House Plants in a Gorgeous Room
Monday, September 26, 2005
Ray and Nadia
Here are Ray and Nadia standing under a bower of their Morning Glories
aside their home.
Downtown Dacha
Nadia and Ray Hicks of Central Ave. have worked hard on their downtown “dacha”.
Dachas are country plots in Russia for city dwellers to have a place to garden and just to “get away” from the city. Ray and his Russian born wife Nadia have turned that concept around and created a dacha in the heart of downtown Middletown. It is truly a lovely sight when traveling down Central Ave. toward the downtown area. There are always things in bloom during the entire growing season. Right now there are both hardy hibiscus and Rose of Sharon of all sorts blooming throughout the yard with Physostegia (Obedient Plant), Morning Glories, roses, gorgeous fall blooming iris, purple and white phlox, dahlias, Moonflower Datura, and more.
Ray and Nadia Hicks moved into their home eight years ago. At that time, the property was run as a boarding house for about eight people, and the yard was bare with a rickety wooden fence. With determination, imagination and a vision of a “downtown dacha” the couple set to work and created a beautiful garden. To create the “bones” of the garden, the couple used the Middletown Antique Mall across the street as a resource and purchased antique iron fencing and gates to provide a “frame” for the pretty garden picture. Statues and unusual garden ornaments are artfully arranged here and there throughout the yard. A pleasant and cozy outdoor sitting area has been created between the former carriage house and horse “barn.” The couple likes to sit here and have tea and coffee. The interior of the house was also completely refurbished and redone, and the couple furnished it with antiques, again, from the Middletown Antique Mall.
Ray and Nadia are constantly exchanging smiles and glances and almost glow with happiness. She says “He plants everything and I take care of it.” They have been married for nine years. Nadia was born in a small village five hours south of Moscow. At the age of twenty, she left the village and went to work and live in St. Petersburg, formerly Leningrad. At 45, Nadia was ready for a new adventure. In the post Soviet era, she was able to obtain a work visa to work in the USA. Ray met Nadia at a friend’s home and immediately they were attracted to each other. Not too long afterwards they were married and have been together ever since, except for a time after the events of September 11, 2001. Nadia was in Russia visiting her relatives at the time and then had a great deal of trouble and red tape returning to her husband Ray. Ray worked hard to get her back home and stayed busy working in their garden to occupy the two years and seven months they were apart. Her parents still live in the village of Mourom –they are both in their eighties now. They have a garden and are still actively gardening. The couple go to visit her parents and her married daughter every year. Her daughter Julia lives in St. Petersburg, Russia with her husband Alexei and her children Olya and Ilyusha. Ray spoke of the beauty of St. Petersburg with its onion domes and beautiful buildings all set against the backdrop of the Neva River. After all their hard work and efforts that have provided a very attractive spot in the downtown area, the couple is ready to embark on a new adventure. They are selling their lovely home and are moving to Marshall Rd. There they will have a new garden and already are making plans for it. Ray and Nadia will be taking starts from this garden they have lovingly created to plant at their new home.
Dachas are country plots in Russia for city dwellers to have a place to garden and just to “get away” from the city. Ray and his Russian born wife Nadia have turned that concept around and created a dacha in the heart of downtown Middletown. It is truly a lovely sight when traveling down Central Ave. toward the downtown area. There are always things in bloom during the entire growing season. Right now there are both hardy hibiscus and Rose of Sharon of all sorts blooming throughout the yard with Physostegia (Obedient Plant), Morning Glories, roses, gorgeous fall blooming iris, purple and white phlox, dahlias, Moonflower Datura, and more.
Ray and Nadia Hicks moved into their home eight years ago. At that time, the property was run as a boarding house for about eight people, and the yard was bare with a rickety wooden fence. With determination, imagination and a vision of a “downtown dacha” the couple set to work and created a beautiful garden. To create the “bones” of the garden, the couple used the Middletown Antique Mall across the street as a resource and purchased antique iron fencing and gates to provide a “frame” for the pretty garden picture. Statues and unusual garden ornaments are artfully arranged here and there throughout the yard. A pleasant and cozy outdoor sitting area has been created between the former carriage house and horse “barn.” The couple likes to sit here and have tea and coffee. The interior of the house was also completely refurbished and redone, and the couple furnished it with antiques, again, from the Middletown Antique Mall.
Ray and Nadia are constantly exchanging smiles and glances and almost glow with happiness. She says “He plants everything and I take care of it.” They have been married for nine years. Nadia was born in a small village five hours south of Moscow. At the age of twenty, she left the village and went to work and live in St. Petersburg, formerly Leningrad. At 45, Nadia was ready for a new adventure. In the post Soviet era, she was able to obtain a work visa to work in the USA. Ray met Nadia at a friend’s home and immediately they were attracted to each other. Not too long afterwards they were married and have been together ever since, except for a time after the events of September 11, 2001. Nadia was in Russia visiting her relatives at the time and then had a great deal of trouble and red tape returning to her husband Ray. Ray worked hard to get her back home and stayed busy working in their garden to occupy the two years and seven months they were apart. Her parents still live in the village of Mourom –they are both in their eighties now. They have a garden and are still actively gardening. The couple go to visit her parents and her married daughter every year. Her daughter Julia lives in St. Petersburg, Russia with her husband Alexei and her children Olya and Ilyusha. Ray spoke of the beauty of St. Petersburg with its onion domes and beautiful buildings all set against the backdrop of the Neva River. After all their hard work and efforts that have provided a very attractive spot in the downtown area, the couple is ready to embark on a new adventure. They are selling their lovely home and are moving to Marshall Rd. There they will have a new garden and already are making plans for it. Ray and Nadia will be taking starts from this garden they have lovingly created to plant at their new home.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Fall To Do List
Fall is a wonderful time to work in your garden. The weather is cooler and there is almost always more rain than in summer. more rain means less time watering and more time to work in the garden. There are many garden tasks best accomplished in autumn.
Your lawn may have some bare patches – did you know that fall is the best time to plant grass seed? Grass sown in autumn has two growing seasons to get strong and established - fall and spring. Sown in fall, it has the added benefit of cooler fall temps and less weeds germinating, The six weeks from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 is the time to do this.
Another thing to do to help your lawn is to put down some pre-emergent weed killer. In this category, since I am a devotee of only organic methods – I recommend using something like WOW Plus, sold by www.gardensalive.com. What is this? It is a natural byproduct of corn syrup production to spread on your lawn that will both prevent weeds from germinating now and in the spring and will also feed your lawn. After applying it, kids and pets can immediately play on the lawn with no ill effects whatsoever – it is totally harmless.
This product will suppress seed germination of grass as well, so should be applied only after any newly sown grass has had a little growth.
Fall is also an excellent time to plant perennials, shrubs and trees. Since most people don’t think about this fact, plant nurseries mark down their remaining stock in the fall. Take advantage of this and scope out what your local garden center has to offer. I have gotten some excellent bargains by scouting out reduced nursery stock in fall. Perennials, shrubs and trees planted now will develop a good strong root system and will be raring to go in the spring. They will far surpass things planted in spring with the benefit of the fall season and the dormant period of the winter season. For perennials, try to plant by mid October at the latest.
For early, mid and late spring blooms now is the time to plant bulbs. Have you admired daffodils, tulips, and other bright blooms in spring when your own garden was just bare – waiting for the last frost date to get started in your yard? If you plant a selection of bulbs in the fall, you too can have color and beauty starting in March. Bulbs can be planted from e
Your lawn may have some bare patches – did you know that fall is the best time to plant grass seed? Grass sown in autumn has two growing seasons to get strong and established - fall and spring. Sown in fall, it has the added benefit of cooler fall temps and less weeds germinating, The six weeks from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 is the time to do this.
Another thing to do to help your lawn is to put down some pre-emergent weed killer. In this category, since I am a devotee of only organic methods – I recommend using something like WOW Plus, sold by www.gardensalive.com. What is this? It is a natural byproduct of corn syrup production to spread on your lawn that will both prevent weeds from germinating now and in the spring and will also feed your lawn. After applying it, kids and pets can immediately play on the lawn with no ill effects whatsoever – it is totally harmless.
This product will suppress seed germination of grass as well, so should be applied only after any newly sown grass has had a little growth.
Fall is also an excellent time to plant perennials, shrubs and trees. Since most people don’t think about this fact, plant nurseries mark down their remaining stock in the fall. Take advantage of this and scope out what your local garden center has to offer. I have gotten some excellent bargains by scouting out reduced nursery stock in fall. Perennials, shrubs and trees planted now will develop a good strong root system and will be raring to go in the spring. They will far surpass things planted in spring with the benefit of the fall season and the dormant period of the winter season. For perennials, try to plant by mid October at the latest.
For early, mid and late spring blooms now is the time to plant bulbs. Have you admired daffodils, tulips, and other bright blooms in spring when your own garden was just bare – waiting for the last frost date to get started in your yard? If you plant a selection of bulbs in the fall, you too can have color and beauty starting in March. Bulbs can be planted from e
Friday, September 16, 2005
More Great Bulbs To Plant
In talking about bulbs to plant in fall, I have covered tulips and daffodils. There are many other bulbs to plant for interesting and beautiful displays in spring and even into summer.
The first bulbs to show their little heads in the chilly days of March (sometimes even in late February) are the sweet white blooms of snowdrops (Galanthus). Plant a few of these to give you hope of spring in those last dark days of winter. I have a neighbor that has a large colony of hundreds of these under a tree, but a dozen or so planted near a walkway that you pass daily would be enough to brighten some gloomy March days. A good variety is Galanthus elwesii. Galanthus nivalis “Flore Pleno” is a double snowdrop with green tipped petals – also quite sweet.
The next to arrive on the spring bulb scene are crocuses. Definitely choose the ones named “Giant Crocus,” as the smaller ones are really tiny. Deer do not bother these bulbs, and they will even come up through snow. Another early bloomer that is quite stunning and also deerproof, is the diminutive Rockgarden Iris – Iris reticulata. They bloom in early April and are available for your garden in a few colors, but far and away my favorite is “Harmony,” with its pert little blooms with two shades of blue - accented with yellow and white. Another variety that sounds very promising is the new Iris reticulata “Gordon,” with blooms of blue, violet, and bits of orange and white.
Chionodoxa are another short early bulb also called “Glory of the Snow.” Available in blue or white, I prefer the blue heirloom variety Chionodoxa forbesii (circa 1880), which will bear between four to twelve precious little blooms per bulb. Scilla siberica is also a must have. The only Scilla I plant is this one as it bears tiny bright blue flowers and looks wonderful planted around daffodils as an underplanting.
The more of these small bulbs the better and you can plant them all in your lawn in groups and en masse. These small bulbs only need to be planted three or four inches deep. I use a dibbler, a tool that pokes holes in the soil and then drop a bulb in each hole. You can also use a bulb drill or just take a spade and lift a portion of your turf (like a flap) and put a few bulbs underneath and pat back into place. To get a natural effect – take a handful of bulbs, hold them while standing above the planting area, drop them, and then plant where they land. All the bulbs I mentioned are short early bloomers so when you are ready to cut the grass they won’t be harmed.
There are a few very unique bulbs bearing the name Fritillaria that you won’t regret planting. Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial) is the queen of the group. They burst from the ground in late April with a thick cluster of foliage, grow to two feet tall and then have a “crown” of either yellow or burnt orange circular clusters of bell shaped flowers. Almost other-wordly, they have an odd “foxy” smell that repels rodents, so good to plant with tulips to protect them from the little scavengers. Fritillaria meleagris (Checkered Lily or Guinea Hen Flower) is another very unique bulb that bears nodding bells of ~yes~ actual checkered purple and white flowers on slender stems about a foot high. At $16.50 per hundred in my Van Engelen catalog - I am planting a hundred in my cool moist hosta bed to make a show before the hostas even think about unfurling their leaves.
To make a big statement in May and June plant some Alliums. These are in the onion family and come in all sorts of heights, sizes, and colors, usually with globe shaped blooms. For years I have been longing to plant some of the “Globemaster” alliums with their huge round flower clusters (10” across) on 24 to 36 inch stems. There was a stunning display of them at the new Veteran’s Memorial at Woodside Cemetery this past May. This is the year I will plant some. At $5 or $6 a bulb or more, they are pricey but so worth it for years of dramatic purple blooms every late May. There are other varieties as well – and they are all deer resistant. “Firmamament” is another tall Allium with 8” purple flowers with a silvery sheen.
As you can see, if one gets busy and plants a variety of bulbs – one may have blooms from March to June before the humdrum annuals even get going.
The first bulbs to show their little heads in the chilly days of March (sometimes even in late February) are the sweet white blooms of snowdrops (Galanthus). Plant a few of these to give you hope of spring in those last dark days of winter. I have a neighbor that has a large colony of hundreds of these under a tree, but a dozen or so planted near a walkway that you pass daily would be enough to brighten some gloomy March days. A good variety is Galanthus elwesii. Galanthus nivalis “Flore Pleno” is a double snowdrop with green tipped petals – also quite sweet.
The next to arrive on the spring bulb scene are crocuses. Definitely choose the ones named “Giant Crocus,” as the smaller ones are really tiny. Deer do not bother these bulbs, and they will even come up through snow. Another early bloomer that is quite stunning and also deerproof, is the diminutive Rockgarden Iris – Iris reticulata. They bloom in early April and are available for your garden in a few colors, but far and away my favorite is “Harmony,” with its pert little blooms with two shades of blue - accented with yellow and white. Another variety that sounds very promising is the new Iris reticulata “Gordon,” with blooms of blue, violet, and bits of orange and white.
Chionodoxa are another short early bulb also called “Glory of the Snow.” Available in blue or white, I prefer the blue heirloom variety Chionodoxa forbesii (circa 1880), which will bear between four to twelve precious little blooms per bulb. Scilla siberica is also a must have. The only Scilla I plant is this one as it bears tiny bright blue flowers and looks wonderful planted around daffodils as an underplanting.
The more of these small bulbs the better and you can plant them all in your lawn in groups and en masse. These small bulbs only need to be planted three or four inches deep. I use a dibbler, a tool that pokes holes in the soil and then drop a bulb in each hole. You can also use a bulb drill or just take a spade and lift a portion of your turf (like a flap) and put a few bulbs underneath and pat back into place. To get a natural effect – take a handful of bulbs, hold them while standing above the planting area, drop them, and then plant where they land. All the bulbs I mentioned are short early bloomers so when you are ready to cut the grass they won’t be harmed.
There are a few very unique bulbs bearing the name Fritillaria that you won’t regret planting. Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial) is the queen of the group. They burst from the ground in late April with a thick cluster of foliage, grow to two feet tall and then have a “crown” of either yellow or burnt orange circular clusters of bell shaped flowers. Almost other-wordly, they have an odd “foxy” smell that repels rodents, so good to plant with tulips to protect them from the little scavengers. Fritillaria meleagris (Checkered Lily or Guinea Hen Flower) is another very unique bulb that bears nodding bells of ~yes~ actual checkered purple and white flowers on slender stems about a foot high. At $16.50 per hundred in my Van Engelen catalog - I am planting a hundred in my cool moist hosta bed to make a show before the hostas even think about unfurling their leaves.
To make a big statement in May and June plant some Alliums. These are in the onion family and come in all sorts of heights, sizes, and colors, usually with globe shaped blooms. For years I have been longing to plant some of the “Globemaster” alliums with their huge round flower clusters (10” across) on 24 to 36 inch stems. There was a stunning display of them at the new Veteran’s Memorial at Woodside Cemetery this past May. This is the year I will plant some. At $5 or $6 a bulb or more, they are pricey but so worth it for years of dramatic purple blooms every late May. There are other varieties as well – and they are all deer resistant. “Firmamament” is another tall Allium with 8” purple flowers with a silvery sheen.
As you can see, if one gets busy and plants a variety of bulbs – one may have blooms from March to June before the humdrum annuals even get going.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Not an Ordinary Gardener
Teresa Wesselman is not a run of the mill gardener. She seeks out the different and the unusual. Even now in September, she has things in bloom that are out of the ordinary – yellow corydalis, Tricyrtis “Samurai,” Asclepias curassavica, and others.
How did her interest in gardening begin? Teresa cannot remember when she has not been interested in growing things. At this point Teresa estimates that she has at least 250 different varieties of perennial, bulbs, vines, and shrubs in her city sized lot.
Many unusual specimens can be found on a tour of her garden. While Teresa shows me around her yard, her love of her plants is plainly visible – she knows all the Latin names of her plants, their growing habits, their individual idiosyncrasies, and their cultivation needs.
Ephedra regia dates back to prehistoric times, and a specimen of it now lives in Teresa’s trough planter. Her bog planter has Horsetail rush and Corkscrew Rush, an oddity that is fun to see. A twig trellis features a climbing annual vine – “Love in a Puff” or Cardiospermum halicacabum. There is a plant with lovely foliage and unusual seedpods called Prairie Mimosa or Desmanthes illinoensis in her large sunny round mixed bed. In spring and into summer her shady beds feature plants such as Jack in the Pulpit, Uvularia, Corydalis, Tricyrtis, Anemonella thalictroides (Rue anemone), Birdsfoot violet, Hepatica, and Cimicifuga (Snakeroot). She has also planted some unusual hostas such as “Ghost Spirit.” This variety needs fairly dense shade to retain its unusual white color. Teresa has tried to include plants from A – Amsonia to Z – Zizia in her very personalized garden.
Some of her sunny areas include some really wonderful specimens. Berlandiera lyrata - “Chocolate Flower,” blooms for at least three months and smells deliciously just like chocolate. Caryopteris divaricata “Snow Fairy,” features beautifully variegated leaves and is just starting to open its many blue flowers. It will continue to bloom into October and is a small shrub to three feet tall and wide. The foliage smells just like cut up green peppers.
There are several overflowing containers on Teresa’s deck and around her yard. They are not planted with the typical and predictable (some would say boring) petunias or geraniums, but are creatively planted with intriguing combinations of Black and Blue Salvia (hummingbird favorite), Bat Face Cuphea, White Nymph salvia, Lotus vine, Gartenmeister fuschia with tubular coral blooms and various varieties of colorful coleus.
One of Teresa’ favorite flowers is the Columbine and she grows 17 varieties. Some of her more unusual columbines are Chocolate Soldier, Dorothy Rose, Ruby Port and her personal favorite - Nana Alba – a pure white columbine with short spurs.
Teresa’s fiancé Ted is supportive of her love of plants and has dutifully done quite a bit of planting, digging and mulching. Ted, an avid woodworker, recently completed a really lovely greenhouse for Teresa, to allow her to extend the growing season, and to winter over some more tender specimens that will not tolerate Ohio winters.
Teresa’s love of plants extends to her choice of profession. She works in the Perennial Dept. at Bern’s Garden Center, so is always aware of the newest arrivals to perhaps add to her garden. Teresa enjoys working among the plants she so loves. She also goes online frequently to learn more about plants she is interested in, and to shop for the more unusual varieties that are difficult to find locally.
Fall plans for Teresa include soon ordering and planting some unusual fall bulbs – Tulipa oculata – a white species tulip with a bluish base, Tulipa acuminata – another species tulip that is yellow with scarlet edges, a Triandrus Narcissi called “Katy Heath,” Fritillaria pudica – with bright yellow bell shaped blooms with purple tinged edges, Fritillaria pallidiflora – chartreuse blooms with reddish brown spots, and Brodiaea coccinea – that will sport blooms that resemble little firecrackers and also will attract hummingbirds in late spring.
Hummingbird feeders are hung here and there in Teresa’s garden and she loves to sit on her deck in the early evenings watching them feed. Teresa will be the first to say that her garden is very much a “work in progress.” She is always lovingly adding new plants, ruthlessly ripping out old ones that no longer serve her purpose, and moving things to satisfy her garden vision at the moment, so there is always something new to see and enjoy in her garden.
How did her interest in gardening begin? Teresa cannot remember when she has not been interested in growing things. At this point Teresa estimates that she has at least 250 different varieties of perennial, bulbs, vines, and shrubs in her city sized lot.
Many unusual specimens can be found on a tour of her garden. While Teresa shows me around her yard, her love of her plants is plainly visible – she knows all the Latin names of her plants, their growing habits, their individual idiosyncrasies, and their cultivation needs.
Ephedra regia dates back to prehistoric times, and a specimen of it now lives in Teresa’s trough planter. Her bog planter has Horsetail rush and Corkscrew Rush, an oddity that is fun to see. A twig trellis features a climbing annual vine – “Love in a Puff” or Cardiospermum halicacabum. There is a plant with lovely foliage and unusual seedpods called Prairie Mimosa or Desmanthes illinoensis in her large sunny round mixed bed. In spring and into summer her shady beds feature plants such as Jack in the Pulpit, Uvularia, Corydalis, Tricyrtis, Anemonella thalictroides (Rue anemone), Birdsfoot violet, Hepatica, and Cimicifuga (Snakeroot). She has also planted some unusual hostas such as “Ghost Spirit.” This variety needs fairly dense shade to retain its unusual white color. Teresa has tried to include plants from A – Amsonia to Z – Zizia in her very personalized garden.
Some of her sunny areas include some really wonderful specimens. Berlandiera lyrata - “Chocolate Flower,” blooms for at least three months and smells deliciously just like chocolate. Caryopteris divaricata “Snow Fairy,” features beautifully variegated leaves and is just starting to open its many blue flowers. It will continue to bloom into October and is a small shrub to three feet tall and wide. The foliage smells just like cut up green peppers.
There are several overflowing containers on Teresa’s deck and around her yard. They are not planted with the typical and predictable (some would say boring) petunias or geraniums, but are creatively planted with intriguing combinations of Black and Blue Salvia (hummingbird favorite), Bat Face Cuphea, White Nymph salvia, Lotus vine, Gartenmeister fuschia with tubular coral blooms and various varieties of colorful coleus.
One of Teresa’ favorite flowers is the Columbine and she grows 17 varieties. Some of her more unusual columbines are Chocolate Soldier, Dorothy Rose, Ruby Port and her personal favorite - Nana Alba – a pure white columbine with short spurs.
Teresa’s fiancé Ted is supportive of her love of plants and has dutifully done quite a bit of planting, digging and mulching. Ted, an avid woodworker, recently completed a really lovely greenhouse for Teresa, to allow her to extend the growing season, and to winter over some more tender specimens that will not tolerate Ohio winters.
Teresa’s love of plants extends to her choice of profession. She works in the Perennial Dept. at Bern’s Garden Center, so is always aware of the newest arrivals to perhaps add to her garden. Teresa enjoys working among the plants she so loves. She also goes online frequently to learn more about plants she is interested in, and to shop for the more unusual varieties that are difficult to find locally.
Fall plans for Teresa include soon ordering and planting some unusual fall bulbs – Tulipa oculata – a white species tulip with a bluish base, Tulipa acuminata – another species tulip that is yellow with scarlet edges, a Triandrus Narcissi called “Katy Heath,” Fritillaria pudica – with bright yellow bell shaped blooms with purple tinged edges, Fritillaria pallidiflora – chartreuse blooms with reddish brown spots, and Brodiaea coccinea – that will sport blooms that resemble little firecrackers and also will attract hummingbirds in late spring.
Hummingbird feeders are hung here and there in Teresa’s garden and she loves to sit on her deck in the early evenings watching them feed. Teresa will be the first to say that her garden is very much a “work in progress.” She is always lovingly adding new plants, ruthlessly ripping out old ones that no longer serve her purpose, and moving things to satisfy her garden vision at the moment, so there is always something new to see and enjoy in her garden.
Tulips!!!
This week – Tulips! You know you want tulips in spring with their bright showy colors. The range of variation in tulips is so wide, you are sure to find one or three or twenty you just HAVE to have.
Concerning whether the tulips you select will perennialize, the truth is most tulips do not come back well for years. Most bloom well for two or three years and are then done. Consider this your opportunity to redo your color scheme every couple of years. There are so many variations in tulips you will want to try many. Species tulips will perennialize better than most. These are smaller but can still have a big impact. They look good tucked here and there in such places as rock gardens. For big presence and faithfully returning year after year choose Darwin Hybrid tulips. These are available in a range of colors and combinations of colors. Most of these are about two feet in height with huge flowers. “Banja Luka” is a very striking Darwin Hybrid with deep yellow petals accented with bold markings of bright red. “Ollioules” (don’t ask me how to pronounce this), “Elizabeth Arden” and “Pink Impression” are three excellent selections for those of you who like pink like I do.
For a fantastic variety in color try some “Triumph” tulips. One can plant some very striking color combinations using the many varieties available. Greigii tulips are unique with their mottled leaves and also gorgeous flowers. Since I have such fond memories of my two trips to Russia, I think I will plant the Greigii tulip – “Tsar Peter.”
Lily flowering tulips are just what they claim – they resemble lilies with their pointed petals and narrow graceful blooms. “Marilyn” is white edged with a startling red. “Westpoint” is a lovely yellow. With red petals and gold tips, “Queen of Sheba” is a striking lily flowered choice.
For all of you who like something very different in your gardens – no plain red tulips for you! – try the Parrot tulips. I have had these return for a few years quite well and I really love them. Their petals are curled and twisted in bizarre shapes in some awesome colors. My favorite is Black Parrot – a dark purple black. I would love to be able to plant a group of fifty of these – alas – haven’t the room. Apricot Parrot is also stunning in a combination of cream, yellow, pink, and green – it has won several awards.
Another unusual tulip variety are the Viridiflora tulips. They last a long time and have prominent green feather markings on their petals. My favorite of these is “Greenland” with cream petals looking as if they were dipped in rose colored paint and accented with spring green feather markings on the sides.
Peony flowering tulips are just that – they resemble peonies with fully double petals. My two favorites here are “Black Hero,” a very dark near-black purple and “Angelique,” an ethereal blend of cream and pink.
Fringed Tulips aka “Crispa Tulips” add an elegant and beautiful look to your spring garden with their petals that are edged with a fine delicate looking fringe. There is one that is nearly breath taking – “Cummins” – lavender with prominent white-fringed edges – but they are all beautiful.
In conclusion I would like to say no matter what tulip you decide to select it will always be an excellent choice. You will definitely enjoy their bright blooms come spring.
Perennial Spotlight on: Variegated Filipendula
This is a shade/part shade perennial that has gorgeously marked leaves. It reaches about three feet tall eventually. Mine is at two feet and is two years old. The small but attractive blooms are somewhat like astilbes, are fragrant in a creamy white color, and flower in July. The foliage is what I really love. It is a wonderful bright contrast in a mixed shade bed of other shade lovers – hostas, ferns, meadow rue, hellebores, etc. It likes moist soil and dislikes full sun.
Concerning whether the tulips you select will perennialize, the truth is most tulips do not come back well for years. Most bloom well for two or three years and are then done. Consider this your opportunity to redo your color scheme every couple of years. There are so many variations in tulips you will want to try many. Species tulips will perennialize better than most. These are smaller but can still have a big impact. They look good tucked here and there in such places as rock gardens. For big presence and faithfully returning year after year choose Darwin Hybrid tulips. These are available in a range of colors and combinations of colors. Most of these are about two feet in height with huge flowers. “Banja Luka” is a very striking Darwin Hybrid with deep yellow petals accented with bold markings of bright red. “Ollioules” (don’t ask me how to pronounce this), “Elizabeth Arden” and “Pink Impression” are three excellent selections for those of you who like pink like I do.
For a fantastic variety in color try some “Triumph” tulips. One can plant some very striking color combinations using the many varieties available. Greigii tulips are unique with their mottled leaves and also gorgeous flowers. Since I have such fond memories of my two trips to Russia, I think I will plant the Greigii tulip – “Tsar Peter.”
Lily flowering tulips are just what they claim – they resemble lilies with their pointed petals and narrow graceful blooms. “Marilyn” is white edged with a startling red. “Westpoint” is a lovely yellow. With red petals and gold tips, “Queen of Sheba” is a striking lily flowered choice.
For all of you who like something very different in your gardens – no plain red tulips for you! – try the Parrot tulips. I have had these return for a few years quite well and I really love them. Their petals are curled and twisted in bizarre shapes in some awesome colors. My favorite is Black Parrot – a dark purple black. I would love to be able to plant a group of fifty of these – alas – haven’t the room. Apricot Parrot is also stunning in a combination of cream, yellow, pink, and green – it has won several awards.
Another unusual tulip variety are the Viridiflora tulips. They last a long time and have prominent green feather markings on their petals. My favorite of these is “Greenland” with cream petals looking as if they were dipped in rose colored paint and accented with spring green feather markings on the sides.
Peony flowering tulips are just that – they resemble peonies with fully double petals. My two favorites here are “Black Hero,” a very dark near-black purple and “Angelique,” an ethereal blend of cream and pink.
Fringed Tulips aka “Crispa Tulips” add an elegant and beautiful look to your spring garden with their petals that are edged with a fine delicate looking fringe. There is one that is nearly breath taking – “Cummins” – lavender with prominent white-fringed edges – but they are all beautiful.
In conclusion I would like to say no matter what tulip you decide to select it will always be an excellent choice. You will definitely enjoy their bright blooms come spring.
Perennial Spotlight on: Variegated Filipendula
This is a shade/part shade perennial that has gorgeously marked leaves. It reaches about three feet tall eventually. Mine is at two feet and is two years old. The small but attractive blooms are somewhat like astilbes, are fragrant in a creamy white color, and flower in July. The foliage is what I really love. It is a wonderful bright contrast in a mixed shade bed of other shade lovers – hostas, ferns, meadow rue, hellebores, etc. It likes moist soil and dislikes full sun.
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