Easy Care Blue Combo of Stokesia & Caryopteris

There is nothing like the fresh summer blooms of Stokesia.  Stokes Aster is a easy care perennial. Chris & I are particularly fond of the variety Peachie’s Pick because of their large almost daisy-like blooms which flower well in heat & humidity.  Stokiesia Peachie’s Pick is easily grown in full sun

Blue Mist Shrub - Caryopteris makes a long lasting cut flower

Stokes Aster is paired here with drought proof  & long blooming  Caryopteris Grand Bleu.

Both are EASY CARE garden plants that thrive with good drainage and make a terrific cut flower.  They both add a punch of color often needed in the mid-late sun perennial garden.

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As more people are moving into houses with smaller lots and closer neighbors, they’re looking for the fastest growing hedge plant that can be used to create “instant” privacy.

Thuja Green Giant & Knock Out Roses

Thuja Green Giant is your fast-growing answer! I’ve traveled the country and this new hybrid was introduced to American gardeners about 15 years ago (that’s still “new” for a conifer) from the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

Green Giant is a hybrid that grows an amazing 3’ PER YEAR once it becomes established. The trick is maximizing this fast growth rate. Here’s the secret: every April 15^th (the dreaded tax day) I fertilize with 2-3 tablespoons of Osmocote slow-release fertilizer scratched into the top 2 inches of soil at the base of each plant. Then, water at least 1” per week from spring thru late fall. This guarantees you’ll see rapid growth of 3’ or more per year.

Fast Growing Privacy Hedge Plant - Thuja Green Giant

Can you PRUNE Green Giant Thuja? Absolutely! If left unpruned, Thuja Green Giant will form a graceful pyramidal shape 8’ wide and 40’ tall. They respond wonderfully to pruning in early summer (after they’ve had their spring flush) and I’ve seen them planted a mere 18” apart and kept to a tight 6’ tall around a formal rose garden.

Thuja Green Giant is extremely versatile and thrives in sandy or clay soil. I’ve seen it growing in hot/steamy Atlanta, Georgia all the way up into our location here in Western Michigan!

You can’t ask for a better fast-growing privacy Hedge Plant than Thuja Green Giant. Also, try planting long-blooming Knock Out Roses and Ornamental Grasses at the base of your Green Giant Thujas for the “finishing” touch!

I often get asked by newbie gardeners that have a combination of sun & shade in their perennial garden how to go about determining what to plant.  A number of years ago, I planted a number of sun loving perennials beneath a tree that had not leafed out yet – then wondered why I didn’t have very many blooms on my plants later that summer.

Hydrangeas grow well in shade but need sun to flower well

Because light angles & intensity varies throughout the season it is best to assess your site during the summer months (particularly when trees are fully leafed out)  to determine whether you have a shaded or sunny site.

Every spring I would set aside a day or so just to move plants that did not bloom well the previous year because they were in too much shade.  I would be sure to mark all my plants with a  painted stake the year before so I knew which plants needed moving. One thing I learned is that Hydrangeas can grow in full shade – but really need some sun to flower well.

Don’t Hesitate to Move

To bad I can’t get frequent flier mileage every time I moved a plant.  I’d be flying free for the next ten years.  Bottom line, don’t give up on your plants if they are not blooming or performing well. There are factors such as soil & moisture that affect a plants overall performance but chances are if the foliage is burning – they are in too much sun.  If they are not flowering well or at all – they are probably in too much shade.

When to Select Shade Loving Plants

Blue Hostas will retain their color if protected from the hot afternoon sun

If part of the garden is in morning sun and afternoon shade – select shade loving plants.  Often times shade loving plants need some sun to flower well and achieve good foliage coloration (such as Hostas & Heuchera)  Shade loving plants just don’t like the hot sun ALL AFTERNOON. A few hours of hot sun is probably fine depending on what part of the country you are living in.

When to Select Sun Loving Plants

If part of the garden is in morning shade and afternoon sun – select sun loving plants.  Sun loving plants  take some shade and if you have a combination of both – just make sure that you have at least 4-5 hours of sun during the day

Spring is a good time to move a majority of  perennials. After all, you are making room for all those NEW plants you must have and can’t live without.

Heucheras for the Shade

Here’s one of my favorite groups of Shade Perennials! Heucheras (or Coral Bells) have come a long way over the past 15 years due to the dedicated breeding programs of folks like Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries.

Heuchera Southern Comfort

These colorful shade lovers thrive with little care and provide a wonderful range of color to brighten up even the darkest shade spot in your garden. Heucheras come in an array of colors, sizes, & flowers. From the bright yellow leaves of Heuchera Lime Rickey to the intense peach of Heuchera Georgia Peach. The leaves of Heuchera Southern Comfort can reach an AMAZING 10” across, while the vivid red blooms of Heuchera Rave On create a flurry of color in the late spring garden.

Heucheras are easy to grow and thrive in most garden conditions. They love morning sun until 1pm, but will also grow in heavier shade. I usually fertilize my established Heucheras in mid April with Osmocote slow-release fertilizer (you can buy at any good garden center). I’ve found that 1 tablespoon of Osmocote scattered around each plant will feed them all spring & summer. Watering your Heucheras once a week will also help keep them happy.