A quick shout-out to an oft-overlooked ornamental grass that really is one of my favorites. Fall-blooming Feather Reedgrass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) can work as an anchor in your perennial border, with its graceful, arching, inverted-V form. At 4-feet tall and a spread of about 3-feet, it fills holes and pockets in your design and sits happily … Continue reading »
Category Archives: Perennials
More Garden Heidi-ology
A big part of the fun of gardening is getting to know your fellow gardening peeps. This past year, I got to get up close and personal with great gardener Heidi Heiland of Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens of Plymouth, MN. My profile of Heidi and her gardening lab and studio — which also happens to be … Continue reading »
Succulents are succulent; they make me happy
Fine Gardening magazine recently had an article on 10 outstanding succulents to try, which prompted my thinking – midst continuous snow fall and crazy temps – of how happy succulents make me. They teach us snowbunnies much about surviving the winter. They tolerate dryness by holding onto any moisture they can muster up, as best as they can. This … Continue reading »
My on-and-off-again love affair with Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)
Deer resistant, drought tolerant, will handle some shade, all around tough as nails, and interestingly beautiful to boot. So, what’s the problem you may ask. Well, these handsome devils in the garden like to re-seed like crazy. If you happen to be like me and have trouble hoe-ing down volunteer plants, especially ones you love, they can … Continue reading »
Think pink: ‘Pink Fantasy’ clematis gets me wanting color everywhere in the garden
More and more, I find myself picking pink for the garden. Nothing soothes my soul and picks up my spirits like a pink flower. That said, ‘Pink Fantasy’ clematis is a jubilee of pinkness, and a clematis worth a try in your garden. It’s blooming early this year, as are all clematis, and most garden … Continue reading »
Canadian Wild Ginger is a great plant for dry shade
I introduced a tiny patch, a few small plants, of Canadian Wild Ginger to the Garden Drama test garden about 10 years ago, under an Annabelle Hydrangea. I had picked up a tiny pot of it at a plant club sale for 50 cents or so. Well, I am tickled to report that it has … Continue reading »
My vote for clematis of the year: ‘Guernsey Cream’!
So, it’s quite early in the season, but I am already declaring the clematis ‘Guernsey Cream’ as the clematis, the flowering vine, and perhaps the perennial of the year for zone 4. Look at it and this is May 4th! Now, of course, given the year, this would probably be blooming closer to the end … Continue reading »
Plant applause for: Bergenia
One of my favorite spring-blooming groundcovers is in its glory this week. Bergenia have large lobed, waxy leaves, like giant green tongues, that can sometimes have jagged edges, but in a soft, friendly way. Rather cabbage like in feel, rub the leaves and you will understand how it earned its common name of Pig Squeak. … Continue reading »
I’m thinking of clematis a lot lately as we look to planting time
Whatever you are looking for in a perennial flowering vine, there is a clematis to help you out. Most require as much sun as possible, consistent watering, and cool roots. Planting a 12 to 18 inch plant at the base of the clematis will accomplish this. Clematis need a little lateral help to reach their … Continue reading »
Add Monarda and lilies to you gardens now for a jolt in your overall look
Now is the prefect time to look for those holes in your garden beds and fill them in with a fabulous Monarda or lily. The nurseries and garden centers (and fronts of many local grocery stores) are popping with varieties from which to choose. The plants are in bloom at the centers and it’s fun … Continue reading »
