Commonly known as the Blanket Flower, Gaillardia x grandiflora is a great summer blooming perennial border plant. Gaillardia will suffer in heavy clay soils, plant in well-drained sunny locations. Gaillardia flowers continuously with out the need to dead head.
Susceptible to leaf spot, powdery mildew and leafhoppers to minor degrees. Growing 2-3′ tall this perennial has an impressive 3-4″ flower head and is hardy in Zones 3-10. A great choice for areas that have high summer temps and dry soils.
A few notable cultivars:
- ‘Baby Cole’ – Dwarf. Less than 8″. Red flowers with yellow margins.
- ‘Burgundy’ – Large 24-30″. Burgundy red flowers.
- ‘Dazzler’ – 24-36″, Yellow flowers with maroon centers.
- ‘Kobold’ – also referred to as ‘Goblin’. 9-12″. Red flowers with yellow margins.
Silver Mound Artemisia also known as Wormwood, Ghost Plant, Mugwort this small herbaceous perennial, native to Japan, is hardy in zones 3 to 7. Growing as a spreading mound this plant matures to a height of 12″ and spreading 18″ wide.
A perennial border powerhouse chosen for its spectacular silvery green, fine textured foliage. Silver Mound should be grown in full sun and well drained soil. Prune early spring. In the disease and pest category rust seems to be the main problem.
This evergreen perennial features dark green, narrow foliage highlighted with silvery-white vertical variegation. Flowering in summer the pale purple flowers are followed by whitish-green berries. Well suited for use as a ground-cover or edging. Hardy in zone 6 this perennial grows to 10-12″ high and equal in spread. Keep evenly moist and plant in shade to part sun locations.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ is on of the best performing variegated hostas around. Seven inch long medium green and slightly rippled leaves with a creamy yellow to white margin are matched well with the awesome lavender flowers, that emerge in late summer. Growing 15-20″ tall and 24″ wide this hosta is excellent for use in mass plantings or even as a specimen focal plant. Hardy in zones 3-9 (USDA)
Hostas generally prefer moist well drained soils. Part sun to full shade. Due to its variegated nature ‘Patriot’ will handle more sun than the green and blue leaved hosta varieties.
Hostas are easily divided in the spring or early fall. I prefer to divide hostas in the spring be fore the leaves fully emerge. Slugs and snails are common pests and are best managed by hand or by some common slug/snail baits.
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