Perennial & Annual Flowers with a Christian Name D thru F

One each of Babylon Salmon, Babylon Rose, and Babylon Purple. The exciting Babylon series of Dahlias features large 6-7in flowers in dramatic colors. Their wavy petals create an unusual, blowsy bloom with a lively sense of movement.

Trio of Babylon Dahlias Item #s84087 at White Flower Farms

Christ’s Thorn and Hells Bush

Datura stramonium

Commonly known as Jimson Weed, and belongs to the nightshade family, Solonaceae. The term "jimsonweed" is a corruption of "Jamestown weed", in reference to the fact that in 1676 cooks mistakenly added this species to salads eaten by English soldiers at Jamestown, Virginia.

Basically, all species of Datura have a similar chemical composition. Their active principles are mainly hyossyamine and scopolamine, which are tropane alkaloids. Scopolamine is often the major constituent. A number of minor, chemically related alkaloids may be present: atropine, norscopolamine, meteloidine. The differences among species are chiefly in the relative concentrations of these various alkaloids. Though highly toxic, most species have been used extensively in medicine from early times to the present.

These seeds are extremely poisonous and meant to be cultivated as ornamentals in the flower garden, or for educational purposes only. Do not consume!

Seeds are available at:

http://www.mazatecgarden.com/products/Datura stratonium Seeds.htm

Mary’s Tears

Delphinium

Perennial USDA Zones: 2 - 8

Light: sun - partial shade

Height: 2 to 6 feet Width: 1 feet

Flower Colors: shades of blue, pink, and white

Bloom Time: summer - fall

For the back of the flower garden's perennial border, few plants can rival the dramatic display of delphiniums.

Most varieties produce 4- to 6-foot spikes filled with 1-inch, fragrant blooms. Most are blue, but some are white, pink, or purple. New dwarf hybrids have also been developed that grow to only about 2 feet. Delphiniums bloom in early summer and, if deadheaded after first bloom, again in the fall. The tallest, most spectacular types do best in places with extended cool weather, such as the Pacific Northwest, but shorter ones do well in many other parts of the country. They are next to impossible to grow in hot, dry areas.

Notable Varieties

Mid-Century Hybrids are resistant to mildew, 4 to 5 feet tall, and are available in many colors.

Pacific Giant Hybrids grow 6 feet tall and produce double flowers in a wide spectrum of colors.

Care

Delphiniums do best in alkaline soil and regions with an extended cool growing season, such as the Pacific Northwest. They need fertile, moist soil in partial shade to full sun. Delphiniums should be fertilized at least once during the growing season. Protect from wind and provide support as flower stalks develop. Deadhead to promote rebloom. They are short-lived plants that may need to be replaced after a few years.

Planting

Plant in spring in full sun in alkaline soil rich in organic matter. Ensure that crown is at soil level in the flower garden to avoid rot. Space 12 to 36 inches apart depending on variety. Propagate from seeds sown in spring or midsummer. In areas with cold winters, protect young seedlings by mulching after the soil freezes, or by overwintering in a cold frame. Divide established clumps in early spring (in mild-winter climates, in fall).

Available at White Flower Farms

Delphinium sunny skies Delphinium belladonnax

Delphinium magic fountains set of 3 Delphinium royal aspiration

Delphinium blushing bride Delphinium grandiflorum

Mary's Heart

Dicentra

Perennial USDA Zones: 2 - 9

Light: sun - light shade in Zones 2 to 5;

Light: - full shade Zones 5 to 9

Height: 9 to 48 inches Width: 9 to 36 inches

Flower Colors: classic pink and pure whites

Bloom Time: late spring – fall

There's little wonder why bleeding heart is a perennial border shade favorite for flower gardens. In late spring to midsummer, common or old-fashioned bleeding heart (Dicentra spectablis) produces heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink or white that hang from elegant, arching stems that reach between 2 and 3 feet. The foliage dies back in midsummer.

Fringed or ever-blooming bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia) blooms with the daffodils and has lacy foliage and smaller, more subtle flowers. It continues to stay fresh and gray-green and bloom off and on until frost.

Notable Varieties

'Luxuriant' bears cherry red flowers from late spring to early fall without going dormant and grows to 1 foot.

Care

Bleeding heart favors a site with partial shade and soil that is moist but has good drainage. Mulch in late fall and also in early summer. Cut plant to ground once leaves brown thoroughly. Do not plant bleeding heart in hot, dry areas.

Planting

Plant established plants in partial sun or shade, spacing plants 24 to 36 inches apart. Available from White Flower Farms Dicentra stuart boothman Dicentra luxurient Dicentra spectabilis

Burning Bush

Dictamnus albus

Perennial USDA Zones: 3 - 8 Light: sun - partial shade

Height: 2 to 3 feet Width: 1 to 2 feet

Flower Colors: shades of blue, pink, and white

Bloom Time: summer - fall

Blooming every year with no special care, gas plant is an old-fashioned favorite that produces plants 3 foot tall and wide. Gas plant is it's common name because on a hot, still evening you can hold a lighted match near an open bloom and it will produce a small burst of flame. Plant gas plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter in flower gardens. Gas plant emits a pleasant lemon-oil scent from both its flowers and glossy, leathery leaves. It is slow to establish and bloom but gets better every year. Gas plant produces elegant spires of white, pink, or mauve-purple flowers with numerous long, decorative stamens.

Care

Gas plant needs rich, well-drained soil; if soil is too wet, its roots may rot. Do not disturb roots. Trim plant back after bloom.

Planting

Plant established plants in full sun, spacing 36 inches apart. Gas plant does not divide or transplant well. Sow seeds for germination the following spring or summer.

Available at: http://www.marysplantfarm.com/index.htm There’s a drop-down search box, choose perennials.

Christmas Flower

Eranthis hyemalis

Bulb USDA Zones: 3 - 7 Light: sun - partial shade

Height: 2 to 8 inches Flower Colors: yellow Bloom Time: early spring

The first "buttercup" in the spring. Little yellow flowers bloom in early spring, even when there's still snow on the ground.

Shiny flowers are borne on 2- to 8-inch stems; beneath the 1- to 2-inch wide flowers is a collar of narrow leaves. For best effect, plant in large groups. It spreads by reseeding.

Care: Keep soil moist even after plants are dormant.

Planting: In fall, plant in full sun to partial shade in fertile, well-drained, moist soil in holes 3 inches deep spaced 3 inches apart.

Available at: http://www.thimblefarms.com

Plant of the Cross

Eupatorium perfoliatum, Family: Aster (Asteraceae)

Commonly called "boneset", it's leaves are its most distinctive feature -- they have a wrinkled texture, and pairs of leaves are united at the base. Boneset leaves were once used in bandages for broken bones, since the appearance of the joined leaves gave people the idea that the plant would be helpful for rejoining broken bones. Boneset is the most celebrated of the Eupatorium species for medicinal use. It was a treatment for numerous ailments, including the common cold.

Height: 2-4 feet, blooms are around 1/4 inch across, in large, flat clusters

Plant in full sun, will tolerate light shade. The unique symmetrical foliage attracts attention in the flower garden

Flowering time: July to October

Seeds available at: http://www.prairienursery.com/SpeciesASP/epepage.asp

Elijah Blue

Festuca glauca

Exposure: Full Sun

Hardiness Zone: 4- 7 S / 4 - 10 W

Bloom Time: June-Dec Height: 18"

This is a highly ornamental grass for the flower garden, with powder blue leaves that hold their color the year round. Plants form spiky, 10in mounds punctuated, come June, by 18in flower stalks that turn from blue-green to a buff color that they hold all summer and into winter.

Available at: White Flower Farms #30045 Blue Festuca

Mary’s Glory

Fritillaria imperialis

Bulb, USDA Zones: 5 - 8 Light: sun - partial shade

Height: 2 to 4 feet, Flower Colors: red, yellow, orange

Bloom Time: late spring

Plant among hostas or low ornamental grasses to hide the fading leaves.

In spring, the top of each flower stalk of crown imperial has a downward-facing circle of red, orange, or yellow tubular flowers, topped by a spiky crown of long, narrow green leaves. At the base of the stout stems is a cluster of wavy leaves.

Notable Varieties

'Prolifera' has two stacked whorls of red-orange flowers.

'Aureomarginata' has red-orange flowers and leaves with gold edges.

'Lutea' has yellow flowers.

'Rubra' has brownish red flowers.

Care: Mulch in fall. Divide every 5 years or so.

Planting: In fall, plant bulbs tipped a little sideways in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, fertile soil in holes 4 to 6 inches deep and spaced 8 to 12 inches apart.

Click the “Specialty Bulbs” link on the left side of the page from the above link, which will take you to a choice of ordering Orange Crown Imperial, Red Crown Imperial, or a “collection” of 1 red and 1 yellow Crown Imperial.

Available at Brecks