Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Bird'

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 Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Blue
Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are very showy.
EnvironmentThis 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 GreenFall Color No change in fall color

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. Pollen can cause slight to mild allergy symptoms.
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 'Double Delight'

Rose

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 3B to 10B

Height 36" to 6' / 90cm to 1.80m

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

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Pink and salmon

Bloom Time Summer

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

EnvironmentThis 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 NotesRose 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 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

Hemerocallis x 'Black Eyed Stella'

Daylily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 3A to 10A

Height 14" to 20" / 35cm to 50cm

Spread 20" to 24" / 50cm to 60cm

Growth rate Average

Form Irregular or sprawling and 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.

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates drought.
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

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture NotesHemerocallis hybrids come in a wide range of colors, flowering times and sizes, and some even come with a fragrance. For the most part, daylilies are long-lived, hardy perennials that are tolerant of the sun. However, some species will show sun scald and prefer partial sun. Daylilies are adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, and most bloom from late June until the first frost (depending on the cultivar). These plants attract both butterflies and hummingbirds and, usually, are both heat and drought resistant. Hemerocallis are extremely tough plants that spread rapidly in most conditions, thereby choking out weeds without becoming invasive themselves. The best time to plant daylilies is early spring. Although the individual blooms are short-lived, the number of blooms you get from an average flower stalk continues on for weeks.

Daylilies adapt to almost any location that provides at least six hours of sunlight, but it's best to plant them in a prepared, raised bed of soil that is high in organic matter. For clay soil, coarse sand and organic matter should be mixed in. When planted, the crown should be even with the soil line. The growth rate of daylilies can be increased via generous irrigation practices. At the end of the flowering season, remove the spent flower stalks only so that the remaining dying foliage will protect the center of the plant through the colder winter months. Also, division of the plant every two or three years will increase stem strength and flower size.

'Black Eyed Stella' is an All American Daylily Selection. A heavy rebloomer, its ruffled flowers are golden yellow with a dark red eye.

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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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