Alba Woodland Perennials II

Posted on April 27, 2012 by soulofagardener

Dicentra formosa ‘Aurora’ – This pacific fernleaf bleeding heart bears plump pure white heart-shaped flowers from late spring into early summer, and often re-blooms in the fall. ‘Aurora’ may go summer dormant if allowed to go dry in the heat. This deer resistant plant is good for edging, and will bloom longer when deadheaded. Grows 12-15″ high. Zone 3.

Anemone nemorosa ‘Montrosa’ – Wood Anemones are great choices for flowering groundcovers and ‘Montrosa’ features large, unusual semi-double blooms of a marbled green and white that face upwards. These are borne from March to April over fresh, bright green foliage. Somewhat similar to ‘Bracteata Pleniflora’ (the latter more white in the middle). Grows 5″ high. Zone 5.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Mr. Morse’ – Essentially a white-flowered version of ‘Jack Frost’, except that the green veins are more prominent. The white flowers are around for about 6 weeks in spring and contrast nicely with the silver foliage. Try this one in combination with Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’). Deer resistant. Grows 12-15″ high. Zone 3

Dicentra ‘Ivory Hearts’ – This hybrid cross of Dicentra peregrina and Dicentra eximia bears elegant ivory-white blooms (like little heart-shaped lockets) from April to early June. It may also flower sporadically throughout the summer and again in early autumn  in coastal gardens. ‘Ivory Hearts’ features beautiful bluish-green finely cut foliage. Grows 10-12″ high by 16″ wide. Zone 3.

Anemone nemorosa ‘Green Fingers’ (syn. Green Fingers Group) – Another of the woodland anemones with bizarre white blooms (sterile) interrupted with an irregular green fringe (over a carpet of bright green foliage) from late March through to May. This Irish introduction will go summer dormant but makes a fine shade groundcover. Grows 3-5″ high. Zone 4.

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Evergreen Japanese Azaleas

Posted on April 26, 2012 by soulofagardener

Rhododendron x ‘Hino-crimson’ (Kurume Hybrid) – One of the most popular Japanese azaleas and for good reason. It bears hundreds of small single, bright crimson flowers that literally smother the foliage from April to May. This Award of Garden Merit winner has tiny deep green leaves that turn bronze-red in winter. ‘Hino-crimson’ grows 2-3′ high by 3′ wide. Zone 6.

Rhododendron x ‘Ben Morrison’ (Morrison Hybrid) – An absolutely spectacular Japanese azalea with large (2″ wide) bi-color blooms of intense salmon-pink that fade to generous white edges and are accented by rose-purple spotting in the throat. This 1972 introduction does grow higher than most, reaching heights of 5′ tall by 3-4′ wide. Zone 6.

Rhododendron x ‘Hino-white Dwarf” (Kurume Hybrid) – A truly spectacular evergreen azalea with innumerable pure white ruffled blooms that cover the entire plant contour from April to May. This cultivar is much denser than ‘Hino-white’ and can be easily sheared (after blooming) into an informal flowering hedge. Grows 2 to 2.5 feet tall and wide. Zone 6.

Rhododendron x ‘Girard’s Fuchsia’ (Girard Hybrid) – Eye-catching ruffled flowers (2.5 to 3″ wide) of a deep fuchsia-pink (with dark pink spots) often cover the bright green foliage from April to May. The leaves turn a bronze-red in fall when exposed to colder temperatures. ‘Girard’s Fuchsia’ prefers part to full sun and grows 3-4′ high and wide. Zone 5.

Rhododendron x ‘Variegata’ (syn. Azalea ‘Silver Sword’) (Girard Hybrid) – This sport of ‘Girard’s Rose’ was discovered in 1975 and features mid-green foliage with prominent creamy-white margins. The large pink blooms (2.5″ wide) emerge from darker buds and are borne from April to May. The leaves brown when exposed to cold winter winds. Grows 3′ tall and 4′ wide. Zone 6.

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Erysimum / Wallflowers

Posted on April 23, 2012 by soulofagardener

Erysimum ‘Precious Gold’ – A Proven Winners selection with very fragrant, intense golden-yellow blooms (much brighter than ‘Lemon Zest’) borne from spring into summer. ‘Precious Gold’ readily self-seeds and may be grown as an annual in areas where it’s not hardy. This is a good choice for use in mixed containers and spring bedding. Grows 12-16″ high. Zone 6.

Erysimum FRAGRANT STAR (syn. ‘Walfrastar’) – This variegated sport of ‘Fragrant Sunshine’ is sterile (no self-seeding), so the bloom season is incredibly long, lasting from April until July. The bright yellow flowers emerge from dark buds and contrast nicely against the cream variegated foliage of greenish-blue. FRAGRANT STAR grows 12 to 15″ high and 15″ wide. Zone 6.

Erysimum ‘Bowles’ Mauve’ (syn. ‘E.A.Bowles’) – A shrubby perennial with distinctly greyish-green foliage which nicely contrasts the fragrant deep purple blooms. This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner prefers full sun with good soil drainage and is often short-lived in wet spots. ‘Bowles’ Mauve’ flowers from May to October. Grows 30″ high by 24″ wide. Zone 6.

Erysimum ‘Apricot Twist’ – This New Zealand introduction bears bright orange flowers (emerging from contrasting plum-purple buds) with a real spicy fragrance from April through to July. This short-lived perennial prefers full sun and slightly alkaline soil (BC coastal gardeners can add lime). Cut back after flowering to promote bushiness. Grows 18-24″ high. Zone 7.

Erysimum ‘Pastel Patchwork’ – Very fragrant flowers from April to July that open pale yellow (from purplish buds) and fade with hints of orange, pink and salmon. This short-lived perennial self-seeds and prefers well-drained soils in part to full sun. The deep green foliage is also a nice foil for the tapestry of flower colour. ‘Pastel Patchwork’ grows 18-24″ high. Zone 7.

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Osteospermum / African Daisy

Posted on April 21, 2012 by soulofagardener

Osteospermum ‘Lemon Symphony’ – A Proven Winner selection that was originally developed in Japan. ‘Lemon Symphony’ features the typical single daisy blooms of bright yellow petals with a dazzling purplish-blue eye. Osteospermum prefer part to full sun, as the flowers close up at night and on overcast days. Grows to 14″ high and 12-14″ wide. Zone 9.

Osteospermum ‘Astra Purple Spoon’ – An early flowering variety with eye-catching blooms made of well-separated purple spoon-shaped petals and a bluish eye, from May through to October.  Osteospermum are South African natives and are considered annuals or summer flowers in regions colder than zone 9. ‘Astra Purple Spoon’ grows 12-18″ high. Zone 9.

Osteospermum ‘Astra White Imp’ – A compact Osteospermum with white flowers (with a whisper of violet) contrasted by a bluish eye and a purple reverse. These bedding plants do well in coastal gardens but prefer light, well-drained soils and regular fertilizing (about every 2 weeks). ‘Astra White Imp’ grows 6 to 12 inches high by 6 to 12″ wide. Hardy to zone 9.

Osteospermum ‘Astra Violet’ – The bright violet-purple blooms of ‘Astra Violet’ contrast nicely against the crisp green foliage and they are borne from spring right into late autumn. Although reasonably drought tolerant once established, Osteospermum need consistent watering when they are first planted. ‘Astra Violet’ is compact, growing 6 to 12″ high and wide. Zone 9.

Osteospermum ‘Sunadora Marbella’ – The upright, vigorous plants of  ‘Sunadora Marbella’ feature single daisies of a true dark orange, with pale yellow petal bases. Osteospermum are quite cold hardy, blooming late into the season and tolerant of being planted out in early spring (when impatiens or marigolds would suffer). Benefits from deadheading. Grows 12-20″ high. Zone 9.

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Vinca / Periwinkle

Posted on April 20, 2012 by soulofagardener

Vinca minor – Old-fashioned periwinkle has been in cultivated gardens for hundreds of years. The species bears periwinkle-blue flowers from March to May (with sporadic summer blooms) and thrives in deep shade to part sun, tolerating full sun in coastal BC. This plant should not be used near green belts or natural forests due to its invasive nature. Grows 4-6″ high. Zone 4.

Vinca minor ‘Alba’ (syn. Vinca minor f. alba) – One of Gertrude Jekyll’s favourite woodland plants and an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. The pure white April to June blooms really stand out in the shaded garden and the bright green leaves are slightly smaller. ‘Alba’ flowers best in part sun and roots wherever stems touch the ground. Grows 4-6″ high and 2′ wide. Zone 4.

Vinca minor ‘Illumination’ – This variegated periwinkle features bright gold inset variegation with deep green margins that show off the March to May periwinkle blue flowers rather well. It is a great accent plant for shade containers and the stems turn a pinkish-red in winter. This 2001 introduction was discovered in Washington State. Grows 4-6″ high. Zone 4.

Vinca minor ‘Atropurpurea’ (syn. ‘Purpurea’, ‘Rubra’) – Another RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with sumptuous April to September blooms (more flowers in spring) of an unusual deep plum-purple with a lighter contrasting eye. ‘Atropurpurea’ has deep green foliage and is best divided in early autumn or spring. Grows 4-6″ high by 2-3′ wide. Evergreen. Zone 4.

Vinca major ‘Expoflora’ – A much coarser species of periwinkle with larger foliage and flowers. ‘Expoflora’ in particular features deep green leaves with creamy-white variegation (brighter than ‘Variegata’) with huge 1.5″ wide periwinkle blue flowers borne intermittently throughout the summer. This is best used in planters and window boxes. Grows 6-8″ high. Zone 7.

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Spring-Flowering Camellias IV

Posted on April 19, 2012 by soulofagardener

Camellia japonica ‘High Hat’ (syn. ‘Pink Daikagura’, ‘Daikagura Shell Pink’, ‘Pink Kagura’) – This sport of Camellia japonica ‘Daikagura’ bears soft pink double to irregular double blooms in the early season. The flowers are medium to large in size, with notched outer petals. This 1945 introduction has a compact growth habit, reaching 10′ in height. Zone 7.

Camellia japonica ‘April Blush’ (Camellia japonica ‘Berenice Boddy’ x Camellia japonica ‘Dr. Tinsley’) – A free-flowering Japanese camellia with semi-double blooms of shell pink to very pale rose (emerging from pink buds) with contrasting yellow stamens in the mid-season. These show nicely against the glossy deep green foliage. Grows 10′ high. Zone 7.

Camellia japonica ‘Gloire de Nantes’ – This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner features large semi-double to incomplete double blooms of a deep rose-pink in the early season. This old cultivar is one of the hardiest and early blooming of the japonicas, and was introduced by Guichard of Nantes in 1895. It has an upright growth habit, reaching 8-9′ high. Zone 6-7.

Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Pearl’ – Introduced in 1977 by Nuccio’s Nurseries of Altadena California, it bears mid-season to late formal double blooms of white to pale orchid pink, with darker pink edges – the petals are also nicely pointed. This chance seedling of Camellia japonica has a dense growth habit, reaching heights of 6-10′ high. Good in containers. Zone 7.

Camellia japonica ‘April Kiss’ (Camellia japonica ‘Berenice Boddy’ x Camellia japonica ‘Reg Ragland’) – The earliest flowering of the ‘April Series’ with medium-sized formal double blooms of pure pink to reddish-pink. This floriferous cultivar has glossy deep green foliage and an upright growth habit. ‘April Kiss’ grows to 10′ high and is hardy to zone 7.

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Fragrant Houseplants

Posted on April 18, 2012 by soulofagardener

Citrus limon ‘Meyer’ (syn. Citrus x meyeri) – A compact hybrid lemon (possibly crossed with mandarin) that bears up to 2″ wide fragrant white blooms emerging from purple-tinted buds. It is self-fertile and produces edible rounded lemons that are thin skinned and sweeter tasting than the standard fruit. Grows 6-10′ high and requires a minimum 41F temperature.

Stephanotis floribunda (syn. Stephanotis jasminoides) – The Madagascar Jasmine bears clusters of pure white waxy blooms with a heavenly fragrance. This twining climber requires support and an October to February rest period with minimal watering. Grow in bright indirect light and re-pot from March to April. Grows 10-20′ high in the wild and prefers 60-85F.

Freesia lactea (syn. Freesia alba, Freesia refracta var. alba) – This fragrant native of South Africa is too tender to overwinter outdoors, but is easily forced in containers. Plant corms 1″ deep in shallow pots (with drain holes) using a loose potting mix. Keep in a warm spot for about 8 weeks, then move to a cooler room with light. The 2″ wide blooms are held on 8-16″ stems. Zone 10.

Jasminum polyanthum (Jasminum blinii) – This Jasmine is a native of China and bears very fragrant white flowers emerging from pink buds and can be forced to bloom indoors from late winter to early spring. It is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner which is usually too tender for outdoor use here, but should be kept out in autumn (to set buds). Grows 10′. Zone 9.

Gardenia angusta (syn. G. florida, G. grandiflora, G. jasminoides) – A native of China , Taiwan and Japan with fragrant pure white to ivory blooms, growing an average of 1-3′ high indoors. It has lustrous deep green foliage and hates drafts or forced air. Gardenia prefers bright filtered light and even moisture when in bloom (buds will drop if dry). Prefers 60-75F indoors. Zone 8-9.

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Winter Pansies / Viola x wittrockiana

Posted on April 17, 2012 by soulofagardener

Viola x wittrockiana ‘Delta Premium Neon Violet’ – A heat tolerant winter pansy with intense violet blooms with dark purple wings, a purplish-black central blotch and a tiny yellow eye. This F1 hybrid is floriferous with short, sturdy stems and a uniform growth habit. As with all pansies the flowers are edible, but make sure they are organically grown. Grows 4-6″ high. Zone 7.

Viola x wittrockiana ‘Fama Peach Shades’ – Large-flowered winter pansies (2.5-3″ wide) in shades of pale rosy-pink to apricot with darker pink veining and a yellow eye. These short-lived perennials are often treated as cool-season annuals. In coastal BC, plant in September to allow the plants some time to root in before the frosts. This F1 hybrid grows 4-6″ high. Zone 7.

Viola x wittrockiana ‘Delta Yellow with Red Wings’ – A beautiful combination of bright yellow petals with a prominent black blotch, and contrasting deep burgundy upper petals or ‘wings’. Winter pansies are excellent fillers for cool-season hanging baskets or containers, particularly when paired with evergreen grasses (Carex ‘Evergold’). Grows 4-5″ high. Zone 7.

Viola x wittrockiana ‘Frizzle Sizzle Mix’ – An interesting blend of violet, yellow, lavender, purple and magenta blooms with uniquely ruffled edges and a dark contrasting blotch (with a yellow eye). Winter pansies are also available in early spring and are useful for planting the foreground of mass tulip and daffodil (Narcissus) displays. Grows 6″ high and hardy to zone 7.

Viola x wittrockiana ‘Delta Premium Rose with Blotch’ – This winter pansy features large 3″-wide blooms of deep rose with a dark purple blotch and a tiny yellow eye. Although both frost and cold tolerant, winter pansies will sometimes bolt in the early spring heat – these can be cut back and allowed to bloom again. Grows 4 to 6″ high. Zone 7.

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Species Rhododendrons

Posted on April 16, 2012 by soulofagardener

Rhododendron thomsonii – This species forms a large shrub to small tree with deep blood red pendulous, bell-shaped blooms that emerge from April to May. This native of Nepal and Bhutan eventually develops peeling red bark on older specimens. R. thomsonii has deep green rounded foliage and prefers open woodland. Grows 6′ high in 10 years. Zone 7.

Rhododendron moupinense – A real beauty from western China with fragrant white flushed pink blooms (with rosy-purple spots in the throat) from February to April. The 1.5″ long leaves emerge a bronze-red in spring and it is best positioned in part sun. This is the parent of such cultivars as ‘Olive’, ‘Bo-Peep’ and ‘Pink Snowflakes’. Grows 3′ tall and wide. Zone 7.

Rhododendron niveum – An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with unusual smokey-purple to mauve-purple blooms held in erect trusses of 15 to 20 flowers from April to May. This native of India and Bhutan has dark green leaves with white to pale brown indumentum on the reverse.  R. niveum is best placed in part sun and grows 4-5′ tall in 10 years. Zone 7.

Rhododendron calophytum – Another very large species that eventually forms a big shrub or small tree. This Award of Garden Merit winner from southwest China and Tibet bears white to pale pink bell-shaped blooms with maroon spots in early spring. It also has huge green leaves that reach 12″ long by 3″ wide. Grows to 30′ tall (shorter in cultivation). Zone 6.

Rhododendron lutescens – A highly attractive species from southwest China with primrose yellow flowers (1.5 to 2″ across with green spots and protruding stamens) held in showy trusses of 3 to 6 individual blooms from March to April. The new growth is bronzed, turning a matte green at maturity. It prefers part to full sun and grows 7-15′ high. Zone 7.

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English Daisies / Bellis perennis

Posted on April 15, 2012 by soulofagardener

Bellis perennis ‘Strawberries and Cream’ – This English daisy bears button-like soft pink blooms with a deeper rose center (mid spring to early summer), accented by a yellow eye. As with all Bellis perennis, these perform well in regions with cooler summers such as coastal BC. ‘Strawberries and Cream’ prefers light shade to full sun. Grows 5″ high by 6-8″ wide. Zone 4.

Bellis perennis BELLASIMA ROSE – The Bellasima series has excellent vigour and this seed strain features double bright rose pink flowers that often appear in the first year. English Daisies are usually biennial (or short-lived perennials), growing foliage the first year and flowering the second. Deadhead the spent blooms to prolong the display. Grows 4-6″ high. Zone 4.

Bellis perennis ‘Robella’ – A European Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner with highly attractive double daisies of a rich salmon-pink (from March to June) – with flowers often getting 2″ wide. ‘Robella’ flowers for up to 22 weeks (with deadheading) and the semi-evergreen matte green foliage forms a contrasting rosette. Grows 6″ high by 6-8″ wide. Zone 4.

Bellis perennis ‘Tasso Red’ – An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with large-flowered pomponette-type blooms of a vivid red (with contrasting yellow eye) from mid spring into summer. These are nicely contrasted by green basal leaves. English Daisies help to attract butterflies and are native to much of Europe and Turkey. ‘Tasso Red’ grows 5″ high. Zone 4.

Bellis perennis ‘Habanera White with Red Tips’ – A unique English Daisy with quilled white petals and fiery red tips in double blooms – floral fireworks for the garden. The large flowers can be up to 2-3″ wide on this 1996 introduction. Bellis perennis will often self-seed after flowering, although the seedlings will vary in colour. Grows 6″ high by 6-8″ wide. Zone 4.

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