Prima donnas of the tropical garden Story and Photos by Karinluise Calasant I am a sucker for heliconias. It seems every year I cannot resist adding one, or two, of these bold, colorful, but elusive, members of the Zingiberales order to an already burgeoning garden. These cousins of gingers and bananas are the prima donnas …
Story by Hubert P. Conlon Yellow false indigo is native to the lower Midwest and Gulf states. ‘Screamin’ Yellow’ is an outstanding cultivar that was originally found in Arkansas. It grows more compact and blooms heavier than the species. This vigorous clump grower blooms on sturdy, upright stems. In early May, 12-inch spikes of bright …
Story and Photos by Norman Winter I have heard some suggest that Dutch iris is a short-lived perennial, but those growing at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, such as the variety ‘Romano’ have been returning since the late 1990s. I’ve led a life comparable to a house flipper, so my knowledge regarding the longevity of …
Story and Photo by Russell Studebaker As a cut flower, Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) has long been a favorite of florists as a cut flower. And now hardy cultivars, such as ‘Inca Ice’, extend their use in our gardens. This cultivar has been bred for large blooms on shorter, compact stems, which gives long-lasting blooms from mid-summer …
Story by Russell Studebaker One doesn’t usually think of orchids growing outside in Oklahoma; however, the hardy Chinese orchid is an exception, and after a few years, clumps of this perennial can become so vigorous in the garden that division may become necessary. Some years ago, I saw a planting in Tulsa that had was …
‘Millenium’ ornamental onion Story by Russell Studebaker The Perennial Plant Association chose Allium ‘Millenium’ as the 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year. This herbaceous perennial and relative of the garden onion was bred by Mark McDonough, horticulture researcher from Massachusetts, and introduced by Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, N.C., in 2000. ‘Millenium’ (yes, the name was …
‘Golden Delicious’ pineapple sage Story and Photos by Peggy Hill You may have grown pineapple sage before, but have you tried the cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’? It is spectacular! It has everything you love about pineapple sage: It’s a hummingbird and butterfly magnet, it’s deer resistant, and it’s heat tolerant. When crushed, pineapple sage’s foliage smells …
Story by Peggy Hill Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) was chosen as the featured native plant for the 2018 Birmingham Botanical Gardens spring plant sale, and Gail Snyder, Native Plant Group chairperson, explains why: “Zizia aurea is one of our lesser-known native plants, and therefore it is sadly underutilized. We hope that featuring Zizia will encourage …
Story by David Longron Most bulbs send up shoots of green leaves in the spring, followed shortly by a flower or flower spikes. Apparently, resurrection lily didn’t get that memo. They do send up a cluster of leaves in the spring that die off in early summer like most others, but the flower spikes do …
Story by David Longron Angelonia is sometimes called summer snapdragon for its resemblance to snapdragons, as well as for its tolerance of Southern heat. It is a tender perennial, but used as an annual in temperate climates. A prolific bloomer, with proper care angelonia will bloom from May until first frost. The Serena series is …
