Featured Plant of the Day: Grape Hyacinth

Muscari neglectum     syn. Muscari racemosum

Grape Hyacinth

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    4B to 7B
Height    6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Irregular or sprawling
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color    Blue
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are fragrant.

Environment
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Rock garden
-    Border
-    Massing

Attributes and Features
-    Naturalizing

Propagation and Root Form
Best propagation time is in the  fall.
This plant grows from a  bulb.

Culture Notes
A perennial wildflower that is planted from bulb.

Featured Plant of the Day: Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis foliosa 

Feather Reed Grass,  Reed Grass

Type    Perennial, grass
Hardy range    7A to 9A
Height    24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Irregular or sprawling
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Time    Summer

The flowers are suitable for dried flowers.

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

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Landscape Uses
-    Massing
-    Specimen

Attributes and Features
-    Wetlands plant

Propagation and Root Form
Propagation is from  division.
Best propagation time is in the  spring.
This plant grows from a  rhizome.

Culture Notes
These ornamental grasses thrive in damp, fertile soil.  They may, however, become invasive unless division of the plant periodically takes place.

Featured Plant of The Day: 'Whitewell Gem' False Rockcress

Aubrieta deltoidea 'Whitewell Gem' 

False Rockcress

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    4A to 7A
Height    6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm
Spread    12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous and evergreen

Bloom Color    Purple
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment 

This plant tolerates drought.

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

Leaf Color    Green and silvery
This plant has attractive foliage.

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Alpine garden
-    Rock garden
-    Woodland garden
-    Border
-    Massing
-    Groundcover

Attributes and Features
-    Attracts butterflies

Culture Notes
These plants will be short-lived in areas where summers are hot.  Plant in northern or eastern exposures if the summer is hot.  Unless collecting seed, remove spent flowers.  If a cold frame is available root some cuttings taken in early summer.

Featured Plant of The Day: 'Victor Reiter' Hybrid Thrift

Armeria 'Victor Reiter'

 Hybrid Thrift,  Sea Pink

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 8A
Height    1" to 2" / 2cm to 5cm
Spread    6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Full sun
Persistence    Deciduous and evergreen

Bloom Color    Pink
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.

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

 Leaf Color    Green

 Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Alpine garden
-    Rock garden
-    Seashore planting
-    Border
-    Massing
-    Specimen
-    Groundcover

Culture Notes
Shear flowers after blooming to increase blooming period.  Plant divisions should be done in the early spring and are necessary to rejuvenate the plant.

Do not fertilize.  Plant may rot in center with poorly drained soil.

Featured Plant of The Day: English Hedge Fern

Polystichum setiferum
    English Hedge Fern,  Soft Shield Fern

Type    Perennial, fern
Hardy range    7A to 9A
Height    18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm
Growth rate    Average
Fomr    Rounded
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Rock garden
-    Woodland garden
-    Border
-    Massing
-    Groundcover

Attributes and Features
-    No flowers or blooms

Propagation
Propagation is from  division.
Best propagation time is in the  spring.

Culture Notes
Protect from the hot, direct sunlight.  Propagate by division or spores in the spring.