Thursday, July 26, 2012

Montauk Daisy, Perennial Of The Day


Nipponanthemum nipponicum syn. Chrysanthemum nipponicu
Montauk Daisy, Nippon Daisy
Type Perennial
Hardy range 5A to 9A
Height 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm
Spread 24" to 30" / 60cm to 75cm
Growth rate Slow
Form Rounded
Exposure Full sun
Persistence Deciduous
Bloom Color White
Bloom Time Summer and Fall
Leaf Color Green
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.
The flowers are fragrant, suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.
This plant has attractive foliage and fragrant foliage.

Culture Notes Depending on your area, this plant may need pinching until mid-July to produce good blooms or staking to maintain form, so check with your local nursery for the specific care of your plant. The dormant buds will emerge from the woody cane in the spring, so do not cut this stem in the late fall. Cuttings should be taken in the spring. Montauk Daisy is a shrubby perennial with thick, fairly succulent leaves. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.


Summer Phlox, Perennial Of The Day


Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' syn. Phlox decussata
Summer Phlox, Fall Phlox, Garden Phlox, Perennial Phlox, Tall Phlox
Type Perennial
Hardy range 4A to 9A
Height 36" to 3' / 90cm to 1.00m
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 Red
Bloom Time Summer and Fall
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.
Spray sulfur weekly to control mildew, and add compost to the base of the plant each spring.

Summer Phlox, Perennial Of The Day


Phlox paniculata 'Bright Eyes' syn. Phlox decussata
Summer Phlox, Fall Phlox, Garden Phlox, Perennial Phlox, Tall Phlox
Type Perennial
Hardy range 4A to 8A
Height 20" to 24" / 50cm 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 Pink
Bloom Time Summer and Fall
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

Leaf Identification
Type: Simple
Arrangement: Opposite
Margins: Ciliate
Shapes: Lanceolate, oblong and ovate
Length: 2in./5cm to 8in./20cm

Native Habitat
Species native to northeastern to north-central United States.

Culture NotesPlants 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. 'Bright Eyes' has huge clusters of light pink flowers with crimson eyes.