13,520 Garden Web Discussions | Perennials
I grow this and would say that if you are keen on large airy giants such as cephalaria, crambe, macleaya...this mallow will be just the ticket. It grows in dry, poor soil, reaching over 6 feet in a season. It has a stout, upright stem...but, in a windy place, would benefit from a single discreet stake, The leaves look thin and somewhat withered - not all plumply malva like and it flowers late in the year - rarely before august, with hundreds of small pink single flowers in each leaf axil (so not up to much for cutting) - utterly charming and would look terrific with umbels and grasses.
However, like all mallows, it will seed about, and put out a sturdy root very early on so you will need to be vigilant with seedlings...but these are readily recognised and speedily dealt with. Sow the seeds at once as they benefit from a 4week cold stratifying - the first season, the plants may only reach 3-4 feet tall but will easily double that in following years.
Makes complete sense, Rouge.
In terms of highest monthly precipitation here, the average monthly precipitation increases in the order: October, July, April, June, May, August, September.
So all in all, "May showers bring June flower".
And then there's the snow meltwater to consider!
late june early july just before heat really hits. digging new cold frame came up against aruncus, despite being in place 20 years roots very rudimentary. three very hot, very, very dry summers i suppose. they had put out new growth as soon as weather cooled and there was a little water. moved them to better-i hope-place.
I am a Hardy Geranium addict here in Ireland.! One that I got within the last couple of years is GERANIUM SCHLECKTERI ; this is an amazing one flowers all Summer long, lovely soft greyish foliage which is still looking great at this time of year.
I wonder if there is a dedicated forum for Hardy Geraniums anywhere ? I was thinking of setting up a Facebook page about them.
Here is a link that might be useful: A small Irish garden
I have a pot with a white mum that has always been completely white, except this year, when some pink has appeared. The pic shows the flower way beyond its prime, but I hope you can still see the pink tinges.
I also have some very dark red mums that turns a rust color which I don't like too much but its in line with the season so I just look the other way
There's no reason to regret starting the thread, its kind of interesting to see the responses. If I was using the words 'half hardy' the sentence would most likely include the word 'here'.
example: Lantana's are only half hardy here in Oklahoma, it helps to mulch. Don't cut the hollow stems back until spring or else water will seep down and cause freeze damage killing the roots.
Another way to put it would be to say they are only 'root hardy' here but sometimes they don't make it. In conversation I usually use the words 'semi-hardy'. Hopefully that is more literarily acceptable.
This simply communicates they are able to make it most years with a bit of common sense care but there's always a bad winter looming out there that could do them in, its not a technical type of term. I can't see how that would be difficult to understand anywhere you live.
After pulling up the Webster definition finally, I am now wondering what 'half-grasses' are. Anyone know?
I actually jumped into this discussion a bit 'half-assed' since I didn't double check 'half-hardy' until floral wrote it wasn't a botanical term.
This post was edited by TexasRanger10 on Tue, Dec 9, 14 at 13:38
Emerogork2--("I wonder why the terms are not always directly associated with a zone range.")
Thankfully most plants are trialed or tested prior to being released to the market, this is how the zones where it will thrive are arrived at.
Most perennials have a set of clear cut zones assigned to them such as Zone 5 to 9, or Zone 3 to 8, or (unfortunate for us) Zone 8 to 10. They can be very successful within those zones only for any number of reasons.
Then there will be plants like Begonias.
Most are sold as bedding plants (these are usually the ones given a half-hardy or tender perennial notation) or house plants BUT there are a few species that can be perennial.
B. grandis Zone 5 (with protection) or 6 to 10
B. pedatifida Zones 7 to 10; trial in colder zones.
The info was written that way since they did not have full info yet OR because some could grow it in Zone 6 and others could not.
This is my second year of gardening. I keep a spreadsheet but I've never actually taken a tally.
Let's see...
10 roses
9 mini roses
5 hydrangeas
1 peony
12 hostas
47 perennials
2 rose of sharon hibiscus
23 allium bulbs
So... 109 plants? Oh gosh. I shouldn't have done that...
Centaurea comes to mind. These are lower growing and come in some fabulous colors, most of them featuring purple. They will handle the soil, but DO need to have decent drainage. Sand & clay can be a good mixture as the sand encourages the soil to drain. They will also tolerate full sun to partial shade. Echinacea is another thought, mainly because they are a favorite, though they really need full sun. Here's a place to really compare which gives the moisture, soil requirements, bloom times and heights so you can plan to plant blossoms that will not only come back every year but will provide flowers throughout the whole season while looking gorgeous together. Lots of pictures here! :). Hope this helps.
Here is a link that might be useful: Perennial flower pictures
Echinaceas are quite tricky in our climate. They often don't survive the winter and many people consider them transient occupants of the garden rather than tough perennials. Nor do they self seed much as the soggy Autumns are not conducive to seed ripening. The problem with our winters is that they don't get a good deep freeze and dormancy. The relatively mild wet conditions don't suit them.
tsugajunkie, Now that's just too cool.
I've had a bit of success with plants people say can't or shouldn't be grown and I stand corrected on poinsettias, yours look great. Its surprising what a bit a experimenting can do, what works that shouldn't work and it is definitely fun as you say. Sometimes its all about the challenge.
I would've thought people in the nursery/greenhouse trade love poinsettias, the ultimate throwaway plant that needs to be repurchased every year.
For an alternative that's not as showy but is much, much easier to carry on from year to year, consider the Jamaican poinsettia.*
I have one that is currently displaying a single set of bright scarlet bracts (usually they don't appear until later in winter). Fun succulent to grow.
*do a search for "Jamaican poinsettia" or "Euphorbia punicea" to see more and better photos (GW blocks some of the best links).
We all know about missing the timing of things. I am trying to STOP MY CAR and pick some seeds of these Mountain Pinks before it is too late. Tomorrow , I swear .along with planting those three 5 gallon Nolina sibericas that I bought yesterday. They gave me a third off. I will , I will, I will.....
The renovation at our house was just completed a week ago. My house has more storage than I had ever imagined. I am putting things away right now including my seed boxes.
I will have to tackle the garage once the basement is in order and bring in potting soil that I purchased in the fall and begin to sow seeds a la Winter Sowing. I plan to sow some perennials and trees. I will sow annuals in April or May.
I am burying kitchen scraps in my vegetable bed. By spring, I should have a well composted veggie bed.
Life is grand. :-D