Garden Journal: July 18, 2010
Karen For weeks I complained about the lack of rain and finally it rained; now I am complaining about too much rain. The soil is soupy, there is standing water in…
Plant Profile: Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia)
Native to Russia, this herbaceous perennial is a member of the Saxifragaceae family that also includes foam flower, coral bells, and astilbe. The plants form a rosette of shiny, heart-shaped…
Five Favorite Ferns for the Shade Garden
The hot days of summer make the sight of soft green ferns especially appealing. The green color together with the light airiness of the fronds dispels the effects of the…
Plant Profile: Dwarf Chinese Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila)
I used to think of astilbes in general as needing shade and moisture until I met this one. It thrives in shade and moist soil but it tolerates considerably more…
Garden Journal: July 11 2010
And the heat goes….and on…and no rain. We had to increase the irrigation system to include the areas where hand watering was not sufficient. Most of the perennials struggle to…
Plant Profile: Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’
I am inordinately attracted to plants with silver-gray foliage and I am in love with Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’. The finely divided foliage is exquisite and provides a lovely contrast to…
Five Favorite Perennials for the Back of the Border
The back of a border presents certain problems that can be tricky to solve. You need something tall that will form a good backdrop for the mid and foreground plants…
Plant Profile: Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
Native to moist soils of China and Japan, this clump-forming herbaceous perennial is a member of the primrose family, Primulaceae, that also includes cyclamen. It grows up to 3′ tall…
Garden Journal: July 4, 2010
We finally got a reprieve in regard to the weather and have enjoyed several days of cool temperatures. I have even had to wear a heavy shirt out into the…
Plant Profile: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
There are few plants that create old-fashioned charm better than hollyhocks. I don’t have a wall or picket fence to set them off but they still bring the suggestion of…