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| Plant Name | Cultivar | Type | Thumbnail |
| Hybrid Tea Rose Rosa - 3/2008 Walmart $5.00 - back garden - planted 3/08 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 5/20/08 - 'Red Masterpiece' is a Hybrid Tea rose which produces large, double, deep red flowers that are extremely fragrant. Foliage is large, leathery, dark green. In general, roses are a large group of flowering shrubs, most with showy flowers that are single-petalled to fully double-petalled. Leaves are typically medium to dark green, glossy and ovate, with finely toothed edges. Vary in size from 1/2 inch to 6 inches, five petals to more than 30, and in nearly every color. Often the flowers are very fragrant. Most varieties grow on long canes that sometimes climb. Unfortunately, this favorite plant is quite susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests, many of which can be controlled with good cultural practices. Characteristics Cultivar: Red Masterpiece Size: Height: 1.5 ft. to 5 ft. Width: 1.5 ft. to 4 ft. Plant Category: edibles, shrubs, Plant Characteristics: edible flowers, high maintenance, Foliage Characteristics: medium leaves, deciduous, Foliage Color: dark green, green, Flower Characteristics: double, erect, fragrant, showy, Flower Color: reds, Bloomtime Range: Mid Spring to Mid Fall Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9 Light Range: Sun to Full Sun pH Range: 5.5 to 7.5 Soil Range: Sandy Loam to Some Clay Water Range: Normal to Moist - | 'Red Masterpiece' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Floribunda Rosa - 3/2008 Mayo's All American Roses $8.00 - driveway - planted 3/23/08 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 5/08/08 - Sun/Water Requirements: Partial sun. Moderate climate. ARS says: "6+ hours of sun." Hardiness Zone 5 to Zone 10 ARS says: "Needs good soil, fertilizer and water." Growth: Range: Grows from 3' to 4'. ARS says: "Upright,vigorous." Flowers: Color: Pink, Yellow Petal Count: Approx. 40 per bloom. Bloom Size: Approx. 4 inches in diameter. ARS says: "Rosa 'Redgold' is a Floribunda rose. Gold edged withdeep pink 35-40 petals 3.5-4"." Foliage: Color: Leaves are dark green. Texture: Glossy Awards: Portland Gold Medal 1969, AARS 1971 Slight fragrance. ARS says: "Nice color display" - | 'Redgold' | Plants |  (georgewms) |
| Grandiflora Rose Rosa - 3/22/2008 Home Depot $5.00 - front - planted 3/23/08 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 5/25/08 3/2009 new growth by 5/2009 blooms appeared by - Grandiflora Rose, Scarlet Knight Grandiflora Rose General Description Like most Grandiflora roses, Scarlet Knight is a tall, upright shrub with very large flowers at the tip of short stems. Its flowers are lightly fragrant, double (extra petals), cupped and dark red, borne singly or in clusters of up to five that cover the canopy of the plant during the first flush of bloom. Removing spent flowers and spent stems encourages the growth of new stems and another flush of bloom. Flowering can continue from early summer into autumn. Flowers last well on the plant and darken to near-black edges as they age. This is a large, deciduous, thorny shrub with leathery green leaves. Like most roses, Scarlet Knight (also known as ‘Meielec’) grows and flowers best in full sun on fertile, well-drained soil. To reduce the risk of diseases, give it room so air can circulate and dry the leaves after rains. Mulch with compost, composted manure or shredded leaves to enrich the soil and conserve moisture. Water during dry spells but do not wet the leaves. Use Scarlet Knight as an accent plant in mixed borders and beds, as a foundation plants, or grouped to make a hedge. - | 'Scarlet Knight' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Miniature Rose Rosa - 12/27/07 Pope's $10.00 - Side of house - planted 12/27/07 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 5/3/08 - 'Tropical Twist' is a Miniature rose which produces double, coral-orange-apricot flowers with yellow undersides. As it ages, the flowers change to coral-pink with cream undersides. In general, roses are a large group of flowering shrubs, most with showy flowers that are single-petalled to fully double petalled. Leaves are typically medium to dark green, glossy, and ovate, with finely toothed edges. Vary in size from 1/2 inch to 6 inches, five petals to more than 30, and in nearly every color. Often the flowers are very fragrant. Most varieties grow on long canes that sometimes climb. Unfortunately, this favorite plant is quite susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests, many of which can be controlled with good cultural practices. Characteristics Cultivar: Tropical Twist Plant Category: shrubs, Plant Characteristics: high maintenance, Foliage Characteristics: medium leaves, Foliage Color: dark green, green, Flower Characteristics: showy, Flower Color: creams, oranges, pinks, yellows, Hardiness Zone: 5 to 10 Light Range: Sun to Full Sun pH Range: 5.5 to 7.5 Soil Range: Sandy Loam to Some Clay Water Range: Normal to Moist - | 'Tropical Twist' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Climbing Hybrid Tea Rosa - 3/2008 Mayo's $8.00 - driveway - planted 3/08 new growth 3/08 - 'Tropicana' was bred in Germany and introduced in 1960. A classic hybrid tea, it has long-stemmed, pointed, formal orange-red blooms that are well suited for cutting. It is currently the third best-selling rose in the United States; Martha remembers caring for 'Tropicana' roses in her father's Nutley, New Jersey, garden. Hybrid teas, the most popular class of roses, are modern bush roses that grow into sturdy, upright plants. Most bloom continuously or in flushes throughout the growing season. Plant type rose Hardiness zones 6 to 10 Light full-sun Height 4 ft. to 5 ft. Spread 3 ft. to 4 ft. Bloom time fall,summer Flower color orange-red Bloom size 5 in. to 5 in. Foliage color medium-green - | 'Tropicana, Cl.' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Climber Rosa - 4/2008 Walmart $15.00 - side of house - planted 4/08 new growth 4/08 was already blooming 3/2009 new growth by 5/2009 blooms appeared by - 'Westerland' is a Floribunda rose which produces clusters of double, bright apricot-orange flowers with large, soft, dark green leaves. In general, roses are a large group of flowering shrubs, most with showy flowers that are single-petalled to fully double petalled. Leaves are typically medium to dark green, glossy, and ovate, with finely toothed edges. Vary in size from 1/2 inch to 6 inches, five petals to more than 30, and in nearly every color. Often the flowers are very fragrant. Most varieties grow on long canes that sometimes climb. Unfortunately, this favorite plant is quite susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests, many of which can be controlled with good cultural practices. Characteristics Cultivar: Westerland Size: Height: 0 ft. to 8 ft. Width: 0 ft. to 4 ft. Plant Category: climbers, shrubs, Plant Characteristics: high maintenance, Foliage Characteristics: deciduous, Foliage Color: green, Flower Characteristics: double, erect, fragrant, showy, Flower Color: oranges, yellows, Bloomtime Range: Mid Spring to Mid Fall Hardiness Zone: 5 to 10 Light Range: Sun to Full Sun pH Range: 5.5 to 7.5 Soil Range: Sandy Loam to Some Clay Water Range: Normal to Moist - | 'Westerland' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Large Flowered Climbing Rose Rosa - 12/21/07 Pope's $10.00 - planted 12/21/07 new growth 4/08 blooms appeared 5/15/08 3/2009 new growth by 5/2009 blooms appeared by - 'White Dawn' is a large-flowered low climbing rose which produces clusters of double, gardenia-shaped, fragrant white flowers with small, glossy, green leaves. In general, roses are a large group of flowering shrubs, most with showy flowers that are single-petalled to fully double petalled. Leaves are typically medium to dark green, glossy, and ovate, with finely toothed edges. Vary in size from 1/2 inch to 6 inches, five petals to more than 30, and in nearly every color. Often the flowers are very fragrant. Most varieties grow on long canes that sometimes climb. Unfortunately, this favorite plant is quite susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests, many of which can be controlled with good cultural practices. Cultivar: White Dawn Plant Category: climbers, Plant Characteristics: high maintenance, Foliage Characteristics: medium leaves, Foliage Color: dark green, green, Flower Characteristics: double, erect, fragrant, showy, Flower Color: whites, Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9 Light Range: Sun to Full Sun pH Range: 5.5 to 7.5 Soil Range: Sandy Loam to Some Clay Water Range: Normal to Moist - | 'White Dawn' | Plants |  (georgewms) |
| Floribunda Rosa - 12/27/07 Pope's $10.00 - back garden - planted 12/27/07 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 4/15/08 new blooms appeared 5/25/08 3/2009 new growth by - Yellow Ribbons® Groundcover Rose Spreads sunshine through your borders. Lush and luminous - it lights up the landscape with non-fading color. Rosa Yellow Ribbons / Light Yellow / Ovoid,Pointed buds / Blooms 2" / 20 petals / Dark Green foliage / Light,Fresh fragrance / Full Sun / Width: 24in / Height: 12 in - 24 in - | 'Yellow Ribbons' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Grandiflora Rose Rosa grandiflora - 3/22/2008 Mayo's $4.00 - front - planted 3/22/08 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 5/29/08 3/2009 new growth by 5/2009 blooms appeared by - Sundowner Grandiflora Rose General Description A vigorous grandiflora rose, Sundowner blooms with medium-sized cupped, double (extra petals) flowers that are fragrant and apricot in color. This vigorous, much-branched deciduous shrub bears its flowers in clusters on new stems. The leaves are glossy and dark green and the stems are thorny. Like most roses, Sundowner (also known as ‘Maccheup’) grows and flowers best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. It also needs a steady supply of nutrients and water, but fertilize and water sparingly or the new stems will be lax and susceptible to diseases. It helps to give the plant room so breezes can dry the leaves after a rain. Remove diseased leaves from the plant and the ground. Encourage continuous flowering by pruning spent stems. Use Sundowner in mixed borders, along a south-facing wall or fence, planted in a group for a hedge, or for cutting. - | 'Sundowner' | Plants |  (georgewms) |
| Rambler Rose Rosa longicuspis - 3/2009 ???????? free - back fence - 3/2009 discovered this appx 8 ft high by 12 ft wide growing on the back fence 4/2009 blooms appeared - colour: White height: Climber over 12 feet(3.6 m) scent: Medium introduction: Pre 1700 Zone 7 (-11ºC/12.2ºF to -16ºC/3.2ºF) flowers: Single repeat: Once Flowering Rosa longicuspis (syn R. lucens Rolfe, R. yunnanensis (Crep.)Boul.) A. Bertoloni. A robust climber up to 6 m or more, with stiff shining almost evergreen leaves and red-purple young shoots. Leaflets 3 – 7, narrowly ovate to lanceolate or elliptic more or less reticulate, leathery, green beneath, glabrous, 5 – 10 cm long. Flowers about 5 cm across, sweetly scented, from narrowly ovoid buds, in a panicle of up to 15; petals silky on the back. Pedicels and hips often glandular and hairy; hips ovoid, 1.5 – 2 cm long. Native of the eastern Himalayas from Assam to Yunnan and Sichuan where it is found on Mt Emei, growing in hedges, thickets and among rocks, from 1000 to 2000 m, flowering from May to July. Photographed here in May on dry slopes in western Yunnan above the city of Dali. R. longicuspis var sinowilsonnii (Hemsl.) Yu and Ku, differs in its larger leaves, no – or only slightly – hairy pedicels, and broader buds. Described from Mt Emei. Zone 7, will survive down to –15°C Growing wild near Dali Yunnan southern China. - | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
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| Salvia Rosmarinus officinalis - Sept 2007 Mayo's $3.00 - back garden - planted 9/07 new growth 3/08 - Rosemary Rosmarinus means dew of the sea in Latin. It is found in rocky sites and woodland and scrub in the Mediterranean region, Portugal, and northwestern Spain. It is an aromatic, perennial shrub that is now widely cultivated for its aromatic leaves and flowers. Some of the legends connected with this herb are very curious. It is associated with the Virgin Mary. It is said that it used to flower white until Mary hung her cloak on a bush while fleeing Herod's soldiers. It is supposed to be one of the herbs, along with lavender, thyme, pennyroyal, lady's bedstraw, and costmary, found in the manger. For a long time, people believed the reason it would not grow over 6' in 33 years was so as not to stand taller than Christ. It is found traditionally in wedding bouquets as a reminder to the couple of their wedding vows. In the language of flowers it means remembrance and love. Greek students believed it improved the memory, and so they wore it in their hair when studying for exams. Another tale says that if a rosemary plant grows vigorously in a family's garden that it is the woman who wears the pants in the family. In Egypt, it was found in the wrappings of mummies. In Australia, it is worn on Anzac Day, a day set aside to commemorate the dead. In France, during the Middle Ages, it was combined with juniper and burned in bunches in hospitals to kill bacteria. Modern research shows that it does have antibacterial properties. In Hungary, in 1235, Queen Izabella was stricken with a paralyzing illness. A hermit came to court with a preparation of rosemary soaked in wine, which cured her. Since then, this combination, known as Queen Hungary's Water has been used to treat gout and baldness. Queen of Hungary Water 2 oz. unscented alcohol and the following essential oils: 30 drops rosemary 12 drops lemon 5 drop rose 5 drops neoli 2 drops sage 2 drops mint Harvest and Use: Rosemary has many uses besides culinary. It is used as a medicinal, an aromatic, an ornamental in the landscape, as a dye, in cosmetics, and as a houseplant. Rosemary essential oil adds a piney scent to soaps, creams, lotions, perfumes, and toilet water. It is a stimulating herb and makes a wonderful herbal bath when you feel worn out and want to get your blood flowing under your skin again. Just put some in a muslin bag and get in the tub with it. You can also treat yourself to a cleansing and pick-me-up facial steam with a strong infusion. Blend it in potpourri. It can be woven into wreaths and garlands. Rosemary sachets are very nice for scenting drawers. Dry needles can be added to other herbs and made into closet sachets to repel moths. These smell a lot better than mothballs and are not toxic. It yields a green dye. Add a handful of sprigs to the coals before grilling for extra aromatics. Throw the stems into the wood stove for scent. Combine rosemary with lavender, santolina, tansy, and lemongrass into a tulle sachet and hang in the closet with woolens as a moth repellent. Medicinally, a warm tea is good for colds, flu, rheumatic pain, indigestion, and as a stimulating drink for headache and fatigue. It is antiseptic and promotes sweating and the flow of bile. It acts as an antidepressant, a circulatory stimulant, and a tonic for the nervous system and the heart. It is a rich source of vitamin A and vitamin C, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and zinc. It also has antioxidant properties. A strong infusion makes an antiseptic mouthwash and gargle. The essential oil can be used externally as an ingredient in salves for arthritis and to soothe aching muscles. Extracts are found in shampoos. A hair rinse of a strong infusion can help dandruff and is good for dark hair. Do not use the pure oil internally. Like all medicinal plants, be cautious when using as a healing herb. The essential oil should not be used internally and when used externally, it should be diluted as is true for all essential oils except lavender. It should not be used in pregnancy, as it is a uterine stimulant. Large doses are irritating to the kidneys and stomach, but used in lesser amounts as a seasoning, it is perfectly safe. The flavor of rosemary harmonizes with those of poultry, fish, lamb, beef, veal, pork, and game, especially roasts. It also goes well with tomatoes, spinach, peas, mushrooms, squash, cheese, eggs, lentils, and complements chives, chervil, chives, thyme, parsley, and bay. Commercially, an antioxidant prepared from both sage and rosemary improves the stability of soy oil and potato chips. Rosemary adds character to mild soups, marinades, salad dressings, and bouquets garni. Include fresh rosemary in all your Italian sauces. Stud roast pork generously with garlic and rosemary sprigs by making a hole in the meat and pressing the garlic and rosemary into it. Try an herb butter by combining 2 teaspoons rosemary to ½ cup butter. Add it to fruit salad to enhance sweetness without adding sugar. Make a rosemary jelly for roast meats and poultry. Harvest anytime by snipping the ends of the stems. This will cause your plant to bush out. If you do not want it to bush, pull off a few leaves or sprays. Never take more than 20% of the plant. Rosemary is so much better fresh because it dries into tough little sticks that stick in your teeth or ruin the consistency of culinary dishes. If you are cooking with dry rosemary, wrap it in a bundle tied to the pot handle for easy removal. Besides drying, you can freeze whole sprigs. When you need some, remove from the stem. Frozen rosemary is stronger than fresh. Cultivation and Propagation: Who can walk by a rosemary plant without passing their hand across it in order to get a whiff of its exquisite fragrance? I can't. It makes the work of repotting every fall to bring it in worthwhile. It makes a fine perennial border or a beautiful hedgerow. It is bold yet graceful and is handsome alone or as an accent plant on a patio or terrace. Prostrate varieties can be set so as to creep along a wall. They look great in hanging baskets or window boxes. The flowers attract bees and a delicious honey is made from the nectar. You also can create the spokes of an herb wheel with rosemary. Except for the cultivar 'Arp' which is hardy to zone 6, you can only leave rosemary out all year long if you live in a zone 8 to 10. The two reasons people lose their rosemary in the winter are incorrect watering and too heavy a soil. Judicious watering is imperative. It hates wet feet and will surely die if left un-watered for too long. It doesn't like being near a hot sunny window in summer where it will burn. If you are growing it in a container, consider taking it out of the pot and putting it in the garden for the summer where it can wiggle its toes. You will get much more vigorous growth and a healthier plant to survive the winter indoors. When you do repot it, nice, loose soil mixed with perlite, sand, and vermiculite is a must. Rosemary can be grown from seed, but since the germination rate is 30% at best, buy plants from a reputable nursery. Once you have a well-established plant, you can increase your supply by taking cuttings. It can also be propagated by layering. Pests: Indoors, rosemary is susceptible to powdery mildew. Inside winter air is often dry and stagnant, which promotes the disease. A fan for better air circulation helps, as does misting your rosemary. Creeping Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus Group is a tender perennial that only reaches 6 to 12 inches in height, but can spread to 3 feet. Plant creeping rosemary in full sun in the garden border, cascading over walls, trailing down banks, and in window boxes and hanging baskets. It's especially pretty when the lavender flowers are blooming and its long, twisting, curling, re-curving branches spill over the edges of a terra cotta pot.Rosemary 'Arp' Rosmarinus officinalis 'Arp'is a perennial that grows 3 to 5 feet tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet. It prefers full sun, and is the best rosemary for colder climates (survives to -10°F with protection of mulch and/or burlap wrap). It has an open, bushy habit, gray-green, lemony-scented leaves and blue flowers. Grow in ordinary, well-drained soil. Never let it dry out and never let it sit in water - | 'Arp' | Plants |  (georgewms) |
| Rudbeckia Rudbeckia fulgida - 6/7/2009 Home Depot $5.00 - back garden - 6/2009 planted - Rudbeckia fulgida 'Early Bird Gold' Black-Eyed Susan Rich golden yellow daisy-like flowers with a brown cone. A genetic breakthrough in Rudbeckia that bloom earlier and longer. Height: 24 Inches Spacing: 18-24" Additional: 'Early Bird Gold' was discovered in a field of 'Goldsturm' at Dupont Nursery in Louisiana where it bloomed consistently two months before 'Goldsturm' and continued to bloom two months longer as well. Bloom Color: golden yellow/brown cone Black-Eyed Susan Big, bold and colorful describe this group of summer and fall flowering plants. The flowers bear a brownish central cone surrounded by petals of golden-orange and deep yellow. Very drought tolerant. Use in borders and wildflower gardens. Exposure • Sun • Part sun Soil Moisture Needs • Average Growth Rate in the Garden • Medium Critter Resistance • Deer Resistant Nature Attraction • Hummingbirds • Butterflies Season of Interest (Flowering) • Fall • Summer Bloom Color • Yellow • Gold • Brown Attributes • Long Blooming • Container • Good Cut Flowers • For Bird Lovers • Easy to Grow • Drought Tolerant Water Requirements • Prefers well-drained soil • Requires excellent drainage, drought tolerant - | 'Early Bird Gold' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Rudbeckia Species Rudbeckia hirta - cultivar > 'Corona' - 7/20/2009 ? Pope's $7.00 - back corner - 7/20/2009 planted 7/20/2009 already blooming - Rudbeckia hirta ‘Corona’ Gloriosa Daisy Plant Type: Biennial or short-lived Perennial Height / Width: 18 in. H x 12 in. W Plant Form: Upright, well-branched Flower / Fruit: 4 in. wide daisylike, large golden yellow petals with a dark eye Leaf Color,Size: Lance-shaped, rough and hairy, 4 in. long Native To: Species native to Eastern U.S. Perennial zone 1-11, 14-24 Winter annual zones 12, 13 Soil: Well-drained Water: Moderate to regular Sun: Full sun Care and Pruning: Tough plants, easy to grow Deadhead to promote rebloom Reseeds freely GARDEN USE Thrives in heat and sun Lovely addition to sunny borders as well as in pots on patio Good cut flower | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
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| Rudbeckia Rudbeckia hirta - 7/2/2009 Mayo's 2 plants for $10.00 - already blooming - Huge 5-7" flowers create a vibrant mix of oranges with deep brown and orange markings. 'Autumn Colors' will be short-lived but self-sows freely. Great For: • Massing in the perennial border • Container gardens Height: 24-28" Width: 12-15" Blooms: Orange, Yellow (Summer, Fall) - | 'Autumn Colors' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Rudbeckia Rudbeckia hirta - 5/27/2009 Mayo's $7.00 - back garden - 6/2/2009 planted 6/2/2009 already blooming - RUDBECKIA hirta Indian Summer - Gloriosa Daisy - Tall 34-48" - Plant 12" apart. zone 3-8. Long, golden-yellow rays on chocolate-black centers. Blooms from July thru September followed by mahogany foliage in the fall. A fine display on substantial plants. General Information Wonderful, free flowering daisies in colors from yellow through bronze and mahogany. You can have them for years, but the original plants will only last a season or two. The plants self-seed readily, and if you learn to recognize the slightly hairy seedlings and allow a few to develop where you want them, you can have as many as you want Plant Care Self sows readily. Deadhead to prevent over seeding. Blooms: Early Summer to Early Fall Flower Color: Yellow Sun-Shade: Full Sun Accent Color: Yellow Soil Condition: Normal, Acidic, Sandy, Clay Plant Height: Tall Zones: z3,z8 Rabbit Resistant OK in containers Plants that tolerate a Sandy soil Plants that attract Butterflies Good for Cut Flowers Plants that tolerate a Clay soil - | 'Indian Summer' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Rudbeckia Rudbeckia hirta - 8/9/2009 Lowe's $9.00 - back - 8/9/2009 planted 8/9/2009 already blooming - Rudbeckia Tiger Eye Gold Our favorite new annual, 'TigerEye Gold' comes with extra vigor plus more and longer-lasting flowers. Petals in shades of orange and yellow surround the dark brown eyes of large, semidouble blooms. Rudbeckia is a genus of highly decorative native American perennials that bloom from late summer until frost. They needs plenty of sun and good drainage, and offer long-lasting cut flowers. Half-Hardy Perennial Flowers in: July to frost Ideal for : Baskets, Bedding, Containers, Cut Flowers, Pot Plants Height : 24 inches Description The first and only F1 hybrid Rudbeckia. Incredibly uniform for the grower and a long flowering period for the consumer. Reduced sensitivity to powdery mildew - | 'Tiger Eye Gold' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Ruellia Ruellia brittoniana - 6/2007 Mayo's $12.00 - front - 6/2007 planted 6/2007 already blooming bloomed until mid fall repeatedly 5/5/2008 new growth ground level 6/29/2008 blooms appeared 5/12/2009 new growth - Mexican petunia dazzles with radiant blue flowers By Norman Winter MSU Horticulturist Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center The Mexican petunia, or ruellia, is getting more popular with each growing season, and I give a hearty “amen.” One thing that surprised me is how it has crossed from home to commercial landscapes. Most of the time, commercial landscape plants create a frenzy with homeowners. As you pace the aisles of your garden center this spring, wondering what to plant for color and what to choose as a partner, think about the iridescent blue from the Mexican petunia. Not only does it endure high heat and humidity, but it is also a performer in drought-like conditions. I suppose that stands to reason why I saw so many incredible beds last summer. Although called the Mexican petunia, ruellia is not related to petunias. Petunias are in the family solanaceae, making them related to tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Ruellia is in the acanthaceae family with members like the shrimp plant or black-eyed Susan vine. Ruellia has bluish-purple flowers that radiate color from the plant. It's still mostly sold generically, but Purple Showers is starting to be seen more and more. There are also pink-flowered varieties available like the Chi-Chi Pink that reaches 36 to 48 inches in height and has a spread of 18 inches. I am partial to the taller varieties that are well suited to the back of the perennial border. Shorter varieties, like Katie, are available. They only reach 8 to 12 inches and spread 12 to 24 inches. This garden provides a colorful combination of tough plants including the blue Mexican petunia, New Gold lantana and Knock Out rose.Ruellia grows best in full sun, but I have seen some remarkable plantings in part shade. The Mexican petunia thrives in moist, well-drained, organic-rich soils and performs well in poorer soils, too. The deep green foliage with hints of burgundy is attractive and works well in combination plantings. The leaves are narrow, pointed and reach almost a foot in length on large varieties. The flowers are borne in clusters on forked branches. The flowers are tubular or funnel-shaped and may reach 2 inches in length. The long bloom period is usually early summer through fall. One planting I saw last year was absolutely stunning. Foxtail-like blooms of the purple fountain grass glowed from being backlit and contrasted with the iridescent blue flowers of the Mexican petunia. The leaf color of the purple fountain grass worked in monochromatic harmony with the Mexican petunia. The planting also had Marguerite sweet potato vines with bright chartreuse foliage, making a great complementary marriage with the petunias' blue flowers. Another garden that caught my eye partnered the blue Mexican petunia with New Gold lantana and Knock Out rose. You could not ask for a more colorful combination of tough plants. The ruellias that will be for sale at your nursery until this spring are definitely perennial in zone 8, and people have told me they return in zone 7. The good news for colder areas is they make good annuals like a real petunia. They are also easy to propagate. You can divide clumps, take root cuttings and plant by seed. Stems are easy to root in moist soil or sand. Another big plus is that they are disease- and pest-free, making them environmentally friendly. - | 'Mexican Carpet' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salix Species Salix discolor - 3/23/2008 K-Mart $15.00 - back yard - 3/23/2008 planted 4/2008 new growth 4/2009 1 bloom appeared 4/2009 new growth - General Culture: Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers full sun. Thrives in moist soils, but tolerates somewhat drier soils better than most other willows. Intolerant of dry soils. Prune as needed in late winter to early spring. Plants may be cut to the ground every 3-5 years to maintain a smaller shrub shape. Noteworthy Characteristics: Male pussy willows are noted for producing ornamentally attractive silky pearl gray catkins on leafless stems in late winter to early spring. These catkins purportedly resemble the pads on a cat’s paw, hence the common name. This species is native from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and south to Maryland, Indiana, Missouri and Iowa. In Missouri, it once reportedly grew in Clark County in the far northeastern corner of the state (Steyermark). Throughout its range, it is typically found growing in moist to wet soils in meadows, swamps and along lakes and streams, but also will be found in some drier conditions. This is a dioecious species (male and female catkins appearing on separate trees) that is most often seen as a large multi-stemmed shrub to 6-15’ tall, but is less frequently found as a small tree to 30’ tall. Before the foliage emerges in late winter (March in St. Louis), male trees produce a showy display of catkins (1-1.5” long) that are pearl gray and silky. Female trees produce smaller, less attractive, greenish catkins. Elliptic to lanceolate leaves (to 5” long) with irregular marginal teeth are dull medium green above and glaucous beneath. Variable fall color is usually an undistinguished greenish-yellow. Specific epithet relates the two different colors of the catkins (males are yellowish and females are greenish). Catkins of this species are smaller than the catkins that appear on the European/Asian native plant commonly called goat willow Problems: Susceptible to numerous disease problems including blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots, gray scab and cankers. It also is visited by many insect pests including aphids, scale, borers, lacebugs and caterpillars. Wood is weak and may crack. Branches may be damaged by ice and snow. Litter from leaves, twigs and branches may be a problem. Shallow roots may clog sewers or drains and make gardening underneath the plants difficult. Uses: If growing this plant as an ornamental, make sure to purchase a male plant which will produce the showy late winter catkins. Pussy willow may be grown in moist soils along streams, ponds or in low spots in the landscape where other shrubs or small trees may falter. It will also grow in average garden soils. Plants may be regularly cut back for use as a hedge. Stems with catkins may be cut is spring for indoor arrangements. Common Name: Pussy Willow Zone: 4 to 8 Plant Type: Deciduous shrub Native Range: North America Height: 6 to 15 feet Spread: 4 to 12 feet Bloom Time: March - April Bloom Data Bloom Color: Yellow stamens/greenish styles Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet Maintenance: Low - | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
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| Salix Species Salix sepulcralis - 2002 Walmart $20.00 - front - 4/2009 new growth by 5/12/2009 small red protusions all over the bottom of the trunk and the roots that are exposed from the ground - The Weeping Willow's grace comes from its sweeping, low branches that droop to create its familiar “falling” canopy. A favorite among tree lovers for its dramatic appearance and rounded, weeping shape. Perfect for those looking for a quick way to add character and value to their property. An excellent shade tree that is always in high demand. This willow is one of the fastest growing shade trees, growing up to 10 ft. a year. When you order from us, you’ll receive trees with advanced root systems, making them very strong and easy trees to grow. Thrives in Growing Zones 4-9, and has the ability to absorb standing water. Plant near trouble spots where water stands in puddles, and watch them disappear. Even though Weeping Willows are often found near rivers, lakes and wetlands, they can grow just about anywhere, even demonstrating some tolerance to drought. Very adaptable to all kinds of soils and growing conditions; these trees can even help prevent soil erosion. You will enjoy your Weeping Willow as a first harbinger of spring when its leaves appear before most others, and as one of the last trees to lose its leaves in the fall. • Excellent green color in the spring and summer months • Virtually no tree litter Everyone remembers the Weeping Willow mentioned in many poems, songs and stories because of its grace and beauty. - | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
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| Salvia Salvia - 5/2/2008 Home Depot $5.00 - back garden - planted 5/2/08 already blooming - Well-branched, tall spires of lavender-blue, claw-shaped flowers from mid-summer into fall. Will re-bloom repeatedly if cut back. Vigorous. Easy to grow in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. (20-24") - 24", identical to Eveline but blue. Wide green foliage has a gray gloss. Two-tone flowers of blue-voliet, blooms in June through August. Fast grower with 25-30 flowering stems per plant all at the same time. - Salvia 'Rhapsody in Blue' Common Name: Perennial Salvia, Garden Sage 'Rhapsody in Blue' PP15148 was selected by renowned plantsman Piet Oudolf of The Netherlands for its superior flowers and upright, bushy habit. A profusion of brilliant blue-violet flowers appear on branched flower spikes above the grey-green foliage beginning in early summer. If cut back, it often reblooms. This is a clump forming perennial with oblong leaves which are aromatic when crushed. The flowers add great texture and fragrance to both fresh and dried bouquets. Use this plant in containers or the middle of the flower border. Breeder: Piet Oudolf Introducer: Future Plants Origin: Not Native to North America Characteristics: Height: 25 Inches Spread: 25 InchesFlower Color: Purple-blue shades Foliage Color: Green shades Hardiness Zones: 3,8 Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun) Low water needs Average water needs Attracts butterflies Attracts hummingbirds Deer resistant Rabbit resistant Growth rate: Medium blooms: Early summer soil?: Average Soil Fertile Soil, ph?: Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0) garden style?: Container/Patio Woodland/Shade Cottage Formal Eclectic Attributes: Border plants Container Cut flower or foliage Dried flower or seed heads Edging Fragrant flowers or foliage Mass Planting Growing Tips: Salvia is easy to grow in almost any climate. Though it is drought tolerant, it will bloom better with regular watering. Deadheading encourages a longer bloom time. If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage. If cut back, plants may rebloom in fall but often the flowers are fewer and smaller. - | 'Rhapsody In Blue' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia farinacea - 6/25/2008 Home Depot $5.00 - back garden - planted 6/26/08 already blooming - 'Victoria Blue' Sage; aka Mealy-Cup Sage; aka Flowering Sage; aka Blue Sage 'Victoria Blue' flowering sage is apt to be an annual in Northwest gardens, but is sometimes a tender perennial. In warmer areas than ours, it is evergreen. The species, Salvia farinacea, is native to Texas & New Mexico, where it grows in hot exposed areas. On Puget Sound it calls for moist well-drained humousy soil & full sun exposure. In nature, the pure wild form of Mealy Sage or Mealy-Cup Sage can reach three or four feet of height, but 'Victoria Blue' like most of this species' cultivars is a comparative dwarf which grows to only fifteen inches height. It has bluish green leaves & the deepest deep blue flower spikes all summer long & until first frost in autumn. Although deadheading might help insure rebloom into autumn, it's equally tempting to let it go to seed on the chance it will naturalize, being otherwise apt to die out of the garden in time. I did not deadhead ours & even so it was still blooming in October. The species name means "flour" & reinforces one of the common names, "Mealy," referring to meal flour. This is because the wild species has woolly white calyces that give the impression of a dusting of flour. This wasn't to be seen on this particular cultivar, however. Though drought tolerant once established, it does seem to prefer moist but not boggy soil. Ours was planted in an area near Boxleaf Hebe, together with a an equally blue Delphinium grandiflorum & some other things that wanted regular watering. A typical recommendation is that it benefits from monthly liquid fertilizing to keep it blooming non-stop, though ours bloomed impressively without such attention. It was purchased as a 99-cent on-sale tiny start, & sprang up gorgeously, paying back its investment a hundred times over. After its winter die-back at the end of 2002, I kept my fingers crossed that it might return the following year, but there are no guarantees on this one in our zone, & it did not pop up a second year. I would certainly consider planting it again in the future, though my first salvia choices tend to be those which more certainly perennialize. - | 'Victoria Blue' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia guaranitica - 4/2008 Pope's $8.00 - planted 4/08 was already blooming - Salvia guaranitica Blue Anise Sage or Anise Scented Sage is also called Brazillian Blue Sage due to its nativity in southeastern Brazil, Paraguay & northern Argentina, or Sapphire Sage for its jewel-bright blooms. It can be sensitive to cold & can be tender in our region (Zone 8), but is right on the margin of reliably perennializing in the Pacific Northwest, returning each year bigger & flowerier than the last. In areas where winters fall below 20 degrees F., it can still do quite well as an annual. In Zone 9 or 10 it will not be sensitive, but may on the contrary require a bright shade location since its large leaves will be injured if conditions are actually deserty. It likes moist well-draining soil, but dislikes overwatering, & can be at some risk of rotting out of the gardening during our wet winters if soil drains poorly. Ours is partially protected by eaves of the house in an area not too awfully wet in winter. In a more open area where it is subject to winter rains, a winter mulch of large-sized leaves may help barrier the soil somewhat. It grows into a three or four feet tall, potentially a six foot semi-woody shubshrub if allowed to get lanky & not annually pruned. To look its best it really needs to be cut back severely in late winter or early spring so that it will remain a bit shorter & more compact. It takes until June to grow back, but if the previous year's growth is left, the new growth will not be as fine, so it is not a good idea to resfrain from completely cutting back whatever is left of it from winter. Some early-blooming bulbs may be nice in the same location to have their showing before the blue anise sage is renewing itself. The cultivar 'Black & Blue' has largish (one- to two-inch) tubular & open parrot-beak ("bilabiate") blossoms of cobalt blue with black calyces (where the regular species would be green). An "orniphilic" flower, the shape is intended foremost to be inviting to hummingbirds. These bicolor flowers are present over a long period from mid-summer to deep into autumn, at least until first frost. Ours blooms July until at least November. Deadheading the spent flowers helps to keep it reblooming. If it per chance stops blooming before summer's end, cut it back by one-third to one-half & it will take off flowering anew. The persistance of its flowering is one of its great assets. The attractive round pointed foliage is usually a dark even green, but occasionally a paler green. The leaves are so sweet-scented it has almost the scent of candy, hence the common name anise sage, though the scent is not really anise-like, it's more of a candied sage. It takes only a slight brushing into it in order to release its wondrous odor. As for edibility, it is not regarded as one of the tastier sages, but a single leaf cut into small bits & sprinkled into a mixed salad would certainly add an appealing odor. Spreading rhizomitously, over time the clump can spread to three feet wide. Large clumps can be divided in spring. Or starts can be made from softwood cuttings in spring, or ripening summer cuttings, or from terminal cuttings from any month of the growing seasons. It needs the fullest sun exposure to flower its best; it'll be lanky & tip over if it experiences much shade, but will still bloom. A light slow-release fertilizing in early spring is enough, though some recommend monthly liquid fertilizer during its blooming period (I'd regard that as much too much, though it might require more regular fertilizing in containers). - | 'Black and Blue' | Plants |  (georgewms) |
| Salvia Salvia leucantha - 5/3/2008 Mayo's $5.00 - planted 5/3/08 - Royal Purple Autumn Sage is one of the smaller leaved salvias that are often referred to as Autumn Sages. Most plants in this group have red, orange or yellow flowers which makes the striking purple flowers of S. muelleri a treasure. Royal Purple Autumn Sage is a small airy plant that should be planted at the front of the border. It blooms from mid summer until frost. Pruning dead flower stalks helps keep it tidy looking. Flowers can be used as a garnish. Cultural Information Height: 2 Feet Hardiness Zones 8-11 Flower Color: Purple Characteristics: Full Sun, Evergreen, Water Conserving Uses: Culinary, Hummingbirds,Ornamental - | 'Royal Purple' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia nemorosa - 4/2008 Home Depot $5.00 - back garden - planted 4/08 already blooming - Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Hill' (Blauhugel) Blue Hill Sage A long hoped for color break in garden Salvia. Ernst Pagels selected it for bluer flowers and compact habit. Insect and disease resistant, long flowered and tough as its brethren to follow. Attracts birds, butterflies and bees. Height 18-30 Inches Spread 12-15 Inches Bloom Color Blue Hardiness Zone 4-9 Interesting Notes The word 'salvia' comes from the Latin salvare, meaning to heal or save. Sage's long history of medicinal uses have been traced back to curing everything from colds to snakebite. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/profiles/salvia/pf_salvia.shtml) Growing and Maintenance Tips S. nemorosa can be found ranging from Northern to Southern Europe to Central Asia. Prefers average, clay or sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought and humidity tolerant. Propagate by seed or cuttings in early summer. Cut back in the fall. May be used as a border, cut or native gardens. Attributes • Mass Planting • Border • Drought Tolerant • Fragrant • Rock Garden • Container • Dry Sun - Critter Resistance • Deer Resistant - Exposure • Sun - Growth Rate • Medium • Fast - Nature Attraction • Butterflies - Season of Interest (Flowering) • Summer • Late Spring / Early Summer - Soil Moisture Needs • Average • Good Drainage - | 'Blue Hill' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia nemorosa - Nov 2007 Pope's Nursery $8.00 - back fence - 11/2007 planted 2/2008 new growth 3/2008 blooms appeared 3/2009 new growth appeared by 5/2009 blooms appeared by - A beautiful ornamental with striking contrasts. Deep green pebbly foliage. Black stalks bearing dark purple flowers. Blooms all summer! Excellent compact form. Best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. This is one of the most versatile plants for the sunny garden. It goes with virtually any perennial. Frequently visited by hummingbirds and butterflies. (18-24") - We planted the sage cultivar 'Caradonna' alongside a larger clump of the similar 'May Night' Sage in a roadside sungarden. Both of these have speedwell-like spikes of purple flowers, but 'Caradonna' is a deeper indigo purple compared to blue-violet 'May Night,' & whereas 'May Night' has green stems, 'Caradonna' has purple-black stems increasing the depth of color for each spike. The second photo was snapped in May early in its second year in our garden; the first photo is from late May its third year. One of the finest newer selections, it came from Beate Zillmer of Zillmer Nursery in Uchte, Germany. The Zillmer nursery did not plan this variety, but found it as a spontaneous sport of 'Wesuve.' The dark stems added a surprising dimension, & earned it the award of the International Hardy Plant Union for the year 2000 Caradonna is always sold as a variety of S. nemerosa, though it could just as easily be lumped with the group of wild sages & their intraspecies hybrids collectively known as S. sylvestris, & taxononomists seem as yet not to have fully agreed on their precise designations. This deer-resistant butterfly & honeybee attractant is extremely long-blooming. It will rebloom throughout summer if deadheaded, & possibly deep into autumn. It wants full sun & sharp drainage, being far more drought tolerant than damp tolerant. The species & most of its cultivars are not as sturdy in high-humidity areas where they are susceptible to mildew & floppier growth, but 'Caradonna' is improved for humidity tolerance. The compact dark green pebbly aromatic foliage is semi-evergreen in our climate. It should be cut back in late winter to make room for new spring growth. The foliage clumps to about 18 inches. The spikes of dark-stemmed flowers are two feet to thirty inches tall. Every three or four years, or whenever the spread has reached two feet or wider, the center of the clump may begin to blacken or even die. It can be restored by digging it up, removing any scruffy bits, & dividing the remainder into smaller clumps. This can be done either in autumn or spring. Hardy for container gardening, it also provides excellent cut flowers. Though grown primarily for ornamental rather than culinary use, young tender leaves certainly can be used in the kitchen. - | 'Caradonna' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia nemorosa - 4/5 & 4/28/2008 Home Depot 2 plants $10.00 $5.00 each - back garden - planted 4/6 & 4/30/08 already blooming - Beautiful new introduction from Denmark. Violet purple blooms throughout the summer if deadheaded. Excellent compact form. Profuse bloomer. Great for the rock garden, front of the border or in a container. Best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. (8-10") - The Salvia ‘Marcus’, Salvia nemorosa, is a new dwarf version of the Salvia ‘May Night’. With its compact, dense habit of growing, it is easy to accommodate in any perennial garden. Spikes of intense violet-blue flowers bloom on top gray-green foliage and flower from June to October. ‘Marcus’ has a plant height of 12” and a spread of 12-18”. Salvia ‘Marcus’ should be planted in full sun in a moist well-drained area. To increase bloom time, it should be cut back after the first bloom. ‘Marcus’ is a magnet for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds and is deer-resistant. It is hardy for container gardening, as a border plant and provides excellent cut flowers. Blooms look wonderful next to Sedum ‘Matrona’, Achillea 'Coronation Gold' and Saliva ‘Snow Hill’. (PPAF) Plant Facts Mature Height 12 inches Mature Spread 12 - 18 inches Soil Type Normal, Sandy, Clay Moisture Moist, Dry Mature Form Mounding Growth Rate Fast Sun Exposure Full Sun Flower Color Dwarf Purple Fall Color Yellow Foliage Color Green Zones 3-10 - | 'Marcus' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia nemorosa - aka > East Friesland - 4/29/2008 Lowe's $3.00 - back garden - planted 4/30/2008 was already blooming - Deep purple flower spikes over a long period beginning in mid-summer. Excellent form. Best in full sun and well-drained soil. (16-18") Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland' ('Ostfriesland') Common Name: Perennial Salvia, Garden Sage - Spikes of vibrant violet-purple flowers stand at attention above the nicely mounded foliage of 'East Friesland'. Its foliage is aromatic when crushed. This is the perfect choice for containers or the front of the border. Try pairing it with Dianthus 'Shooting Star' PPAF for an especially explosive combination. Origin: Not Native to North America Characteristics: Height:16-18 Inches Spread:18-24 Inches Flower Color: Purple-blue shades Foliage Color: Green shades Hardiness Zone: 3,8 Full sun Low water needs Average water needs Attracts butterflies Attracts hummingbirds Deer resistant Rabbit resistant How fast should it grow?: Medium - blooms: Early summer Fertile Soil Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0) Container/Patio Woodland/Shade Cottage Formal Eclectic Attributes: Border plants Container Cut flower or foliage Dried flower or seed heads Fragrant flowers or foliage Mass Planting Growing Tips: Salvia is easy to grow in almost any climate. Though it is drought tolerant, it will bloom better with regular watering. Deadheading encourages a longer bloom time. If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage. If cut back, plants may rebloom in fall but often the flowers are fewer and smaller. - | 'Ostfriesland' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia nemorosa - 4/2008 Lowe's $5.00 - back garden - planted 4/08 already blooming - Detailed Description Love salvia but have an abundance of purple in your garden? Pink Friesland offers all the benefits of salvia, but in a new shade, a snappy rosy pink, framed by sage green foliage. Clump forming and long blooming, this salvia matures to full, spiky plants 18 inches tall and approximately two feet across. Deer resistant and a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. Heat and drought tolerant once established. Common Name: Salvia, flowering sage, clary sage, meadow sage Botanical Name: Salvia nemorosa 'Pink Friesland' Colors: Rosy pink tubular blooms arranged on spiky stems Mature Size: 18" tall, 24" wide Exposure: Full sun, very light shade in the sunniest part of its growing range Hardiness Zones: 4-9 Bloom Time: Early summer through early autumn Plant Size: Large bareroot divisions, average 1-2" tops on 4-6" stocky roots - | 'Pink Friesland' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia nemorosa - 4/2008 Home Depot $5.00 - back garden - planted 4/08 already blooming - Salvia nemorosa 'Snow Hill' ('Schneehugel') Common Name: Perennial Salvia, Garden Sage 'Snow Hill' is a reliable garden plant with a more compact habit than other perennial salvias. Pure white flower spikes put on a marvelous show beginning in early summer and continue well into the summer if deadheaded. For the greatest impact in the garden, plant in drifts. Its foliage is aromomatic when crushed. Origin: Not Native to North America Characteristics: Height: 20 InchesSpread: 15-18 Inches Flower Color: White Shades Foliage Color: Green shades Hardiness Zones: 3,8 Full sun Low water needs Average water needs Attracts butterflies Attracts hummingbirds Deer resistant Rabbit resistant growth: Medium blooms: Early summer Midsummer your soil: Fertile Soil Sweet or Sour Soil: Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0) garden style Container/Patio Woodland/Shade Cottage Formal Eclectic Attributes: Border plants Container Cut flower or foliage Dried flower or seed heads Edging Fragrant flowers or foliage Mass Planting Growing Tips: Salvia is easy to grow in almost any climate. Though it is drought tolerant, it will bloom better with regular watering. Deadheading encourages a longer bloom time. If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage. If cut back, plants may rebloom in fall but often the flowers are fewer and smaller. - | 'Snow Hill' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia x superba - 4/2008 Home Depot $5.00 - unknown location - 4/2008 planted 4/2008 already blooming 3/2009 new growth ? - Blue / Violet - Here's the complete description for this Heritage Perennial. Drop in any time to see the rest of our collection. Zones: 3 - 9 Salvia × superba Merleau™ ‘Blue’ Common name: Perennial Sage The Perennial Sages are invaluable for their rich display of spiky flowers in the early summer border. This compact selection features flowers of a deep violet-blue shade, even flowering well in its first year from seed. Deadhead just below the spend heads to encourage repeat flowering. Excellent for cutting. Drought tolerant once established. Attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds. Easily divided in spring, every 3 to 4 years. Selected by S&G Flowers. Winner of a European Fleuroselect Gold Medal (2007). Sun Exposure Full Sun Soil Type Normal Sandy Clay Soil pH Neutral Alkaline Acid Soil Moisture Average Dry Moist Care Level Easy Flower Colour Deep Blue Purple Blooming Time Early Summer Mid Summer Late Summer Foliage Color Deep Green Plant Uses & Characteristics Accent: Good Texture/Form Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Border Containers Cut Flower Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Edging Rabbit Resistant Massed Flower Head Size Medium Height 12-16 inches Spread 12-18 inches Foot Traffic None Growth Rate Medium - | 'Merleau Blue' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia x sylvestris - Nov 2007 Pope's $5.00 - back garden - planted 11/07 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 3/08 - This perennial tolerates drought and blazing sun! Salvia Blue Queen Salvia x superba Blue Queen Thin, Brilliant Deep-Blue Spikes Form a Solid Wall of Color! 12-inch dwarf plant blooms in early summer, then repeats Masses of pencil-thin, vibrantly colorful bloomspikes arise on this perennial Sage, so densely set that they present a solid wall of color in the border! The deep blue blooms are richly colorful on dwarf 12-inch plants, blooming in early summer and then repeating their fine show later in the season. A spectacular source of dark, intense color and narrow, vertical form, Blue Queen is one of the finest Salvias we know, attracting butterflies to the garden and prompting exclamations and double-takes from visitors. Direct-sow this Salvia in midsummer for spring bloom, or begin the seeds indoors in late winter for first-year bloom. Not fussy about soil, it flourishes in blazing sun, tolerating drought and often reblooming. Salvia Blue Queen Botanical Name: Salvia x superba Blue Queen Category: Perennials Zones: 4-9 Sun Exposure: Full Sun Soil Moisture: Dry Soil Types/Tolerance: Normal, loamy Plant Habit: Compact Height: 12 in Bloom: Color: Dark Blue Season: Early Summer to Late Summer Uses: Outdoor Ornamental Border Easy Care Drought Tolerant - | 'Blue Queen' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia x sylvestris - Nov 2007 Pope's $8.00 - back garden - planted 11/07 new growth 2/08 blooms appeared 3/08 - 4/05/2008 Home Depot $5.00 - planted 4/08/08 already blooming - 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year - This is a gorgeous ornamental with deep, indigo-blue flowerspikes from mid-summer and onwards. Excellent, tidy, compact form. Aromatic. Drought tolerant. Great for cutting and very attractive to butterflies. Wonderful combined with yellow-flowering Coreopsis or the daylily Stella d'oro. This is an excellent garden subject. (1-2') - 'May Night' Meadow Sage; aka, 'Mainacht' Violet Sage; aka, Balkan Clary Salvia x sylvestris is a cultivation name for hybrid sages derived chiefly from S. nemorosa (or S. virgata var. nemorosa ), native to Europe & Central Asia. Varieties are often tagged by nurseries by the alternate cultivation name S. x superba, if not tagged with the taxonomically more sound species name S. nemerosa. Most cultivars have been achieved by selective interspecies crosses of S. nemerosa with its own variants & subspecies found throughout its extensive range, some of which themselves have botanical arguments for being separate species or not. Plus these selectively bred interspecies hybrids can be crossed with other closely related species. Purely wild forms are rarely gardened. In the case of the specific German cultivar 'Mainacht,' it began as an intraspecies hybrid of S. nemerosa pollinated by a similarly blue-spiked European sage, S. amplexicaulis (formerly S. villicaulis). There are also a number of common names for S. x sylvestris aka S. x superba aka S. nemerosa including Violet Sage, Ornamental Meadow Sage, Balkan Clary, Purple Flowering Sage, or Perennial Woodland Sage. The cultivars are commonly designated Wild Sage, even though they are plant breeder creations; they certainly give a wildflower impression, in the best sense. German breeders in particular have been developing sundry strains for over half a century. Names like 'Mainacht' tend to be changed one country to the next, & sometimes a single variety ends up with two or three names even just in English, though 'Mainacht' at least translated quite simply as 'May Night,' so has only these two names. One of the showiest temperate sages, 'Mainacht' has compact upright stalks of indigo-lavender flowers in late spring throughout summer & for our temperate zone, rebloom for September & August, if the spent summer flowers are properly deadheaded. A bit of flowering is apt to linger even into winter. In our zone sages can look very nice throughout the winter, but are very worn by early spring & so can look a bit scraggly until mid spring. 'May Night' received the Perennial of the Year Award for 1997. This award pretty much guarantees a winner's wide distribution through the nursery trade, as it is given by professional growers & landscapers of the Perennial Plant Association. It does well in poor sandy soil & if it likes its location it can spread very quickly. Too rich a soil can actually shorten the lives of sages. 'Mainacht' may overwhelm & displace nearby flowers that are less aggressive. Ours is hemmed around by other sturdy salvias & sun-loving herbs, including the dark-stemmed S. nemerosa 'Caradonna', the variegated S. officinalis 'Tricolor' & the sturdiest of all hyssops, Agastache rugosa. None of these are apt to displace any of the others; all are very hardy herbs. In areas of excess heat & humidity 'May Night' is apt to become floppy rather than compact & upright, while in the coldest areas of its zone tolerances it will die back & require winter mulching. In our moderate weather on Puget Sound, it is nearly evergreen, but is best cut back late in winter to start over, or it will be awfully slow to recover in spring. It has never been even slightly tippy in our garden, never needing staking. If they like their location they're extremely longlived perennials, but in rainy winters there is some risk of the dormant roots rotting away, which is usually ameliorated by sharply draining soil. Using lots of large-sized maple leaves or big fern fronds to mulch around the bases of plants that are especially sensitive to winter rot can actually barrier the soil against too much rain absorption in a given spot. Its spikes make excellent cut flowers. Leaves rather than the flowers are aromatic. As a culinary herb the youngest leaves are good in moderation in raw salads, but better for baked casaroles or fried dishes. As a medicinal herb the species has been used, as have other salvias, for all manner of illnesses. Some medicinal uses are founded on idle superstition, others no doubt have a measurably healthful effectivity. A mouse study conducted by Hosseinzadeh & Amel of Mashal University of Medical Science, School of Pharmacy, in Iran, found that S. sylvestris in particular had chemical properties useful in treating allergies, even though some people will instead be allergic to sages. - | 'Mainacht' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia x sylvestris - 4/2008 Sutherland Market 2 for $3.00 - back garden - planted 4/08 already blooming - Salvia x sylvestris 'Rose Queen' Salvia Description: 24” x 24” wide, (seed propagated). The royal sister of ‘Blue Queen’, ‘Rose Queen’ is a wonderful seed-grown, long-blooming cultivar with showy rose-pink flowers. Keep dead-headed to prolong the flowers into summer months. An excellent choice for gardeners who like re-seeding perennials that naturalize into their garden. Create a colorful, browse-resistant combination by planting it with Nepeta x faassenii ‘Select Blue’ and Oenothera macrocarpa. Zones 4-9. Recommended Substitutes Beautiful red substitute. Salvia 'Maraschino' Plant with Salvia ‘Blue Queen’, Achillea Moonshine and Helianthemum ‘Single Yellow’, Salvia sylvestris 'Blue Hill' - Blue Hill Sage Growing Zones 4 - 9 Color Pink Regions Hot Desert, Southeast, Suitable for Elevations Above 7000 ft., USA Bloom Time Summer, Longblooming Sun Full and Afternoon Sun Soil Average Garden Soil, Clay Soil, Sandy Garden Soil Moisture Regular Water Height Medium - 12in. to 36in. Plants for Pollinators Attract Butterflies Resistant to Hungry Critters Resists Deer, Resists Rabbits GROWING TIPS Likes lean, well draining soil. - | 'Rose Queen' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Salvia Salvia x sylvestris - 4/2008 Walmart $5.00 - back garden - planted 4/2008 was already blooming - 5/3/2008 Mayo's $5.00 - planted 5/4/08 already blooming - Salvia nemorosa Viola Klose Perennial Salvia - 'Viola Klose' sports violet-purple flowers which are deeper and more intense in color than any other perennial salvia. Its foliage is aromatic when crushed. This selection has proven to be an outstanding performer in the landscape and has an excellent habit. Growing Tips: Salvia is easy to grow in almost any climate. Though it is drought tolerant, it will bloom better with regular watering. Deadheading encourages a longer bloom time. If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage. If cut back, plants may re-bloom in fall but often the flowers are fewer and smaller. Height 15-18 Inches Spread 15-18 Inches Hardiness Zones 3-8 Good Companions Geranium-Hardy (Geranium ), Painted Daisy (Tanacetum ), Sage (Artemisia ), Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum), Tickseed-Red (Coreopsis ), Yarrow (Achillea ) - Attributes • Container • Dried Flower • Mass Plant • Border • Cut flower or foliage • Fragrant flowers or foliage • Deer resistant • Rabbit Resistant - Exposure • Full sun - Growth Rate • Medium - Nature Attraction • Attracts hummingbirds • Attracts butterflies - Soil Moisture Needs • Low water needs • Average water needs - | 'Viola Klose' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Sambucus Sambucus nigra - 7/2005 Mayo's $12.00 - aka 'Black Lace' - front - 7/2005 planted 4/2009 new growth by 5/2/2009 blooms appeared - Black Lace™ Elderberry (Sambucus nigra 'Eva' provenwinners.com One of the first of the new elderberries to show off the dark, Japanese maple-like lace foliage, and is stunning. Umbels of pink flowers, 10 inches across, dot the plant in mid-summer and give off a slight lemony fragrance. It makes a wonderful accent plant and can even be trained into a small tree or standard. Black Lace Elderberry was the "Best New Plant" of 2006 at the Nursery Management & Production / American Nursery & Landscape Assoc. New Plant Pavilion and won a Silver Medal from the Royal Boskoop Horticulture Society Available in wide release in 2007. • USDA Zones: 4 - 7 (Will dieback in colder zones, but regrows quickly in season.) • Height: 6 - 8', Spacing: 6 - 8' • Exposure: Full Sun • Bloom Season: Early summer • Flower Color: Soft pink, fading to white. • Foliage: Deep purple. Finely variegated. • Growing Tips: Forms buds in late-summer. Prune immediately after flowering. Pruning only necessary to shape and control the plant or to improve fullness. Pruning or pinching young, leggy plants will create fuller branching. Can be pruned hard, to keep the plant compact. • Notes: Berries are edible and make a nice jelly or wine. Birds like them too. - | 'Eva' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Santolina Santolina chamaecyparissus - Dec 2007 Flower Market $5.50 - front - planted 12/07 new growth 3/08 blooms appeared 5/18/08 - Santolina, Dwarf Gray Botanical Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Nana' Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial Description/Size: Same bright yellow buttons as other ""Santolina,"" but on silvery-gray, soft foliage. Also used in hedges, knot and rock gardens. Prune in spring after new growth appears. Working at Cedar Point one summer, I had to prune Santolina regularly. I know this sounds weird, but it reminded me of bologna. Moth repellent too. Zones 5, 9 Light: Full Sun to Full Sun Height: 18in. Water: Normal Soil: Sandy-Loamy Flowers: Middle Summer - | 'Nana' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Scabiosa Scabiosa columbaria - 4/29/2008 Lowe's $5.00 - back corner - planted 4/29/08 already blooming - 2000 Perennial Plant of the Year - Still one our most popular plants. And for good reason. It's greatest prized feature is that it blooms non-stop from June, well into September, with a continuous mass of small, lavender-blue pincushion flowers. This low-growing perennial is an excellent choice for the rock garden or border. It is particularly nice when mass planted. Try combining with with another long flowering perennial such as the daylily 'Stella d'oro', or with its close cousin Scabiosa 'Pink Mist'. Easy to grow in full sun and well-drained, moist, average garden soil. 12-18" tall. Highly recommended. - | 'Butterfly Blue' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Scabiosa Scabiosa columbaria - 4/2008 K-Mart $5.00 - back garden - planted 4/08 already blooming - This exciting perennial flowers continuously all summer with great masses of soft pink, pincushion-like blooms. Easy-to-grow, compact, clump-forming plant 12-18" tall. For a sunny location in average, well-drained soil. A great companion to Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'. - | 'Pink Mist' | Plants |  (georgewms) |
| Hylotelephium Sedum - 9/2008 Mayo's 2 x $6.00 = $12.00 - back garden - planted 9/08 already blooming - General Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Prefers well-drained gravelly soils of average to moderate fertility. Plants must have good soil drainage to perform well. Plants grown in overly rich soils or in too much shade will produce weak, floppy growth. Plants are drought and heat tolerant, particularly once established. Plants may be cut back in late spring to control height. Consider leaving spent flower heads in place for winter interest. Noteworthy Characteristics: ‘Lajos’ is distinguished by its fleshy variegated leaves of medium green edged with creamy yellow and its deep pink maturing to rose red late summer flowers. It is a naturally occurring sport of Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’ AUTUMN JOY (See F560 herein). It was found growing at a nursery in Harvard, Illinois in 1997. This is an upright plant that typically grows in slightly spreading clumps to 12-18” tall and as wide. Variegated foliage retains good color throughout the growing season. Flowers appear in domed cymes atop strong stems over a long summer to fall bloom period. White flower buds appear in early summer. Bright pink flowers bloom in mid summer, gradually darkening to dusky rose-red by late summer and eventually to bronze red by September. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Spent flower clusters (chocolate brown) retain shape and add some winter interest to garden areas. Many plants in this genus are commonly called stonecrop in reference to the frequent sighting of the genus in the wild growing on rocks or stony ledges. ‘Lajos’ is synonymous with and often sold under the trade name of AUTUMN CHARM. U.S. Plant Patent PP14,421 was issued on December 23, 2003. Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids may appear. Watch for slugs and snails. Uses: Beds and borders. Best when planted in groups or massed. May be used for edging. - | 'Autumn Charm' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Hylotelephium Sedum - 9/2008 Lowe's 2 x $8.00 = $16.00 - back garden - planted 9/08 already blooming - Sedum x 'Autumn Fire' - Stonecrop Bold clusters of closely packed, rosy pink flowers appear in late summer, age to a salmon bronze and finish with a deep coppery red in fall. An easy-to-grow plant that not only tolerates drought, but seems to thrive in it. The sturdy stems of Autumn Fire keep it beautifully in tact throughout its bloom period for an outstanding show! Height> 2-3 ft - Spread> 2 ft - Bloom Color> Rose Pink - Zones> 3-9 Interesting Notes - An improvement on a classic up right sedum with large flat flower heads, this selection holds up much longer into fall than 'Autumn Joy.' Plants are easy in almost all soils, grow in full sun to part shade. Deciduous glaucous waxy blue green stems and leaves with alternate leaves on succulent stems. Plants go from light rose to bright red to deep bronze red in color as fall turns into winter. 18-24 inch tall and 20 - 30 inches wide. Very showy in the late fall- leave the stems on over winter and they look great in the snow- keeping a rusty red color. Butterflies and bumble bees love this plant. Plants are useful in the border, rockgarden, as a filler in that odd spot. Mix in with 'Stella De Ora' daylilies and garden phlox. Plants are long lived and can grow into very large clumps. Hardyplants.com Growing Tips > S. 'Autumn Fire' prefers average to dry, well-drained soil in full sun. Intolerant of wet soils. Propagate by seed and cuttings, although division seems to be the easiest for most. Excellent as a perennial border, rock gardens, or in mass plantings. Characteristics & Attributes • Border • Dry Sun • Rock Garden • Drought Tolerant • Mass Planting • Deer Resistant • Sun - Growth Rate • Medium • Butterflies - Season of Interest (Flowering) • Late Summer - Soil Moisture Needs • Average • Dry • Good Drainage - | 'Autumn Fire' | Plants | (PlantFiles) |
| Hylotelephium Sedum - Aug 2007 Home Depot $5.00 - fence & back fence - planted 8/07 already blooming new growth 3/08 - Easy perennial that rapidly develops into a handsome clump with dark-green, toothed leaves. Produces large, flat heads of rich pink flowers in mid-to-late summer which turn progressively to coppery-red in autumn. Excellent fall garden perennial. Wonderful butterfly plant. Try combining it with a taller ornamental grass. (2') - | 'Autumn Joy' | Plants |  (PlantFiles) |
(PlantFiles) |
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