Columbine–botanical name Aquilegia–has bell-shaped flowers reminiscent of daffodils with the addition of showy spurs. Columbine flowers appear in pastels, deep shades, and white. Foliage is lacy and reminiscent of maidenhair fern. This is one of the most valuable of hardy perennials for its exquisite, durable, lobed foliage which often turns to rich colors in autumn, […] More
Primula vulgaris–commonly called English primrose–bears clusters of 3 to 25 often fragrant flowers in spring. Primula vulgaris is native to England and is widely distributed throughout Europe. Primula vulgaris flowers are salverform, meaning they form a narrow tube with petals abruptly bent outwards at right angles. flowers are commonly yellow, but there are many colors. […] More
Polyanthus primrose is a tender semi-evergreen hybrid perennial that produces single blossoms or umbels of up to 20 flowers in spring. Polyanthus primroses are often called English primroses. Polyantha or English primroses are widely hybridized and cultivated. There are many cultivars and strains widely available at garden centers and nurseries. Polyantha primroses are often listed […] More
Sisyrinchium – commonly called Blue-eyed grass–bears star, cup, or shallowly trumpet-shaped flowers that can be blue, yellow, mauve, white, and occasionally pink. The flowers appear in summer and are borne singly or in umbel-like clusters. Sisyrinchium despite its common name is not a grass; it is a relative of the iris. Sisyrinchium produces clumps of linear […] More
Campanula–commonly called bellflower–are popular perennials and biennials covered with bell-shaped flowers. Varieties include small mounded plants and tall branched plants. There are nearly 300 species of bellflower. Campana is Latin for “bell.” Campanula flowers are usually bell-shaped but can also be a star, cup, or saucer-shaped. Each flower has five “petals” or lobes. Flowers are […] More
Oxalis is a small ornamental plant with shamrock-like, 3-leaflet leaves. Oxalis bears small flowers with five rounded petals; flowers can be pink, white, rose, or yellow. Outdoors Oxalis is suited for a rock garden or garden bed. Some species can become weedy so it is important they are grown so they won’t get in the […] More
Perennials are often referred to as the “busy gardener’s favorites” because they make unnecessary the sowing of seeds or the setting out of transplants every year. A perennial is in the garden for at least two years and most for much longer. Perennials, especially in their flowering habit, offer the gardener many advantages. Added advantage: […] More
To attract hummingbirds to your garden provide a habitat that will give them food, water, shade, and shelter. Plant flowering shrubs, trees, perennials, annuals, and vines on which they can perch and nest, and from which they can get the nectar they need to thrive. Hummingbirds rely on bright colors to find their food. Choose […] More
Summer arrives toward the end of this month. Now is the time–before hot weather arrives–to finish your spring garden chores. After weeding beds and borders, sprinkle slow-release organic fertilizer around each plant then add an aged compost mulch across beds. Aged compost will work itself into the soil through the summer improving both moisture retention […] More
Androsace–often called rock jasmine–is a low growing alpine plant that produces small rosettes of hairy leaves and stemless or short-stemmed tubular flowers singly or in umbels. Androsace is often a selection for miniature rock gardens. It is mostly grown by alpine plant specialists. There are about 100 species in the Androsace genus, almost all are […] More
May is the month most gardens begin to look more and more like the summer garden. By mid-month, most warm-season annuals and perennials can be sown or transplanted out in most gardens without worry. May is the month to get shrubs and trees planted; you want these big-rooted plants to get a foothold before the […] More
Rabbit-resistant plants are one solution to preventing rabbits from consuming the garden. Rabbits can be destructive garden pests, consuming flower, foliage, and tender shoots. When it comes to the garden, rabbits have nothing in their favor except their attractive appearance and engaging manner, and the fact that they seem to be nobody’s enemy. That said, […] More
Stephen Albert