If you buy bulbs from a local gardening place, there are some things to look for when selecting them. Make sure that bulbs are firm but not dried out and free of mold, spots and anything that resembles fungus. Another thing to remember is that the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flower will be and a double bulb normally means that you will get two plants.

The companies that sell bulbs usually offer good information and advice about planting, storing, nurturing and propagating bulbs. However, the planting depth for your area really depends on where you live. For example, if the ground where you live does not freeze to any significant depth or for extended periods of time, you can plant bulbs about an inch shallower than the depth suggested by companies. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

There are a few things that are a must before planting bulbs and at the top of the list is the soil. Unless you have good soil, your bulbs or other plants will not do well. Rich soil is the key to healthy plants and beautiful flowers. So be sure to prepare the soil by following the directions given with your purchase. Also be sure to note the best location to plant the bulbs. Some bulbs should be planted where there is full sun while others require a shady area or part sun.

Next decide how you want your garden to look when the bulbs are in full bloom. Spacing them is the key and you can follow recommendations given by the company where you bought them from or you can plant them closer together for a very beautiful and dramatic look. If in doubt, buy bulbs from a reputable company like Breck’s that has been bringing us quality bulbs from Holland since 1818. You will get all the advice you need from this company as well as top quality bulbs. (photo courtesy: Breck’s)

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The bat plant produces eye-catching foliage and the flower is one of the most talked about you will have in your garden. The flower is a strange looking one that almost resembles a bat’s black face with large ears and long spooky whiskers. This unusual tropical perennial comes from the monsoon forests of West Africa and South East Asia. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

For Gothic charm and a bit of Halloween decorations, get a bat plant bulb, plant it now in the autumn and you should have that unique ghostly garden next year. From what I understand, the bat plant blooms in late summer and early fall in Florida. For colder climates, it is recommended that you plant the bulb indoors in a container and then move it outside when the weather warms up.

If you want to have some fun, plant the bulb now in an unusual container like a hollowed pumpkin or a coffin like one with orange and yellow colors. Next spring, the plant will come up with lots of glossy leaves and in early summer, a stalk will develop resembling a budge near the tip. After that the flower begins to form, whiskers and all, resembling a bat’s face. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

The bat plant comes in white and maroon colors and the maroon one looks really spooky. It reaches 3 feet tall and wide and likes indirect sunlight so it is best to plant it indoors. If you want to plant it in the garden, dig a hole large enough so that you can put the whole pot into it. This way, you can easily move it indoors when the weather gets cold. (photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

To your ghostly garden,
Diana

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Did you know that Amaryllis can be forced to bloom in about six weeks after planting? Yes, you can plant Amaryllis bulbs in a container indoors and force them to bloom in late winter by inducing a dormant period. Since Amaryllis stalks are quite heavy when it blooms, make sure the container you use is large enough so it will not tip over. Once the plant is established indoors, you can move them outdoors or even plant them in your garden when the danger of frost is past.

The botanical name for Amaryllis is ‘Hippeastrum’ which is Greek and means ‘horseman’s star’. This specie of Amaryllis was chosen in 1837 by the honorable Reverend William Herbert who was Dean of Manchester at the time. Why he chose this name, no one really knows because Hippeastrum is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Americas, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean. (photo courtesy of kabloomofsandysprings.com)

When purchasing Amaryllis bulbs, make sure that they are firm to the touch and have a thin brown outer layers similar to an onion. Never buy bulbs that are soft or look sick or have green mold on them. To plant your Amaryllis indoors, do the following:

1. Select your bulb
2. Buy a pot or container slightly larger than the bulb
3. Fill the pot half way with potting soil
4. Place the bulb on top of the soil making sure that the top of it is exposed
5. Add more soil around the sides of the pot
6. Water so that the soil is moist but not too wet
7. Place the pot in a bright area but not in direct sun
8. Turn the pot every few days to get even light
9. Within a few weeks, a thick flower stalk should shoot up

It really is that easy to plant Amaryllis indoors and have beautiful flowers during the winter months. Here are a few of my favorites.

Amaryllis Pizzazz – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Pizzazz

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Here is a beautiful Amaryllis that has huge 6-inch striped blooms with ruffled edges and starry white centers. The flowers are bright cherry red, white striping and the petals are ruffled in pure white. Truly gorgeous! The blooms are held by a sturdy 15 inch stems. Pizzazz blooms in 36 days after planting and produces 4-7 large blooms per plant and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Snow White – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Snow White

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Snow white surely fits this beautiful Amaryllis. It has huge pure white frilly blooms on 12 inch stems. The blooms reach 8 inches across and you can expect 4-7 blooms that will add beauty to your home during the winter months. Snow white blooms in 32 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Razzle Dazzle – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Razzle Dazzle

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
This Amaryllis is sometimes called candy cane because of its pin striping. It has 7 inch stripped flowers and the bulb produces up to 9 blooms per plant. Razzle Dazzle blooms 37 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Little Angel – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Little Angel

(Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Little Angel produces gorgeous pure white 3 inch blooms with soft green center. This Amaryllis is ready to bloom in just 28 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

To your gardening success,
Diana

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This beautiful flower is extensively grown as ornamental plants and the most commonly found garden iris is the bearded German Iris. Other types of hybrids have come along which are crosses between tall and dwarf varieties. (Photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)

The bearded irises are easy to cultivate and propagate and are popular in many gardens. The reason is that these grow in any type of garden soil and a little peat moss. Dwarf irises are early bloomers meaning that these bloom in full from March to May.

It is important to mention that Iris plants have rhizomes (a horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found above or underground) that sit at the top of the soil surface. These rhizomes are used in perfume even today and in medicine during ancient times. I also found out that dried rhizomes are given whole to babies to help in the teething process, and Magellan Gin uses iris root and flower for flavor and color.

There is so much history about this beautiful flower that it is much too much to mention here. For example, the iris has been associated with France as Louis VII adopted it as a symbol in the 12th century. The iris is almost the universal symbol of scouting and one of the symbols adopted by the sorority Kappa Gamma.

In addition to the above, the iris is the symbol of Brussels since historically Saint Gaugericus Island was carpeted in them and the iris is now featured on the flag of the Brussels Capital Region. The iris is also the state flower of Tennessee and featured by many other states.

As you can see, there is enough history about irises to write a book, but the one thing we all agree on is that irises are absolutely beautiful flowers. Here are a few of my favorites.

Iris ‘Jennifer Rebecca’ – Botanical name is Iris x germanica Jennifer Rebecca

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
This is re-blooming tall bearded iris that re-blooms heavily again in the autumn. It was introduced by Zurbrigg in 1985 and it sets its first and heaviest flush of flowers in late spring. Jennifer Rebecca is known to be a dependable and generous bloomer and has ruffled, fragrant pink tone flowers in the spring and lavender in the fall. It tolerates heat and humidity and grows well in zones 3-10

Iris Louisiana ‘Bold Pretender – Botanical name is the same

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Here is a Native American water plant that some gardeners love to plant in ponds and alongside streams. It loves wet, soggy soils that most other perennials like to avoid. The flowers begin in early to midsummer and are two tone red blooms. It has been said that there is no such thing as a true red iris but this variety comes close.  Bold Pretender was bred by Morgan in 1983 and has become a favorite for many gardeners. Plant them in very moist soil, grows well in zones 3-9.

Iris ‘Best Bet’ – Botanical name is iris x germanica Best Bet

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Here is another iris that will bloom twice. The first and heaviest bloom is in late spring and then early summer. This gorgeous iris with its light and dark blue combination of colors makes it a highly prized cut flower for arrangements. The plant reaches about 3 feet tall and up to 24 inches wide, and grows well in zones 3-8

Iris x Germanica Immortality – Botanical name is the same

(photo courtesy of Park Seed Co.)
Another beautiful re-bloomer that blooms first in early summer and then again in late summer. This iris was introduced in 1982 and has been the winner of several awards for its unique beauty. It has pure white petals and lemony color beards. Immortality grows just 29 inches tall and spreads about 18 inches wide which is ideal to mix with other taller irises in your garden. It likes full sun and grows well in zones 3-8.

To your gardening success,
Diana

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If you do get rid of the annual plants, don’t throw away the soil. That soil is still good so just toss it in a flower bed, border or even perennial plants. For your fall plants, be sure to use fresh soil and do follow the instructions given when you purchase your plants. If you want to still keep your annuals for a while, you can get an additional container and fill it up with fall plants. This way, you will have beautiful fall flowers while the annuals are slowly dying out.

Another idea is to keep the container with annuals and as they die out, replace them with fall plants in the same container so that by the time your annuals are all gone, you will have constant color around your garden. Or, if you want to leave things as they are, start a new container with fall plants and keep it in a separate location until you are ready to place it in your desired location.

No idea what you want to do about your fall plants? Start by thinking about the colors and styles you want. Go to your local nursery or any garden center and start looking at the various choices they offer. Do speak with a salesperson and discuss where you want to place the fall plants, the colors that you have in mind, and ask for more suggestions.

Months go by quickly so don’t delay and get going with your fall gardening ideas. Whatever you decide, the time to start is now so that by the time to cooler weather gets here, you will have beautiful fall color around your garden.

To your lovely fall garden,
Diana

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One way to determine whether or not you can grow Hibiscus in the area where you live is by the color of the flower. If the flowers are yellow, peach, orange or salmon and if the flower is double, then these are considered to be a tropical Hibiscus and will thrive in the warmer climates. The hardy type of Hibiscus don’t come in these colors and the flowers are not doubled which means that it can be grown in colder climates.

Did you know that Hibiscus is also a primary ingredient in many herbal teas? Yes, the next time you have herbal tea, check the ingredients in the box and you may find Hibiscus listed. Did you also know that dried Hibiscus is edible and a delicacy in Mexico? Also, white Hibiscus has been considered to have medicinal properties in the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda. So, Hibiscus are not only beautiful in your flower garden, but also good for you and here is small list of some of my favorites.

Hibiscus ‘Blushing Bride’- Botanical name is Hibiscus Syriacus ‘Blushing Bride’
An absolutely beautiful hibiscus! It starts with green foliage and round yellow buds brushed with red. These buds open to white double blooms with a dark raspberry color base which are hidden beneath multiple layers of petals and sometimes you will see a soft pink blush. This sun loving hibiscus can be planted as a hedge, against a fence, or in the rear of a shrub border. The flowers begin in early summer and it continues blooming until the fall season. It grows as high as 8 feet tall and about 5 feet wide and thrives in zones 5-9.

Hibiscus Southern Belle Hybrid Mix – Botanical name is Hibiscus Moscheutos Southern Belle Hybrid Mix
Here is a hibiscus that you can grow from seeds. The seeds come mixed to give you flowers in red, pink and white. The flowers are huge and the plant only grows to 4 feet tall making this a must have for your flower garden with 10 inch blooms. The blooms all have a red ring at the base of the petals and a spike of yellow in the center. It is tolerant to hot, dry conditions and thrives in zones 5-10.

Hibiscus Disco Bell Hybrid Mix – Botanical name is Hibiscus Moscheutos Disco Bell Hybrid Mix
Disco Bell is another Hibiscus that you can grow from seeds. One packet of mix seeds will produce pink, white and red parasol shaped 9 inch blooms. It is ideal to use as a hedge or a border because Disco Bell only grows to 3 feet tall and blooms all summer long into the fall season. It is pest free and easy to grow in full sun and moisture rich soil. Grows well in zones 5-10 and tolerates heat

Rose Mallow ‘Plum Crazy’ – Botanical name is Hibiscus Plum Crazy
This one is a very different type of Hibiscus in that the flowers and foliage are both purple. Plum Crazy is all purple with large 10 inch blooms that begin in early summer and continue until the fall. It is an absolutely beautiful shrub that is bushy and only grows to 4 feet tall but blooms in masses all in purple color. These are ideal to plant as a hedge and should be spaced at least 4 feet apart. It is recommended that these be cut to about 6 inches from the ground in late winter. Plum Crazy grows well in zones 4-9 and it is resistant to deer and rabbits.

Rose of Sharon Blue Satin – Botanical name is Hibiscus Syriacus Blue Satin
Yes, a blue Hibiscus and it is beautiful. It has 3 inch blooms that begin mid summer and continue until the fall season. The flowers are blue with magenta throats and an ivory center. Absolutely gorgeous! It grows up to 12 feet high and 5 feet wide but if you want to use it as a border, just prune it to the size you want. Blue Satin is hardy in zones 5-9 and it tolerates heat and drought.

Hibiscus Peppermint Schnapps – Botanical name is Hibiscus Moscheutos Peppermint Schnapps
Here is another different type of Hibiscus in that the leaves are bronze color and the blooms are candy cane pink. Very pretty! And, it blooms from spring until frost. The foliage begins in the spring in tones of bronze and an overlaid of purple and green. Then by mid summer, the plant is covered with buds that open to 10 inch pink flowers with a dark red central mark. Peppermint Schnapps grows to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide making it ideal for containers or borders. It is pest and disease resistant and grows well in zones 5-9.

Hibiscus Sugar Tip – Botanical name is Hibiscus Syriacus Sugar Tip
This Hibiscus also known as Rose of Sharon has double blooms which begin mid summer and continue until mid fall. The leaves are very pretty too which come out creamy white around the edges thus giving the plant the name of Sugar Tip. The double flowers almost look like roses and are a pale lilac and a light shade of pink. Really beautiful! Sugar Tip is a shrub that keeps blooming even in intense hot days of summer reaching up to 12 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide. It is heat and humidity tolerant and grows well in zones 5-9.

So there you have it, a small list of some beautiful Hibiscus plants that will add beauty to your flower garden. No matter where you live, rest assured that Hibiscus plants will give your garden a tropical bold look

The thing to remember when planting Hibiscus is that these can grow very tall, so plan your landscape design properly. Once planted, these require very little care and because they are in the perennial family you will have them for years to come.  Enjoy! Diana
 

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In my research, I found out that deer tend to avoid plants with strong odors or have a bitter taste in the leaves and many of the same plants are rabbit resistant as well. While there is no sure cure for the deer and rabbit problem in your garden, here are some perennial plants that deer and rabbits will leave alone.

Paeonia ‘Kopper Kettle’-Botanical name is Paeonia Lactifora Lemoinei Koppler Kettle
In the Peony family, this plant looks almost like a peony tree. Did you know that Peonies are the longest lived perennial of all? This one has 8-inch flowers with petals that combine red, orange and some gold tones. The flowers come out in late spring and early summer and if you cut them to place in a vase indoors, the plant may set another load of buds before the season is out. The plant then goes dormant as most herbaceous do, dying back in autumn and coming back in early spring. Kopper Kettle grows to 32 inches high and 24 inches wide and it tolerates heat, humidity, cold and poor soil. And, like all Peonies, it repels deer and rabbits. Grows well in zones 3-8.

Aconitum ‘Cloudy’ Botanical Name: Aconitum ‘Cloudy’
This one shade loving perennial is very pretty and the flowers begin in late summer which is great because it is at that time that most flower gardens need some color. Cloudy has hooded like bi-color blooms in white with strong brushstrokes of blue at the base and the tips of each petal. Why is this perennial named Cloudy? Because the blooms do resemble clouds scudding across the sky. The blooms crowd along slender but sturdy stems that point straight up and crowning the dark green foliage.

Cloudy grows up to 24 inches high when in full bloom and up to 18 inches wide. Grows well in zones 5-8 and if you need a deterrent for animals who like to nibble on your plants, then do plant Cloudy. It is untouched by deer, rabbits and other pests.
Note: Be careful with this one if you have pets as it is poisonous.

Helleborus Brandywine Strain-Botanical name is Helleborus Hybridus Brandywine Strain
Why is this one called Helleborus? Because breeder David Culp somehow collected the original plants for this strain from the Hellebore gardens of Europe. It has been said that he spent 15 years hand crossing them to select only the finest colors and flower form for the Brandywine. This plant has single, anemone, and double blooms along with a full range of solid, bi-color, and sometimes freckled forms and colors that can range from deep reds, pale greens, ivory, yellow, pink and apricot. Like all Hellebores, Brandywine Strain is resistant to heat, humidity, drought and cold. The deer and rabbits will leave this one alone. It grows 12-18 inches high and 12 inches wide. The flowers come out in late spring and early summer and thrives in zones 4-9.

Polemonium ‘Touch of Class’-Botanical name is Polemonium Reptans Touch of Class
This shade loving perennial has soft sage green foliage outlined in white and then blooms with pink buds that burst into blue blooms. In early summer, many pink buds appear bursting into bright blue blooms that last through the season. The plant is long, slender and the stems are russet brown reaching 14 inches high and 16 inches wide. You can plant touch of class amongst Hostas and Ferns for a magnificent look to your flower garden. It grows well in zones 3-7.

Nepeta ‘Joanna Reed’-Botanical name is Nepeta x Joanna Reed
This perennial is in the Catmint family and was found in the garden of Janna Reed of Pennsylvania who tested it for several years to get its top notch bloom power. The blooms are a rich blue violet color and looks great against its gray-green foliage. Joanna Reed blooms heavily in early summer and if you cut it you cut the blooms mid season, it will bloom again in the fall. It grows up to 3 feet tall and wide and tolerates drought and thrives in zones 4-8. Joanna Reed will resist deer and other plant nibbling pests but will attract butterflies.

Aquilegia ‘Clementine Salmon Rose’-Botanical name is Aquilegia Vilgaris Clementine Salmon Rose
The Clementine Salmon Rose is in the Columbine family and has double flowered blooms. When the flowers open, they are a rich shade of salmon and gradually they mature to a soft lavender purple color. According to other gardeners, a fully blooming plant can contain over a half a dozen different hues for a spectacular display. Clementine Salmon Rose is ideal for cut flowers for indoor beauty. The more you cut these, the more flowers you get. It blooms from mid spring through mid summer and grows well in zones 3-9. Deer and rabbits will leave this one alone but it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Heuchera ‘Sashay’-Botanical name is Heuchera Sashay
This heuchera has beautiful ruffled leaves in two different colors. Dark green in the back topsides and pale burgundy undersides leaves plus rosy mauve blooms on long slender stems above the foliage makes this Heuchera a must have for your flower garden. This carefree perennial is just 12-18 inches tall and slightly less wide and resists deer but loves butterflies. It tolerates drought and grows well in zones 4-9.

Thalictrum Actaefolium ‘Perfume Star-Botanical name is Thalictrum Actaefolium Perfume Star
Thalictrum flowers all summer long and has large clusters of 1 inch starburst blooms which are very fragrant. The blooms are soft lavender with bright white tips and its blue green foliage makes this a very nice contrast in your garden. It is deer and rabbits resistant. Thalictrum grows to 40 inches high and about 20 inches wide and grows well in zones 5-9.

Penstemon ‘Sunburst Ruby’-Botanical name is Penstemon x Mexicali Sunburst Ruby
Penstemon is a very hardy and easy to grow perennial that has ruby red 12-16 inches tubular blooms with white throats on long, narrow shiny green leaves. It is deer resistant but hummingbirds and butterflies love this plant. Penstemon grows up to 18 inches tall and tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and cold weather. It blooms from early summer to early fall in most areas and grows well in zones 5-9.

Geranium ‘Bevan’s Variety’-Botanical name is Geranium Macrorrhizum Bevan’s Variety
This geranium has fuchsia blooms and keeps blooming from late spring to late summer. In the fall when the cool weather begins, the foliage turns to reddish bronze color. The blooms are about 1 inch and are held above a mound of aromatic foliage which will attract butterflies but turn off deer by it’s mildly pine scented foliage. This Geranium tolerates heat and humidity better than most other geraniums. It grows up to 10 inches tall but spreads up to 24 inches over time and thrives in zones 3-8. It is recommended for containers, borders or edging in your flower garden.

Monarda Grand Parade-Botanical name is Monarda Didyma Grand Parade
This perennial has sweet scented blooms that are lavender and frilly. The shiny dark green foliage is just as fragrant as the flowers with a tangy scent of mint which is pleasant to us but somehow this smell keeps deer and other plant nibbling creatures away. Monarda grows up to 16 inches high and up to 20 inches wide and blooms from mid to late summer. It is recommended that the soil for this perennial be moist or even wet and grows well in zones 3-8.

Salvia ‘Purple Knockout’-Botanical name is Salvia Lyrata Purple Knockout
Purple Knockout has large dark chocolate burgundy leaves for spring and summer but in the fall, it turns to bright red. During the summer, small lavender to silvery white blooms appear for a spectacular show in your flower garden. The plant is then topped by long slender stems with small blooms that open as pale purple and mature to silver and white. In the fall, the foliage turns to bright scarlet and when frost arrives the plant remains evergreen. Deer and rabbits don’t nibble on this one but butterflies and bees love it. It thrives in well drained soil and grows well in zones 5-8.

So there you have it, a list of some deer and rabbit resistant perennials for your flower garden. You can have a beautiful garden without worrying about deer and other pests nibbling on your plants. Enjoy!

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There are many varieties of shade loving perennials and these can be just simple green leave plants or those that flower as well. Some shade perennials tend to bloom early so for most of the summer, foliage will be the garden mainstay through the season. There are however, some that will bloom until the fall season.

While I am not familiar with all the shade perennials available in the market today, here is a small list of those that I know about. I do have some of these in my garden, not all of them but I have seen all of these at neighbors and friends homes. So, if you have an area in your flower garden that is in full shade, do plant some of these perennials.

Aconitum ‘Cloudy’- Botanical name is Aconitum Cloudy. This shade loving perennial is very pretty and the flowers begin in late summer which is great because it is at that time that most flower gardens need some color. Cloudy has hooded like bi-color blooms in white with strong brushstrokes of blue at the base and the tips of each petal. Why is this perennial named cloudy? Because the blooms do resemble clouds scudding across the sky. The blooms crowd along slender but sturdy stems that point straight up like crowning the dark green foliage.

Cloudy grows up to 24 inches high when in full bloom and up to 18 inches wide. Grows well in zones 5-8 and if you need a deterrent for animals who like to nibble on your plants, then do plant cloudy. It is untouched by deer, rabbits and other pests.

Astilbe ‘Heart and Soul’- Botanical name is Astilbe Heart and Soul. This lovely Heart and Soul Astilbe was developed by Dutch gardener Harrie Verduin. From what I understand, there has never been a lavender-pink Astilbe before that almost looks blue until this one was developed. The lavender and pink blooms are overlaid with a powder blue sheen to make this Astilbe very different than other varieties. Truly beautiful.

Heart and Soul plumes come out all summer long reaching 10 inches long and 5 inches wide. The plant itself reaches 32 inches high and 30 inches wide which is great to cover all those dim dark areas in your flower garden. It grows well in zones 3-8 and tolerates heat and humidity.

Athyrium ‘Ursula’s Red’- Botanical name is Athyrium Nipponicum Ursula’s Red. This perennial is a Japanese Painted Fern and the colors are silver-white and rich wine-red and it has an iridescent look with these magnificent colors. You can plant Ursula’s Red in a container to place in the patio, or better yet, mix it in with other green leave plants for a spectacular look.

Long elegant fronds of gleaming white on top and rich wine-red underneath start to come up in the spring. Somehow, as the season progresses, those red tones begin to populate to the top and the white changes into silver to give you a gorgeous two-toned effect. This Japanese Fern was developed by Ursula Herz of South Carolina. In a mass planting, the texture and color of this hardy fern are spectacular. It grows up to 20 inches tall and up to 2 feet wide and it thrives in zones 4-9.

Bergenia ‘Eden’s Dark Margin’ – Botanical name is Bergenia Eden’s Dark Margin. Bergenia’s common name is ‘Pigsqueak’ because if you hold a leaf just right between your thumb and fingers and rub it hard, it will squeal. I haven’t tried this yet so I don’t know if this is true. Eden’s Dark Margin is ideal as a ground-cover with its year-round maroon foliage. As I understand it, Bergenia’s were usually planted in certain climates like the Pacific Northwest but now you can plant them anywhere.

The foliage is the real thing for this ground-cover as the leaves are big and winter tough. Some other varieties look pretty bad after a cold long winter but Eden’s Dark Margin performs well in rough climates. The blooms come out in 6-8 inch spikes in early spring and are a rich purple-reddish color. The buds can be frost tender but once opened, the flowers are very tough. Eden’s Dark Margin grows to 12 inches high and 12 inches wide. It is recommended that the soil be moist but not wet and it should not be planted in heavy clay or very wet areas. Grows well in zones 3-8.

Brunnera ‘Mr. Morse’- Botanical name is Brunnera Macrophylia Mr. Morse. This Brunnera is beautiful with large heart shaped leaves and many sprays of tiny blooms of white flowers. You can use Mr. Morse as a ground-cover, a border or just to fill bare spots in your flower garden. Mr. Morse was introduced by Chris Ghyselen of Belgium.

The leaves of this Brunnera reach up to 6 inches long and each leaf is patterned in a marbled swirl of green and white for a dramatic look. It blooms in late spring and summer. The blooms are clusters an inch or two across of tiny white flowers and the plant reaches up to 15 inches high and wide. Grows well in zones 3-8 but it is recommended that you give it a heavy mulch during the winter months.

Convallaria ‘Rosea’- Botanical name is Convallaria Majalis Rosea. Soft pink and fragrant bell shaped flowers are the main attraction of this beautiful perennial. The plant itself has broad green foliage and thin flower stalks that bear over a dozen soft pink bells that dangle from its curved stems. It is an early spring bloomer that you can plant on those shady areas such as under a leafless winter shrub, under tall trees, or on bare spots where your ground-cover is not visible yet from its winter rest.

Rosea is just 7 inches tall which makes it a good choice for borders, containers or beds. It grows well in zones 3-7 in just about any type of soil.

Epimedium Pubigerum- Botanical name is Epimedum Pubigerum. This Epimedium is rare and from what I understand, it is an Eastern European and Western Asia species and it is now available here in the states. It has orchid like tri-color blooms that arise along wiry stems that are almost 2 feet long. In the spring, Epimedium starts with heart shaped leaves that are green tinted in purple. When the cooler temperatures arrive in the fall, the leaves turn into a bronze color and remains that way through the winter.

The leaves of this exotic plant are attractive but the flowers are by far more beautiful. The flowers appear in clusters of up to 50 on each stem and are white and rosy pink with a middle layer of solid yellow. Epimedium blooms from mid spring until early summer and when not in bloom, the plant is just about 10 inches high. When in bloom. Epimedium can grow to 2 feet tall. It grows well in zones 5-9 and likes rich, moist acidic soil.

As I mentioned before, I don’t have all the shade loving perennials listed here but have seen them all and these are beautiful. So if you have a shaded area in your garden, go ahead and get some shade loving perennials.

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To me, butterflies are beautiful and I like to watch them around my garden all summer long. There are probably hundreds of different varieties of butterfly loving flowering plants you can get but here are some of my favorites. No, I don’t have all of these, but my neighbors do and I’ve become familiar with most of them.

Butterfly Bush Bicolor-Botanical name is Buddleia Bicolor Bicolor was first grown by Dr. Michael Dirr at the University of Georgia. It is very unique in that the blooms are butterscotch yellow and raspberry lavender and it has been considered one of the most exciting butterfly loving bushes to come along in years. Bicolor is the first plant to have two completely different colors on the same bloom stalk. It is sweetly fragrant and in the perennial family which comes back every year.

Bicolor blooms all summer long and the bloom trusses are about 6 inches long but the plant can grow to 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide. The bloom stalks are also lovely as cut flowers so be sure to bring this beautiful color and scent indoors as well. It tolerates drought as well as heat and humidity but it is recommended to keep the plant well watered during growth and flowering. Grows well in zones 5-9 in full sun exposure.

Butterfly Bush Adonis Blue-Botanical name is Buddleia Davidii Adonis Blue. This plant is much smaller than all other butterfly loving bushes and if you like Buddleia but you don’t have the space for another big shrub, then this Adonis Blue is for you. This compact shrub is covered with large midnight blue blooms and you can even grow it in a container. Adonis Blue is part of a new line of Buddleias called the English Butterfly series. It was developed by Elizabeth Keep of East Mailing England.

The color blue on the stalks is beautiful and it blooms from early summer and continues well into the fall season. It grows 3 to 5 feet high and it is well branched and bushy. Plant Adonis Blue in full sun and any well drained garden soil. Prune it down to about 6 inches at the end of the winter season and it will grow even bushier than the previous year. Grows well in zones 5-7.

Butterfly Bush Butterfly Heaven-Botanical name is Buddleia Butterfly Heaven. This shrub is a little more compact than the others and is great for containers and small gardens. It has rich lilac-blue blooms in foot long trusses and the flowers are sweetly scented. The interesting thing about this plant is that the new spring foliage emerges in gray color and it keeps this color until summer when it turns into soft green.

Butterfly Heaven can be planted as a hedge along a driveway or on the side of the house leading to your backyard and you will have a beautiful fragrance around your home all summer long. Like most butterfly bushes, it is easy to grow in a well drained sunny area. It is recommended that the plant be cut to the ground in late winter to encourage healthier blooms and better branching the next season. Butterfly Heaven tolerates heat, humidity and drought. The plant grows to 6 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide. The blooms are 8 to 12 inches long. Grows well in zones 5-10 from mid summer to mid fall.

Butterfly Plant Ice Ballet-Botanical name is Asclepias Incarnata Ice Ballet. Ice Ballet is one of the easiest and more adaptable butterfly loving plants you can grow in your flower garden. It is also considered to be a magnet for butterflies. The flowers somewhat resemble snowflakes because they are tiny sparkling white florets which grow in masses creating a spectacular scene in your garden.

Ice Ballet is a native Swamp Milkweed that loves the sun but grows well in moist or wet soil. It grows 4 feet high and 18 inches wide and the flower heads are 3 inches long. It tolerates heat and humidity but it is also cold hardy. Grows well in zones 3-9, loves the sun, and it blooms from mid summer to late summer.

Achillea Cerise Queen-Botanical name is Achillea Millefolium Cerise Queen. This butterfly loving plant is in the Yarrow perennial family and can be planted from seeds. Cerise Queen has rich deep pink blooms that start coming from late spring and continue all summer long and into the fall season. The flowers are great as cut fresh to place in a vase and when dried, save them as these can be used for other dry flower arrangements. Awesome!

Cerise Queen grows to 2 feet tall and it spreads quickly which you can use as a border in your garden. It is hardy in just about any part of the country and grows well in zones 3-9. Somehow, the blooms are bigger and more profuse when you water this plant regularly although it tolerates heat and humidity and loves the sun.

Agastache Black Adder-Botanical name is Agastache Adder. Here is a pretty butterfly loving plant that belongs to the Hyssops family. The unusual thing about this one is that the buds are nearly black but when it blooms the flowers are light violet color. The flowers are small and open on long racemes but jammed together to form the look of a long wand of solid color. Really beautiful!

Black Adder blooms much longer than other varieties from early summer to fall. It grows well in a wide range of climates from wet, cold, warm, humid and dry. It likes full sun and well drained soil but it will tolerate drought conditions. Black Adder reaches 3 feet high and about 3 feet wide. It is recommended to space the plants at least 2 feet apart to create a dense bushy look in your garden. Grows well in zones 6-9 and it tolerates heat and humidity.

Ageratum Leilani Blue-Botanical name is Ageratum Houstonianum Leilani Blue. Dark green foliage and azure blue blooms make this butterfly loving plant a must have for any garden. It is ideal for a container plant in your garden because it grows to only 16 inches tall and 12 inches wide. The blooms are light and fluffy and about 5 inches across. Leilani Blue quickly forms a dense rounded mound of blooms for a splendid look. You don’t have to do anything to this plant because it self-cleans itself. Leilani Blue likes full sun and well drained soil.

Aster Bluebird-Botanical name is Aster laevis Bluebird. Asters are in the daisy family and this one has eye-catching violet-blue flowers. It is also one of the few asters that does well in areas where hot, humid and rainy summers have prevented other varieties to grow. The daisy like flowers have slender long petals surrounded by a fuzzy yellow center. It is ideal for containers because these only grow to about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Loves full sun and well drained soil and grows well in zones 4-8.

As I mentioned before, there are probably hundreds of butterfly loving plants available today. Too many to mention here so the information above is just a brief description of those butterfly loving plants that I am familiar with. If you like butterflies and welcome them in your garden, here are some tips for a butterfly friendly garden.

*Avoid using pesticides as much as possible. *If possible, provide a shallow source of water for the butterflies. *Try to place a rock in a sunny area for basking and resting. *If you have time, do create a “puddling” area for the butterflies. You can do this by digging a shallow hole filled with manure or compost. This will allow rain water to collect and release essential salts and minerals. *In addition to planting nectar rich plants, also plant some shrubs and evergreens for shelter. *If possible, try to grow a variety of host plants to provide food during the butterfly’s larval stage. You can choose from passion flower, fennel, dill, parsley, snapdragon and hollyhock.

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Just visit your local nursery and find out which annuals will survive in the area where you live. While there, check out the beautiful annual plants listed below.

Begonia Solenia- Botanical name is Begonia Hiemalis Solenia. This new annual is best for bedding in your garden or you can plant them in containers. You can get these in dark pink, dusty rose or salmon colors and they are beautiful. It has double blooms measuring about 3 inches wide which begin in late spring and continues to flower all summer long and into fall. It is considered a very strong begonia which will resist powdery mildew and stand up to heat and high winds. This begonia likes the sun, grows 10-12 inches tall and up to 24 inches wide. Plant these in moist well-drained soil for a beautiful display of flowers all summer long.

Calibrachoa Million Bells- Botanical name is Calibrachoa Million Bells Cosmos Pink but you can get these in dark orange, light brown, red, gold and yellow also. To me, this flower looks like a mini petunia but because it has so many flowers, it is spectacular! The blooms are 2 inches across and the plant grows 12 to 15 inches tall and almost 20 inches wide. I heard that this new annual was first seen in Central Florida during a hot humid summer and while most other plants had withered, this one did not have any drooping blooms and the leaves were full of life. The good thing about this annual is that it keeps blooming in cool spring weather as well as the hot summer months and continues blooming through fall which is ideal for most climates. Maybe a little exaggeration in saying that it has a million bells but it does have lots and lots of flowers. Grows well in full sun and moist well drained soil and it is heat, disease and pest resistant.

Chocolate Plant Black Varnish- Botanical name is Pseuderanthemun Atropurpureum Rubrum. Wow! That is a mouth full and I can’t even pronounce that name. But this is a very different and unusual plant which might be good for mixing with perennials or flowering annuals for a splendid display in your garden. It has huge glossy leaves which never lose their color of almost black and it looks like a tropical plant. The foliage is heart shaped, slightly curled, and has veining going through. The color is actually a dark eggplant purple but in the shade it looks black. The leaves grow in pairs and each new set grows above the previous ones. Tiny studded white and purple blooms appear in the spring for added beauty. Truly a very different plant that you can use to add accent to your flower garden. It grows 10 to 15 inches high and it spreads 2 feet wide. It thrives in sun or part shade in your garden from spring until fall.

Cuphea Totally Tempted- Botanical name is Cuphea Llavea Totally Tempted. This plant has red and purple bi-color blooms with large petals that are shaped like butterflies. It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with pointed bright green leaves that serve as a backdrop to the flowers. This annual is ideal for containers, hanging baskets and window boxes. It just continues to bloom non-stop from early summer until frost and it tolerates heat, drought and loves the sun. Totally Tempted grows 10-12 inches high and up to 18 inches wide.

Gerbera Giant Spinner – Botanical name is Gerbera Jamesonii Gian Spinner. I love gerberas and this one is absolutely beautiful. Somehow, gerberas remind me of a large daisy and I really like daisies too. This new gerbera is spectacular because it has large 6 inch double blooms which are great for cutting and placing in a vase. The petals of this gerbera are dark rosy pink with white tips and a frilly orange center. You can plant gerberas in your garden as a flower bed or use a large container. If you plant them in your garden, plan the design carefully as these beauties grow up to 24 inches high without the blooms and 18 to 24 inches wide so it may be best to plant them in the background and not as a border. Grows well on full sun and likes well drained soil. It is recommended to let the soil dry a bit between watering periods.

Petunia Blanke Purple – Botanical name is the same. Petunias are another favorite of mine because they are easy to grow and you can plant them anywhere. However, this new petunia is different in that it only grows to 8 inches high so it is great for bedding and ground cover. You can get these in purple, dark purple and red colors. This petunia is ideal for troubled spots in your garden as it will hide bare soil areas with its rapid 3 feet wide spreading. It flowers from early summer to frost and spreads quickly, resists hot humid climates and grows well in full sun.

Yellow Buttons Flambe – Botanical name is Chrysocephalum Apiculatum. Another name that I can’t pronounce but here is an Australian native flower that is ideal for hot dry garden spots. The foliage of this plant is silvery white and the blooms look like buttons in yellow. You can have a stunning garden if you plant these yellow buttons in between your green or blue leave varieties. It grows 8 to 14 inches high and 14 to 16 inches wide. This is a sun loving plant that tolerates heat, drought, sandy or poor soil. You can get yellow buttons in orange color also and it blooms from late spring until late fall.

So there you have it. All the new annuals in the market today and I am sure there will be more coming in the near future. Remember that annuals are easy to grow and you can plant them just about anywhere in your garden adding life and color with beautiful blooms all season long.

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