13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials
I have a couple of invasive plants growing in chimney tiles, the square fired clay type. The bottom is sunk 8"-12" down, and the plant is planted in soil in the tile that is about 1 1/2 feet above the rest of the garden. In the 6 or more years of using this raised planter technique none of the plants have escaped. I got my tiles as cutoffs or damaged pieces from a mason.
I also have used regular planters, but have raised the planter up on thick pavers so that the roots can't escape through the drainage holes. Perhaps one of these techniques will work for you.
Just FYO about trying a non-invasive variety of the white gooseneck loosestrife. I tried one of these new hybrids several years ago. It was nice enough, but did not have the charm of the old original. The flowers were sort of chubby and bunched on the stems. I grew it for a few years and then discarded it.
What you are discovering online is correct - other than these both being a variegated cultivar of euphorbia, they are nothing alike. 'Silver Swan' is a sliver-white variegated selection of E. characias. It blooms with a pale, greeny-white flower bract and should get to about 30-36" tall.
'Ascot Rainbow' is a variegated xmartinii hybrid. It has a lot more color than 'Silver Swan' - a mostly creamy yellow base with just a touch of green along the leaf midribs. New growth comes in with a reddish tint and in my area, the entire plant colors up brightly (red, pink, orange) during cold weather. The flower bracts are a pale chartreuse yellow on a pretty compact (18-24") plant.
Placed side by side, IMO the two plants look nothing alike. If you were trying to match the Silver Swans, I doubt you would be satisfied with Ascot Rainbow, although I think it is a stunning plant all on its own. Silver Swan presents a very 'cool' appearance that combines great with darker colored foliage and slivery blues. Ascot Rainbow looks best with warmer colors - golds, bronze, toffee tones.
If it's flopping so that the center is bare and the blooms are faded/gone you can cut it back as hard as you'd like, it'll start growing again and bloom in 6-8 weeks. Mine do the same thing but I'm probably 2-3 weeks behind you--mine are blooming and standing up nicely right now....
I grew Echinacia/coneflowers from seed back in 2009/2010 the first time I tried winter sowing and had good germination. I didn't expect blooms the first season based on what I'd read on the WS forum. The plants bloomed the second season but that's in my zone 6 garden, which is quite a bit warmer than your Z3. It's no more than a guess but perhaps they take a season or two longer to bloom in your zone.
Good luck & hope you see blooms in the very near future.
I am green, or orange as the case may be, with envy! So pretty, and I supposedly don't like orange. Apparently this year I do. A few seeds sprouted, but something thinks these plants are YUMMY. Think it's partially my fault for the probably-too shady spots where I put them. Wrong romantic notions about them twining all over this fugly metal thing... Yours looks very sunny and dry, thus happier. Very nice. Did you just forget the name, or did a critter grace your garden with the seed? Maybe they prefer to be "fugitives?" Ha!
i dont see the brick edge.. but i respect the lack of interest of messing with it...
but did you miss what i said about moving the JMaple out??? .. or did you rule that out also...???
its perfect for that spot.. color.. size.. shape.. etc ...
ken
I agree, nothing more is needed. A large pot or urn in front of the post with something tall, or shepherd hook with pretty, bulky hanging basket could add interest at a higher level, break-up the shelf-type appearance of everything being the same height without crowding at ground level.
The beautiful JM deserves a better spot, to be the focus in a focal point.
Right around the corner, near where the hose is laying, might be a good place for a tall, columnar evergreen entity, to block the view (and winds) of your front yard from that parking lot, and the reverse - while softening the appearance from the curb - I think.
But you live IN the house, not at the curb. What is available to view from the large, lovely window? Looks like the yard is spacious enough to create focal points far enough away from the house to be seen from inside, that do not block the view out of the window(s.)
Making any decisions from this angle alone would likely be regrettable. Such a beautiful house, less is more, don't hide it, unless you're doing it from much farther away from the house, to include the yard in the privacy, not just the house.
Nope, do remove the whole stalk, down to the lower leaves (usually around 1foot tall) as soon as the main spike of flower has died back - more side shoots will appear for a later show around late August (if you give them a little extra food and water)
Veronica cultivars have not been long-lived in my garden, so I wouldn't be surprised if 'Blue Bomb' bombed.
Years ago I bought Sunny Border Blue, which was named Perennial plant of the Year in 1990-something, and it was pretty the first year. But it grew weaker each year, instead of expanding, to the point where I shovel-pruned it.
There is one Veronica 'Icicle' left in the front garden that has lasted a few years, I like the delicate white spires of this plant.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I think this plant is absolutely lovely. Unfortunately my attempts at growing veronica have been dismal failures.
I would vote for any type of hydrangea or hosta for the ugliest plant ever, although I know these are popular with a large majority of gardeners.
Got my order today. Everything looked good and it was a BIG order except for the Rudbeckia Goldsturm and they were small and really trimmed and some of the leaves were mushy from travelling wet. Kind of holy, too, looks like something has been munching on them. I think they will recover, but could have been a little healthier on those. Otherwise, though, a great order and certainly can't beat the prices, regardless! I would definitely order from them again.
Mine came yesterday and most if the plants looked excellent. The coreopsis look the worse but still ok--comparable to local plants on summer sales but more interesting choices.