13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials

Our local university arboretum was selling this species at it's fall plant sale last month. The plants looked really healthy and I was tempted to buy one. However, I hesitated, fearing it to be too aggressive. Having read all the comments here, I am now considering trying it since I live in a cooler zone. which should keep it in check somewhat.

I have several areas in the garden where this plant grows. It breaks ground too late in the Spring for me to offer it on my annual plant sale. In an open winter with no snow cover, I am thrilled when just a bit comes through. I have no problem with it's spread because it is shallow rooted and easy to contain like monardas. Love it for it's late bloom. It looks like the annual ageratum except grows much taller. I have it in part shade and full sun and it does well. Mary

ispahan - I'm happy you mentioned Emperor of China as one of your favorites. I almost ordered it last spring, but went with something else for some reason. I'll put it back on the list for 2014. I also did a Google search for Mei kyo and it looks exquisite. I'm looking to add more colors other than the traditional fall colors and that one would definitely be nice.

I'm always a bit concerned with the really, really late bloomers, but I'm ready to risk it.

Kevin

Mei-Kyo blooms really late for me every year. It is just starting to open its flowers now. I'm in the equivalent of USDA z 4 (maybe? 5). It seems very frost-hardy, though.

Flora, I've seen your tag before and wondered where in the UK one finds zone 10. :) I figured it was a glitch.

I know the fuchsia will grow here as I have had them in the past. I just don't know how to make them fit in, I want all the plants to be harmonious in appearance even if they would never be found together in nature.I have very ordinary plants as the "bones" of my garden. Things like Nandina and Pittosporum. Fuchsia looks more tropical to me. I think I will be getting a hybrid as I hear there are a few that tolerate heat better than others.
I was hoping some of you would share photos of your Fuchsia.

Ignore it.

I had some lambs ear that was taking over my beds. I dug it out with a spade and threw it away. It's still sending up fresh new shoots -- in mid-October!

Yep, leave it alone. It'll be fine. This is one tough plant.

It would be awesome to visit springtime while we are getting frost and autumn leaves. Your post was most appreciated on this 25 degree Saturday morning and the pictures are just beautiful.

Beautiful pics! Yes, there is nothing like spring!

Does not look like any sort of disease to me.......much more like a typical end-of-season appearance.

FWIW, container grown plants that receive sometimes uneven watering or fertilization can often develop foliar tip burn or browning. NBD.

Thanks a lot! :)

Just to make it worse, this is a great site for dwarf conifers with pics and descriptions

Here is a link that might be useful: Coniferkingdom

So you are planning on moving some of them later on. I asked because I would love to squeeze some in like that, but when they're small my perennials will shade them too much. When they grow bigger, I don't have enough room. I can only have a few, so I'll live vicariously through your gardens. Thx for the pics.

I've read that, Ispahan, that Goldenrod is the most popular plant with most pollinators. I have a couple of asters but they were only in bloom for about 10 days, and I don't have goldenrods. I have bought mostly double Mums, which I love the look of, but, I'm going to try to add more Fall plants for pollinators in the spring.

Michael,

I need to know if you are still interested in all or some of the Begonias mentioned in the post at the bottom. Please contact me and/or post again on that thread.

Sorry to post here, but I can't find a way to contact you otherwise.

Here is a link that might be useful: Begonia luxurians post

Ispahan, you make a good point. I will try again in the spring. Ken, thanks for the good wishes. I will keep these plants on my "want" list until I find them. It just surprises me that these particular plants are so hard to come by, at least in this area.

Call the large garden centers in your area.
Ask if they sell Japanese Anemones during the year.
If yes, ask when.
Then ask if they will have the cultivar you want.
If they say "No," ask if they will order for you.
If they say "Yes," ask if they will hold one (or more?) for you.
If they say "No," ask "When will the Japanese Anemones arrive?"
Then be there.

I am zone 4, but sometimes I'm able to sneak in a zone 5 here and there. Does it take awhile for the shredded umbrella to fill in?

Ever tried any shade tolerant Hakonechloa grasses? I love the 'Albostriata' and the 'Aureola'. 'All Gold' is nice too and 'Ben Kaze' I'm told has pink hues in the fall. They do like moist soils as well as shade.
Hellebores have nice foliage for most of the season and have baby seedlings if you choose a good spot for them. I prune back their foliage at bloom time though for a fresh bunch of leaves in spring.
Ferns are lovely as well....Once you get started on them it becomes a disease though. So many beauties!
For bigger leaves, lungwort varieties work too...or even lady's mantle.

I've found that as long as the flower buds stay underground, they will be fine till spring.

Thank you Gardenweed! I like to spend as many hours working in my gardens a day as I can. I love spring flowers so I really have done a number!!! I lost count after 300 or 400 bulbs! I grow them to brighten up my house. I love creating arrangements and I find it very sincere to cut flowers out of my own yard for my family and friends. The $ tree is a great place for vases as give aways!!! :) KEN,,,,it is the hyacinths that I'm seeing! Keep on gardening.....:) Erin

there are many pot-aholics in the hosta forum ... who have many tricks for over wintering pots.... in many diverse zones ...

ken

I do not know if you can find them now but anything I want to over winter they are planted in Styrofoam coolers. I pick them up at the dollar store. Punch drainage holes, stack up the leaves and set the coolers on the leaves. Plant and stuff the leaves around the coolers.

I have never lost a plant with this amount of insulation.

We had hardy cactus growing near a tree in our front yard in SD when I was a kid. We spent the summer barefoot as much as possible and got many of those hairy spines in our feet. I vowed never to have those buggers in my yard or garden. Also never saw them bloom.

If you have the space I think they are a wonderful addition to a gardening experience. I get more comments and questions about this garden than any other. But I have 4 acres and the space to designate the space. But.........

At my old house I had a small suburban garden. I had the yellow blooming cactus at the edge of the yard around the mail box with a yellow rosebush, spring bulbs, iris, and daylily Stella. It was my yellow flower blooming mailbox design. I had people stop and take pics of that garden.

I had blooms all seasons. Yellow spring bulbs, yellow spring blooming iris, yellow rose, yellow cactus, yellow daylily.

I say this to say that it can be done in a large or small area but it depends on what is appealing to the gardener. I like something different and nothing is more different than people that do not realize that cactus can be grown in a zone that get a foot of snow or more in the winter.

I became a landmark on my street. They told people they lived 3 houses up from the yellow cactus garden. lol