13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials

Thanks for your kind words, Lin.
I actually prefer this white variant over the regular "blue" ones. Any idea if the white flowered type will come true from seed? The plant in question is isolated from the others.

that depends on their pollination habit/technique, I once had volunteers of a white Centranthus ruber, all of them white as well; clueless about Dianthus though, self-pollination would make that happen,

bye, Lin.

They also love fallen leaves keeps soil cool and moist. Happy worms giving nutrients to plants and airy soil The beauty awaits.

I love them.

Looks like Patty meant to say Coreopsis Galaxy, not Mercury Rising. Love the combo of those together, though. Beautiful!

Your correct Galaxy, duh

Thank you all so much! And thank you for the annual/perennial clarification as well. I'm totally new at this!

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.

and you would remove individual flowers.. not the whole stalk at once ...

ken

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.

I love this plant!! I know it can be a problem but I find it behaves rather more nicely if you stress it a bit. More sun, less water and spreading growth slows dramatically. it doesn't try to take over the world.

No reason why it shouldn't respond to RoundUp or any other broadleaf herbicide if you are in a position to use such.

A non-chemical alternative to Roundup might be vinegar. I use regular white vinegar as a weed killer in my garden because I don't like using harsh chemicals. Vinegar kills whatever it touches so I'm careful to pour it slowly on the weeds--briars, crabgrass, dandelions, poison ivy--and avoid getting any on my plants. I pour it on both the foliage and close to the stems at ground level.

I planted a couple of Branford Beauty a year or two ago. They are very small still; at this point they have more of the low/wide look of a JPF, so I'm not sure yet hom they'll look longterm.

hey.. the wall.. did you go with a mason.. or a landscaper.. that was the pressing issue...

ken

Bringing this back up because I have really impressive blooms this year.

They don't ask, they just eat. LOL!

I have never seen this plant showing any blackened leaves. I have it in my very dark shade hosta garden. It actually reseeds and I have had to remove the babies to other areas. In 5 years I have 5 new huge plants.

@katusha, yes, I do this with several plants and it works very well...Brunnera, Pulmonaria, Lady's Mantle, Bachelor's Buttons, Husker's Red Penstemon, variegated Symphytum, to name only a few off the top of my head. Keeps things fresh-looking and healthy, as many spring flowering plants can look ratty after bloom. Sometimes I wait until the plant splays, showing the basal growth coming up and sometimes I just shear it right to the ground. I have never lost a plant this way.