Will grow in dry shade if the soil is good. It is related to the familiar pest, Nettle, but in lamium the stinging plant hairs are absent. Excellent groundcover plant with heavy variegation. Leaves are silvery grey with a green margin.
Beautiful pink flowers totally
obscure the plant of the fragile looking, but tough as nails variety. Seems
to thrive on neglect, and is verydrought tolerant. Makes a lovely statement
when planted with purples and blues. It gets it's name from the silver cup,
that is left behind after the seeds have dropped. I grew this last year and
I didn't see any silver cup!
A beauty to place in among Belamcanda lilies, as the bloom time usually is the same. The feathery rose purple blooms of the Liatrus accent the orange red blooms of the Belamcanda for a striking combination in late summer. A very showy clump forming plant. Roots are used for a soothing tea to ease kidney problems and sore throat.
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $6.00C
Triangular leaves are lobed
and toothed, making for some pretty interesting foliage on this summer-blooming
perennial. Small, yellow flower heads are held in loose sprays along dark stems
through the summer. Ligularia grows best in rich, fertile soil that is deeply
cultivated and never dries out.
Shade loving plant for borders or ground cover. Lovely small, fragrant bell-shaped white flowers amid lush green foliage only 6-8" tall. I have begun to propagate the fairly rare pink form, and hope to have some available for sale in the 2004 season. It is extremely expensive to buy in nurseries, (if you can find it!).
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $6.00C
Erect spikes of red flowers glimmer above mounds of foliage when you grow this native of stream and pond banks. Spreading mounds of Lobelia are also good for container plantings. Does best in full sun or partial shade in a humus-rich, sandy, moist but well-drained soil. Lightly mulch in the winter. To encourage bushy growth, pinch off tops when seedlings are 1"
Native to Eastern areas,
this plant was named by Linnaeus who had heard of its use by native Americans
to cure venereal disease. This proved false; nevertheless, the name stuck. It
was used medicinally for colds and stomach troubles by native people and colonists
alike. The flowers are lavender blue marked with white, and cover the stout
stems with bloom for over a month in late summer and early fall. Grows well
in sun or shade , and almost any soil. This plant seems to be quite drought
tolerant and resists insect pests.
Brilliantly colored flowers that are five-petaled, slightly lobed and frilled emerge above dark green foliage of this hardy perennial. The foliage forms a large clump and this perennial will self-sow. If propagating by seed yourself, remember that seeds need light for germination. Seed propagation is easier than division. Full sun is recommended in cooler climates and part shade in the warmer growing zones. Cut back after flowering and you may get another flush of flowers in fall
This medium-sized perennial is short-lived but will self-sow. Clusters of cross-shaped flowers appear on strong, leaved stems. The leaves are opposite and toothed. Deadhead is recommended for prolonged blooming period. Propagation by seed sown in early spring is easier than division and these seeds need light for germination. Thrives in well-drained soil with full sun, but some light shade is suggested in warm climates. Needs plenty of water in dry periods and you may shear to the ground at autumn's end.
Red Maltese Cross Package 25+ seeds $1.50US
White Maltese Cross Package 25+ seeds $2.00US
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $5.00C 2 gallon $10.00C
This is a beautiful accent for the border or as a spot planting in your garden. Foliage is silver to white and somewhat downy. This perennial is supposedly not long-lived ( but I have had one of my plants for 8 years - and it's still going strong), but will self-sow. Rose Campion prefers full sun and requires good drainage.
Package 25+ seeds $1.50US
Nursery/plant sales and mail order (Canada only) 3 1/2" $2.50C 6"$4.00C 1gallon $5.00C
Beautiful bright yellow flowers are formed around leaf axils in circles, and continue up the stem at each axil. This type will tolerate dryer conditions than the others. Does better in at least part shade. Beautiful in mass plantings. Makes a long-lasting cutflower.
I added the variety 'Firecracker' to my garden summer of '98, and keep it in control in my perennial border by planting it in a large 5-7 gallon container buried in the ground. I have given it 'free rein' in the back part of my garden, but I also keep it in check by digging and potting up several plants a year for my plant sale. It does have purple leaves which can provide a nice color contrast, but the flowers are disappointing. It's strength is definitely the beautiful foliage!
Another new variety 'Alexander', has the prettiest foliage of all- white, green and pink- the yellow flowers actually look quite nice with this combination- I have it growing in front of a varigated Weigelia with the same colours. Hope to be able to have a limited amount of this available for sale in 2003.