Category Archives: Horticulture Reports

Abyssinian gladiolus

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Gladiolus Murielae, common names Abyssinian gladiolus, or Fragrant gladiolus.  Formerly placed in the Acidanthera genus so it’s often sold as ‘Acidanthera Bicolor’.

Native to eastern Africa, from Ethiopia to Malawi.

USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.  But, it is best to dig corms and store to winter over or protect potted corms in a garage or heated greenhouse.

Soil: Well-drained, humus soil, medium moisture. Adapts to a wide range of soils except heavy clay.

Exposure: Full sun. Protected from strong winds.

 

Submission & photo by: Carlotta Lucas

Sweet Mock Orange

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Plant Name:  Philadelphus Coronarius
Common name:  Sweet Mock Orange, Sweet Syringa
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 3-10 ft (depends on variety)
Spread:   3-6 ft
Bloom Time:  Mid to Late Spring
Flower Color:  White, Creamy White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates a range of soils including clay, but prefers moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:   Very fragment flowers, Attracts pollinators (especially butterflies), Deer resistant
Note:   Prune to control height, popular ornamental shrub
Uses: Woodlands, Foundation plantings, Shrub borders, Cottage garden, Hedge, Sitting garden, Sunny edges, English garden,
Native to: Northern Asia and Japan, Western United States, Southern Atlantic coast of USA and Mexico
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9 (depends on variety)

There are many hybrid varieties of Philadelphus Coronarius, below are few of the popular ones:

Philadelphus x lemoinei Hybrids   Hardiness zone 4-8
‘Avalanche’ – Low-growing 3.5′ tall, Arching branches. Very fragrant single flowers about 1″ across.
‘Belle Etoile’ – 6′ tall, Single white flowers with a dark center blotch.
‘Innocence’ – Very fragrant, 8′ tall, single white blooms,  slightly variegated leaves.

Philadelphus x virginalis Hybrids:  Hardiness zone 5-9 ( unless noted otherwise)
‘Philadelphus pallidus’ 6’ tall, snow-white double flowers, rich green color leaves
‘Minnesota Snowflake’ – Popular selection, 6′ tall, double, pure white blooms, very fragrant 2″ wide flowers
‘Virginal’ – An old-fashioned cultivar,10’tall, double blooms with intense fragrance.
‘Natchez’ – One of the best. 10’tall, Covered with 2″ white fragrant blooms in May. Hardiness zone 4-7

Dwarf  Hybrids
‘Miniature Snowflake’ – 4′ tall, double white flowers, fragrant, dark green foliage. Hardiness zone 4-7
‘Manteau d’Hermine’ –  Compact 2-3’ tall, profuse heavily perfumed blooms. Hardiness zone 5-9
‘Illuminati Tiny Tower’– Narrow upright shrub 3-4’ tall. Space-saving, fragrant flowers Hardiness zone 4-7

Horticultural Report: Mountain Laurel

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Photo by: Carlotta Lucas, Ashland OR

Plant Name:Kalmia latifolia,
Common name: Mountain Laurel
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 3-15 ft (depends on variety)
Spread:3-15 ft (depends on variety)
Bloom Time:May to June
Flower Color:Rose, White, has purple markings
Exposure:Full Sun – Part Shade (Morning sun with afternoon shade is best)
Soil Requirements: Acid loving plant
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:Excellent Showy Flowers, Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, Year-round interest
Note: These shallow rooted plants are best in moist, cool, rich, acidic, well-drained humus soil
Uses: ;Compliments rhododendrons and azaleas.Use as border shrub, Woodland gardens Cottage gardens, Wild areas, Hedges, Foundation plants
Native to: Eastern USA
USDA Hardiness Zone:4-9

Deer – Resistant Salvias

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Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Moths and Bees. Waterwise easy care plants. Flowers colors vary:  white, red, pink , orange , purple, blue, cream  and a mixture of these  colors. Exposure: Full Sun,/Part Sun.

Salvia Microphylla

 Salvia Microphylla:  aka Baby sage.  Outstanding plants with stunning flowers.  Prolific bloomer from spring until fall.   Low water needs.  Height 24-36, depends on variety. USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-11.   Varieties to look for:  ‘Hot Lips’, ‘Red Velvet’, ‘Kew Red’,   ‘Killer Cranberry’, ‘Mesa Azure’

Salvia nemorosa:  aka- Woodland Sage or Balkan Clary. Easy to grow, drought tolerant,  but plant blooms better with average moisture.  Blooms spring, summer, and fall depending on variety.  Height 16-36 inches. USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8. Varieties to look for:  ‘Pink Profusion’, ‘Violet Profusion’, ’White Profusion’ , ‘Pink Dawn’, ‘Caradonna’ (purple) , ‘Blue by You’.  

Salvia elegans Scarlet

Salvia elegans: Pineapple Sage – Bright red exotic flowers attract hummingbirds! Leaves can be used as a culinary herb and have a slight pineapple or citrus taste.   USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10.

Fall Blooming Tall Varieties: Pineapple scented leaves. USD Hardiness Zones 9-10. Variety favorites:  ’Scarlet Pineapple’ 36”Tall,    and  ‘Rockin’ÂŽ Golden Delicious’  (yellow leaves),  48” tall.

Spring Blooming/Shorter Varieties:  ‘Honey Melon’, 24” tall, blooms late spring, small leaves have a wonderful fruity scent similar to honeydew melon. USDA Hardiness Zones 9-10

’Tangerine Pineapple Sage’ 18” tall, small citrus-scent leaves, blooms mid-spring through fall.  USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10

Salvia greggii:  aka Autumn Sage.  Native to the SW Texas. Good for hot sunny locations and low water gardens, prolific bloomers.  Blooms summer through fall.  USDA Zone: 6-10.  (Hardiness varies by variety.) Best known variety Furman’s Red Texas Hardy to 150F.   Other varieties: Cold hardy Texas Pink, Wild Thing, Mirage™ Deep Purple.

Salvia officinalis – Common culinary sages – Evergreen Perennial Herb – Grayish leaves with blue to purplish flowers.

Salvia officinalis Berggarten

Popular Salvia officinalis Varieties:

‘Berggarten’ 16″ tall x 24″ wide. Robust plant with large silver and gray variegated leaves.  Purple spike flowers appear in early summer. USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11.

Golden Sage – 16″ tall x 24″ wide- Dark green leaves with chartreuse-yellow edges, a small compact plant. Good ornamental plan. Whorls of lavender-blue flowers spikes appear in late spring. USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.

Purple Sage –16” tall x 12 wide- Gray-green leaves suffused with steely-gray purple producing a unique pungent flavor and aroma.  Showy violet-blue spikes.  Good ornamental and culinary plant. USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9.  Does not like wet roots!

Tricolor Sage – 18″ tall x 24″ wide – Ornamental herb with colorful grayish green leaves marbled with white, pink and purple. Lavender blue flower spikes appear in summer. Leaves produce strong aromatic scent. USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.

Article and Photos by:  Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Horticulture Report: Fothergilla

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Plant Name:  Fothergilla (Dwarf)
Common name:  Witch-Alder
Cultivar: ‘Mount Airy’
Plant type: Deciduous Shrub
Height: 3-5 ft
Spread:   3-5 ft
Bloom Time:  April- May
Flower Color:  White
Exposure: Full Sun –part shade
Soil Requirements: Well-drained, perfers Humus
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:   Showy bottlebrush-like tiny spikes (1-3” long),
Honey-scented fragrant flowers, Good summer foliage and Great fall color.
Uses:  Hedges, shrub borders, foundation plantings or native plantings.
Notes: Plants do well with rhododendrons, because they have the same soil requirements.
Native to: Southeastern United States
USDA Hardiness Zone:  4-8

Submitted by: Carlotta Lucas