Category Archives: List 10

Perovskia atriplicifolia, Russian sage

Perovskia atriplicifoliaPerovskia atriplicifolia, Russian sage

Family: Lamiaceae

Description:

This classic sub-shrub has a woody base and is more or less evergreen. Reaching over 1m in height, this sage species has a fairly open form with a sprawling habit. Fragrant flowers are borne terminally with a hairy, purple calyx and blue corolla. Leaves are finely divided with teeth that have deep sinuses. New growth is whitish.

Growing conditions:

This is a low maintenance shrub that is best suited for full-sun and dry, well-drained soil. It can tolerate drought.

Suitable uses:

As a low maitenance, drought tolerant species, Perovskia atriplicifolia is ideal for a highway median. It looks good as seen from a distance.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/organ_printer/4897769001/in/photolist-8sNm68-p2VvVN-9zpzQZ-bV7hev-6GBWWm-g3ufj-6QPZne-cwpMiQ-bsKcCC-2HR2ai-6GxTtT-osaoL6-8A1yJK-6NiatD-xTZ4W4-2HR6va-xBnMef-wPK1eC-JinwzN-owoBEE-x7UhuM-xpFwt5-AigdjA-xpEU27-ymFZHg-ymFZua-zCYNTR-HPUdZX-xpQ11H-xpQ3LT-JknZv9-yZNG9Y-y55RJw-ynqhsa-JHc1Vj-y55Rsu-y5cNvc-yjoTXW-JDkEKF-HPWVEG-HPWULC-HPUfbK-JTJJnU-KHuLaD-JTJs6A-JTJruL-JTJqYW-KEjtxx-JHRAyT-KuT4p3

CC Image courtesy of organprinter on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/131880272@N06/28152409294/in/photolist-cwpMiQ-bsKcCC-6GxTtT-osaoL6-6NiatD-2HR6va-x7UhuM-wPK1eC-xpFwt5-AigdjA-xpEU27-ymFZHg-ymFZua-zCYNTR-HPUdZX-xpQ11H-xpQ3LT-JknZv9-yZNG9Y-y55RJw-ynqhsa-JHc1Vj-y55Rsu-y5cNvc-yjoTXW-JDkEKF-HPWVEG-HPWULC-HPUfbK-owoBEE-JinwzN-KF22Cm-JTJJnU-JTXdNM-KHuLaD-KHuKmz-KHuK2r-KHuJJT-JTXbrc-KHuHRa-KMvWt3-JTJst9-JTJs6A-JTJruL-JTJqYW-KEjtxx-JHRAyT-KuT4p3-JAvDzS-J5VbKp

CC Image courtesy of K M on Flickr

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Lucifer montbretia

crocosmia luciferCrocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Lucifer montbretia

Family: Iridaceae

Description

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is easily recognizable for its robust, broad leaves and succession of dark red tubular flowers. This fast growing perennial can become quite large with a tendency to flop over and obliterate smaller plants. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, or even small birds that can be supported by resilient stems. Though it is fairly late to leaf out in spring, by mid-late august it will die completely to the ground.

Growing conditions:

This species thrives in full-part sun with rich, well-drained soil. To limit extreme vigor, it is better behaved in very dry soils.

Suitable uses:

As the darkest and largest of all Crocosmia species, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ adds striking drama and texture in the landscape. It can be used in a border, with consideration to its scale and vigor. It is best to keep away from delicate plants that are easily out-shaded or trampled.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dbarronoss/5880649095/in/photolist-9XDS6D-fupi2q-fho5MV-cQU2Zh-oaZJ9r-cjnMAh-72ySYo-6HPYMS-6Y1nHD-nMoBDJ-cR9AYE-5r3VyX-2jpif8-ckNeTd-fqks7a-93boJM-chktAA-cir7GE-fe6Ds7-2kqAc5-58DZhA-a2mpHz-9ZdseP-2ub6px-8j9MeM-6Z27jL-oEqL15-zhd2H6-o1KuEk-2ubjc2-55j4iP-nYSw1s-2ufqPy-o6PwpB-2nmGtn-2nmHcz-8oYAic-2mp89K-5beSEi-2GRucP-2GVMS3-6YoTHF-XWuKA-5aK97R-cKjHT9-o8KUVs-vXdqmN-vXdw7h-wfgnYB-cQU2aU

CC Image courtesy of dbarronoss on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/granvillestout/2908909899/in/photolist-5r3VyX-2jpif8-ckNeTd-fqks7a-93boJM-chktAA-cir7GE-fe6Ds7-oEqL15-nYSw1s-o6PwpB-2mp89K-2kqAc5-2GRucP-2GVMS3-a2mpHz-9ZdseP-2ub6px-8j9MeM-6Z27jL-zhd2H6-o1KuEk-2ubjc2-55j4iP-2ufqPy-2nmGtn-2nmHcz-8oYAic-5beSEi-6YoTHF-58DZhA-XWuKA-5aK97R-2GVLRj-cKjHT9-8MkCek-6QF8xD-2GRwZT-2GVNU9-vDFabz-2nkXer-6DJCzn-p2dMw-6DFFvy-2mEAA1-fetdak-8oYL1v-54BsN1-fetcYB-5aK8Pg

      CC Image courtesy of       Granville Stout on Flickr

Dierama pulchellum, angel’s fishing rod

Dierama pulchellumDierama pulchellum, angel’s fishing rod

Family: Iridaceae

Description

This perennial is notable for its delicate weeping form with bell-shaped fuchsia flowers that hang down. Characteristic of the Iridaceae family, these plants have leaves that emerge in a two-dimensional plane. Flowers are gimbaled, or materialize on their own stalks, with persistent silvery/brown bracts.

Growing conditions:

This is a zone 8 tender plant, and should not be grown at high elevations. It is happiest in well-drained soil that does not have organic matter on the soil surface. It is more robust in rich soil.

Suitable uses:

Dierama pulchellum adds movement to the landscape and is particularly lovely fluttering in the wind. It is best in a more open planting, without too much crowding. It works well on a slope in the sun, or next to a building where it receives reflected heat. Grasses can be an attractive complement to this species.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jim-sf/3838648228/in/photolist-JbeEVJ-nR4Co3-6SXEsf-DoCUrJ-6z7aNf-ddTaMw-o7bUWo-ddTagk-6RdjBh-6R9enH-6R9bKp-K41yx3-6Rd5o9-ikJMY-Fj21oq-Ex8D5k

    CC Image courtesy of James Gaither on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ngawangchodron/27134091013/in/photolist-fiH33a-czdBCY-o6xktF-HJqcT4-afkTRp-czdC9o-6BG48Y-cptfa7-oyqbeZ-8hyAgR-a4WknK-6Rd5o9-cxCLsJ-afoGgG-aRP7eM-czdAyq-9YwcA8-okxH4H-fmiHTF-8hBSG5-ar1G4E-9Yz6N5-8gSsYA-nGASro-HkKiVp-Ex8D5k-6z7aNf-o7bUWo-K41yx3-cxCKFJ-cxCKV9-6R9enH-fmxRNA-6R9bKp-6RdjBh-orLVUf-ddTaMw-5CzTJk-5Jymcj-Fj21oq-a4Vkqv-8jDxms-XJL5K-HkKi9V-wdMAYy-h1xZsZ-ddTagk-3q8Nj-6zD9aC-oeBxJ7

CC Image courtesy of Lotus Johnson on Flickr

Allium giganteum, giant purple allium

Allium gigantiumAllium giganteum, giant purple allium

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Description

As one of the largest allium species, this is notable for its whimsical form. Large upright stalks produce coconut-sized spherical panicles of purple flowers that persist for 4-5 weeks. It has a tendency to slightly lean over and leaves will begin to die back as flowers emerge. It is a bulbous perennial that dies to ground each year. Unlike many other perennials, this species will increase in numbers over the years.

Growing conditions:

Allium giganteum prefers well-drained soils with moderate moisture in full-part sun. In shade, flowering stalks have a tendency to lean more, but will also flower longer.

Suitable uses:

This unusual perennial adds dynamism and playfulness to the landscape. It can be quite successful at the back of the border to add vertical flowering interest, and where other plants nearer the front can hide the basal leaves as they die back.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mshades/168882255/in/photolist-F6xdcn-iTDRnr-8h2DQz-9Q8gKV-fVyP2-nF7yv2-fVyFN-fVycc-JbM2gM-fxqiP/

CC Image courtesy of Chris Gladis on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/greenplasticamy/5795464743/in/photolist-F6xdcn-iTDRnr-8h2DQz-9Q8gKV-fVyP2-nF7yv2-fVyFN-fVycc-JbM2gM-fxqiP

CC Image courtesy of amy on Flickr