Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Syringa x prestoniae 'Minuet'

Lilac

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 3B to 7B

Height 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Spread 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Growth rate Fast

Form Rounded and vase shaped

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Purple

Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are fragrant and very showy.

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in very dry 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 NotesLilac is a common flowering shrub that grows best in a sunny location. The plant will grow in shade but flowering is poor and powdery mildew is likely to be severe. The growth rate is rapid and the plant produces many suckers. Pollen bothers certain people.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe 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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Annual, Biennial, Perennial Of The Day

Rudbeckia hirta syn. Rudbeckia flava 'Goldilocks'

Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower, Gloriosa Daisy

Type Annual, biennial, perennial

Height 10" to 15" / 25cm to 40cm
Spread 24" to 30" / 60cm to 75cm
Growth rate Fast
Form Rounded and upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color Yellow
Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates salt well.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture NotesThis plant is a short-lived perennial or biennial and is often grown as an annual. It self-sows easily and cuttings can be taken in late summer and rooted in the cold frame. This plant prefers a sunny spot, with a well-drained fertile soil. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources. 'Goldilocks' is a Fleuroselect winner. It is more compact and has double or semidouble yellow blossoms.

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Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Hydrangea paniculata 'Pee Wee'

Panicle Hydrangea, Hybrid Hydrangea, PeeGee Hydrangea

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 3B to 8A

Height 6' to 15' / 1.80m to 4.60m

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

Growth rate Average

Form Vase shaped

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Summer

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

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry 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 Yellow

Culture NotesPanicle Hydrangea should be grown in full sun or partial shade on well-drained, moist, loamy soil. Plants flower best in sun. The upright, spreading branches often bend down with the weight of the blooms, and the brown, faded blooms should be removed in late September to keep the tree from looking unkempt. If unpruned some people object to the pinkish brown fruits and old flowers which hang on to the tree during the winter. Pruning also is suggested to keep the plant to a consistent, neat shape. Lower branches can be pruned to clean up the bottom of the plant and make it grow into a multi-stemmed tree. Flowers emerge white and turn pink.
This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe 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

Gazania rigens syn. Gazania ringens; Gazania splendens 'Daybreak Red Stripe'

Treasure Flower, Gazania

Type Perennial

Hardy range 7A to 9A

Height 6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Red and yellow

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy.


EnvironmentThis plant tolerates drought and salt well.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green and silvery

Culture NotesThe well known garden plant Gazania splendens (or "rigens") originates in South Africa. The petals are usually orange, yellow or white, but sometimes bronze or pink. At the base they are often brown forming an attractive ring at the center. The flowers close in darker weather and opens again with the first rays of the sun. "Daybreak", called after this surprising effect of the sunlight, is one of the most well known Gazania hybrids.
'Daybreak Red Stripe' is a really unique variation of this Gazania series, with a red stripe dissipating out over each deep yellow petal. This gives the startling effect of a radiating sun when the flowers open.
It is the third Gazania from the 'Daybreak' series to win a Gold Medal from Fleuroselect, the international organization for testing new flower seeds. The golden-yellow 'Garden Sun' from 1990 was only emanated in 1996 by 'Bright Orange' which bloomed earlier, richer and more uniformly than any other seed Gazania. The new 'Daybreak Red Stripe' yet again beats its predecessors in beauty, keeping the compact form, and countless, large, single flowers, which open earlier than other Gazanias. This richly flowering and unusual plant therefore shines in the garden, even before the penetration of the first sun's rays.
If sown in January, 'Daybreak Red Stripe' can be planted out from May (end of the frosts). To germinate, the seeds should be covered lightly and kept damp at 21 ° C. After 3 weeks the seedlings can be transferred to 9 cm pots or sets (16 or 24). Growth regulators are not required. Hobby gardens can expect later flowering due to lower temperatures during the growth period. Gazanias perform well in borders, rockeries and in pots. They can withstand dry conditions, salty air and wind and have a preference for a sunny spot and well-drained soil.

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Planting Ideas for 2010

Lilium 'Gardenia'

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 Pink and yellow

Bloom Time 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

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.

Culture Notes

Viola pedata

Bird's Foot Violet, Crowfoot Violet, Pansy Violet

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 9A

Height 2" to 6" / 5cm to 15cm

Spread 6" to 10" / 15cm to 25cm

Growth rate Slow

Form Rounded

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Blue, purple and white

Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment

This plant tolerates drought.

This plant will grow in dry soil.

Suitable soil is sandy.

The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes

Seeds can be collected in the summer or allowed to self sow. Dormant root cuttings can be taken in the early spring. Viola pedata prefers a gritty dry soil, poor in nutrient. Needs a covering of mulch in the winter. Pruning will keep plants full and compact. Deadheading will continue blooming all season.

Iris germanica 'River Hawk'

Bearded Iris, Tall Bearded German Iris, Orris Root

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 10A

Height 18" to 30" / 45cm to 75cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Lavender

Bloom Time Spring

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 NotesPrefers a sunny well-drained fertile soil. Will tolerate some shade in well-drained areas. Division can be done in the fall as well as early spring before new growth. The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.

Berberis thunbergii 'Bagatelle'

Japanese Barberry

Type Shrub, groundcover, woody plant

Hardy range 4A to 7B

Height 12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm

Spread 12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm

Growth rate Slow

Form Rounded and spreading or horizontal

Exposure Full shade to full sun

Persistence Semi-evergreen

Bloom Color Yellow
Bloom Time Spring

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

Leaf Color Purple
Fall Color Orange, red and yellow

This plant has attractive foliage and attractive fall colors.

Culture NotesJapanese Barberry is thorny, so it's useful for barrier plantings. The plant tolerates most light exposures and soils, but purple-leafed cultivars turn green in shade. This shrub grows slowly but transplants easily. Japanese Barberry can be sheared and used as a hedge plant.
The main ornamental features are persistent red fruits and fall color in shades of red, orange and yellow. This cultivar is a form of the variety atropurpurea and is more compact than many other cultivars. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe 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.

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Atlantic'

Hyacinth

Type Perennial

Hardy range 3A to 7A

Height 6" to 10" / 15cm to 25cm

Spread 3" to 5" / 8cm to 13cm

Growth rate Slow

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Purple

Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis 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

Culture NotesBulbs should be purchased and planted in late autumn. Once the tubular flowers are finished in the spring, they should be removed. Feed the bulb generously until the foliage goes dormant in the summer. In colder climates, mulch to protect from the cold winters. Often the bulbs will not bloom as well in later seasons. Hyacinths are more commonly used as forced plants, and the plants are discarded after the plant goes dormant.

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time all feedback is welcome and we’d love to hear it.