perennials Archives - Page 5 of 5 - Summer-Dry | Celebrate Plants in Summer-Dry Gardens

13 10, 2015

Penstemons

Penstemons

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:23-07:00Categories: Blog, perennials|Tags: california native, nora harlow, perennials|

Penstemon x gloxiniodes 'Maurice Gibbs' It’s easy to see why penstemons are so popular with gardeners everywhere. Their tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers, usually on tall spikes, put on a brilliant show from late spring until fall. Flower color ranges from shades of purple to red, blue, white, yellow, or pink, often with contrasting markings at the base. Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to them. Some penstemons are tall and upright, excellent in the mixed border; others are low mats perfect for the rock garden; and still others are sprawling mid-size mounds. All need good to excellent drainage, but

26 08, 2015

Epimedium

Epimedium

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:20-07:00Categories: Blog, perennials|Tags: nora harlow, perennials|

Epimedium x rubrum Dry shade is said to be difficult for gardeners. But shade, even deep shade, provides singular opportunities not available to those who garden in hot sun. Epimediums are a carefree, long-lived, and distinguished choice for dry shade. Their oval to heart-shaped leaves are outstanding combined with shade-tolerant plants such as strap-leaved irises, lacy ferns, or cool-season grasses such as fescues. Once established, many epimediums will get by happily with little to no summer water in part to full shade. They compete well with tree roots where other plants fail. If cut back in winter, they

16 07, 2015

Heuchera

Heuchera

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:20-07:00Categories: perennials|Tags: perennials|

Heuchera maxima (Island Alum Root, Coral Bells) flowering along garden path My deer do not read the deer-resistant plant lists. I’m on the deer highway, with six-point bucks, full-grown does, charmingly spotted fawns, and yearlings almost 24/7 year round. In summer the adults lie down under my ancient apple tree, full as a tick after gorging themselves on fallen apples. In the middle of the day they watch me, with appropriate caution but no fear, as I work around them. I mention this because heucheras, one of my favorite perennials for dryish shade, are found on many deer-resistant

10 06, 2015

Epilobium

Epilobium

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:19-07:00Categories: perennials|Tags: california native, perennials|

Epilobium septentrionale 'Select Mattole' (California Fuchsia) silver gray foliage native groundcover in flower with Arctostaphylos It’s curious that some scientific plant names can be changed and no one seems to mind, while other changes are heartily resisted by gardeners as well as by many plant book authors and nurseries. California fuchsias were known and grown for so long as Zauschneria, their former scientific name, that it took years for some people to call them by their current scientific name, Epilobium, in part perhaps because zauschnerias are horticulturally so different from other epilobiums, or fireweeds. A variable group of

31 03, 2015

Matilija Poppy

Matilija Poppy

Nora Harlow2024-06-27T19:25:18-07:00Categories: Blog, perennials|Tags: california native, perennials|

You will hear that Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) is hard to start and hard to stop, and to some extent this is true. But if you plant this magnificent California native from one-gallon cans in late fall or early winter, and the spot you choose has excellent drainage (hillsides, mounds, raised beds), you should have self-sustaining plants by the second year. Plant carefully without disturbing the roots. Water thoroughly at planting and weekly through the first summer. The huge (4-6 inches across) white, crepe-papery flowers with bright yellow stamens each last about a week and then cleanly drop all their