The Plants Around Us

[dr_bates]

Lespedeze thunbergii, bush clover

To have an effective pollinator garden, flowers need to be available from early spring to autumn. By summer's close most have stopped blooming. A lot of the plants look tired, whether preparing for dormancy or dealing with shortening days. Autumn, however, is when bush clover shines.

Like true clovers, it's a legume, which works symbiotically with soil bacteria to secure all its nitrogen needs; therefore, it doesn't require fertilizer. If you feed, amend the soil with a little organic plant food in early spring.

Once fully established, it can survive winters down to -10°F. Unfortunately here, it sometimes dips even colder; nevertheless, new sprouts emerge in spring. Fear not, it grows fast and quickly fills in. In fact, pruning out branches in early spring can help revitalize it. Because of its growth rate and spread, give it ample room.

While it can tolerate quite a bit of shade, to get dramatic blooming give it full sun. It'll grow deep root; therefore, once established it seldom requires additional watering.

Keep thumbs green, even in fall.

 

[dr_bates]

Gay Feather

It's name alone should merit consideration for adding to the flower garden. Besides its fanciful and ticklish name, it's also called blazing star and liatris. Of course, I prefer gay feather.

Most spiked flowers start blooming at the base, consecutively working up to the tip. Gay father does the opposite. It blooms first at the tip, making its way the base.

It's a native wildflower throughout much of eastern U.S. and Canada. It's a remarkably tough plant, but watch out for rabbits.

These purple (or white) fanciful spikes add graceful charm and are great magnets for pollinators.

Keep it growing.

 

[dr_bates]

Christmas Rose / Helleborus

Christmas roses are often the first flowers of spring, sometimes blooming in mid winter.

Lentin roses, another type of helleborus, blooms a little later and can have blooms of several colors.

They are symbols of serenity, hope, and new beginnings.

These shade loving evergreen perennials make great substitutes for hostas. Unlike hostas, deer won't eat a helleborus and, being evergreen, they can offer color throughout the year, unless covered in snow.

Did I menythey come in black?

In fact, there are many color choices.

Play in the dirt, because life is too short to always have clean fingernails.

 

[Lilithsuccubus89]

Gay Feather
View attachment 145680211
It's name alone should merit consideration for adding to the flower garden. Besides its fanciful and ticklish name, it's also called blazing star and liatris. Of course, I prefer gay feather.

Most spiked flowers start blooming at the base, consecutively working up to the tip. Gay father does the opposite. It blooms first at the tip, making its way the base.

It's a native wildflower throughout much of eastern U.S. and Canada. It's a remarkably tough plant, but watch out for rabbits.

These purple (or white) fanciful spikes add graceful charm and are great magnets for pollinators.

Keep it growing.
View attachment 145681561

Love this!

 

[dr_bates]

Indian Pinks / Spigelia

It can be difficult finding perennials with showy flowers for the shady areas. One choice to consider is Indian pinks, a native of forested regions of eastern United States.

The flowers aren't just showy; they're a show stopper. The contrasting bright yellow and red make a dramatic display. Here they are a magnet for hummingbirds.

While tolerating a wife range of soil conditions, they don't handle drought well, so water through dry spells.

Yes, I noticed that they aren't pink. A lot of flowers, regardless of their color, are called pinks. The name is derived from the appearance of being cut with pinking shears.
As it happened, one of these grown pinks was indeed a light red. Because if this, we now refer to light red as pink.

"There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments." - Janet Killburn Phillips

Have fun experimenting!

 

[dr_bates]

Nasturtium

There are various reasons for selecting a garden plant. Some only want natives, while others seek exotics. Plants that draw pollinator attention is important, though a specific color can allure other folk. Many people are strict utilitarians. They shop with their stomach. If it can't be eaten, they don't want it. Such gardens often boast few flowers.

Nasturtiums, while being fine for pollinators, gives the utilitarian garden color. The leaves and flowers add charm and (a slight peppery) taste to salads.

They don't even require a lot of care. In fact, it's best not to fertilize them. Put the plant food away! Over feeding will stimulate leaf production with few or no blooms.

They do, however, appreciate frequent waterings. If the soil gets too dry, they quickly get spindly and stop blooming. Of course, don't over water. Few plants like soggy feet.

They make great companion plants for many garden vegetables. Various invading insects will find nasturtiums more palatable, offering some protection. They also fit in well in her gardens and flower beds.

The large seeds are easy to plant and sprout readily. Even kids can grow them.

Whether shopping with your stomach or eye, keep nasturtiums in mind.

Life is better in the garden!

 

[dr_bates]

MORNING GLORY

Where I live, morning glories are an annual vine. They can reseed. In my cold climate, reseeding isn't much of a problem. They are quite easy to resow each spring.

Seed packages often suggest nicking the seed cost and soaking before planting. I don't do that. I have no difficulty planting them without that preliminary preparation.

They quickly ramble up fences, trellises, and arbors, covering structures with their heart shaped leaves.

Most often they don't start blooming till late summer with new flowers emerging each morning. Besides the classic blue, some other colors are available. I always get "Heavenly Blue".

Take care with fertilizing. If the soil is too fertile, you'll lovely leaves without blooming. Too much shade will also prevent flowering.

Each spring I debate about whether I should replant them or try something else. The stunning mass of light blue flowers is hard to resist.

from my garden

"A morning glories at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books."
-- Walt Whitman

 

[dr_bates]

Summer Snowflake Viburnum

Shrubs normally have specific bloom times, often for a narrow window. This variety of viburnum is different. It starts blooming in spring and continues into autumn. It's an outstandingly long bloom period.

Granted, it isn't as floriforous as rhododendrons or hydrangeas; however, it reliably creates an elegant backdrop with petals of lace.

While not overtly picky about soil, they do best in well-drained soil, as most things do. Expect them to eventually grow about six feet in height. They look great surrounded with flowering perennials.

"A garden is not a place. It's a journey."

 

[dr_bates]

Glyptostrobus pensilis

This native of China is closely related to bald cypress trees. Unlike the bald cypress which are quite common in the southern US, glyptostrobus is presumed extirpated from the wild. This is an endangered species!

I have one growing in the yard. It is supposed to more cold tender than bald cypresses, listed as only tolerating lows to 0°F. Of course, it gets much colder here; nevertheless, it is doing fine.

Like bald cypress trees, this one grows in wet soils. Unlike the bald cypress, it doesn't handle drought well. I water mine quite regularly.

The soft light green needles adds a pleasant texture to the yard. It's deciduous; therefore, in the fall it'll drop the needles, making the interesting bark more visible. While reported to get over 60 feet, I expect mine may top at around thirty feet.

By planting rarer trees, we can give the species a better chance at survival.

"What's a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

[rbkwp]

ta dr hot all
beats them darn ww warmongers/search fir ways of d4ath to all,thanks again

 

[dr_bates]

Crocosmia

For those that love bright colors, there's crocosmia. Few flowers are as vibrant.

They are easy to grow, which is something I prefer. Being from southern Africa, you might suspect they like it dry. Since they're adapted to grow in the wet season, long dry spells can stop blooming, as the plant prepares for drought. So you may need to water them occasionally. Just be sure the soil is well draining.

If you don't have them already, corms and plants are readily available. Lucifer, a bright red variety, is the hardest, which is important for those of us in the north. Though I like this plant, I think the hummingbirds like it more!

A few of the many varieties:

Lucifer

Walberton

Emily McKenzie

Of all the paths in life you take, make sure a few of them are in dirt.

 

[Geo0104947]

Shot I took of cactus in Gold Canyon AZ earlier this year

 

[Lilithsuccubus89]

MORNING GLORY
View attachment 145978941
Where I live, morning glories are an annual vine. They can reseed. In my cold climate, reseeding isn't much of a problem. They are quite easy to resow each spring.

Seed packages often suggest nicking the seed cost and soaking before planting. I don't do that. I have no difficulty planting them without that preliminary preparation.

They quickly ramble up fences, trellises, and arbors, covering structures with their heart shaped leaves.

Most often they don't start blooming till late summer with new flowers emerging each morning. Besides the classic blue, some other colors are available. I always get "Heavenly Blue".

Take care with fertilizing. If the soil is too fertile, you'll lovely leaves without blooming. Too much shade will also prevent flowering.

Each spring I debate about whether I should replant them or try something else. The stunning mass of light blue flowers is hard to resist.

View attachment 145984771
from my garden

"A morning glories at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books."
-- Walt Whitman

aww what a cute blue umbrella

 

[Lilithsuccubus89]

Shot I took of cactus in Gold Canyon AZ earlier this year

omg i see something else.....is it just me???

 

[dr_bates]

Shishigashira / Lions Head Japanese Maple.

There are over a thousand named varieties of Japanese maples. To make matters even more confusing, there are several maple species that are all routinely called Japanese maples. This is variety is within the species Acer palmatum.

In my area of the world, Japanese maples are commonly planted, decorating front yards. Most of the types used have burgundy foliage with either upright or weeping growth.

Shishigashira has distinct growth. The leaves are crisp and curly with dense upright growth. It's a bold unique look with architectural shape.

Like other Japanese maples, it never gets tall. This one stays between eight and twelve feet in height. Mine is currently at seven feet.

This is an option for those looking for something different.

 

[dr_bates]

Cryptomeria "Rasen"

If you're looking something in the odd side, consider Rasen. With needles that spiraling around stems (looking like braids) and contorted branching, it fulfills the bizarre appeal.

Cryptomeria is the national tree of Japan, where wild populations can get quite tall. Rasen is semi-dwarf variety only getting 20-25 feet. It won't take up a lot of space, being quite narrow.

Few plants will add more character and uniqueness.

Get dirty!

 

[dr_bates]

Yellow Leafed Bleeding Heart

Of all the kinds of bleeding hearts, one of the most reliable is the yellow-leafed. Its colorful foliage adds considerable interest to the shade garden.

Bleeding Hearts are wonderful spring flowers. Most go dormant in the summer, disappearing till the following spring. This one is rather unique. Provided the soil isn't too dry, it can stay throughout the summer.

Make sure the soil is well draining and rich. Water regularly; don't let the soil dry out completely. If by chance a dry spell is too long, it could go dormant. Fear not, it should return next spring.

"Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower." -- John Harrigan

 

[dr_bates]

Yellow Bleeding Hearts

Typically we see bleeding heart blooms in red, white, and shades of pink. There is a golden exception.

It's growth is also unique. It rambles with vines growing upward to ten feet.

Keeping the plant watered sufficiently, it can bloom through the summer.

Though native in part to the eastern Himalayan Mountains, it is more cold tender than many other bleeding heart types. They're listed as being only hardy to 0°F. It gets much colder here; therefore, I mulch heavily each fall.

It's another fantastic option for a garden dedicated to hummingbirds!

"A heart of gold is where the rainbow begins."
Tammy Kubasko

 

[dr_bates]

Nepita / Catnip / Catmint

Catmint

Mint is a large group of herbaceous plants, having four-sided stems and often highly aromatic foliage. Nepita is a group of species in the mint family that have a scent quite irresistible to our feline friends.

Both catmint and catnip are attractive to cats. Catnip produces a higher concentration of the attractant. It also tends not to grow as tall. Blooms tend to be white, whereas catmint is often lilac-blue or purple.

This is one of those rare treasures that can bloom all summer, especially if deadheaded, and is easy to grow. Just give it full sun and well-draining soil.

The allure isn't just for cats. It'll add color to the garden with blooms that'll interest pollinators. (I'm thinking hummingbirds but bees will appreciate it too.)

Catnip

Live like you've been in the catnip!

 

[Tight_End_SC]

Carolina jessamine vine by my bird feeder. The blooms are yellow but come out late winter going into spring.