Garden Journal: August 16, 2009
Karen After the horrific heat of last week we have had some cooler weather with no appreciable rain. The heat, especially warm night time temperatures, have made the perennials run through…
Plant Profile: White Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) ‘Whirling Butterflies’
Native to Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, this herbaceous perennial is a member of willowherb family, the Onagraceae, that also includes evening primrose, fushia, and clarkia. Plants have a taproot and…
Plant Profile: Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea ‘Peter Pan’)
I love all kinds of goldenrod; the kinds that grows along the roadside, or the cultivars you buy in the garden center, but this one is one of the best…
Plant Profile: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’)
There is nothing quite like the look of a mass of black-eyed Susan flowers. Their dark green foliage looks good as the plants grow through the blooming size and the…
Plant Profile: Hardy Hibiscus (Hibicus moscheutos)
The very large flowers of this plant make it a showstopper! The saucer shaped flowers are up to 10” across and are composed of 5 petals in shades of white…
Plant Profile: Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) ‘Taplow Blue’)
Globe thistle is a clump forming herbaceous perennial native to Asia and central to eastern Europe. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow…
Plant Profile: Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Sentimental blue’)
The unusual buds of balloon flower would earn the plant a place in my garden even if ithad no other virtue. They are shaped like a hot air balloon and…
Plant Profile: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Goblin’)
Big, bold, bright flowers give a suggestion of what this plant is all about. Scarlet ray petals tipped with yellow surround the dark purple centers producing 3-4” flowers that are…
Plant Profile: Yellow Fumitory (Corydalis lutea)
Corydalis is not the most conspicuous plant in the garden but it is one of the most welcome. How many plants bloom from spring to fall and have attractive foliage?…
Plant Profile: Sundrops (Oenothera fructicosa)
Some plants just don’t take a hint and this is one of them. It is a cheerful, adventuresome member of my hot border and just won’t reign itself in no…