Hydrangea: Summer-Long Color and More No other group of shrubs we know has undergone such a transformation in recent years as Hydrangeas. For generations, Hydrangeas had languished as dependable, if unexciting, shrubs whose large, pale flower heads provided useful filler for the midsummer garden. Then in 2003, a Midwestern plant breeder introduced Endless Summer, a… Read More
Camellias are large, attractive, broad-leaved evergreen shrubs that are highly prized for their flowers, which bloom from winter to spring There are more than 2300 named cultivars registered with the American Camellia Society. The most commonly used camellias include cultivars of Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica), Sasanqua camellia C. sasanqua), tea-oil camellia (C. oleifera), tea camellia… Read More
Daylilies are not your grandmother’s yellow and orange summer flowers growing out by the mailbox anymore. The genus Hemerocallis (Daylilies) has gone through tremendous hybridization in the past ten years. Many of the daylily species produced for today’s gardeners have been manipulated by adding sets of chromosomes (Tetraploid) to the plant which aids in producing… Read More
A perennial groundcover, Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata), also known as moss pink or moss phlox, spreads to display a thick blanket of blooms in vibrant shades of pink, lavender, red, white, or bluish-purple every spring. Creeping Phlox is a sturdy, low-maintenance plant that camouflages an unsightly slope or other difficult areas in the landscape as… Read More
There’s nothing more beautiful than a patch of bee balm blooming in a summer garden, with various birds, bees, and butterflies dancing around its numerous flower heads. With a little care and patience, bee balm can become a yearly staple in anyone’s perennial garden. About Bee Balm Named for Nicholas Monardes, a Spanish botanist who… Read More
Made for the Shade (and some sun), this versatile perennial has been stealing the spotlight from hosta which for years has reigned as the shady perennial champion. Maybe it’s because of their vast array of foliage colors, or the different combinations of variegated color on their leaves. Maybe it’s the pretty flower spikes that bloom… Read More
Astilbe (also known as false goat’s beard or false spirea) is a perennial all-star for the shade garden. These hardy perennials sport large, fern-like foliage that is very attractive during the growing season, highlighted by feathery plumes of flowers that bloom through the spring and early summer. Astilbe is one of the few perennials that… Read More
From Garden Talk with Doug by our own Doug Hensel, May 2013 This article is inspired by our beautiful, extensive selection of hostas that we have in our nursery. Walking through the aisles of hostas, I realize just how much I admire this perennial and how I enjoy showing them off to customers. I have… Read More
Lavender is one of our favorite perennials, and for very good reason! Lavender is considered an herb because of its fragrance. All parts of the plant are strongly aromatic. Sprigs of lavender brought inside the house can provide a soothing aromatic scent. It is easy to care for when planted in full sun with well-draining… Read More
Perennial salvias are a great, hardy perennial that blooms for long periods from mid to late-spring. A distant cousin of plants like catmint (Nepeta) and bee balm (Monarda), salvias have slightly fragrant flower stalks which lend to the plant’s deer resistance. They’re mainly known for their deep purple bloom color, but varieties have been introduced… Read More