Alpine Geranium: Featured Plant of The Day

Erodium reichardii 'Roseum'  syn. Erodium chamaedryoides 

Alpine Geranium,  Heron's Bill,  Stork's Bill

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    5A to 7A
Height    2" to 3" / 5cm to 8cm
Spread    6" to 9" / 15cm to 23cm
Growth rate    Slow
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Pink
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

Environment
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral to slightly alkaline (6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Overly moist conditions will seriously harm this alpine plant.  This mat forming plant can be increased by division in the spring or by stem cuttings in early summer.  'Roseum', with its pink blooms and darker veins, is probably the most available plant of this species.

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Spiderwort 'Little Doll': Featured Plant of The Day

Tradescantia x 'Little Doll'
    Spiderwort

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 9A
Height    8" to 10" / 20cm to 25cm
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    Blue
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

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

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Although this plant's blooms last for only a day, they do not need to be deadheaded as one should do with the daylily.  However, cutting back its stems in mid summer makes its grass-like foliage neater in appearance and encourages reblooming in the fall.  Flowers will close in the evening.  Division can be done in the spring and stem cuttings can be taken and rooted in the summer.  Seed can be allowed to drop to form new plants.  'Little Doll' makes an excellent edging plant, due to its compactness.

Normally all buds are closed by late afternoon. Divide to control the spread of this plant in early spring or autumn.

Snowdrop Anemone: Featured Plant of The Day

Anemone sylvestris
    Snowdrop Anemone,  Snowdrop Windflower

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    4A to 9A
Height    6" to 18" / 15cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    White
Bloom Time    Spring and Summer

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

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry to 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
This plant is found natively in meadows and light open woodlands.  It spreads quickly and prefers a gritty, well-drained soil with lots of organic matter.  Cut back to basal foliage after blooming.  Divide as necessary to keep plant in its place. This plant will tolerate dry conditions during the summer months, with some protection from the hot summer sun. The parsley-like leaves of these plants are quite attractive, and the ornate parts of their daisy-like blossoms are actually sepals.

Tussock Bellfower: Featured Plant of The Day

Campanula carpatica 'Blue Clips'

Tussock Bellfower, Carpathian Bellflower, Carpathian Harebell

Type Perennial

Hardy range 3B to 8B

Height 6" to 9" / 15cm to 23cm

Spread 10" to 12" / 25cm to 30cm

Growth rate Slow

Form Spreading or horizontal

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color Blue

Bloom Time Summer and Fall


Leaf Color
Green
This plant has attractive foliage.
The flowers are showy 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 a neutral to slightly alkaline (6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Culture Notes 
Campanula will not do well in dry or wet soils or if humidity is high. As long as there is adequate drainage, this herbaceous plant will easily spread to show off its numerous bell-shaped flowers. It's a good idea to remove spent flower heads for continuous blooming. Shear lightly after blooming. In the fall OR spring, cut to basal foliage; cut in the fall if foliage is poor - this will improve the plant's appearance.