Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'La France'

Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m

Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Blue, lavender and purple

Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are very showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes
Since the deciduous Bigleaf Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Bigleaf Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink in neutral.
Colors indicated for blue cultivars are for acid soil conditions; they appear pink or lavender in neutral or alkaline soil.


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Perennial Of The Day

Lilium 'America'

Asiatic Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 5A to 9A

Height 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Spread 18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color Red

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes
In medieval times, lily bulbs had several medicinal purposes. Plants will be less productive if allowed to seed. Lilies can be easily divided by lifting and propagating the bulbs in early spring. Flowers produced in the summer come in various colors.

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Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Hibiscus syriacus 'Meehannii'

Rose of Sharon, Althaea, Shrub Althea

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 10' to 12' / 3.00m to 3.60m

Spread 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m

Growth rate Slow

Form Rounded and upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Pink

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are very showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green, variegated and yellow
Fall Color No change in fall color

Crown, Branch and Twig
This plant is symmetrical with a fine texture and has a open crown.
This plant's bark is not showy.
Branches or twigs are of medium thickness and are thin.
This plant is often grown with multiple trunks.

Native Habitat
Species native to China.

Culture Notes
Easily grown shrubs usually planted in the perennial garden because of the abundance of colorful flowers. Too much or too little water or over fertilization will cause buds to drop from this plant. This plant is capable of self-sowing to the point of being a nuisance if the soil beneath is good.
Plants often have poor root systems which cause the plant to fall over as it grows taller. This often originates in the nursery when plants are held in containers too long. This can be avoided by choosing plants that are small for their container and slicing any roots that circle the outside of the container. Some growers also use alternate container designs specially designed to reduce the amount of circling roots.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Rosa x 'Meipoque (Pink Meidiland®)'

Rose

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 3B to 10B

Height 36" to 10' / 90cm to 3.00m

Spread 12" to 20' / 30cm to 6.00m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Pink

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are fragrant, very showy, suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes
Rose is the national flower. Depending on the cultivar, the growing attributes of roses vary widely. Check with your nursery as to the specific attributes and growing requirements for your particular rose.
The rose is an essential garden element and will prosper if proper fertilizing, pruning and spraying are done on a regular basis. Planting as bare root plants in the spring or early summer is recommended as it will not disturb the growth cycle. Roses need to be actively growing in order to flower. Place in the open in a well-drained soil where they receive plenty of sun light. Plant roses far enough apart so you can prune and treat for insect and disease problems adequately. If you can choose a spot with a soil pH around 6.5 this is ideal.
A 2-3 inch deep cover of mulch is needed to keep the soil cool in the summer, retain moisture and keep the plant warm in the winter months. Plant in full or partial sun, morning sun is best. Soil should be rich in organic material such as peat moss, rotted manure, leaf mold or compost. Allow adequate spacing between plants for better air circulation and to lessen the spread of disease. Do not plant near tree roots as they can deprive the plant of necessary moisture and nutrients.
Winter protection depends on the climate and the location of the garden. In most locations that receive freezing temperatures, stop fertilizing in mid to late summer so the plant slows down its growth before the first freeze. After the first few cold snaps below freezing, mound soil to about 12 inches up the stems and cut back any canes greater than about 3 to 4 feet long. Some people tie the stems together to keep them from whipping around in the wind. You may also cover the soil mound with mulch to help maintain a constant temperature all winter long. This is not necessary in the warmest portion of the hardiness range. Roses may be propagated by root cuttings, budding, or grafting.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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Perennial Of The Day

Armeria 'Dusseldorf Pride'

Hybrid Thrift, Sea Pink

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 8A

Height 8" to 10" / 20cm to 25cm

Bloom Color Pink and red

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Variegated

Culture Notes
Cute little Alpine with attractive variegated foliage, light green with cream edges. Rose-red globular flowers.

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Perennial Of The Day

Hosta x 'Guacamole'

Hosta, Plantain Lily, Plantain Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 9A

Height 18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm

Spread 4' to 5' / 1.20m to 1.40m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and spreading or horizontal

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Lavender

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green and variegated

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Remove flower heads when flowers are spent. Hostas will grow best in a fertile loamy soil in a woodland setting. Plants go well with: Astilbe, Ferns, Epimedium, Rodgersia, and Dicentra sp.

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Perennial Of The Day

  Pulmonaria x 'Victorian Brooch' 'Victorian Brooch'
Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 9A

Height 6" to 8" / 15cm to 20cm

Spread 18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Bloom Color Pink and purple

Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are showy.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is clay.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green, silvery and variegated

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
This plant needs moist, cool soil that is in a partly shaded area. Overly dry conditions will cause wilting of its leaves. The silvery-white spots appearing on the leaves of 'Victorian Brooch' make its foliage quite attractive, even after its distinctive magenta-coral flowers have ceased to bloom. 'Victorian Brooch' has a compact habit, is resistant to mildew, deer and slugs and provides a valuable source of nectar for honey bees. Asexual propagation of 'Victorian Brooch' is prohibited.

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Perennial Vine Of The Day

Mandevilla x amoena 'Alice du Pont' syn. Dipladenia amoena

Allamanda, Mexican Love Vine

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 10A to 11

Height 10' to 15' / 3.00m to 4.60m

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color Pink

Bloom Time Year 'round

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes
Where summers are hot, provide shade for Mandevilla from direct afternoon sun. Flowers appear in greatest abundance during the summer but some appear all year. When Allamanda is used on a fence or over an arbor, the foliage and flowers will cluster toward the top of the fence or arbor several years after planting. Regular heading back several of the twining stems each year will help generate new foliage and flowers near the ground. Rapid growth and profuse flowering have helped Allamanda become popular as an annual in cooler regions where freezing temperatures kill the plant to the ground. `Alice du Pont' is the most popular cultivar available. Plants look nice planted in containers and hung from an overhead support. Please note that all parts of Mandevilla are poisonous.

Perennial Of The Day

Lysimachia punctata

Garden Loosestrife, Variegated Loosestrife, Yellow Loosestrife

Type Perennial
Hardy range 5A to 9A
Height 16" to 19" / 40cm to 50cm
Spread 10" to 12" / 25cm to 30cm
Growth rate Average
Form Upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Deciduous
 

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant tolerates occasional wetness.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

 Leaf Color Green, pink, variegated and yellow

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
This plant can be invasive if it is planted in a moist area. It is found in the wild, growing in marshes, on river banks and in shallow water ditches. The foliage of 'Alexander' has a pink tinge to it at first; as the plant matures, its variegated golden foliage becomes impressive. It holds its color throughout the season. Its stunning yellow blossoms emerge in late June along its upright growth. 'Alexander' does not spread as rapidly as other members of this species. Asexual propagation of 'Alexander' (Patent #10,598) is prohibited.

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