Thursday, May 2, 2013

Perennial Musings

What a busy spring gardening season it's been!  Colder than normal temperatures have actually been a boondoggle for garden cleanup and renovation and I've been in overdrive.  For the most part, I've finished the spring shuffle of existing plants.  Instead of plopping things throughout the garden, I've forced myself to concentrate on certain garden areas.  As a result, I've opened up garden space that I didn't realize I had.


Looking back towards my patio from the shed garden


For the past few years I've been focused mostly on shrubs and tender plants.  What perennials I have purchased have been in willy nilly groups of one.  This year instead of running out to buy one of whatever catches my eye, I decided to look at some of my favorites and get one or two more of those to create a few groupings.  The key word is a few groupings.  Let's not go off the rails here.  Keep in mind, I'm a plant collector with a penchant for the unusual and my garden is relatively small.

That being said, I struggle with plant decisions in a few garden areas and I think adding more of what is working now will enhance the space.  Although I admire tall, bold perennials in other people's gardens, the sun conditions in my garden(too much sun for shade plants and not enough for sun lovers) coupled with my lax staking habits would never allow the likes of a Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' to grow into anything other than an unsightly, floppy mess.  Same with some of the big ornamental grasses...flopfest.

So I am forever on the hunt for plants that will grow well in part sun, stay under three feet tall, don't require staking, bloom late, and have interesting foliage that holds up throughout the growing season.  Now you know why I prefer shrubs and bold tropicals.  Below are a few perennials that do make the grade.  Google can provide detail on size and cultural requirements.  All are all growing well for me in part sun and average to dry garden soil.

Phlox paniculata 'Shockwave' and 'Norah Leigh'

I love Phlox, really I do, but I hate unsightly foliage.  Both of these variegated varieties are long bloomers, strong growers and do not succumb to powdery mildew.  Whatever you do, avoid variegated Phlox 'Becky Towe'.  Despite compelling foliage, she has unfortunately turned out to be a dud.


Phlox paniculata 'Shockwave'


Phlox paniculata 'Norah Leigh'


Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

Last year I devoted a blog post to this one.  Early but relatively long bloomer.  Dark basal foliage looks good all season.





Sedum 'Autumn Charm'

Yes, another variegated plant.  If they aren't your thing, avert your eyes.  Autumn Charm is the the first variegated sedum I've grown that has neither reverted or withered away.  Last year I bought one that I thought was 'Autumn Charm' but was tagged 'Autumn Delight', supposedly a sport.  Either it was tagged wrong or they are very similiar because I can't tell which is which.  Given the choice, I would play it safe and go with 'Autumn Charm'.





Iris pallida 'Aureo Variegata' and 'Albo Variegata'

Admittedly I'm not an Iris fan.  Like daylilies, the dazzling variety of flowers are gorgeous and compelling but after they bloom, the ratty foliage leaves me cold.  I have a few Iris scattered throughout obscure corners of the garden but only the the Variegata twins get front and center spots.  For many years Aureo Variegata has been hard to find.  Thankfully itseems to be making a comeback on the perennial benches this year.


The Twerpster keeping his eyes on the Iris pallida 'Albo Variegata'


Sanguisorba officinalis 'Lemon Splash'

Through no fault of the plant I've yet to grow this one well.  Last year one of my plants got swamped by a Eupatorium 'Chocolate' and another by the return of what I thought was an annual Agastache.  This week I grouped both of them together in a new spot where I hope they will grow as well as they do in my friend Monique's garden.


Flowers of Sanguisorba officinalis 'Lemon Splash'


Physostegia virginiana 'Variegata'

Easy to grow, late blooming, fabulous foliage accent and not a thug.





Kalimeris integrifolia

Just to prove I do grow plants that are not variegated, I'm tossing this easy peasy plant into the mix.  I grow both the straight species and a lavender version, 'Blue Star'.  They can get a little floppy, but a hard shear in May or June takes care of that.  Below is a picture taken in mid August of just one plant.  If you're looking for a long blooming filler, look no further.  







Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Golden Arrow'

More restrained than the plain green 'Firetail' and in my opinion infinitely better foliage structure.





Artemesia lactiflora 'Guizhou'
 
Last one, I promise.  While perusing pictures for this post, I realized how many perennials I do grow that I would like to see more of in my various gardens.  For some reason Picasa has gone haywire though and has been testing my patience the last couple of days.
 
Artemesia 'Guizhou' is somewhat of an oddball.  Even though it's tall, it's see through and can be used effectively in the front of a border.  For years I've had some languishing in a dry, shady part of my garden.  Wouldn't you know it, when I went to grab some to transplant a few weeks ago it seems to have perished!  Looks like I'll have to divide from the flourishing plant.  For this one I do provide light support.
 
 
   
 
 
Based on recommendations from trusted sources I am also trying a few new to me perennials this year.  It's time to break out of my rut and add some non variegated stuff. 
 
In the past I have not had success with dark foliage Geraniums but I'm being led to believe Geranium 'Orkney Cherry' is a cut above.  Supposedly Penstemon 'Red Riding Hood' is a long bloomer and better tolerant of the winter wet we get in the Northeast.  Hopefully I won't be saying I told myself so because my Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' has powdery mildew.  So far I haven't found anything not to like about Helleborus 'Pink Frost'.  Despite my claim that I'm for foliage over flowers, Chysanthemum (Dendranthema) 'Matchsticks' appears to be out to prove otherwise.  We shall see.
 
Naturally there are more but I'l leave those for another time.
 
 
Sue~


28 comments:

  1. This post could go on forever and I'd love it!

    I think I've pushed artremesia Guizhou for at least 12 years! I like it so much!

    Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Golden Arrow' I hope mine returns. I just love it!

    I too use agastache. I wish it came back well...but this is one annual I just have to have! I never considered it with sanguisorba. What is lemon about your variety?

    Just today I was looking at my martagon lilies...and they had lily beetles on them! Geez, I thought they were immune! They were last year...

    Oh the challenges. This week has been beautiful weather but ever so exhausting for my back...

    Thanks for this Sue!
    'bug

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie, I believe it was pictures you posted on GW that turned me on to A. 'Guizhou'. Until I moved it to a better spot a couple of years ago it really never wowed me. Right plant, right spot.

      Due to lily leaf beetle I've gotten rid of the majority of my lilies. Hand picking just isn't practical for me and I don't want to use the toxic soil drench. What a shame but not much I can do.

      Delete
  2. You nailed it: "adding more of what is working now" is the key to a mature garden. Like you I had to get over the collection of one of this, one of that, and take stock of what likes to be in my garden. Then get more.

    I like that you focused on foliage interest as well as nice blooms. Those two phlox recommendations are great to know. I have a variegated tall sedum called Frosty Morn that is strongly white-edged that you might like.

    It's all going to please you so much more when you have repetition, masses of a few plants, and lots of things that are happy in your garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Believe me I'm still not over the collection phase and the largest drift you can expect to see in my garden will be drifts of three :).

      Tonight I was cleaning out my front curb garden and realized I still do have a Sedum 'Frosty Morn'. Most of it had reverted but maybe I'll try it again. Another promising sedum that didn't make this post is S. 'Xenox', a purple leaf variety. So far my one trial plant from last season has come back and looks good.

      So many plants, so little space.

      Delete
  3. Great post Sue and you've focused in on two of my garden favorites, Phlox 'Nora Leigh' and 'Shockwave' are real winners. Another favorite is P. 'Flame Pink' its a dwarf and blooms forever, Great for front of the border color. I just bought S. 'Autumn Charm' last year and I think I'm going to really like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monique turned me on to both Shockwave and Autumn Charm as well as Sanguisorba 'Lemon Splash'. Of course she has more sun than me but usually her recommdations are spot on.

      Delete
  4. Sue, you are excessive as I am, and your variety and presentation are enviable. As you so love variegated foliage, have you been to Variegated Foliage Nursery in Eastford, Connecticut? If not, Stan the Man would love to see you coming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been a VFN customer for many years, Lee. In fact I used to spend an entire Saturday in the "quiet corner" visiting VFN, Carol's Collectibles (before she moved to Maine), Quackin' Grass, Woodland Trails, and all the greenhouses and garden centers along Route 44 from Bolton on out. It's been a while...time a road trip perhaps.

      Delete
    2. It's true Lee! I've been there with her and with a bunch of other garden addicts. That was long ago.

      Delete
    3. I shoulda known. Amazing I didn't run into you two. We need to start a group: Gardeners Anonymous. I'll be in the Georgia chapter.

      Delete
  5. That Twerpster photo is great. Have you turned him into a vegetarian so that he stares only at plants, or is there a small rodent crawling around in the garden?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As far as I'm concerned, he can kill as many rodents as he wants. No more mice in my ceilings since the Twerpinator arrived on the scene.

      Delete
  6. Great post Sue! It's always nice to know what does well for others. I love phlox. It's a great cut flower as well. I've tried 'Becky Towe' & "Nora Leigh' and both faded away for me. I'll have to try 'Nora Leigh' again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Becky is a dog but I'm surprised you didn't have better luck with Nora. Definitely try again.

      Delete
  7. I love many of these and the 'Firetail' is just beginning to gain momentum here. I am not sure about the variegated phlox. I have mixed feelings on their sensory overload but I understand why you would love them. Great choices all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Variegated foliage is definitely not for every gardener. Being a foliage nut, I can tell whether a nursery will hold my attention by looking out at the perennial benches. The less plain green, the better :).

      Delete
  8. I, too, have one plant of this and one plant of that, but adding more of what's working seems like a no-brainer. I really love 'Dark Towers'. That dark foliage is fabulous! And I love variegated foliage, too, and wish I had more it in my garden. I'm trying Red Robin Hood in my garden this year, too. It's a beautiful plant. I hope it does well for both of us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Drifts of one" is still the predominant design element and I suspect it always will be. In a small garden like mine where the individual garden areas are small, you can make them work-especially when the plants are large.

      I haven't planted Red Robin penstemon yet. Still mulling over the available options. I have high hopes though.

      Delete
  9. Glad to hear both of those stunning phlox are real performers. I love variegated foliage and paired with such colors is a da bomb. Thanks for the info.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lately I've been shying away from new plant introductions until a gardener I trust has recommended it-especially Heucheras and Echinaceas. Too many are rushed to market. Variegated plants are generally not as robust as their plain green relatives. When I find one that is, I'm more than happy to pass that information along.

      Delete
  10. I laughed at your statement about a "few" groupings. I, too, suffer from plant collector syndrome and tend to buy one plant "just to try." On my last expedition, I bought 3 of one plant in an effort to break the habit and, briefly, thought "maybe I should get 5" and then decided, there's no reason to go overboard in the other direction. I love the Penstemon 'Dark Towers" - I wonder where I can find ONE of those to try?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I'm trying something new that hasn't come with a seal of approval I always buy only one. If it works, you can always go back for more next season.

      Penstemon 'Dark Towers' has been a fabulous performer for me-much better than 'Husker (not so) Red'. Good luck on the hunt!

      Delete
  11. I'm very fond of Penstemon digitalis, but I haven't tried 'Dark Towers'. I have the old variety 'Husker Red' and the straight species, and am happy with both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'Husker Red' just never seemed to live up to it's billing in my garden. I like 'Dark Towers' much, much better.

      Delete
  12. I think the "One of Everything" syndrome gets a bum rap. It actually makes sense when you are experimenting with a new variety and you're not sure it will work. Why end up with three duds instead of just one, right? I can't tell you how many times that has happened to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! Especially with perennials costing between $10 and $20 a pop in many nurseries these days. I do more research now before buying and try to avoid the impulse purchases. Except when it comes to tender plants for my containers I throw all caution to the wind.

      Delete
  13. I also grow kalimeris and it's a keeper. Your variegated sedum looks like my variegated sedum but it has a different name, like snowy something or other. $20 perennials burn me up. Such price gouging! Your Dark Towers looks pretty cool. I may have to add that one if my current penstemon patch croaks on me.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You've got a lot going on in that garden.

    The kitty thinks of how easy it would be to do a bit of trimming the plants. With claws.

    ReplyDelete