13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials

Part of my confusion on this is that growers often label p. subulata as "creeping phlox" whereas plant guides tend to refer to the shade-tolerant woodland phlox p. stolonifera as "creeping phlox" and p. subulata as "moss phlox" or "moss pinks." This is why I try to stick to the Latin because it sure does get confusing in a hurry!

Wow. I never heard "moss pinks" before, so I just googled it. Check this out. They've got my local Wendy's beat by a mile, lol!

Here is a link that might be useful: Shibazakura (Moss Pink) Hill

Pretty much anything...lol.

I have one more bed that's pretty much empty so...

I do have to be choosy for that one though, very dry, full sun, no shelter from wind.

I'm about done for the year anyway, because that bed needs to actually be created, as it's grass at the moment. I did snag up some Velvet Buzz Butterfly bushes at $8 and some Lo and Behold Blue Chips at $7 for it. I'll be able to avoid those when tilling it to prep it for planting and seeding next spring.

I do still have a hard time passing up coneflower and hosta from my "list" (not that I've found any so I'm ok there, will probably have to get those online). Also Rudbeckia...I am LOVING my new Cherry Brandy and Cherokee Sunsets, and my Denver Daisy and Moreno too. The worst for me are Butterfly Bushes, especially with the newer "dwarfs" out. I REALLY love color on the Velvets.

denninmi, I'm with you... I'm holding off even going in nurseries anymore until fall. Ground is too hard here now to do anything worth while, too hot and humid out and, because of the heat, everything ends up looking ratty any way. I just bought a handful of new annuals for a planter on my patio (after previous annuals died)... they're looking sad already. I'm done until fall!

With a large patch you probably already have several stems that have layered themselves and may be dug up and started as new plants. If you pot these up now you could take out your old plants completely redo the bed with compost and transplant your saved new plants into the ground. This would give you a new bed with hardly any loss of bloom time. Al

lacevail, some of the plants there have been there close to nine years old so those are finally getting divided this fall. Others are newer and are blooming heavily.

caistoga, normally when I divide a plant, I discard the center as its gotten woody. I assume that not really the case with dianthus. I assume just pull apart sections and replant?

I really did hope for a comparison between the two varigated plants, H. Starburst and Lorraine Sunshine.

I had a severe aphid problem on my Helianthus one year, but fortunately, that was the only year that happened. It was extremely dry and I think that contributed.

Hi splitrock, yep, i have deer and they did not nibble on Hoary Vervain. It is a native plant so you likely need to find a garden center that specializes in native plants. It is doing exceptionally well this year due to extra watering, which is not something i normally do. but my hubby is watering his sod...and my garden is in 'his way'.

Jodi

The foliage of S.B.B. always looked like cr*p - deformed, funky mess. How that plant every got plant of the year is beyond me.

If you want veronica, hunt down "Lavender Charm". It is a terrific cultivar. The light purple flower spikes are long and graceful - just a beautiful sight - and the foliage is not unattractive. It can get mildew-y like any other veronica, but location in full sun with good air circulation should help alleviate that problem. :0)

Most helpful, thank you!
The Veronica genus pointed me in the right direction; I believe they are a cultivar of V. longifolia.
And it makes sense because armitage says they are used as a cutflower (I got them from a place that sells cut flowers).

Thanks again!

Veronica. Might be "Lavender Charm". I *loved* L.C. when I had it ;0)

Plants can droop in the middle of hot afternoons even if they don't need more water. A shrub that's several years old shouldn't need extra water at all. Check in the morning to see if it really is wilty. They grow fine here where it's that hot every summer. You're just lucky you get to call the heat "a wave!" Here, it's a season. LOL!

I haven't considered spider mites -- I'll have to check mine out and see if they are attacking them. With the dry, hot weather, I am seeing a TON of mites in the general landscape, on everything from weeds to trees. I've got about 40 butterfly bushes going now, so if mites like them I'm sure at least some of them will have them.

I don't know what is up with the multiple posts -- I posted a reply on one of these forums the other day and it showed up 5 times. Of course, if these forums had a decent user interface like many do, we would have the ability to edit, to delete, etc. Funny, iVillage is owned by NBC/Universal, a very large company, and they can't manage to upgrade their software past the level of about 1995/1996 when I first discovered the Internet. I guess it's because they're broke and no one watches their network anymore?

I'm going to suggest that you post also in the G*rden W*tchdog, an on-line reference on garden-related sources, so that gardeners who don't frequent one of the forums where you posted learn how pleased you are. Companies that stand by their products are more likely to get my money, and I always check there before I buy from a new source.

That is wonderful customer service! Glad you were able to get another scoot :0)

I've been ordering from them for probably close to 15 years now - have never had a problem that I recall. Agree they are a great company to do business with. Above suggestion to post on GWD a good idea.

I found the culprit...who moved on once the bellflowers were mowed down. A field mouse.

A mouse? I have to worry about plant eating mice in addition to all the other wildlife! Yikes.

Astilbe CAN'T handle lack of moisture. That's why I tossed the majority of them out, only a very few left on the nothern side of my house and protected from the winds. As soon as I find replacements for them, they are ALL GONE. (water is expensive here). One day of hot wind from the south and their leaves are brown and staying this way for the rest of the season.

Wow and I thought mine were suffering. Then again mine are under a pin oak tree and get water every 3 days. I did lose one in the first heatwave and now that we are on the second round.... Anyway, I would check the soil like Ken suggested. Are they getting morning or afternoon sun?

Or could it be Black Beauty??

No, not Black Beauty. Black Beauty folds its petals totally back to make a turban, and the flowers hang down.

Thank you. Now the next question is how far do I cut it back, or is that more of a personal preference?

Nevermind. I cut it down to just before the top of the blooming shoot is.

a day or two in the sun is not going to matter..

the smaller you brake them up.. the smaller the show next year..

in theory.. they never have to be lifted ...

i seem to think.. that after a bit of drying.. i simply replanted them ... i am not sure you need to mess with storage until fall.. hopefully someone will chime in..

if you want to store them.. store them in a mesh potato sack.. hung in the garage ... thought this year.. somewhere a bit cooler would probably be better ... think of them as an onion.. or garlic.. as far as storing them .... i would hesitate in a basement.. but i dont have a reason for that .... perhaps too humid and mold concerns ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

If they are ready to separate, they will fall apart. Don't break them apart. Either replant them right away or wait until the ground is chilled. Here in TN where the ground doesn't freeze solid I can plant just about any time through January. I hang the bulbs in net bags with a fan on them to keep them cool (relatively--they're in the garage) and dry.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Daffodil Society growing tips

I was also going to suggest Penstemon. There are different reds and wines to choose from.
Michelle

maybe a red Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)?