Tag Archives: List 12

Petasites fragrans (Asteraceae)

Posted on by under Asteraceae

petasites fragransIMG_3935

(image from google images)

Common name: winter heliotrope

Size, form, texture: height 6-12 inches, bulbous head on stalk.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: tender shrub from the tropics, known for sweet baby powder fragrance, “mushroom like” shape, can be invasive/aggressive, won’t come up where dense cover but will show up in holes in landscape, European species, prefers sun to part shade.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: flowers in feb/march, flowers in spring before leaves come, bloom purple or white, foliage is deciduous smooth, succulent leaves.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Good ground cover in summer, dies down in winter, medicinal properties, aka colt’s foot (lead shaped like horse’s hoof), good on slab, should be contained, clean looking, nice dense ground cover.

Iberis umbellata (Brassicaceae)

Posted on by under Brassicaceae

iberus umbullataIMG_3934

(image from google images)

Common name: globe candytuft

Size, form, texture: hardy annual, height 1 ft, spread 4 ft,

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: self seeding, comes back each year after being planted once,  needs to be in drier site protected from the Northeast, zone 5-9, attractive and edible, require moderately rich soil and lots of sun.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: flowers born in umbel, variety of colour in one planting, spring flowers in May to June, forms low mats of attractive flowers and foliage.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Good to cut dead flowers and throw back in so that seeds disperse, good ground cover, edging or on top of wall, good for use in rock gardens, to cover bare spots or in beds, attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.

Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nippon’ (Asparagaceae)

Posted on by under Asparagaceae

mondo grassIMG_3933

(image from google images)

Common name: dwarf mondo grass

Size, form, texture: mature size 10 inches by 16 inches, evergreen ground cover, herbaceous perennial,

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: zone 7-10, brown tips on leaves in cold winter, shade tolerant, prefers partial to full shade but can tolerate sun, leaves will just get sunburnt, prefers moist well drained soil.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics:  Narrow strip shaped leaves, grasslike texture, interesting appearance, white or pale purple flowers.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Cannot tolerate being walked on, will get holes where people have stepped, good to plant in islands with moss, good as ground cover or in very front of borders.

Phormium tenax (Xanthorroeaceae)

Posted on by under Xanthorroeaceae

Phormium_tenaxIMG_3932

(image from google images)

Common name: New Zealand flax

Size, form, texture: huge clumps, height 1-6 ft, spread 1-3 ft, attractive and unusual aesthetic.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: Native to New Zealand, evergreen, fibrous, when dormant sensitive to excess moisture, bird pollinated flowers, attracts hummingbirds, needs sun and good drainage, increased irrigation in summer increases size of foliage, temporary bedding plant in cooler parts of Vancouver, zone 9 plant likes dry well drained area, needs sun,

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: foliage comes in many colours ranging from green to darker green, awesome flower stalks 4-5 m tall, rarely flowers, very attractive architectural foliage.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Nice plant at waters edge, also very attractive in pots or containers for patios or decks, greenhouse or houseplant, attractive around fountains or water features.

Hebe franciscana (Plantiginaceae)

Posted on by under Plantaginaceae

hebe fransisciana Hebe_x_franciscana

IMG_3931

(image from google images)

Common name: Francisca hebe

Size, form, texture: giant plant, height 2-4 ft, spread 2-4 ft,

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: suitable for mild garden, good on top of wall where there is good drainage, needs good protection but not shade, good under tree where its protected from radiation frost, the bigger the leaf on a hebe the less hardy it is, prefers part sun to shade, fertilizers can enhance foliage.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: perfectly decussate leaves, inflorescent spikes subterminal, conical pink flowers, all hebes are evergreen.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape:  Can be prone to pest problems and is prone to weather damage if not protected from frost. Otherwise fairly low maintenance.

Carex pendula (Cyperaceae)

Posted on by under Cyperaceae

carex_pendulaIMG_3930

(image from google images)

Common name: Drooping sedge

Size, form, texture: Foliage 40-50 inches tall, flower 50-60 inches tall, cool season semi evergreen clump forming sedge.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: hardy, zone 5 plant, aggressive, will grow anywhere once established, can tolerate sun or shade, crowded areas where theres competition, will be very successful with irrigation.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: Lower clumping dark green sedge with tall drooping brown inflorescents, moves with the wind, sandlike, dense lush foliage at ground prevents weeds.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Good plant o create movement in the landscape, can be paired with hosta. Looks good in border or in bedding.

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.

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