As Digital Content Editor Christine Alexander explains, pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem and we should all be doing our part to support their populations:
24.07.2023 - 12:25 / hgic.clemson.edu
Do you have a shady garden where you would like to plant perennials? Hostas, ferns, and Lenten roses are the usual choices, but there are a number of wonderful perennial selections to choose from that will add bloom, texture, and color to your landscape. Here are several of my favorite early spring bloomers.
A beautiful part to full shade-loving spring flowering perennial is Asian bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly Dicentra spectabilis). Native to China, Korea, and Japan, Asian bleeding hearts have delicate, heart-shaped pink flowers with white inner petals that give the plants their common name. Blooming from April to May, they grow best in moist, humus-rich soils, and the foliage will die back in the mid-summer. Similar to Virginia bluebells, mix in ferns, hostas, and other summer perennials to prolong the season. When mature, Asian bleeding hearts range in heights of 2 to 3 feet tall and 1½ to 2½ feet wide and are larger and showier than their native counterparts.
Commonly known as barrenwort or fairy wings (Epimedium species) are available in a number of different species and hybrids. If you have dry shade, this is the plant for you. The delicate, airy flowers appear above the foliage in April and can range in color from white, yellow, pink, red, purple, or orange. These clump spreaders from China are an excellent choice to plant under trees. Depending on the species or cultivar you choose, fairy wings will range in heights of 10 inches to 2 feet tall and spread up to 2 feet wide. Cut back the old foliage in the late winter before the new leaves begin to emerge. It’s a great addition to a garden, as these plants have a high resistance to rabbit and deer visitors dining on them.
A tried and true perennial
As Digital Content Editor Christine Alexander explains, pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem and we should all be doing our part to support their populations:
As Digital Content Editor Christine Alexander explains, pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem and we should all be doing our part to support their populations:
Living and working in northwestern Oregon, garden designer Wesley Younie is no stranger to dealing with challenging environments. When presented with this garden’s elevation changes, drainage management, and extreme climate conditions, he devised a plan that addresses it all—along with a specific functional wish list from the homeowners. Want to know which plants he used? Here are the plant IDs for this beautiful, sustainable landscape.
Pink Fruits add a delightful touch of color to any garden, enticing both the eyes and taste buds. From sweet and juicy strawberries to exotic dragon fruit, there are plenty of Pink Fruits varieties to choose from!
Now that October is here, you must be busy with theessential gardening jobs for this autumn month. For most people, this time of the year is especially pleasing because of the cooler nights, warm sunny days, and pretty autumn foliage.
We’re visiting with Lilli Hazard today in southern Indiana.
Despite my garden being full to overflowing after the spring rain I have decided to create a new area for a Japanese Garden. When starting a new project I was advised to have a name that may colour the end result. I opted for the grand title of ‘Japan Land’Â This will be a long term project and I won’t rush it as I have on other projects in the past.
London Holland Park’s water feature in Kyoto Garden.
China is one of the great destinations for visiting gardens. The influence over garden design and the vast array of plants and flowers is secondary to the investment in time and dedication demonstrated in so many great locations. This is just a selection of those you may consider visiting if you can make the journey..
There are two common species of larch Larix kaempferi (aka leptolepis the Japanese Larch) and European Larch Larix decidua. As the name implies the Larch looses their tufted leaves in autumn. They grow in most conditions but do not like wet or chalky soil
Fritilliary in damp shade
Holland Park has some Zen like features but fails my Zen test. The classic elements of a successful Zen are stone, sand or gravel, water, plants and space. Then there is a question of balance between yin and yang. Cramped or cluttered gardens inhibit the flow of spirit so space is potentially the key ingredient of a Zen garden.