Perennials and Annuals with a Christian Name A
(and one C) ou now Jesus?
St John's Flower
Ageratum houstonianum
Zones 7 – 11
Light: sun - partial shade; usually prefers full sun but some shade in hot regions is appreciated. Height: 8 to 30 inches Width: 8 to 20 inches. Flower Colors: rich blues, soft whites and roses.
Bloom Time: summer – fall
"Floss flowers" dependably produce clusters of small, fluffy blooms in white, blue, or lavender from early summer through fall. Varieties range in height from 6 to 30 inches tall. Dwarf varieties are excellent for edging a garden and in window boxes and other container, while the taller types are very good cut flowers.
Grows well in sun, or in partial shade in hot, dry climates. In mild, moist areas of Zones 8 to 11, ageratum can be sown outdoors in late summer or early fall for winter bloom. Trim off faded flowers to promote continual bloom. Be sure to give plenty of sun since too much shade causes plants to stretch. Feed regularly, either working in a slow-release fertilizer at planting time and replenishing as the label directs, or applying a liquid fertilizer monthly.
Planting
Easiest to grow from established seedlings planted outdoors after the last frost. However, can be started from seed sown indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. Or, sow outdoors after last frost and soil has warmed. In the garden, plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil, spacing 6 inches apart (for dwarf varieties) to 12 inches apart (for larger varieties).
As an annual, Ageratum houstonianum:
Ageratum are among the prettiest garden blues, growing well in sun or partial shade, from early summer to frost. They are also easy to grow, producing a profusion of fluffy flowers all season long. They are excellent plants for beginner gardeners. The blues are most popular, providing colorful accent. Flower colors also include pink and white. Ageratum are native to tropical regions of South and Central America. Their size and color makes Ageratum good candidates for rock gardens, flower beds, and containers. Ageratum prefer full sun to partial shade. They will tolerate a fair amount of shade. They will do well in both average and poor soils. They are tolerant of dry soil conditions. Add a general purpose fertilizer once or twice a season. Compact plants grow just 6-8 in. tall. find seeds at: http://premierstarcompany.goemerchant7.com/ Click gardening link, then seeds link, then annual flowers link.
Plants are available at White Flower Farm: Ageratum
Ajuga Reptans
USDA Zones: 4 - 9
Light: sun - shade;
tolerates full sun in Zones 6 and
colder if kept moist
Form: Flower Spikes, Spreading,
Height: 9 inches,
Width: 12 inches
Flower Colors: dainty blue flowers; some varieties have purple leaves.
Bloom Time: late spring - summer. A wonderful groundcover grown mainly for its foliage but with the bonus of pretty flowers, ajuga is an evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial. It's useful as a groundcover in self-contained borders (it can spread a little too vigorously) around patios and front entrances, and beneath shrubs, trees, and hardy perennials. Growing 4 to 9 inches tall, ajuga rapidly spreads and produces glossy, rounded leaves ranging from dark green to tints of bronze, white, pink, or purple, or variegated with any combination of these colors. In late spring and early summer, short 6- to 9-inch spikes of lavender, pink, white or blue flowers arise from the matlike carpet of foliage. Ajuga can turn aggressive and may invade your lawn if planted near turf.
Care
While ajuga can be located in full sun or partial shade, the leaves grow larger in shade and bronze types have the best color in sun. Soil should be fertile, well-drained and moist, though ajuga will tolerate fairly dry conditions. Fertilize annually. Remove spent flowers to prevent seeding and improve appearance. Mow after flowering. Weed out all-green plants that appear among variegated ones. Leaves brown if soil dries.
Planting
Plant container-grown plants anytime, spacing 12 to 18 inches apart. Divide anytime during growing season when vigor declines or bare spots appear.
Available at: Michigan Bulb, on the left side of the page, type 03954 in the “Quick Order” product number search box.
St. Joseph’s Staff
Alcea rosea
USDA Zones: 3 - 11
Height: 1 to 12 feet , Width: 1 feet
Flower Colors: white, pink, red, yellow, violet
Bloom Time: summer - fall
Old-fashioned favorites with dramatic impact, hollyhocks are renowned for their spectacularly tall flower spikes in white, yellow, pink, rose, red or purple. Single, semi-double or double in form, these beautiful, trumpet-shaped blossoms open from the bottom of the stalk upwards throughout the summer. They can reach 4 inches across with some varieties and sometimes have ruffled or fringed petals. Their height make hollyhocks excellent additions to the back of gardens or along walls or fences -- any place that you want to add vertical accent. Depending on the region and the type, hollyhocks may grow as annuals, perennials, or biennials (a plant that grows two years, flowering only in the second). To further confuse things, hollyhocks self-sow and, once established, often act as perennials, providing an awesome color show year after year. The self-sown plants often differ from the parents, however.
Notable Varieties
'Charter's Double' produces double blooms in maroon, red, rose, white, and yellow.
'Indian Spring' is a tall variety, growing 7 to 8 feet tall, with white, yellow, rose, and pink flowers.
'Nigra' is deep purple, which is why it is often called the black hollyhock.
Care
Plant hollyhocks in deep, rich, well-drained soil. Fertilize by working in compost two or three times during the season or by applying a slow-release fertilizer, following label directions exactly. Staking is often necessary. Cut down or tear out flower stalks when flowering ceases; they don't rebloom.
Planting Plant nursery seedlings or seeds of annual and perennial types in spring directly outdoors. To grow biennial types, sow seed in early summer and transplant to permanent locations the following early spring. Separate and replant daughter plants that grow near plant base. Available at White Flower Farms: Alcea Rosa Nigra and Alcea Rosa Appleblossom
Aster Frikarti
Decidious perennial, USDA Zones: 4 - 8
Light: sun - partial shade; avoid part shade in cooler regions of Zones 4 – 6 where it can promote mildew
Height: 1 to 5 feet, Width: 18 to 36 inches
Flower Colors: white plus rich shades of blue, pink, and red colors that complement autumn leaves beautifully. Bloom Time: late summer - fall
|
A staple of the fall garden, asters burst forth with their star-like flowers in late summer and autumn. Bloom colors include rich pinks, blues, purples, and ruby reds. They can soar to 5 feet, depending on the species, and are excellent for beds and borders as well as for cutting to bring indoors. Several different species are available with varying hardiness, but all are grown in a similar way. Asters are highly susceptible to disfiguring powdery mildew, but with careful growing and selection of mildew-resistant varieties, this problem can be minimized.
Especially lovely and long-blooming is Frikart's aster (Aster x frikartii), which is lavender and grows to about 3 feet. It blooms from July through October and is hardy Zones 5 to 8.
Care: Garden soil should be moist and, ideally, rich in organic matter. When plants are a few inches tall or in late spring, cut back by half to promote better flowering and prevent flopping later on. Staking may also be needed for taller varieties. Water the soil, not the plant, to avoid mildew diseases.
Planting: Plant asters in full sun to prevent mildew, though partial afternoon shade in the South is helpful. Space plants 18 to 36 inches apart. Give plenty of room to promote good circulation and avoid mildew. Divide in spring every two years by replanting the most vigorous portions of the outside of the plant clump.
Available at: Springhill Nurseries, on the right side of the page, type 04341 in the “Quick Order” product number search box Spring Hill - Save $20 on $50 Order!
Herb of the Angels and Holy Spirit Root Angelica Archangelica Perennial herb Light: partial shade Blossoms appear annually on May 8. The feast of St. Michael the Archangel -- angelica is said to possess mystical powers against disease and evil. In old-world Latvia, peasants would march into town with armloads of the fragrant herb and suddenly burst into song in languages that no one -- not even the singers -- understood. Because it resembles celery in odor and appearance, angelica sometimes is known as wild celery. It is a native of both Europe and Asia although not of the UK. Angelica is a common garden plant and is cultivated in several countries for culinary, medicinal and perfumery purposes. Having said it is not a native to the UK it has become naturalized by now, being found on river banks and waste ground, quite often in abundance. Its pale green, celery like stalks and hollow stems are most often candied and used as decorations for cakes and other desserts. It is also used as a flavouring agent in liqueurs such as Chartreuse, Benedictine, Gin and Vermouth. The oil of the angelica is used for perfumes, soaps, salves, oils and shampoos, and even in cigarettes. Medicinally angelica was considered to have ‘angelic’ healing powers used for many complaints such as a cure for nervous headaches, fever, skin rashes, wounds, rheumatism and toothache.
Culinary uses: While many parts of angelica have been used through the ages for culinary purposes, the herb has been identified as a suspected carcinogen in recent years. Other uses: Angelica's greatest gift to a garden is its appearance. The plant's large, pointed leaves and impressive height make it a standout among the other herbs in a bed.
Planting Cultivation: Angelica can grow to an imposing 5 to 8 feet, so it is impractical for container gardening. You can buy established plants or start angelica from seed. The seeds require light for germination: Do not cover them with soil. Angelica needs rich, moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. The plant will produce seeds only once, usually in its second or third year. If you cut the flowers back before they seed each summer, however, the plant will continue to grow for years to come. Available at: http://www.hardybamboo.com/shop/detail.asp?c_urn=62&show=all&urn=1816
Angelonia angustifolia Angelonia is a South American sub-shrub that is grown as an annual in northern locales. One feature of this plant is that it is unusually heat tolerant and requires almost no care. Flowers are attractive and orchid-like on tall spiky stems. Foliage is also nice, and never wilts. This one blooms continuously from June until fall. Zone: 9-11 Sun: full sun, Height: 6-12" Soil: ordinary, well-drained
Starting: Buy plants in spring, and set in flower gardens with well drained soil. Angelonia also does well in containers. Growing: Drought and heat tolerant. No insect pests. Requires no special care. Plants available at: http://www.dscolegrowers.com/alstromeria.htm
Christ’s Eye Calliopsis-(Coreopsis tinctoria) The name Calliopsis is given to the annual forms of Coreopsis
These wiry-stemmed annuals provide some of the brightest flowers of the garden in golden yellow, velvety crimson and polished mahogany.
Calliopsis is an excellent flower for massing in an annual border. The flowers are useful for cutting because of the long stems. The dwarf, bushy varieties are good edging plants.
Many varieties of C. tinctoria are slender in growth and may be set out among the lower growing annuals. The intensely brilliant flowers borne upon their tall, slender stems, dance in the breeze as though not supported at all. Generally the seed of Calliopsis is sown in the Fall or earliest Spring where the plants are to bloom and the seedlings thinned to stand 8 inches to 12 inches apart. They prefer a sunny spot. The plants often self-sow so that a constant supply of Calliopsis is assured if given a light protection through the Winter. They are apt to bloom themselves to death, generally becoming unsightly in mid-July. It is too much of a task to remove the seedheads of such tiny flower. If worms attack these plants at the crown, it is wise to grow them in another spot the next year. 4 choices available, arrow down on link page to Coreopsis tinctoria, and choose from Mahogony Midget (pictured here), Quills & Thrills Mixed, Seashells, or Tiger Flowered. http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/us/en/list/half-hardy-annuals/7
|
