Amsonia in first summer of growth
Glenda Bosley a.k.a “groundhog”
Amsonia hubrichtii is an underused, low maintenance perennial that is native to North America and was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2011.
I have grown this wonderful perennial in a few gardens. Arkansas Blue Star adds interest and contrast to the garden from early spring until snowfall. This picture is shortly after planting in a garden that was requested to be created where 90% of the plant material was to be native or edible.
A little known perennial that is long-lived and can tolerate neglect once established.
The finely textured foliage, which is feathery in appearance, adds a unique contrast to the landscape during the spring and summer when bright green and then turns an outstanding bright yellow-golden colour in the fall.
- Grows as an upright bushy clump that is mound shaped. Similar appearance to a small shrub.
- Grows to a height and width of 36 inches.
- Grows best in full sun or partial shade. Stems may grow floppy if grown in too much shade.
- Prefers an average, well-drained, rich, moist soil, but becomes drought tolerant once established within a few years.
- From May to July this Amsonia produces wide clusters of small, light blue, star-shaped flowers above the foliage.
- The stems and foliage contain a milky sap, which makes it unappealing to deer.
- Combines well in the landscape with Echinacea, Liatris and Ornamental Grass.
A mature clump of Amsonia hubrichtii
Arkansas Blue Star
Outstanding fall colour
Tags: amsonia, amsonia hubrichtii, native plant, perennial, perennial plant, perennialplantoftheyear, zone 5
By G. Bosley a.k.a. ‘groundhog’
Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ has been named Perennial Plant of the Year for 2012. This is truly a wonderful, carefree plant for a shady garden.
I have grown several of the different Brunnera varieties available. This is ‘Jack Frost’ in full bloom in late May. The flowers resemble that of the Forget-me-not (Myosotis). Clouds of sky-blue flowers on strong stems make a beautiful show for 4 – 6 weeks in the early spring.
Brunner ‘Jack Frost’ adds interest and contrast to the garden from very early in the spring until cold killing frosts in the fall.
- Low, clump forming plant that grows 12″ – 18″ high. The flower stems rise above the foliage 3″ – 6″ higher.
- Clumps will grow 12″ – 18″ wide. Side sprouts can be divided off and replanted.
- The foliage has a rough leaf texture which makes it less palatable to deer and other garden pests. These plants are virtually pest free.
- The leaves emerge early in the spring and open into a heart-shaped leaf.
- Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ has frosted silvery leaves that are veined in chalky mint-green, with a thin green margin. The bright foliage will light up dark, shady areas in the garden. Remains attractive all season. ’Jack Frost’ will withstand more sun than many of the other varieties without the leaves becoming scorched. Brunnera ‘Hadspen Cream’ will scorch very easily if exposed to full sun.
- Brunnera are shade loving plants. Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ will tolerate full sun if the soil remains moist.
- Plant Brunnera in a rich soil with good moisture retention. These plants prefer a moist soil, but will tolerate some drought once established.
- Brunnera grows as a hardy perennial in hardiness zones 3 – 8. In more southern locations this plant should be protected from full sun. More tolerant of full sun in northern locations.
Brunnera massed Woodland Planting
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Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ can be planted in a woodland setting. Does well planted under trees. Is an excellent plant for a container, will survive winter if container can be protected, or dig the plant out in the late fall and plant in your garden for the winter. Makes a nice ground cover and combines well with Hosta, Ferns, Heuchera and many other shade loving plants. The attractive foliage makes this a show stopper any where in the shade garden.
This is a hardy perennial you can plant and almost forget about, almost maintenance free. After flowering it is best to remove the faded flower stems, and then the attractive foliage becomes clearly visible. If the faded flower stems are not removed the plant has a messy appearance for a while until the stems break off naturally on their own.
Brunnera 'Jack Frost' in May
Looks great in combination with spring flowering bulbs.
Brunnera 'Jack Frost' in June
Pictured in June after the flowers have faded. The stems remain green for a while and then brown as they dry out. Most flower stems will break off on their own. When deadheading or removing the stems by hand, it is advisable to wear gloves as the stems are covered in tiny hair and may irritate sensitive skin.
Brunnera 'Jack Frost' in July
Tags: 2012 perennial plant of the year, Brunnera, garden, perennial, perennial plant, perennialplantoftheyear
By G. Bosley a.k.a. “groundhog”
Since 1990 The Perennial Plant Association has been selecting a winning perennial for the award Perennial of the Year. http://www.perennialplant.org
Here is a list of 23 great perennials that are worth adding to your landscape.
2012 Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
* Thrives in shade, but tolerates morning sun. Requires moist soil. Deer resistant.
2011 Amsonia hubrichtii
* Thrives in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Requires well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Deer resistant.
2010 Baptisia australis
* Thrives in full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Requires well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Deer resistant.
2009 Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
*Thrives in partial shade. Requires moist, humus rich, well-drained soil. Will not grow well in poor soil, heavy clay soil, or very dry soil.
2008 Geranium psilostemon ‘Rozanne’
*Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Requires moist, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant.
2007 Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’
*Thrives in full sun. Requires average, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Salt tolerant. Deer resistant.
2006 Dianthus gratianopolitanus ’Feuerhexe’ (Firewitch)
*Thrives in full sun, but tolerates light shade. Requires well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline.
2005 Helleborus orientalis hybridus
* Thrives in light shade. Requires well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soil. Foliage remains evergreen in most areas.
2004 Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’
*Thrives in partial or full shade. Requires well-drained, compost-rich, moist soil.
2003 Leucanthemum superbum ‘Becky’
*Thrives in full sun. Requires well-drained soil. Not tolerant of soils that are moist or wet during the winter.
2002 Phlox paniculata ‘David’
* Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Requires a moist but well-drained soil.
2001 Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
*Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Requires well-drained, fertile soil with adequate moisture.
2000 Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’
*Thrives in full sun, but tolerates light shade. Requires well-drained, rich soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline.
1999 Rudbeckia fulgida `Goldstrum’
* Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Requires well-drained, consistently moist soil for best growth. Long-lived, low maintenance, long-blooming perennial.
1998 Echinacea purpurea `Magnus’
*Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Requires well-drained soil. Not tolerant of moist or wet winter soils.
1997 Salvia sylvestris `Mainacht’ (May Night)
*Thrives in full sun. Requires well-drained soil, but tolerant of a wide range of soils. drought tolerant.
1996 Penstemon digitalis `Husker Red’
*Thrives in full sun. Requires well-drained, moist soil. Attractive rich, bronze-red foliage.
1995 Perovskia atriplicifolia
*Thrives in full sun. Requires well-drained soil. Heat and drought tolerant.
1994 Astilbe simplicifolia `Sprite’
*Thrives in shade, but tolerates full sun in northern gardens if kept moist. Requires moist, fertile, well-drained soil.
1993 Veronica `Sunny Border Blue’
* Thrives in full sun, but tolerates light shade. Requires well-drained soil, but tolerant of a wide range of soils.
1992 Coreopsis verticillata `Moonbeam’
* Thrives in full sun. Requires well-drained soil. Blooms reduced during long, hot, humid summers, will perform better in light shade under these conditions.
1991 Heuchera micrantha `Palace Purple’
*Thrives in partial shade in regions with hot, humid summers. In northern garden it grows well in full sun. Requires moist, well-drained soils. Will not thrive in heavy clay soils.
1990 Phlox stolonifera
* Thrives in partial or full shade. Requires moist, rich, well-drained soil.
This is a collection of some of the award winning perennials which I have add to a variety of gardens.
What is my favourite? It is really hard to pick one favourite, but I would have to say 2012 Winner Brunnera `Jack Frost’. Extremely easy to grow perennial for the shady spot in the landscape, and is attractive from very early in the spring with newly emerging shoots, until very late into the fall. The silvery foliage adds light and interest to a dark shade garden. The bright blue, forget-me-not flowers provide a mass of blooms for many weeks from early to late spring.
What is your favourite Perennial Plant of the Year?
Have A Great Day
Tags: garden, perennial, perennial plant, perennialplantoftheyear
By G. Bosley a.k.a. “groundhog”
Brunnera mac. 'Jack Frost' POY 2012
The Perennial of the Year is a program where members of the Perennial Plant Association vote for the best perennial of the year. The program was started in 1990 with the yearly selection being made in late fall.
Perennials are nominated for Perennial Plant of the Year (POY) by members, and the selection is refined to 4 plants, from which the winner is selected. There may be as many as 400 different perennials nominated in any given year.
The voting members come from varied fields of horticulture where perennials are involved such as growers, landscapers, landscape designers, and gardeners.
Perennials nominated must satisfy selected criteria:
1995 POY Perovskia atriplicifolia
- Suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions
- Requires low maintenance
- Relatively pest and disease resistance
- Easily propagated
- Exhibit multiple seasonal interest
The 2012 POY selection is the 23rd winner of this award. If you use these highly rated perennials in your landscape you are virtually guaranteed success. Provide the plant with the required growing conditions such as, sun or shade location and moist or dry soil, and you will be adding foolproof performers.
In reviewing all the selected perennials since 1990, I have used all of the winners in various gardens over the years and agree these are definitely plants that can be used by all gardeners. Imagine creating a herbaceous border garden using all Award Winning Perennials.
When you are looking for perennials to add to your garden, ask for an Award Winner.
Have you grown any of the selected 23 Perennial Plant of the Year winners? I would like to hear from you. What is your favorite? It would be interesting to see which winner is the all round favorite.
In the upcoming weeks I will be adding a profile of each of the selected winners. Please check for updates.
Have A Great Day
Tags: Brunnera, garden, perennial, perennialplantoftheyear
By G. Bosley a.k.a. “groundhoggardener”
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
The Poinsettia will display colourful leaf bracts from December thru to February if given the proper care.
The colourful leaf bracts are not actually the flower bloom of the plant, since the flower is very small and hidden within the large leaves, the plant has developed these colourful leaf bracts to attract pollinators.
* The Poinsettia requires a brightly lit location to maintain the attractive coloured leaf bracts. Place near a sunny window, but do not let the sun shine directly on the plant.
* The Poinsettia does not like extreme fluctuations in temperatures. Avoid locations where the plant may be subject to cold drafts from doors or windows, or hot drafts from heat sources such as heating ducts.
* The Poinsettia prefers daytime temperatures of 72 F (22 C) and night time temperatures of 60 F (15 C).
* The Poinsettia requires a moist growing medium, but does not like to sit in water. Water when the soil is dry to the touch. Place the pot on a saucer and water thoroughly until the water runs out the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess water in the saucer. Since the air tends to be dry in most homes during the winter heating season it may be necessary to water the plant daily.
* The Poinsettia will develop yellow coloured leaves and/or drop some leaves if it is not given the proper growing conditions.
The Poinsettia is often discarded after the colourful bracts fade. However, the plant can be cared for and brought back into bloom for December. The colourful bracts develop only after the plant is given a period of controlled light and total darkness.
Tags: christmas, euphorbia, houseplant, poinsettia
A Few Great Ideas for Gifts For A Gardener
Birdhouses Birdfeeders Birdbaths
Include some Birdseed
Include a Book on identifying birds
Include a pair of Binoculars
Hand Pruners Pruning Loppers
Pruning Hand Saw Tool Tote Bag
Boot Brush Garden Buckets
Plant Markers Garden Wash Basket
Garden Kneelers Rain Boots
Gloves Sun Hat
Garden String or Velcro Ties Gardeners Journal Book
Planter Sets Gardeners Gift Basket
Garden Books and Garden Magazines
Membership for Local Garden Clubs, Conservation Clubs, Local Botanical Gardens
Gift Certificates for Local Garden Centres
Tags: gardengifts, giftsforgardeners
By G. Bosley a.k.a. “groundhog”
A Golden View
What to do with all those fall leaves? Enjoy all their beauty that Mother Nature gives us. While the leaves are green and lush on the trees we love the shade they provide. When fall arrives we walk or drive for miles to see the beautiful scenery. When the leaves begin to fall we collect them for creating crafts and art, children and pets enjoy frolicking in the piles.
Those fallen leaves are Mother Natures way of helping you improve your gardens. Rich in nutrients and a great source of organic matter for improving your soil and as a mulch to protect your garden plants. Decomposing leaves produce a chemical called phenols which inhibit the growth of seedlings, so those fall leaves become natures own weed control.
Shredded leaves decompose much faster. Shred the leaves with your lawn mower. Begin mulching as the leaves fall, if left until after the leaves have all fallen there will probably be too much of an accumulation for the lawn mower to effectively shred. With the leaves finely shred they can be left on the lawn to a depth of 3/4″. New research is showing that shredded Maple leaves actually reduce weeds in turf. The shredded leaves add lots of organic matter to the soil of your lawn, improving aeration, moisture retention and the life of organisms below the soil, thus improving the health of your turf.
You can use a weed trimmer to shred piles of leaves. I find when using the trimmer it is much easier if the leaves are slightly moist to wet. Dry leaves just seem to float away.
Pile the leaves in a back corner of your property and let them decompose there. A pile of leaves may take 2 years to compost. The rate of decomposition can be increased by adding layers of manure, soil, weeds or grass clippings.
Create a large cage with chicken wire and fill with your leaves to allow them to decompose. Plant vines to climb on the wire cages and disguise them within your landscape.
Use the leaves as a protective mulch for tender plants in the garden. Use dry leaves as a mulch. Wet leaves will compact and could smother your plants and cause rot. Keep leaves away from the stems of trees and shrubs.
Leaves work as a great mulch for cold-hardy vegetables and can extend your harvest season. Cover the bare soil of your gardens with a layer of leaves and let them decompose for the winter, then work them into the soil in the spring. Leaves work great to improve heavy clay soils.
If you have areas with large trees where grass and weed growth underneath is a problem in the summer, add a thick layer of leaves under the trees in the fall to control the unwanted growth.
Let your moist leaves decompose in plastic bags for the winter. In the spring open the bags and add the composted matter to your gardens.
Fallen leaves provide winter protection and homes for many insects, including the larva of butterflies. If you clear all the fallen leaves from your property you may also be removing the tiny wonders of nature.
If you don’t have a lot of leaves on your property ask neighbours and friends, I am sure they would probably be glad to give you some.
And if your property doesn’t provide a spot for decomposing your leaves and you have them picked up by your municipality, then you can contact your municipality in the spring to see if they offer compost for sale.
Tags: compost leaves, fall gardening, fall leaves
By G. Bosley a.k.a. “groundhog”
White Baneberry in a natural setting
Actaea pachypoda
White Baneberry also known as White Cohosh and Doll’s Eyes is a native plant to eastern North America.
This is a great woodland plant that may be growing naturally in your forest, or it would be a great plant to add to your shade garden. Please source your plants from Native Plant Nurseries.
White Baneberry is closely related to Cimicifuga and Aconitum and therefore needs similar growing conditions. These three plants combined in a planting in a hardwood or mixed forest setting would provide a stunning fall display.
A clump forming plant growing to an average height and spread of 2′, they may grow to 3′ in height. Prefer to grow in a soil which is clay to coarse loam in a hardwood or mixed forest setting. If you are adding this plant to your garden be sure to provide a moist and fertile soil with lots of organic matter. These plants will require regular watering and good drainage in full to part shade.
With attractive leaves and dainty white flowers in May/June this plant produces bright red flower stalks with white berries in the fall. The berries are very attractive and have a black tip.
Baneberry contains an irritant oil which is poisonous. All parts of the plant contain cardiogenic toxins which cause an immediate sedative effect. The roots and berries contain the highest concentration. The berries are eaten by birds, but this plant is poisonous to rabbits.
Use caution when handling or working around this plant.
White Baneberry Flower
White Baneberry Fruit
Tags: actaea, baneberry, native plant, perennial
