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
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
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
There is nothing quite like the classic look of a perennial dianthus plant. Their bluish-grey, grass-like foliage is particularly showy throughout the growing season, and different varieties have different foliage growth habits, from mounding to slightly trailing. Their small, carnation-like blooms cover the plant throughout the spring and early summer. Colors range from whites and… Read More
Rudbeckia, which is commonly referred to as Black-eyed Susan, is a great, easy care and very hardy summer perennial in our area. During the summer months, these perennials are loaded with daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and recently even some burnt umbers and reds. Each flower is capped by a large, dark seed… Read More
The peony plant is considered an herbaceous perennial (dying back to the ground each winter and emerging in the spring). There are woody types of peonies called Tree Peonies as well. The perennial Peony bears attractive glossy green foliage that typically grows to about 3’ in height with a similar spread, but their popularity is… Read More
Best Types of Perennials for Fall Fall plantings are not limited to just mums anymore. This is just a small sampling of the many perennials you can plant in the fall found at any of our locations in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and DC. Many of these perennials either bloom in the fall or have… Read More
The fall season is one of the best seasons for planting your perennials. By planting them now, you’re helping them to establish healthy root systems. New perennials planted in the spring only have a short amount of time to prepare their root systems to survive the summer heat and drought. Their young root systems must… Read More
While many gardeners consider spring to be the prime gardening season, that is short-sighted. Fall is also an excellent time of year to do many important flower gardening tasks. Dividing Perennials Among the most critical fall chores is splitting or dividing perennials. While many people divide their perennials in the spring, by doing it in… Read More