Five of my favorite flowering plants that are easy to grow
All landscapers have certain plants that they use often in their designs. For my part, my choices are based on how well the plants do in the Spring Grove area, how much care they take and how long they bloom.
Other factors to consider are the fragrance of the flowers, the texture of the foliage, the colors and shape of blooms and leaves and how well they blend with, or serve as a background for, other plants in the garden. Then, of course, we have to consider the best soil type for each plant and whether they fare better in sunlight or shade.
Some of my choices may already be familiar to you by one name or another (many plants have different nicknames). Some may be ones that you haven’t been aware of before. But all of them make any garden beautiful, fragrant and easy to care for.
1. Calamintha Nepeta and Montrose White
Nepeta and Montrose White are different varies of Calamintha. Nepeta has 18” stems covered with clouds of fragile lavender or white flowers among leaves of light mid-green. When crushed, the flowers give off a tart minty fragrance that’s as clean and refreshing as its color scheme.
Montrose White has white blossoms and thrives in well-drained, sunny locations in our area, blooming from late summer through the fall until, and sometimes past, the first frost. It’s neutral coloring and dainty shape make it a natural fit for any other flower in your garden or for a bouquet. It is also very attractive to honey bees and ensures the pollination of your garden.
2. Heuchera Caramel or Coral Bells
The name was inspired by the way this plant’s small flowers resemble tiny bells. But the real beauty of Heuchera is in its colorful, lush and fuzzy foliage. There are many different varieties but the one I’m partial to is called Caramel. The leaf color ranges from apricot to amber with an underside of reddish purple.
Late blooming, with creamy flowers appearing in midsummer, this plant is tolerant of high temperatures and humidity and is easy to grow. It’s not only colorful in its own right, but blends easily with other perennials in the garden and is often used to edge paths or in containers.
3. Polemonium Heaven Scent
Also known as Jacob’s Ladder, it may get its nickname from the way the tiny leaflets that rise along its stem seem to form a ladder like that stretching from earth to heaven in the biblical Jacob’s dream. The foliage of this plant is indeed “heavenly” even without the angels that apparently appeared to Jacob. Fern-like, the leaves are multicolored, delicate and provide the perfect setting for the clusters of bell-like deep lavender flowers that grow from its long stems.
Although Polemonium Heaven Scent looks exotic, it’s easy to care for, requiring little maintenance beyond trimming. Its blooms stay the same size almost the whole season and have a slight but pleasant fragrance. It was developed by Brent Horvath, a wholesaler at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens and is a proven award winner in flower shows.
4. Rudbeckia American Gold Rush
You may know this perennial plant as “Black-eyed Susan.” It blooms from July through September, and the brilliance of its yellow petals will brighten any garden or bouquet. These plants thrive in hot, humid summers and even some drought conditions. Another award-winner from Brent Hovarth, Rudbeckia American Gold Rush provides lots of joyful color to the landscape and demand relatively little work.
5. Aster Oblongifolius
Aster Oblongifolius is also a hearty plant and features one of the last flowers to bloom in the fall. If you cut the height of these flowers (15”) in June, it makes them shorter and even later-blooming. With oblong leaves and star-shaped flowers that are sky blue, this variety is appropriately named “October Skies.”
Hope you like these plants as much as I do! Of course, I’m happy to plant whatever flowers, shrubs and trees you prefer. But I wanted to show you some of the choices that are available to you and that grow well in this area.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon to discuss your own favorites or to show you some more options to consider.
Thanks,
Curt
Other factors to consider are the fragrance of the flowers, the texture of the foliage, the colors and shape of blooms and leaves and how well they blend with, or serve as a background for, other plants in the garden. Then, of course, we have to consider the best soil type for each plant and whether they fare better in sunlight or shade.
Some of my choices may already be familiar to you by one name or another (many plants have different nicknames). Some may be ones that you haven’t been aware of before. But all of them make any garden beautiful, fragrant and easy to care for.
1. Calamintha Nepeta and Montrose White
Nepeta and Montrose White are different varies of Calamintha. Nepeta has 18” stems covered with clouds of fragile lavender or white flowers among leaves of light mid-green. When crushed, the flowers give off a tart minty fragrance that’s as clean and refreshing as its color scheme.
Montrose White has white blossoms and thrives in well-drained, sunny locations in our area, blooming from late summer through the fall until, and sometimes past, the first frost. It’s neutral coloring and dainty shape make it a natural fit for any other flower in your garden or for a bouquet. It is also very attractive to honey bees and ensures the pollination of your garden.
2. Heuchera Caramel or Coral Bells
The name was inspired by the way this plant’s small flowers resemble tiny bells. But the real beauty of Heuchera is in its colorful, lush and fuzzy foliage. There are many different varieties but the one I’m partial to is called Caramel. The leaf color ranges from apricot to amber with an underside of reddish purple.
Late blooming, with creamy flowers appearing in midsummer, this plant is tolerant of high temperatures and humidity and is easy to grow. It’s not only colorful in its own right, but blends easily with other perennials in the garden and is often used to edge paths or in containers.
3. Polemonium Heaven Scent
Also known as Jacob’s Ladder, it may get its nickname from the way the tiny leaflets that rise along its stem seem to form a ladder like that stretching from earth to heaven in the biblical Jacob’s dream. The foliage of this plant is indeed “heavenly” even without the angels that apparently appeared to Jacob. Fern-like, the leaves are multicolored, delicate and provide the perfect setting for the clusters of bell-like deep lavender flowers that grow from its long stems.
Although Polemonium Heaven Scent looks exotic, it’s easy to care for, requiring little maintenance beyond trimming. Its blooms stay the same size almost the whole season and have a slight but pleasant fragrance. It was developed by Brent Horvath, a wholesaler at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens and is a proven award winner in flower shows.
4. Rudbeckia American Gold Rush
You may know this perennial plant as “Black-eyed Susan.” It blooms from July through September, and the brilliance of its yellow petals will brighten any garden or bouquet. These plants thrive in hot, humid summers and even some drought conditions. Another award-winner from Brent Hovarth, Rudbeckia American Gold Rush provides lots of joyful color to the landscape and demand relatively little work.
5. Aster Oblongifolius
Aster Oblongifolius is also a hearty plant and features one of the last flowers to bloom in the fall. If you cut the height of these flowers (15”) in June, it makes them shorter and even later-blooming. With oblong leaves and star-shaped flowers that are sky blue, this variety is appropriately named “October Skies.”
Hope you like these plants as much as I do! Of course, I’m happy to plant whatever flowers, shrubs and trees you prefer. But I wanted to show you some of the choices that are available to you and that grow well in this area.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon to discuss your own favorites or to show you some more options to consider.
Thanks,
Curt
Jun 1, 2023 by
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