Happy Friday! I know the calendar page has turned to June when the gardenias are in bloom! As soon as I stepped onto the porch, their sweet fragrance wafted my way alerting me that they were in blo…
Happy Friday! I can always count on the gardenias bursting into bloom when the calendar page turns to June. The nose knows :) when they’re in bloom before you ever lay your eyes on them, as their d…
Award-winning Digitalis grandiflora 'Carillon' (Dwarf Yellow Foxglove) is a clump-forming perennial boasting beautiful spikes of creamy-yellow bells flowers adorned with brown spotted throats. Blooming from early to late summer, they rise on leafy stems from a basal rosette of dark green, finely-toothed, evergreen leaves. They are attractive to hummingbirds, which hover near the tubular blossoms. Fitting into almost any setting, this is a wonderful addition to the herbaceous border or woodland garden.
This perennial border is brimming with a colorful, naturalistic planting. It is the perfect tranquil setting in which to relax and enjoy a summer day with friends and family. Easy to grow and fairly low care, most plants are attractive to butterflies or hummingbirds!
Such a captivating blend is not just visually rewarding but is also simple to recreate in any sun-blessed garden.
The genus Scilla (Squills or Bluebells) consists of about 90 species, mostly native to woodlands, subalpine meadows, and seashores throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle-East. Treasured for their flowers, most Scillas bloom in spring, but a few species produce their pretty blooms in late summer or fall. Which one is for you?
One of the fastest-growing and hardiest Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider Gum) is a large evergreen tree of upright, conical habit adorned with a dense canopy and smooth bark, flaking off in large pieces, cream, pinkish and brown. Rich with a sweet fragrance, the aromatic foliage is rounded, bright silver-blue when juvenile, lance-shaped, and blue-green when adult. In summer, small clusters of white fluffy flowers with numerous stamens are borne amongst the foliage.
A border of Asters is an unforgettable spectacle in the fall. Combine them with the graceful silky blossoms of Japanese Anemones, the lavender-purple airy bouquets of Tall Verbena, and architectural ornamental grasses such as the lovely Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis), and you will enjoy a delightful color show which will enlighten your garden for weeks, from mid-summer until late winter.
Vernonia gigantea (Giant Ironweed) is a tall, clump-forming perennial boasting dense, broad, flattened clusters of tiny, fluffy, intense purple, finely petaled flowers in late summer and early fall. Each glorious flower head may consist of up to 30-50 flowers. Attractive to birds and butterflies, the blossoms are borne atop stiff, upright stems clothed in lance-shaped, deep green leaves. They give way to fluffy, rusty seed clusters. As a tall, narrow plant, Giant Ironweed is suited for the back of the border or tight spaces and grows well in the native meadow garden and along ponds and streams.
This Mediterranean climate border is almost overwhelming in its profusion of colors, shapes and textures. All plants are deer and drought resistant.
Stipa gigantea (Giant Feather Grass) is a statuesque and impressive ornamental grass. Its arching gray-green leaves form a dense mound, while tall flower spikes rise above, bearing elegant panicles of silvery spikelets with golden anthers.
Native to Europe, where its bulbs usually enjoy very moist locations, Fritillaria meleagris (Checkered Lily) grows up to 14-16 in. tall (35-40 cm) in a beautiful display of checkered, pendant, bell-shaped flowers atop slender stems. Flower color varies from reddish-brown to purple or white. The delicate flowers are complimented by lance-shaped, grass-like bluish-green leaves.
A breathtaking beauty, Eremurus x isabellinus 'Cleopatra' (Foxtail Lily) is a tall perennial boasting glowing tangerine flower clusters rising high on imposing stalks, adding drama and spectacular vertical lines in the garden. Soaring from a rosette of strap-shaped green leaves from early to mid-summer, each graceful flower spike is richly covered with hundreds of tiny apricot blossoms which open from the bottom upwards for a long-lasting display.
This perennial planting of herbaceous plants creates a colorful ornamental landscape in late spring or early summer. Towering above the delicate, claret flowers of Astrantia major (Mugwort) and the elegant clouds of feathery panicles of Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass), spectacular tall Bearded Irises garner the attention.
Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger' (Shrubby Cinquefoil) is a bushy deciduous shrub of upright habit boasting masses of large, rich yellow flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), from late spring to the first frosts. The blossoms are so profuse that they literally smother the plant. They contrast nicely against the foliage mound of small, pinnate, dark green leaves. Noted for its extremely long blooming season, Shrubby Cinquefoil is an incredibly tough plant, withstanding drought in the summer as well as cold temperatures in winter. It is also one of the easiest plants to care for. A first-class shrub that is perfect for informal hedging, or for sunny borders.
Orlaya grandiflora, or White Lace Flower, is a hardy annual with large, sparkling white flowers that resemble lace-cap hydrangeas.
Filled with statuesque perennials planted in large drifts, this border will explode with color from early summer until frost. Fairly easy to recreate, this planting includes plants that are easy to grow, drought tolerant, require low care and are disease-free!
A giant in the world of the Fescues, Festuca mairei (Atlas Fescue) is a long-lived evergreen clumping grass which forms fountain-like mounds up to 24-36 in. tall and wide (60-90 cm) with a rich khaki green foliage. Native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, hence its common name, this handsome ornamental grass is mostly grown for its tidy foliage, which brings interest to the landscape all year around in warm winter areas. Its tiny flowers are inconspicuous. Aside from its foliage interest, it is drought tolerant once established (although regular waterings would be appreciated), virtually trouble-free and requires low maintenance. This plant doesn't need to be cut back.
A very desirable garden plant, Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum', commonly known as Plume Thistle, is a tall, branching, upright perennial exhibiting strong, leafless stems with pincushion-like, deep crimson flowers, up to 1 in wide (3 cm), atop a large basal rosette of soft green leaves. A magnet for bees and birds!
Awash with colors and shapes, this fabulous perennial planting brilliantly associates the bold, steel blue globe-shaped flowers of Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle) with the elegant, soft pink Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) and the vertical white spires of Agastache rugosa (Korean Mint).
Camellia sinensis (Tea Plant) is a slow-growing, large, upright evergreen shrub with leathery, lance-shaped, toothed, glossy dark green leaves, 5 in. long (12 cm). Fragrant, white flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), adorned with many golden-yellow stamens appear in fall to early winter. The flowers attract bees, and it is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
This prairie style planting is composed of vigorous perennials which will add drama in your garden from early summer to fall.
Aren't these graceful violet-blue flowers, shimmering in the summer sunlight, attractive when combined with the undulating creamy tan grass fountains? Blooming from late spring to late summer, this low maintenance ensemble, on display at Chanticleer Garden, has been realized with Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) and the stunning Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima or Stipa tenuissima). They both present quite an impressive show in the garden!
Well-behaved, Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Alba' is upright, clump-forming perennial boasting narrow spires densely packed with small, bell-shaped, white flowers held on long, graceful wands over a long season. Blooming from midsummer to fall, they rise well above the foliage mound of large, oval, pointed, mid green leaves.
Create a lovely border with Monarda (Bee Balm), Agastache (Hyssop), and Echinacea (Coneflower), combining vibrant colors and attracting pollinators
A relatively low-growing combination of plants that makes the most of a poor soil! Most of these plants are drought tolerant, deer resistant, low maintenance, excellent as cut flowers and real magnets for butterflies and bees.
English Lavender 'Hidcote' is a beloved variety known for its fragrant, long-lasting blooms and striking contrast between dark purple flower spikes and blue-green foliage.
Growing roses by themselves would be an open invitation to the pests and diseases that favor roses. Roses are healthier when we provide them with companion plants which help repel destructive bugs and pests while encouraging beneficial insects. Here, the lovely English rose 'Lady of Shalott' is interplanted with Nepeta (catmint) and Achillea (Yarrow). Easy to grow, these perennials make the apricot chalice-shaped roses appear more vibrant than they would on their own, cover their exposed knees without covering their romantic rose blooms, attract a huge number of insects, are good at keeping rabbits away and flower just as the roses begin to bloom - providing an attractive early and long-lasting display.
Native to Asia, India and the Himalayas, Hedychium (Ginger Lily) are rhizomatous perennials boasting very attractive flowers, often beautifully perfumed, and equally ornamental, lance-shaped leaves. Evergreen in tropical conditions, deciduous elsewhere, Ginger lilies bloom in late summer or early fall. They spread indefinitely by rhizomes and look great in borders or containers.
Vigorous, Persicaria affinis 'Superba' (Lesser Knotweed) is a mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial boasting charming spikes, 3 in. long (8 cm), densely packed with tiny, pale pink flowers that deepen to crimson as they mature. Blooming for weeks from midsummer into fall, the blossoms are borne above the foliage mat of elliptic to lance-shaped, deep green leaves which turn bronzy-red in the fall. This dwarf variety makes a wonderful ground cover for the garden.
Primarily used as a ground cover, Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme) is a dwarf, aromatic shrub forming a low cushion of tiny, pointed, glossy blue-green leaves that turn bronze in the fall. Blooming profusely from early to mid-summer, it features clusters of tiny, deep pink-purplish flowers. Rich in nectar, they attract butterflies.
A delightful choice! Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' is a compact and highly fragrant Lavender with beautiful rosy purple flowers.
This effortlessly graceful plant ensemble creates an inviting garden sanctuary from spring to fall. Most plants have received awards.
Our Gardenias are in bloom. . .I wish you could smell them! I apologize for there not being a ‘scratch and sniff’ option here ;) Almost overnight our two shrubs were covered in fragran…
Blooming later than most Aconitum species, award-winning Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii'(Monkshood) is an erect, tuberous perennial with dense spires of rich azure-blue flowers in early to mid-fall. Its hooded flowers resemble the hood worn by medieval monks, hence the common name of monkshood. They are borne atop thick, rigid stems clad with handsome foliage of deeply divided, leathery, dark green leaves. This fall-flowering makes outstanding cut flowers and is perfect for wet soils.
Awash with colors and shapes, this luminous plant combination brilliantly associates the elegant, soft pink Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) with the vertical white spires of Agastache rugosa f. albiflora (Giant Hyssop) and the graceful rose flower spikes of Pennisetum orientale (Oriental Fountain Grass). You may want to further spice up this prairie style planting with the bold, steel blue globe-shaped flowers of Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle). With a long season of interest, most
Dramatic and versatile, perennial Salvias are wonderful plants to enjoy over a long season of interest. Blooming in shades of blue, violet, pink or white, they usually peak in late spring or early summer but may continue to produce new blooms through summer and in fall. Fragrant, they are combined with other aromatic plants in this mixed border
With a soft palette of pastel-colored flowers, Achillea millefolium 'Summer Pastels' is a stunning Yarrow with masses of long-lasting flower clusters, up to 8 in. wide (20 cm), in glorious shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, salmon, lilac, purple and white. Its pleasantly aromatic, green fern-like foliage is disease resistant and nicely compliments the cheerful flat umbel flowers. Blooming for weeks from early to late summer, this eye-catching beauty easily enlivens any sunny corner of the garden.
Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) is a magnificent and unique ornamental grass that captivates with its tall, silver-gray plumes.
Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Daisy) is a graceful, trailing, woody-based perennial noted for its endless production of small daisies almost year-round. Opening white, the delicate flowers turn soft pink, fade to purple and attract butterflies and bees. Hugging the ground, this charming groundcover forms a low mound of narrow, hairy, gray-green leaves. Its beautiful cascading habit makes it ideal for raised beds, walls, hanging baskets or containers.
Design an informal cottage garden with mixed flower borders, winding pathways, trellises, and cozy seating areas, creating an enchanting atmosphere in your yard
