Monday, February 25, 2013

Bursting into Spring

 

Pulsatilla vulgaris
syn. Anemone pulsatilla
Pasque Flower

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    5A to 8A
Height    6" to 10" / 15cm to 25cm
Growth rate    Slow
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color    Purple
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are suitable for dried flowers.

Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
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
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Since the beautiful blooms of this plant nod, planting on a slope will make it easier to appreciate them.   Do not let the soil get too wet, or rotting may occur.   The seed heads do not need to be removed, because they form interesting plumes and do not rob the plant of its vitality.  Division can be made to the tuber in fall or early spring.  This plant does self seed easily and forms large colonies. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.



Phlox x arendsii 'Anja'
    Arend's Phlox


Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 8A
Height    18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm
Spread    12" to 14" / 30cm to 35cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Purple
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

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

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Plants can be lifted and divided in the spring and the fall.  Plant in areas with good air circulation.  Periodic pruning until mid summer will produce more stems and a later blooming plant.  'Anja' has purple blossoms that have a red tinge to them.




Anemone magellanica
    Anemone

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    5B to 8B
Height    6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color    White
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
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
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Leave anemones undisturbed after planting.  Do not let the soil get too wet, or rotting may occur.


Narcissus 'Avalon'
    Daffodil

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    4A to 8A
Height    6" to 9" / 15cm to 23cm
Spread    12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color    Yellow
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

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

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

 Culture Notes
'Avalon' is a Division 2 large-cupped cultivar.  Clump forming bulbs that can be lifted and divided in the fall.  Will increase in numbers if left undisturbed and dry in late summer.