Bloom Day 3, August 4, 2011

What's big, impressive, clump-forming with lots of appeal?  Why Thalictrum 'Lavender Mist', of course.   When lavender mist meadow rue is in bloom, I always ask myself why I don't have more of this stunning plant.  Thalictrum 'Lavender Mist' will produce an impressive backdrop for a natural looking, wildflower garden with its open airy habit.

Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' with 'Lavender Mist'

Planted in part shade in my garden, this meadow rue is over 6 feet tall. Lavender Mist  is more upright, but much airier than other meadow rues. This allows the plant to show off its purplish stalks, and draws the attention to the lavender flowers with yellow anthers. The result is a graceful cloud of misty lavender flowers that never fail to draw attention as it mingles with other flowers.

Lavender mist meadow rue is a very carefree plant not bothered by any insects.  Note to self:  buy more Lavender Mist for next year!

We've all heard of Caryopteris clandonensis, commonly known as blue mist spirea.  But did you know there is a perennial Caryopteris in the family?   Caryopteris divaricata 'Blue Butterflies' is a vigorous plant topping out at over 6 feet; however, the plant can be cut back to layer or keep more compact.  From late July  through October hundreds of small blue-curled flowers resembling blue butterflies will cover the full-sun plant.

Blue Butterflies is another carefree plant that does not seem to be bothered by any insects or deer.  Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers and is easily divided in the spring for additional plants.

One of the highlights of a late summer garden is Tricyrtis for- mosana.  Long past when other plants have come and gone, Tricyrtis takes its place center stage with its miniature orchid-like flowers. This is an excellent plant to be used in a shady border or by itself in a more natural setting where it can be seen up close.

Tricyrtis formosana grows best in moist but well drained, humus-rich soil in deep to partial shade. Do not plant in full sun because the leaves will burn. This plant will form a rhizomatous clump over time. Tricyrtis formosana should not be allowed to dry out completely and would benefit from a layer of mulch when dormant.

Now that I've piqued your interest in Tricyrtis formosana, I'll share the plant's common name...toad lily...good thing I didn't tell you that first.  There are a few interesting theories about how the toad lily got its name. One theory is that it was named because the spotted appearance of the flowers was reminiscent of the spots on a toad. Another theory is that the name stems from the reputed practice of a native Philippine tribe of using the juice of the plant while collecting frogs to attract the frogs and make them less slippery when caught.  You decide, but I guarantee you won't get warts from this toad lily.

Bloom Day--Part 1, June 4, 2011

June means the start of summer and finally an end to the frantic spring cleanup and mulching. Long gone are the spring bulbs and the beautiful blooming shrubs and trees. Spring perennials are also winding down with their blooms. But most importantly to me, June means the long procession of summer perennials. In the Bloom Day Series I will share with you my favorite perennials throughout the season with the hope you may find something that piques your interest. The hard part will be limiting my choices as I tend to love whatever is in bloom.

Before I get to current blooms, I would like to share some spring blooms. Melittis melissophyllum is absolutely one of my most favorite spring bloomers. Relatively unknown to North American gardens, this 12" mounding perennial has downy, honey-scented foliage. Small orchid-like flowers are clustered near the stem tips, white with a wine-red lip and very attractive to butterflies. In my garden, melittis is planted in full sun with plenty of moisture and flowers in late spring.

Have you ever wondered how common plant names are derived? Well, this one certainly makes me scratch my head, and I take no credit whatsoever with bestowing the name "bastard balm."

Melittis melissophyllum, Myosotis, Alamo Fire Lupine

Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' is another spring favorite. The wonderful fragrance of Blue Moon is only outdone by the beautifully intense blue-violet color. Phlox divaricata, woodland phlox, prefers semi-shade with moist fertile soil and reaches 12". I have not been fortunate enough to have mine self sow.

Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon'

If you like Centaurea montana, mountain bluet, then perhaps you will also like Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst in Snow’. I have always loved centaurea and because I have so many, I do not deadhead. Instead, when they get to the point of looking raggedy, I simply cut to the ground. They put out fresh growth and will rebloom. Amethyst in Snow has the same growing characteristics as mountain bluet. Both are prolific spreaders, so remember to deadhead or shear back if you don't want it to reseed...and believe me, it will reseed.

Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst in Snow’

Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus, won my heart by the simple fact it grows into beautiful bouquets. This is a short-lived perennial that is perhaps best grown as a biennial. Sweet William grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun, but will bloom longer with some afternoon shade. Sweet William has reseeded for me each year and I love finding it in unexpected places. I have read prompt deadheading of spent flowers (shear back large plantings) promotes perennial tendencies. Seed may be planted directly in the garden in late spring for bloom the following year.

Folklore has it that this flower honored William, Duke of Cumberland, on his return from victory over the Scots at the Battle of Culloden in 1745. Unimpressed, the Scots retaliated by naming one of their worst weeds Stinking Billy.

Dianthus barbatus

I discovered Kalimeris incisa 'Blue Star' about 3 years ago and boy and I glad I did. A long-blooming perennial that doesn't ask for much in return except well-drained soil...maybe some oohs and ahhs wouldn't hurt either. ‘Blue Star’ is a clump-forming perennial the will grow to about 18". When the plant finally starts to slow down in flowering, shear back a little and watch for blooms once again.

Kalimeris incisa 'Blue Star'

Bloom Day 2