Indian Paintbrush, Deciduous Perennial Of The Day

Asclepias tuberosa
    Butterfly Weed,  Indian Paintbrush

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 9A
Height    18" to 30" / 45cm to 75cm
Spread    12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Orange, red and yellow
Bloom Time    Summer

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

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought and a little salt.
This plant will grow in dry to 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
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Seeds will be dispersed in late summer or early fall, and offsets will emerge in the fall at the base of the mother plant.  Asclepias has a large taproot, making it difficult to transplant.  This plant is so late to break dormancy in the spring, one might wonder if it made it through the winter.  If interested in crafts, the fresh flowers from this plant can be used to make yellow dye.   Plants serve provide nectar for butterflies and are hosts for butterfly larvae.

Plant with Solidago, Heliopsis, Helianthus and Penstemon.

Cut back during growth periods to encourage a fuller plant.

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Siberian Iris, Deciduous Perennial Of The Day

Iris sibirica 'Silver Edge'

Siberian Iris

Type Perennial

Hardy range 3A to 9A

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

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

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect and vase shaped

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Blue

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis 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
Fall Color Orange

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture NotesThese plants are very hardy, easy to grow, and increase readily. They will grow in shade, but will bloom and grow better in the sun. Division should take place every 3 years. Plants go well with: Iris pallida, Dianthus sp., Aquilegia, Artemisia, and Carex sp. 'Silver Edge' has lovely blue blossoms with a narrow edge of silver to set it off.

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Spotted Bellflower, Perennial Of The Day

Campanula punctata syn. Campanula nobilis 'Cherry Bells'

Spotted Bellflower

Type Perennial

Hardy range 5A to 9A

Height 20" to 26" / 50cm to 65cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Spreading or horizontal and upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color Red

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.


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

Leaf Color Green

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 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. C. punctata is noted for its pendulous, tubular blossoms that have tiny purple spots on the inside. A Terra Nova introduction, 'Cherry Bells' has a strong, upright habit and unusual tubular, red flowers. This plant attracts hummingbirds.

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Red Fox, Annual Of The Day

Celosia argentea (Spicata Group) 'Flamingo'
    Red Fox,  Celosia,  Wheat

Type    Annual
Height    10" to 18" / 25cm to 45cm
Spread    12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Pink
Bloom Time    Summer and Fall

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried 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
This plant has attractive foliage.

 Culture Notes
Celosia is really a tender perennial, but it is usually grown as an annual because it is not hardy in areas which have consistent freezing temperatures.  It reseeds easily to the point of being a pest.  Seedlings can be grown sown under glass early spring.

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time. All feedback is welcome and we’d love to receive all of your thoughts.

Thank You