Drought Tolerant Plants–Very Pretty

Perennials That Need Little Water

Perennials that can stand the heat can help redeem the otherwise scorched landscape.
Stunning may be exaggerating this season considering the heat and drought.  However, as I inspect the garden, several areas seem to be holding their own.
.
Silver Scrolls, Heuchera, is vibrant.  Located in full shade seems to be ideal.

The blue fescue still has a great color.

The Lavender, Hidcote, is right at home in the dry, hot south side of the house.The blooms have faded already, but may rebloom later in the fall.

  
This silver leaf of the Lungwart still looks fresh. 

Sedum is thriving.  The silver succulent loves this weather. Two varieties here, with one blooming yellow. 

These Hosta get watered regularly and they are hanging in there.

Lungwort, again, gets water.  They tend to wilt and get powdery mildew, but they are surprisingly resilient.

The Russian Sage has full sun this year. We took out an ash tree last year that had been shading this area. So the Perovskia atriplicifolia, or Russian Sage has never looked better. 

Liriope , Silver Dragon, is stunning.  This silver/green grassy plant is drought tolerant and looks ‘cool’. 

The Painted Japanese Ferns in shade, do get supplemental water. The silver fronds and deep burgundy veins are a favorite of mine.

Shasta Daisy and Daylilies have a cheerful attitude!

Yarrow, Achilliea, and Coneflowers, Echinacea, make a great pair.  Even better since their need for less water is the same.

The Monarda, Bee Balm, (unknown variety) is hanging in there with some powdery mildew, and blooms that are reemerging after a good drink. 

The white allium is just blooming, as is the Casablanca Lily.  The white is refreshing in this heat. The lily has an awesome aroma as an extra bonus.

The Sedum, Autumn Joy, is blooming several weeks earlier than usual.  It’s pale pink will deepen into a dark rose by autumn.  This, too, does well in low water situations. 
Heat and water have really been issues this summer, but with minimal supplemental water, these plants will serve us well. 

What a Pretty Spring – 2012

Spring Plants Full of Color

Nice combinations – and planning for the next step in the renovation.
Muscari – Grape Hyacinth and Virginia Bluebells ((Mertensia virginica; also Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort Oysterleaf, Roanoke Bells) provide  blue to purple hues to the spring garden. As a spring ephemeral, the Virginia Blue Bells will dry and disappear until next spring.
 



The Honeysuckle Vine never did go dormant this winter.  It has filled in and bloomed quite early.  Have not seen any Hummers yet – they visit regularly when they are in town.

 The Lungwort ( Pulmonaria)  really stretched out and I have moved pieces around the garden. I have several varieties including ‘Mrs. Moon. Pulmonaria 'Majeste'  is a solid silvery-gray leaves with a very narrow green margin. In late spring, light pink buds pop open to reveal darker bluish-pink flower bells.

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Ice'  has long, frosted green leaves edged in pearl with raspberry pink flower clusters provide a stark contrast, and really seem to light this plant up. Even after the flowers fade, the unique foliage plays nicely with hosta all season.


'Sissinghurst White' is the earliest to bloom in my garden – in early March.  White flowering, the leaves are speckled with silver.

 
 

Epimedium, top, also known as Rowdy Lamb Herb, Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat,  and Bleeding Heart, (Dicentra), center,  along with the Primrose are anchored with the Creeping Jenny.  Sweet!

Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum ) and white Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis – Alba) brighten up this area. The crisp leaves of the Solomon’s Seal give some height – 12” or so – to the summer garden, even after the dangling white ‘teardrops’  fade.


 
This is  Lamium, Archangel, and Primrose Primula vulgaris .

These Forget-Me-Nots (Botanical Name: Myosotis. )  are 6 – 8” tall. - much fuller than previous years. I really like the blue flowers.


This Big Root, a hardy geranium, Geranium macrorrhizum: cranesbills  is just about to pop with magenta flowers. It stays evergreen all winter -  a real nice plant for part shade areas.

False Nettle, Lamium, Archangel, has a variegated leaf with a bright yellow bloom.  Lamium does well in the dry, shady bed. There is no sun under this Little Leaf Linden, so the Lamium is a great alternative to grass, which will not grow here.

The coral bells, ( Heuchera)  Chocolate Ruffles and Limelight are sending up buds.

The hypertufa’s overwintered nicely with just a covering a leaves. Pictured are H. Chartreuse Wiggles, and H. PoPo (top).

Japanese Painted Ferns were potted up last fall so we could start the renovation of parts of the yard from shade to sun.  They may stay in the containers for a while yet since I am still working on the layout of the beds.

These shrubs, Junipers, flank the front walk.  I’m thinking about moving them to the back.  They have been in these fiberglass containers for many years, and are almost too big.  Note: when you plant containers for year round use, use plant material that is at least hardy to one zone colder than your zone.  That way the roots don’t freeze to the killing point, and the plants will thrive.

This daylily has caught my attention!  No, it’s not blooming – it has sent up a sport!  The foliage has turned into a variegated leaf – Wow!  I’ve spoken to Barb Kedler, a knowledgeable plant person at Knollwood Garden Center near me.  I have instructions how to divide out the root section with the white striped leaves from the solid green one.  I will replant the striped leaf roots and see if I can’t cultivate a fully variegated plant.  Looking forward to this experiment.  I’ll let you know how the process is going. 
Nature is calling – it’s too nice outside to be in here – so join me again next time.  Enjoy your day!

2fer Perennials - Easy Care AND Late Summer Color

Easy Perennials for Late Season

August 'dog-days' don't have to be.  I usually equate August with back to school, Labor Day, and the end of summer.  But as I was roaming my garden with my camera, I realized that a lot is going on and I didn't have too much to do with it.  These easy care perennials are putting on quite a show!

'Knockout Rose' double red

Buddlea - butterfly Bush

Veronica

I took clippers to these about six weeks ago and cut off about half of the plant.  Nice new flush of blue.

Hardy Begonia - blooms in my garden around Labor Day. I really like the red underside all season long. I've divided it many times to various spots in my garden. Some are in full shade, some in dry, part shade. They all do quite well. 

"Moonbeam' - Coreopsis

Light and airy, these little guys just do their own thing - no problem.

Echinacea purpurea, Zone 3-8

Purple coneflower, whether 'Double Decker', White, or Magnus, are the late summer work horses for color.  Maintenance is minimal.  I let the seed heads remain for the Yellow Finches that balance on them and chow down.

Pink Japanese Anenome glow. We have a stand of white Grape Leaf Anenomes too.  They haven't bloomed yet but I've had them in bloom through Holloween.  Sweet!

Chelone - Hot Lips

I pair this with Sedum, Autumn Joy.  The burgundy and pinks look great together!

Ornamental Grasses come in lots of heights, colors, and textures. They offer movement, shadows, and sounds. 

Plumbago - true blue ground cover

Ajuga still looks fresh.

Pumonaria- Lungwort, 'Majesty'

The foliage on these Pulmonaria give the late summer garden a refreshing texture. Even thought these bloomed in April, this perennial has more than justified its place in my garden.

The summer has really been hot, and I don't do 'heat' that well.  So even though I've been an absentee landlord for the last few weeks,  my garden is looking great.  I cut back the veronica, catmint, spiderwort,  yarrow, and cranesbill (hardy geranium) in mid July, and all have rewarded me with fresh foliage and blossoms. 

The forecast is for some rain and cooler temperatures starting Saturday. Maybe August isn't so bad after all.

Thanks for visiting with me today.