Posts Tagged ‘Posts by Mary’

Silver foliage Brunnera combines effortlessly with so many other shade plants

Since its discovery, Brunnera Jack Frost PP 13,859  has won numerous awards including Perennial Plant of the Year in 2012 and Best New Perennial of the Year at Plantarium, The Netherlands.  Jack Frost has warmed the hearts of many gardeners both new and experienced.   I can’t think of a more beautiful deer proof shade plant and one that is so adaptable in perennial garden design.

Few shade perennials have such interesting silver foliage throughout the season.  This clump forming perennial is  a versatile groundcover grows 15-18″ tall x 15-18″ wide.   Hardy to zone 5 (probably hardier)

In spring, small oblong leaves gradually grow into larger heart-shaped leaves after the conclusion of the flowering period. Beautiful, wispy panicles of sky blue flowers appear in early spring.

How To Grow

• Does best in moisture retentive soil in part shade.  In my area of the country (Michigan) it can take some pretty dry shade.
• Plant in area where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade.  Watch for too much sun or hot spots.
• Don’t worry that the leaves are small in spring – they will get much larger (5-8″ across) as the plant grows.
• Best in moist soil.  Add 3 inches of mulch to keep moist
  
• If you notice crispy leaf edges – plants are getting too dry.  I ofte  cut these leaves all the way back. Plants might stay dormant for a while before flushing out with new foliage growth.
  
• Cut back blooms after fading.  Plants stays more attractive that way.
  

Here’s what you’ll love about this plant

• Silver shade plant.   Why is that important? Silver infuses light into dark corners of the shade garden
  
• Foliage stays colorful and attractive throughout the season
• Blue flowers in spring – which compliments spring blooming bulbs
• Easy to grow – Prefers consistent moisture
• Low Maintenance
• Deer & Rabbit Resistant
• No serious insects or disease issues
• Late evening gardening – still visible at dusk
• It’s just plain gorgeous!

Stay tuned for our  hands on Garden Design Tips with Brunnera in our next article

Read more:

Garden Design with Brunnera Jack Frost

Brunnera Jack Frost

Hellebores have become America’s #1 Deer Proof Plant for Shade Garden.  Pink Frost Hellebore is a  spring flowering shade groundcover with unique silver evergreen foliage. Exciting rare &  drought proof perennial. Watch our video and  find out why this is such a stunning shade plant for the perennial garden.

Grown and shipped in our Jumbo 1 Quart Pots  at www.GreatGardenPlants.com

Hakonechloa Aureola - the most elegant shade groundcover ever!

Hakonechloa produces a gorgeous mound of narrow, arching leaves  that is useful for bringing bright color to the shade garden. It has a graceful, almost tropical like habit and is considered by some to be one of the most stunning groundcovers for the shade garden. Two of the more popular varieties include  bright gold leaf All Gold and Aureola which has gold leaves with stripes of bright green.

I’ve known gardeners that have been  successful with growing Hakonechloa and others who struggle growing this shade loving groundcover.  Essentially, this is a slow growing shade perennial that takes more than a couple of years to become mature.

Design Tips

Hakonechloa works well in so many shade settings as a foliage plant. Use it singly, in containers, or mass as a ground cover in front of a shady border.  For inspiring design ideas & photography check out  Design Ideas with Hakonechloa –Elegant Shade Ground Cover. Since you get 3 seasons of foliage color it combines terrific with various colors of Heuchera.

1o Tips on Growing the most beautiful Hakonechloa ever!

1)     Soil. It thrives in a rich, somewhat acidic soil in well drained site. If you give them average soil, they will be small to average in size.

2)     Planting. Dig a hole 3 times the height & width of your container and fill in with good organic matter.  Take the time to do this because it will make a difference

3)    Exposure. Full sun to part shade.  Hakonechloa grows well in full sun (in the north anyway) Protect from the hot afternoon sun.

4)    Water. Hakonechloa require lots of moisture. Water frequently the first year. If you have an irrigation system – terrific.

5)    Keep away from tree roots. Best to plant near but not directly under trees or large shrubs. Depending on the type, tree & shrub roots are moisture & nutrient robbers.  Plants often will stay small and often struggle if competing with neighboring roots.

6)    Keep roots cool. Plant in a location where they will receive shade during the hottest part of the day.   Use 3” of mulch after planting to keep roots cool until plants become established.

7)   Feeding. Use a slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote according to package directions.

8)    Don’t cut back in the fall. If you are in a northern climate, wait until spring to either cut back or rake away previous year’s growth.

9)    Winter protection. My friend, Barb is a landscape designer in Minnesota (Zone 4) and use LOTS of Hakonechloa is in her garden design.  She uses pine boughs as a winter mulch. She has always been successful overwintering these plants.

10)   Planting & Spacing. I’ll often space Hakonechloa closer than other groundcovers (8-10” apart).  That way they fill in faster.  Plant in the spring so roots can establish themselves and be patient.

Container Growing

My friend Jayne, grows Hakonechloa in containers in her Zone 4 garden.  Here are her tips for container growing:

• Use drip irrigation  (keeps the plants  evenly moist)
• Slow Release liquid feed
• Replace soil every 2 years
• Bury the pots & cover with pine boughs for the winter

Growing Hakonechloa is a bit like reading Tolstoy’s War & Peace.  It is a bit of an undertaking, but don’t  let these proven  growing tips intimidate you from growing this magnificent shade loving groundcover in your perennial garden.

Where to Buy

Daisies for long lasting color in your garden

There is nothing that speaks of summer than the iconic daisy.  Shasta Daisy Becky (Leucantheum superbum) which stands upright with pristine white flowers. The yellow gold flowers of  Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Goldsturm) extends the bloom time  in this combination  by flowering a bit later. Fragrant pink Coneflower (Echinacea Kims Knee High) is nestled in the middle. You got to love this eye catching color that last for months and the fact they are perennials that come back year after year makes this a sound investment.   If you are looking to fill your empty vases with something cheerful – don’t forget the daisies.

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.