I think I probably reference my website more than anyone else š and lately Iāve felt like there isnāt really a place for me to track what Iām learning and appreciating about plants (on my Gardening journey). So Iām adding this page to the database, but not putting it anywhere yet.
References:
Sourcing plants
Especially good for rare and heirlooms:
Hellebores:
Hydrangeas
- I think I like the lace-cap varieties the best ā not a big fan of the balls of blossoms or the more pointy clusters, unless theyāre more open and airy.
- I also like the short habit of these ones I came across in a suburb of Frankfurt ā maybe theyāre āMountainā hydrangeas which are generally hardier? Possibly a cultivar like Tuff Stuff?
- I also like the more vibrant colors and it seems clear that this is a variety that shifts from blue to pink depending on the acidity of the soil.
South African Daisies
- I also found these outside Frankfurt and thought they were delightful.
Update: they come in more colors! š
[note for the future: I should probably create a separate database of plants so that I can easily create collections based on different filters and also see the photos at a glance]
Cut and come again flower varieties:
Zinnia Sunflowers Rudbekia Dahlias Cosmos Bachelorās Buttons Snapdragons Lisianthus Scabiosa China asters Statice Sweet peas Nigella Larkspur Craspedia Marigolds Calendula Gaillardia
Flowers with a long vase life:
Zinnias Chrysanthemums Dianthus Delphiniums Peonies Glads Freesia Alstromeiria Gomphrena Strawflowers Paper daisies
Flowers that you direct sow (instead of starting inside and transplanting):
Cosmos Bachelorās buttons Sunflowers Zinnias Amaranth Morning Glory Tthonia Marigold Nasturtiums Arkspur Nigella
Flowers that grow well in shade:
Heuchera Astilbe Anemone Lily of the valley Solomonās seal Bleeding hearts Hellebores Northern sea oats Ladyās mantle
Hellebores
The King of Hellebores is a gentleman named Barry Glick, who also happens to breed (and ship) lots of other fascinating plants.
Heads up that the website is a little patchy: the speaking engagements havenāt been updated since 2015, the gift card page thinks itās eternally Christmas, and other limitations on specific plant descriptions refer to growing more of them in a future year thatās already a few years in the past now, but: the fb page gets posts regularly, and this vendor is vouched for by Erin from Floret Farms as well as Lisa from Gardenerās workshop when it comes to sourcing hellebores, which are generally quite pricey (they donāt bloom until year 3) and also difficult to find in specific varieties.
Note: some types are sterile; something to keep in mind if youāre hoping that they drop seed to increase the size of your collection over time.
Perennials:
Lavender:
English:
- Sweet Romance 12-18ā tall and wide, continual bloomer
- This is the variety grown by Laura at Garden Answer (not the only variety though)
- Munstead Lavender 12-18ā (more sparce, lighter in blooms, ok in part-shade)
- Hidcote Lavender 3āx3ā (longer stems, but still English rather than hybrid)
- Aromaticoā¢ Blue Imp. Lavender 14-20 tall but 12ā wide (tall without getting in the way)
Hybrid:
- Grosso Lavender 3.5ā tall and wide (silvery leaves)
- Phenomenal Lavender 2.5ā tall and wide (fast growing, tolerant of high humidity)
- This is the variety grown at Blossom & Branch in CO
- Sensational 18ā foliage canopy, bloom spikes 30ā, 2ā wide. (Dense spikes, vibrant color)
English
- best smelling
- hardy
Hybrid
- not grown from seed
- Only purple/lavender
- bred for oil (high yielding)
- hardy
- Taller (for wreaths)
- Coarser
French
- not as hardy
- best for foliage (rather than blossoms)
Spanish
- strongest smelling
- can handle heat
- long bloomers
Fall garden:
- Sedum - autumn joy?
- Crabapple - Everest
- Seven suns flower - Heptacodium
Crabapple
Everest - Floret favorite
Note: persistent type leaves fruit until new growth - less mess, food for birds, winter interest
Roses:
At Last?
Lady of shallot - David Austin (obelisk?) ānot compact
Sunorita?
Best melon: Sarahās Choice cantaloupe.
See also:
Plant Index (currently Western Natives)
