bushiness and later flowering. A Chrysanthemum left to its own devices can bloom as early as July 4^th depending on the type (early, mid or late season).

This next picture shows an unknown name that has a different flower type. Chrysanthemums are broken down into 13 different classifications by flower shape.

Hardy Hibiscus 'Southern Belle'

Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Southern Belle'

(hi-BIS-kus) (mos-KEW-tos)

Synonyms: Rose Mallow, Swamp Mallow

A dramatic and tropical flair for borders and mass plantings Hardy Hibiscus is a perennial for the ages. A definite “What is that?” type of traffic stopper plant that blooms in the summer with little care. 'Southern Belle' is listed as growing up to 8 feet tall but in northern gardens it seems to get to 3-4 feet and is a little more compact than the species. Since it can grow in moist conditions it can do well at the ponds edge (not waterlogged) and bottom land.

Little Lemon Goldenrod

Little Lemon Goldenrod

Solidago ‘Dansolitlem’

(so-li-DAY-go)

I don’t often find myself in a position to be recommending Goldenrod for garden cultivation, as the nonhorticultural types are an invasive coarse weed. This little fella as proven to be an interesting and useful cultivar of the native wildflower. It grows somewhat compactly and blooms late and for a long time. Introduced in 2005 it seems to be getting some traction in the market but is probably still suffering from its cousin’s bad reputation. The pollen from Goldenrod does not cause hay fever as it is not windborne (too heavy) although it is often blamed for it.

Saturday while attending the Oyster Bay Festival I slipped into a rough area near the shore and found this wild Aster blooming. It’s pure white flowers and short stature added to its appeal.

Broadway Lights Shasta Daisy

 

Shasta Daisy

Leucanthemum x superbum 'Broadway Lights'

(lew-KANTH-ih-mum) (soo-PER-bum)

Synonym: Leumayel

When people ask me what my favorite flower is they often seem disappointed when I say Daisy. I guess they are expecting me to say some exotic orchid or something but Daisies just seem to be an elemental flower whose beauty is in its pure color and geometric simplicity. Besides you can’t play a game like loves me loves me not with an orchid.

This cultivar of Shasta Daisy was introduced in 2006 and was kind of riding the wave of yellow tinted Shastas that were coming out at the time. This one’s flowers start out yellow and then fade to white on a sturdy plant. Shasta Daisies are nice to have in the garden and are easy to grow. I think they like full sun but can grow in partial shade. The more shade the stringier the plants get. If you deadhead your plants they will reply in kind with another round of blooms.

 

Blanket Flower

Blanket Flower
Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun'
(gay-LAR-dee-uh)
Synonym: Indian Blanket
Wordless Wednesday

Toad Lily

Hairy Toad Lily

Tricyrtis hirta

(try-SER-tis) (HER-tuh)

Wordless Wednesday

Sombrero Hot Coral Coneflower

Sombrero Hot Coral Coneflower

Echinacea x purpurea 'Balsomcor'

(ek-in-AY-shee-a) (pur-PUR-ee-uh)

We planted this 2012 introduction last summer and it performed well. It is a quite stocky and compact variety with a brilliant flower color (only partially represented here). In fact the color completely overwhelmed the camera and the saturation and levels had to be adjusted in Photoshop.

I am not sure how much further out of control Coneflower breeding can get but surely we must be getting close to the pinnacle. It seems every year a couple more hybrids/cultivars make it to the market. Here is a link to a page with a lot of cultivars: Darwin Plants Coneflowers

Finishing up the discussion on the groundcover Lamium here is the Sunday bonus snapshot. This cultivar is a tidy garden citizen that shows off the silvery center of it leaves.

Spotted Dead Nettle

Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’

(LAY-mee-um) (mak-yuh-LAH-tum)

Eastern Purple Coneflower

Eastern Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
(ek-in-AY-shee-a)

Here area couple of Coneflower shots from this summer. They are both of cultivars but I am not sure which ones they are. The pink ones had a nice tight formation with good color. One of the keys of growing these flowers is giving them a nice dry winter. They really don't like wet feet in the winter.

This bonus snapshot is the less seldom seen white type of Coneflower. The estate has a big collection of 'White Swan' Cones and we tried to spread the seed in the beds as we cleaned up. It usually takes a couple of years for the population to build up and mostly you end up with some nice light pink ones from the seeds.

Happy New Year.

White Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea cv.
(ek-in-AY-shee-a) (pur-PUR-ee-uh)
Synonym: Echinacea purpurea alba, Brauneria purpurea, Rudbeckia purpurea

Moonbeam Coreopsis

Threadleaf Coreopsis

Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'

(kor-ee-OP-sis) (ver-ti-si-LAH-tuh)

This has really been a stalwart perennial for us over the years. It has nice foliage and with a little trimming blooms for a long season. The plants expand at a manageable rate and are easy to divide. Good plant for tough places or the border.

We had another terrible storm last night with a lot of snow and high winds. This island doesn’t need anymore tree damage but with the way the wind was rattling my window last night some had to come down. Right now I am temporarily living in Queens, New York to cut down on commuting and I got a good introduction to Long Island traffic last night.