Balloon Flowers Throw A Midsummer Party

The balloon flower decorates the July garden When the Platycodons bloom in a midsummer garden they sport pastel balloon buds that burst into open stars of satiny blue, pink, or white. I think I like the blue hue the best. They are slow to break growth in the spring so keep that in mind while grubbing around in the spring garden. That is one reason to give them a place with spring blooming bulbs where one is...

5 Best Perennials For August Flowers

August can be hot and dry, it also can be humid which spells the end of many of the more famous flowers of your perennial garden. With a few well chosen additions August can also be a month alive with garden color, especially if you like native prairie flowers. Here are five choices that you might include in your garden plantings for August color.Butterfly Weed, Asclepsias tuberosa, which actually starts to...

12 Low Growing Spring Perennials

When you choose an area for fall planted bulbs think also about underplantings of low perennials that bloom in tandem with the spring flowers of tulips, daffodils, and the like. Some of the prettiest spring gardens are designed this way, and the benefit for the rest of the season is the persistent foliage that many of these plantings have.Spring companionsSince perennials need to be planted late summer/early...

Alchemilla Mollis, Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla Mollis, Pleasant Partner-Experienced gardeners often rave over Alchemilla mollis. It is also a favorite among flower arrangers. Perhaps the velvety green leaves with their full moon scalloped edged shape, or maybe the fine filigree filler of the flowers that are the distinct chartreuse color that is bright, yet blends so well. Whatever the draw, this is a very choice plant for your garden. Such pretty...

Sweet Woodruff

Galium odoratum, beautiful groundcover Another sweet smelling plant, this time for a groundcover. Sweet woodruff makes a beautiful base for trees or shrubs -which is how my mother grew it. I took a start, a bit of rooted section (the best way to multiply this plant), and planted it beneath my roses on the east side of the house. This plant has everything I like in a plant, fresh green foliage, pretty blooms,...