13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials

Yes I have and now I'm thinking I've overdone it.

And dead heading?

IDK Ken, I have definitely reduced the aphids in my greenhouse by trapping the ants. I have also reduced aphids dramatically by putting plants that aphids love in a place where the ants have a harder time reaching them (by suspending windowboxes from chains). So my observations tell me that ants do make aphid problems worse.

I frankly (for no reason other than instinct) believe that ants transport aphids to plants as much as sheep farmers transport sheep to new pastures.
Other articles on the web support this..I'll link one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Col State, ants and aphids

I've never cut mine back to the ground, but I cut off the flower stems when it's through blooming, and it looks a lot neater. Since it's a fairly early bloomer, it always amazes me that it does nothing after being cut back but sit there and look the same the rest of the summer. Mine is Penstemon 'Dark Towers' but has much darker foliage than yours.

My first thought when I saw the picture earlier today was penstemon but since I grow 'Mystica' the green foliage made me question if that was what it was. 'Mystica' foliage is darker green with dark red edges.

I do nothing to my many penstemons since I often harvest seeds once they're ripe. If you don't plan to grow more plants from seed, it's okay to cut the flower stems off for a tidier garden look. All my plants have been reliably hardy for the past 6 years.

Nevermore: Am I glad you posted this! Some of my echs have also bud centers that are twisted. Not all of the plant is affected, but I'm thinking if it's a virus the whole plant needs to go. Argh! What about the soil it was grown in?? I have to read about this. Thank you.

Do you have an opinion about all the seedlings I've been getting? And about the fact that the flowers are so much smaller and more pale? I've read that hybridized plants don't reseed true to form and wonder if that's true with Red Cone Flower too . . .

I planted those same two coneflowers and have many healthy seedlings all over the garden. I never could tell Magnus from Rubenstern, and to me all the seedlings look like the parents. Which is to say, they look strong, colorful, and vibrant. I love them.

So I'm not sure what's going on with your seedlings, but I might yank out the weak ones and see if you get some better ones down the road.

Cleome... smells like skunk. I suppose this is why the deer leave it alone :)

Duplicate post.

This post was edited by Perennial2014 on Mon, Aug 4, 14 at 2:58

I always cut the spent bloom stalks on my Stella D'Oros, mainly to keep them tidy. If you want more plants, the easiest/quickest way is to divide the plant rather than futzing around with the seeds. Just lift it up and cut it in half or in as any divisions as wanted.

With balloon flowers, leave some spent blooms at the end of the season - the seed pods will dry hard and holes will open at the top like a salt shaker. Easy to scatter although I don't know about the actual germination rate - some gardeners get many new plants, others few. I must get some since I've got plants in places at a distance from the main clumps.

Cutting the "candelabra" off Asiatic lilies insures that all the energy goes back to the bulb - and not into seed production - for next season's growth and bloom.

Though I've never looked into it, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden book is highly regarded.

This post was edited by duluthinbloomz4 on Sun, Aug 3, 14 at 20:45

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I will be looking up the books and sites mentioned to reference in the future. For now, I think it's safe to say after reading your comments, that I haven't done anything detrimental to my new very much loved plants.

What a cool mix of plants, I like how the tropicals are mixed in with perennials. I bet this bed only gets better until frost!
Red and purple is one of my favorite combos and I can't resist a variegated plant, so I really like your mix.

Really great variety of colors and textures! You grow so many tall plants and must have great soil and sun.

Molie

The OP's plant does look like Erigeron karvinskianus in flower and foliage but the ones in my garden and which self seed in walls all around here are not as upright. The stems are laxer and thinner and the whole plant is altogether shorter and less robust-looking.

Wow! Never seen a Buddleja grow like that!

My "Little Goldstar" will be in bloom by next week. A very good plant in my experience (as compared to the ubiquitous Goldstrum).
----------------------
I finally have decided enough waffling. Both the Monarda and Phlox are in bloom at this time, except the Phlox is supposed to go till fall. Therefore the trial with three plants.

Agreed on the 'Goldstar'. Mine is just into the first bloom. Waiting on things to perk up before pictures. Might be something to see later.

My LGS is now in full bloom...over a week behind last year (2 plants planted side by side).

How is yours looking boday?

Nice, that would be perfect with a spilled wine weigela or a dwarf blue spruce.

I looked it up as someone else suggested the name and I found it was short lived and they called it a biennial.

How has it done for you life wise?

Reminds me a little of dianthus but I can't keep this damn genus alive. I have very well drained soil too where pines thrive.

If not deadheaded, Lychnis coronaria self-seeds everywhere, including the lawn, but it is relatively easy to pull. It gets a bit messy looking as the flowering stems age and accumulate old blossom sites. It likes full sun and won't grow in the shade of other plants IME. It is a true biennial and I have seen it in screaming magenta (the normal form), white, and blush pink. Nice frosted rosette of leaves the first year.

My brother has a black lab mix female, and to date she has killed 38 documented woodchucks!! (3-4 years) We are being troubled with a woodchuck in our garden. I called and asked to borrow his dog and he gave me a live trap!! He said he may not get his dog back from me.. :) So we are trying apple, carrot and broccoli in the trap tonight.

My brother has a black lab mix female, and to date she has killed 38 documented woodchucks!! (3-4 years) We are being troubled with a woodchuck in our garden. I called and asked to borrow his dog and he gave me a live trap!! He said he may not get his dog back from me.. :) So we are trying apple, carrot and broccoli in the trap tonight.