Ilona's Garden in Ohio

Posted by the gardener on Jun 21, 2011

12 Bright Midsummer Perennial Bloomers

Midseason bloom is full of bright summer colors that match the mood and the atmosphere of summer in the Midwest. It gets hot here and the sun during midday is intense. Bright colors glow and there are many annuals and perennials that are at their best at this time of year. I thought you might like a list of my favorite perennials- all bright, strong bloomers, and sure to give a good...

Posted by the gardener on Jun 21, 2011

Gallery of Peonies in My Garden, Early June

Early June just burst with bloom around here, in my Ohio garden. That is when the scent of the luscious peonies, with early roses such as the Thérèse Bugnet Rose, fill the air and their opulent blossoms are at their best. While I have come to love the fully double varieties, my early favorites were always the single petaled ones. They seem to float so lightly above the mound of healthy deep...

Posted by the gardener on Aug 24, 2010

Why Plant Perennials?

With the economy still in the dumps, everyone is interested in growing their own food (including me), so what is the purpose in growing plants for mere ornamentation? Especially plants that seem to provide bloom for only one part of a growing season rather than the entire summer, like annuals? You might be surprised at the economic and common sense involved in a choice of planting perennials in the right...

Posted by the gardener on Aug 5, 2010

Phlox Subulata Planting Hints

Another Plant Profile from ilonasgarden.com Once upon a time I grew pink Phlox subulata in a rock garden; in my garden, now, the blue variety is grown as a ground cover. It produces a beautiful bright spot of color in the spring, no matter where you situate it. Later, it has a pleasing textured green carpet of foliage, earning the “moss” appellation. Phlox subulata is native to Eastern...

Posted by the gardener on Apr 29, 2010

Hellebores: Christmas and Lenten Roses

During the winter of 2009, I purchased some potted hellebore plants on clearance from Whole Foods Market. I had read about the Christmas Rose many times in gardening books over the years, and their fresh creamy white blooms fairly sang out to me, so I promptly snapped up three pots (one is featured in my photo, below). I kept them on a sunny windowsill until it was time to plant them in the spring, and...

Posted by the gardener on Feb 15, 2010

Blue Flax, Linum narbonense

Blue Flax is a piece of summer sky fallen into the garden, shimmering blue flowers reflecting clear unclouded heavens. Opening during the sunny days and dropping its petals by afternoon, only seems to add to its charm; Genus Linum narbonense. Linum narbonense is native to the foothills and mountains of northern Spain I’ve grown both Linum narbonense and Linum perenne, and although they are almost...

Posted by the gardener on Feb 9, 2010

Asclepias tuberosa ‘Butterfly Weed’

Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, isn’t as popular as it could be. Maybe the combination of the “weed” appellation and the bright orange color, but this is really a fine garden plant that brings a pleasing “pop” to the garden, no less for its drawing power for butterflies than for its joyful color. It took me tow starts to finally get Butterfly weed going in my garden. I...