Monthly Archives: July 2016

Bergenia crassifolia (Saxifragaceae)

Posted on by under Saxifragaceae

Bergenia, end of MarchIMG_3929

(image from google images)

Common name: pigsqueak

Size, form, texture: height 1-1.5 ft, spread 0.75-1 ft, evergreen ground cover, runs horizontally along ground, spreads broadly

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: tough plant, long lived perennials as long as no weavel issue, zone 4-8, native to Northeastern Asia, prefers consistently moist, well drained soils in part to full shade. Can tolerate some drought but foliage will discolour if soil is allowed to fully dry out. Plants spread by rhizomes, will suffer cold damage in winter.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: magenta pink bell-shaped flowers on racemes, foliage forms a thick carpet of leaves, flowers when cool feb-aril, lasts for months, decumbant stems that grow together,

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: low maintenance, promptly remove dead foliage maintain appearance, good in shaded or sun dappled borders, large leafed ground cover for woodland or shaded areas, good edging for shaded pathways or water margins.

Bidens aurea (Asteraceae)

Posted on by under Asteraceae

bidens aureaIMG_3928

(image from google images)

Common name: Arizona beggarticks

Size, form, texture: height 3-4 ft, spread 2-3 ft,

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: zone 8 plant, drought tolerant, good with trees, generally subtropical, aggressive perennial, network of self seeding rhizomes, prolonged seeds food source for birds, stick to animal fur, native to North Guatemala through Mexico and Texas, prefers average medium well drained soil in full sun.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: Produces yellow flowers over about 4 months, September and October, high blooming value, thick foliage represses weeds.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape:  Good perennial for slabs, shallow roots, also good in borders, prairies and wild naturalized areas.

Monarda didyma (Lamiaceae)

Posted on by under Lamiaceae

monarda-didymaIMG_3927

(image from google images)

Common name: bee balm

Size, form, texture: colony forming, height 2-4 ft, spread 2-3 ft

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: native to Canada and US, very attractive to bumble bees, perennial. Prefers moist site, won’t survive dry conditions, can be used as marginal plant near a pond, full sun to part shade.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: somewhat stoliniferous, flowers are red, pink or white (very light pink). Interesting looking, buds at each node, has versitilasters, good for hummingbirds, midsummer flowering,

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape:  Deadhead flowers to prolong blooms, can thing foliage to prevent overcrowding and control spread of plant, good for naturalizing areas, attracting habitat, rain gardens, and as a herb. Powdery mildew can be a big problem, thinning plant to increase air circulation can reduce fungal issues.

Sedum oreganum (Crassulaceae)

Posted on by under Crassulaceae

sedum oreganumIMG_3926

(image from google images)

Common name: Oregon stonecrop

Size, form, texture: height 1-15 cm, spread 30-60 cm, creeping, low spreading matt.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: normal, sandy or clay soil, full sun to part shade, drier soils, relatively low maintenance, drought tolerant, evergreen, alpine rock. zone 2-9.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: foliage is a dark green, tiny yellow flowers in early to mid summer.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape:  excellent ground cover, good used as edging, low maintenance, cannot tolerate being walked on, good in wildflower garden, attracts habitat i.e. hummingbirds, butterflies.

Astilbe chinensis (Saxifragaceae)

Posted on by under Saxifragaceae

astilbe chinensisIMG_3925

(image from google images)

Common name: Chinese astilbe

Size, form, texture: small upright fuzzy flowers with ferny foliage, height: 1-1.5 ft, spread: 1-1.5 ft, various forms, dwarf version (pumula) is an effective ground cover. Clump forming perennial.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: zone 4-8, prefers moist ground in semi shade, forms a solid matt of foliage, grows rhizomatously, herbaceous perennial, good in rain gardens. Grows well in average soils that area well drained in full to part sun.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: small fuzzy flowers with whitish stamens that extend past the corolla which can be white or a pink/lavender colour. Stems and leaves are coarse and hairy at first but eventually become smooth.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape:  Massing or grouping in shade gardens, good in planters, recognizable in the landscape, can be nice at waters edge. Maintenance involves removing old spent blooms, and can thin out if foliage gets to thick.

Helianthus annuus (Asteraceae)

Posted on by under Asteraceae

helianthus annusIMG_3924

(image from google images)

Common name: Sunflower

Size, form, texture: 3-10 ft tall, 1.5-3 ft spread, very vigorous annual.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: native to US and central America, zone 2-11, grows well in average, moist well drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poor soil that is drier, birds like to feed on seeds, fast growing, deep taproot finds moisture in the landscape, best in tall grass prairie.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: coarse, hairy, leafy foliage, fast growing, large yellow disk flowers with seeds in centre, large ovate to triangular textured leaves, edible foliage for caterpillars and beetles. Flowers are long lasting, produce pollen that is exceptionally good for bees health, seeds preferred food for many colourful and beautiful seed eating birds.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: commonly seen growing along roads, fences, and in fields. Now a popular cut flower, good as a specimen or mass planting, wildflower or native plant gardens, habitat gardens. Larger varieties for border rears or backgrounds, smaller varieties for beds, border fronts or containers. Attractive plant to children.

Sedum album (Crassulaceae)

Posted on by under Crassulaceae

Sedum albumIMG_3923

(image from google images)

Common name: white stonecrop

Size, form, texture: height 0.25-0.5 ft, spread 0.5-0.75 ft,

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: zone 3-9, grows easily in average, dry to medium well drained soil in full sun. Prefers some moisture but will tolerate part shade, heat, drought, and poor soils.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: bloom in may to June, white to pale pink flowers, creeping, matt forming evergreen sedum. Clusters of tiny white to pale pink flowers over matt of green foliage.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Grows well sprawling over rocks or in between cracks of rock well, classic sedum aesthetic. Good as ground cover, easily propagated as wherever leaves drop sedum will grow.

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Lamiaceae)

Posted on by under Lamiaceae

russian sageIMG_3922

(image from google images)

Common name: Russian sage

Size, form, texture: height 3-5 ft, spread 2-4 ft, woody perennial.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: zone 5-9, native to the Himalayas and western China, grows in average, dry to medium, well drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant, flops in any shade, can be cut back to ground in early spring.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: Lavender blue blooms in July to October, finely dissected grey green leaves, aromatic and edible.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape:  Long summer bloom for perennial border, good in herb gardens, contrasts nicely with both pink (roses, mallow, phlox) and yellow (rudbeckia).

Dryopteris erythrosora (Dryopteridaceae)

Posted on by under Dryopteridaceae

autumn fernIMG_3921

(image from google images)

Common name: Autumn fern

Size, form, texture: height and spread 1.5-2 ft, clumping fern

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: zone 5-8, native to eastern Asia, prefers average to medium slightly acidic medium to wet moisture soils in part to full shade. Doesn’t tolerate dry soils, require consistent moisture in rich soils.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: New fronds unfurl in striking autumn colours. Spreads by creeping rhizomes, triangular bipinnate fronds mature to a dark green.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Great for moist shade gardens, or woodland gardens. Can be massed as ground cover.

Osmunda cinnamomea (Osmundaceae)

Posted on by under Osmundaceae

cinnamon fernIMG_3920

(image from google images)

Common name: Cinnamon fern

Size, form, texture: can reach up to 6 ft in height, robust habit, deciduous fern

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: native to Eastern North America, native plant, likes being near water, or waters edge, will grow in seasonally inundated ground with moisture

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: similar foliage to Ostrich fern, but is more densely populated with stems, builds stems quickly, cinnamon coloured fronds emerge from sterile fronds, particularly nice in spring when new growth emerges. Contrast of fertile and infertile fronds attractive in the landscape.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape:  One of the best behaved of this family, goes well with willows, poplars, and ostrich fern.

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