From House To Home

There are many reasons gardeners rely on perennial plants to do the heavy lifting for seasonal color. First, perennials return the next season, so there’s less work as the garden matures. Also, whether purchased as ready-to-plant bed stock or grown from bulbs or rhizomes, there is a lengthy list of perennial plants from which to choose. Most categories of perennials have newly cultivated varieties, colors, and attributes each season.

Caladium is a perennial purchased for foliage rather than blooms. Interesting shapes and variegated colors of caladium leaves keep a garden looking great even when nearby plants are between bloom cycles. Relatively “care free,“ from the “My Thai” variety to “Hot Wasabi,“ the Thai Delight collection of caladiums is exceptionally hardy. Plant among impatiens, begonias, and other shade bloomers or in a porch container.

Many common plants have varieties suited for nearly every zone. Among the popular shade plants:

Helleborus—Brushstrokes Strain. Ground-cover flowers, mostly yellows and purples, last 3 months in winter/spring. Zones 4-8. Deer resistant.

Hydrangea—Endless Summer. Showy baby-blue or pink blooms (depending on pH). Zones 4-9. No frost worries—even grows in Minnesota.

Fern—Arythrium Burgundy Lace. Silver to pewter with burgundy ribbing. Beautiful next to violets.

Hosta—Red October. Red stems with white-backed leaves and lavender flowers. This critter-resistant collector plant returns in late spring for the fall bloom.

Or, try these in the sun:

Hydrangea—Cityline Paris. A dwarf with full-size red clusters. Morning sun; no pruning. Blooms summer-fall, zones 5-9.

Daylily—Prairie Wildfire. A satisfying, rich red attracts summer hummingbirds and butterflies. Drought-resistant and happy in many zones.

Rose—Knock Out. Fast and low growing. Resistant to common rose problems; heat tolerant. Blooms burgundy-violet with a touch of orange-red for 5 months. Zones 4-9.

Grass—Miscanthus Gold Bar. Compact plant with gold bars on leaves; burgundy buds to puffy blooms in fall. Pretty all year in several zones.

Ready for a subtropical in the “collector perennial” category? The versatile Black Flamingo with orange and yellow trumpets clustered against shiny, dark leaves is used in beds, borders, or as a focal point. Try one in a movable container to find the best placement in your garden.

Having a green thumb today is also about creating a healthy garden. A simple composting system allows gardeners to nourish plants without chemicals. Try naturally combating pests; lady bugs are a safe solution to aphids. If water is in short supply, get it directly to the roots with a drip system or consider installing a less-thirsty xeriscape. Again, ideas and advice are easy to locate online or from a local expert.

TIP

Before Purchasing New-To-You Plants…

...ask a garden expert or research online to learn:

• which varieties of the plant thrive best in your zone
• when/how long it blooms
• how much care is required (pruning, etc.)
• if it is pet safe
• what the plant attracts (butterflies, bees, birds, deer)
• whether it can survive in a pot or if it must go in the ground