Tag Archives: List 11

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.

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