Ornamental Grasses for Cold Climates
Karen Ornamental grasses are more and more popular as garden styles are changing and a natural look is developing. They have a lot to offer a gardener because they can play…
Plant Combination: Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and Russian Sage (Pervoskia atriplicifolia)
This long lasting combination begins in summer when purple coneflower opens its daisy-like pink flowers. A short time later Russian sage’s gray stems produce small light blue flowers producing a…
Amsonias (bluestars) for the Garden
Amsonias, also known as bluestars and dogbane, are subshrubs or perennials belonging to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes oleander, periwinkle, and mandevilla. Bluestars are native to North America…
Plant Combination: Michaelmas Daisy (Aster laevis) ‘Calliope’ and Perennial Sunflower (Helianthus) ‘Lemon Queen’
This tall combination is a colorful addition to the back of a perennial border. Blooming in late summer to early fall, Michealmas Daisy ‘Calliope’ and perennial sunflower ‘Lemon Queen offer…
Top Five Exhibition Floribunda Roses for the 2014 Show Season
The American Rose Society announced the top exhibition floribunda roses in the March/April issue of their magazine, American Rose. The list is important to people interested in exhibiting roses because…
Plant Combination: Coral bells (Heuchera micrantha var. diversifolia) ‘Palace Purple’ and Variegated Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’)
These two herbaceous perennials will provide color in a shady spot all season long. The chocolate purple color of the wide coarse leaves of coral bells contrasts nicely with the…
Top Five Exhibition Hybrid Tea for the 2014 Show Season
The American Rose Society published its list of top exhibition roses in itsMarch/April 2015 issue of its magazine, American Rose. If you are interested in competing successfully in local or…
Plant Combination: Center-Strip Agave (Agave lophantha) ‘Splendida’ and Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’
Here is a unique combination that has a Southwest look but does well in the Southeast. These two plants love heat and sun, and laugh at drought. Together they produce…
Ajugas for the Garden
Ajugas, also known as bugleweeds, native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, are low growing, creeing or clump forming members of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Although there are about forty species…
Plant Combination: Mallow (Lavertera trimestris) ‘Silver Cup’ and Drumstick Allium (Allium sphaerocephalum)
This winning combination of pink and purple is a beautiful addition to the summer border. Soft mounds of large pink flowers cover the plants of the ‘Silver Cup’ mallow over…