Helpful Gardening Tips

Keeping track of the garden by planning

2009-11-20T16:37:00Z

I use a word processor to keep a log of what I have planted and where. The computer allows me to add, change, and delete throughout each season; having a printout is very helpful as well.

For each plant listed, I add information about its location and care. For instance, I will make note when to prune, if it needs dividing, and when it will bloom, such as extended bloom perennials. You can adjust this to your own specifics, and it sure saves time when you have a question about a certain plant. I leave spaces by each entry so I can continuously write in notes to myself. Or you can make a diagram, too, or plot the placement for each plant. This will be helpful for future reference, and the end result will eliminate many frustrations!

If you are starting a new flower garden, it is important to use symmetry and variety to give your flower garden a sense of order and interest. Fill your garden with beautiful and colorful flowers by taking time to plan.

Find plants that will provide ongoing blooms for all seasons: spring, summer, and fall. Next, select plants that will do well in a specific location. Will it prefer full sun, partial sun, or do best in the shade? What kinds of soil are needed? To add contrast and accents, try choosing plants of various heights.

When spring arrives, I especially appreciate all the information I have gathered; I don’t have to guess or look it up! Anyone can do this, and hopefully it can help that beginning gardener out there!

Welcoming Entries with a ‘Weeping Habit’

2009-11-19T15:44:00Z

What welcoming plants can you select to make your front entrance more inviting? Try a plant with a weeping habit! These plants will create a spectacular welcome for friends or family as they arrive at your front door.

The ‘Sweetspire’ is a naturally weeping plant that produces finger-like panicles of white flowers in the spring and turns a brilliant red color in the fall. ‘Little Henry’ Sweetspires, when massed together, are great shrubs for most landscapes. Place it in front of larger evergreens, or it fits well with other perennials in front of your house.

Choose ‘Walker Weeping’ for your front yard as an outstanding special feature plant. ‘Walker Weeping’ Caragana would be a great selection since it is a small tree that has unique finely cut foliage that has a fern-like appearance.

One of my personal favorites is the Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud, also known as Twisted Lavender Redbud. It is a new variety of Redbud that is sure to attract the eye and become the center of attention! The reddish-purple bud opens to a rosy lavender-pink flower in early spring. The umbrella shaped tree accentuates the weeping, twisted branches tipping towards the ground.

There are dozens of trees, shrubs, and perennials that display a unique weeping physical appearance. Use containers on your front step to accentuate the visibility and color of the plant, or find that weeping tree or shrub that will lend a soft and somewhat informal look to your front yard.

Growing the Maggie Daley Astilbe

2009-11-18T21:14:00Z

Astilbe 'Maggie Daley' is great for adding a spiky accent in the moist part of the garden . It displays a profusion of showy spikes of lavender-purple panicles in mid to late summer. It is a robust and somewhat drought resistant plant. The fuzzy flowers are full and packed closely together, resembling a bouquet that sits on top of the shiny, bronze-green foliage.

This is a perennial plant that keeps on giving! The shiny dark foliage remains attractive all summer and the faded flowers turn bronze and remain attractive into the fall. ‘Maggie Daley' performs best in rich soil that is consistently moist, and it is comfortable in light shade to filtered sun. 'Maggie Daley' can add a textural contrast when planted with hostas in a shady garden, or because of its height, it works well at the back of a moist perennial garden.

Though Astilbes are easy to grow, they have one critical requirement--lots of water. Plants must have consistently moist soil; dryness leads to a quick demise, especially in the sun. Fertilize Astilbes in late spring before flowering starts. Wait to cut back the old foliage until spring and this will help protect the plant from winter damage.

Growing the balloon flower Astra Double Blue

2009-11-17T19:50:00Z

Balloon Flower Astra Double Blue is a compact, well-branched plant. The interesting balloon-like buds swell to form (mostly) hollow, pillow-shaped structures before its starry petals unfold, and it resembles a hot-air balloon!

Its compact, uniform habit makes a good selection for cut flowers, containers, or the garden. Balloon Flowers are one of the easiest perennials you'll ever grow, and they bloom in profusion in mid to late summer, when many other perennials are beginning to fade.

Growing anywhere from 8 to 10 inches tall, Balloon Flower ‘Astra Double Blue’ is a wonderful new dwarf variety! This perennial thrives in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained. It can easily adapt to grow in either full sun or part shade. It has exceptional branching and thick flower petals that make for long-lasting periwinkle blue blossoms. The flowers should be deadheaded to increase bloom time.

Combine these two exciting Phlox plants for a stunning effect.

2009-11-16T15:58:00Z

Are you wanting to present a colorful combination of flowers along the foundation of your house, in your garden bed, or even a patio container? How about planting the Hardy Tall Phlox ‘Nicki’, in the background, and then placing ‘Shorty White’ Phlox in the foreground? Wow! This easy to care for partnership would brighten up any area, and would be an ideal consideration for the beginning gardener!

The Hardy Tall Phlox ‘Nicki’ displays deep violet purple flowers, and is one of the finest Hybrid Phlox varieties available. It blooms in profusion with huge 5-6" flower heads all summer. The flowers are fragrant and showy, with brilliant non-fading colors. Growing 2-3' tall, this plant is excellent for perennial borders, patio containers, and for cut flowers.

‘Shorty White’ Phlox offers a clean and classic look and is just the right size for growing in front of the Hardy Tall Phlox ‘Nicki’. With is light green leaves and very sturdy stems, it contrast well with the clusters of its bright white flowers. 'Shorty White' grows to a height of 15" and shows a good resistance to mildew.

Both of these perennial phlox grow best in rich, moist soil in full sun. They will thrive well with bi-monthly fertilizing and consistent moisture levels. Overhead watering should be avoided since they may become susceptible to powdery mildew.

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Growing the long blooming Ice Plant 'Red Mountain'

2009-11-15T18:09:00Z

Ice Plant ‘Red Mountain’ provides blooms from early summer until frost! At only 4 inches tall, the Ice Plant ‘Red Mountain’ has an unbelievable color for that prostrate ground cover you need. This plant is covered with daisy-like flowers that are pinkish red with creamy white centers. As the blooms age, they turn to crimson-purple.

Use this easy to grow plant for containers, or because of its low-growing stature, plant it as a fast-spreading groundcover for those hot, dry, and sunny locations; useful in preventing erosion too.

With its outstanding hardiness, it will produce blooms all the way into the fall season, if planted in a rich soil, with some irrigation. ‘Red Mountain’ needs good drainage and a sunny exposure to do its best. It combines wonderfully with the vivid fuchsia color of Hardy Ice Plant ‘Table Mountain’. Both of these plants thrive in the same conditions. Be the first one on your block to show this dramatic color combination.

Plant Yucca to add a strong architectural presence to your garden

2009-11-14T16:08:00Z

This Adam's Needle is a clump forming perennial with yellow strips down the middle of the dark green foliage, looking ribbon-like. These distinctive, sword-like leaves make an impressive display. In the winter months, the foliage turns pink and adds to it’s overall appeal and attraction.

This plant is very adaptable to humid and cold climates and provides color all year-round. Easy to grow and care for, it thrives in almost any soil, providing it is free draining. It is a sun lover, but does tolerate some light shade. ‘Color Guard’ adds an attrractive texture to any garden or container; also attracts butterflies. This Yucca has a plant height of 24”, a spread of 36”, and thrives in zones 4-9.

Creamy white blossoms are produced in sturdy, large erect flower clusters (panicles) during late spring and summer. After flowering, remove the faded flower stems to prevent unwanted seed formation. Yucca leaves contain bundles of elongate fiber cells which can easily be pulled out of the leaf blade like strands of thread. These strong leaf fibers are then used for cordage and rope.

Growing the Veronica 'Eveline'

2009-11-13T15:56:00Z

The Veronica 'Eveline' is an easy to grow perennial with purplish-pink, dense, extra tall flower spikes that bloom throughout June to September. With an upright plant habit, it is quite stunning when planted in containers or in mass plantings. In the cool weather of fall, you receive an added benefit when the foliage takes on a deep purplish-red hue!

'Eveline' is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun; prefers rich, moist soils. This Veronica is deer resistant and does attract hummingbirds and butterflies. With a plant height of 12-18" and width of 18", it is an attractive vertical accent wherever it is planted.

‘Eveline’ Veronica can be encouraged to a longer blooming period by deadheading the spent flowers. If dividing is needed, the clumps can be separated in the spring. This hardy plant does best in full sun and is a great way to add fantastic color to your garden.

Primula 'Salvana' can be grown in wet, boggy soil.

2009-11-12T16:12:00Z

Native to the coniferous forests of Tibet and southwestern China, Primula ‘Salvana’ is an enchanting perennial plant that features single, silvery stalks that hold deep purple-blue flowers in pin cushion-like heads, which are dusted in silver.

Forming a low rosette of powdery grey-green leaves, Salvana sends up thick stems that rise taller than the leaves. It bears clusters of the violet purple-blue flowers during late spring and early summer.

Planting Salvana by a moist rock garden, in light shade, or beside a stream or pond, will add a vivid array of color to the area. Held in clusters of ten to thirty, the flowers will make a lovely and unique addition to your spring bouquets!

Salvana grows best in sheltered areas with full to partial sun and clay-rich, fertile soil. Grow it as you would any other wild and beautiful spring flower, naturalized in an informal garden setting; flourishes even in heavy, boggy soil where many other plants won’t grow. Plants may be carefully divided in early autumn every few years, if desired.

Poppy Care

2009-11-11T17:09:00Z

Poppies need to be planted in well drained soil in a sunny location, and it is wise to take caution as not to over fertilize them. Their growth habit can be annual, biennial, or perennial, depending on the climate; they self-sow freely.

Poppies have fern-like foliage or long, narrow leaves and are a spring flower. Most grow to a height of 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall and bloom with one papery flower per stem in orange, yellow or a wide range of pinks, reds and violets and blues. They make great cut flowers.

During the dry spells in the early season, they should be watered occasionally, but after they have finished blooming and the leaves begin to die down, they should be left alone; the roots seem to enjoy a thorough baking during the hottest months!

Oriental poppies should be mulched in the wintertime. This mulch does not have to be removed in the spring for the leaves soon cover it. After the plants are satisfactorily situated they should be allowed to remain undisturbed for a number of years.

A brilliant poppy to plant is the ‘Harlem’, reaching a height of 32-38 inches. This full sun perennial has beautiful burgundy red flowers with a dark purple center. 'Harlem' is such a breakthrough! This is an oriental poppy that blooms in early summer, with all the other poppies, then rests and reblooms late in the season!

Growing the Heliopsis Plant

2009-11-10T15:52:00Z

Heliopsis is a plant that looks like a sunflower and is often called a false sunflower. The flowers are golden-yellow, daisy-like and grow on an upright, clump-forming perennial that blooms up a storm, often for as long as 12 weeks!

The perennial Heliopsis comes in a variety of yellows, and the flowers appear in mid-summer and are invaluable for brightening the summer garden. A rugged and exceedingly cold hardy plant, it is easily grown in average compost enriched garden soils in full sun; an excellent companion for other native prairie plants.

Removing faded flowers regularly will greatly extend the blooming season. This plant may require staking, particularly when grown in very rich garden soil. Heliopsis plants can grow in dry soil but it is best to water them occasionally and to apply a light fertilizer in the middle of the growing season. Once flowering has finished cut back the plants to the ground in the autumn.

'Tuscan Sun' Heliopsis has a very compact habit. At only 16-20" tall, this variety is truly unique. From mid through late summer, the lovely dark foliage is covered with bright yellow daisies. Use either in the back or middle of a container arrangement. It is a wonderful addition to island beds or in the back or borders or as cut flowers. Resistant to powdery mildew.

Growing the Large ‘Dragon Heart’ Geranium

2009-11-09T16:34:00Z

If you are looking for a flower that will create a bright spot in your yard, Dragon Heart would be a great choice. Geranium 'Dragon Heart' produces 2" wide magenta flowers with black centers and veining. It blooms abundantly from early summer to late summer.

With its carefree growing habit, it is an ideal low maintenance plant that will grow anywhere and provide years of beauty. ‘Dragon Heart’ looks wonderful near the edge of a wall, on a slope, or anyplace that needs a spot of color. The plant has long spreading stems with very large leaves and is deer and rabbit resistant. It is best to lift and divide large colonies in the spring.

One of the most vigorous and hardy geraniums for the front of a sunny border, ‘Dragon Heart’, a perennial, can also cope with a fairly shady spot. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, and will tolerate periods of drought, once established. For this reason, it is a good choice for southern gardens.

Growing the breathtaking 'Red Knee High' coneflower

2009-11-08T18:04:00Z

Add a terrific punch in your landscape by planting the impressive, long blooming perennial, ‘Red Knee High Coneflower. With its brilliant magenta red flowers, it demands attention with a breathtaking display of color! This flowering plant blooms from mid summer through fall to prolong your viewing pleasure.

Growing to a height of 18 to 24 inches, it is a dwarf coneflower that boasts its gorgeous colored flowers atop knee high plants. Using it in combination containers or planting it en masse in the landscape is a site to be seen.

For best results, plant in full sun in a well drained area. Echinacea is known for its large flower heads that turn to seed in the fall, which help feed the birds! It is a great choice for cut flowers, and it adds a wilderness look to your garden.

Growing the Earthy Gold Coneflower -- ‘Harvest Moon’

2009-11-07T22:09:00Z

‘Harvest Moon' Coneflower is a great addition in any perennial garden! It displays daisy-like petals that are wide and overlapping. These deep golden-yellow petals have an orange cone with 4" fragrant flowers and will bloom from June to August. They won't fade or wilt, even in the worst summer heat, and if you cut them for the vase, they'll go strong for 2 weeks or so!

This plant grows 24 to 30 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. For best growing results, plant in full sun. The Coneflower 'Harvest Moon' is one of the newest on the market today. As part of the Big Sky Series, ‘Harvest Moon' is hardy, a vigorous grower and attracts butterflies, bees, and if cones are left on the plant, the birds will feed on them in winter.

Divide clumps of this fragrant, stocky plant in spring every 3 to 4 years. This Coneflower does well in the garden or in pots.

Growing the Spectacular ' Origami Yellow' Columbine

2009-11-06T20:11:00Z

The ‘Origami Yellow’ Columbine has large flowers that are completely yellow in color and have lovely long spurs. The spectacular colors are superb,especially near the front of beds and borders. Use it individually in small clumps, or massed together in combined groupings to create a stunning explosion of extended color.

You can easily grow ‘Origami Yellow’ in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It tolerates a wide range of soils except heavy, poorly drained ones, but rich, moist soils with light to moderate shade is recommended. This upright Columbine, with a moderate growth rate, has flowering stems that reach a height of 14 to 18 inches and thrives in zones 3-9.

it is wise to remove flowering stems after bloom to encourage additional bloom. Keep soils uniformly moist after bloom to prolong attractive foliage. This distinctive foliage adds texture for the rest of the season and provides year round interest, even when the plant isn't in bloom. When foliage depreciates, plants may be cut to the ground.

‘Origami Yellow’ Columbine adds a wonderful color to your garden when in bloom, and should be planted about 12 to 18 inches apart. This plant needs to be replaced every 3-4 years since their productive life dwindles. Columbines will bloom in early to mid-spring each year with fabulous 5 spurred petals sitting above 5 petal-like sepals that combine to create beautiful color combinations.