Burnet, botanical name Sanguisorba, is a rhizomatous perennial that typically grows to about 3 feet tall. Bare stems are topped dark red to black-purple flower spikes. Burnet, commonly called Great Burnet, is a welcome addition to cottage and wildflower gardens. It can be placed in the middle of mixed borders. Burnet is a culinary herb […] More
The quintessential holiday houseplant, the poinsettia is actually a tropical plant native to Mexico. The true flowers are tiny, yellow centers that are surrounded by showy, colorful leaf bracts that are typically thought of as the flowers. While poinsettia is grown as a colorful landscape shrub in southern Florida, California, and Mexico, most know it […] More
Cigar plant, Cuphea ignea, is a shrubby perennial that bears showy blooms that look like firecrackers or lit cigars. The plant is commonly grown indoors but can be grown outdoors in mild winter regions or planted as a summer annual. Cuphea ignea’s flowers are tuber to about 3/4 inch long; they are red with a […] More
Deadheading is a term gardeners use. It means removing or pruning away faded or fading flowers. Gardeners deadhead for two reasons: first, to remove spent blossoms and keeps the planting looking pretty and tidy; second, to keep the plant producing new flowers. Flowering plants flower in order to produce seed and create the next generation; […] More
Perennial flowers live more than two years. Some perennials live indefinitely. In many gardens, most of the plants are hardy perennials such as phlox, peonies, delphinium, and bleeding heart. Perennials are often referred to as “the busy gardener’s favorites” because they tend to take care of themselves. Once established perennials they can bring beauty to […] More
Hardy is a term used to describe a plant’s ability to survive in a specific climate zone—even through the cold of winter. Commonly gardeners use the term “hardy” to describe a plant that can survive a freeze, frost, or a cold snap. Half-hardy is a term used describes plants that can survive only limited or […] More
Understanding the nature of plants will help you establish a garden that will be a thing of beauty rather than a disappointment. Perennials are plants that live for three or more years. They live longer than annuals and biennials. Of course, trees and shrubs are perennial in habit, but the term perennial is generally applied […] More
Perennial plants offer an immense variety of shape, form, color, texture, and scent. There are perennials suitable for nearly every garden. Perennials are herbaceous plants–meaning they are not woody. A perennial commonly lives for 3 to 5 years, some much longer. Whereas trees and shrubs give structure to garden design, perennials contribute a great deal […] More
Perennials flowers might be considered the backbone of the herbaceous flower garden. They are long stayers in the flower garden—commonly three to five years, sometimes more. Perennial flowers, more than annuals, offer height and breadth and usually a longer season of color that will repeat next year and the year after. Perennials are usually the […] More
Garden flower color throughout the year requires a bit of planning. If you want blooms in your garden from early spring through winter, here are a few quick steps to get started: If you were able to accomplish these three steps you are a long way toward realizing a year-round flower garden. And if year-round […] More
Flowers can bloom in the winter garden. Clear away the thought that winter is only about conifers and broad-leaved evergreens as the dominant feature in winter. Blooming flowers can give the winter garden a feeling of warmth. This list of winter-blooming flowers is aimed at gardens near 40 degrees North latitude (this latitude runs from […] More
Autumn has a special effect on all plants in the garden. Annuals and perennials are one part of the whole. Many trees and shrubs will be adding their own special effects in autumn. In selecting annuals and perennials for the autumn garden, it is necessary to know not only the overall effect your design will […] More
Stephen Albert