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Perennials
| Azalea (Rhododendron) |
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Partial shade.
Prefers a soil ph of 4.0-6.0.
Plant ball in hole twice it's width, 2 in.
higher than surrounding soil-no deeper than the ball. Reaches a height of 3-5 ft. Blooms in early spring.
Grows in zones 4-10. |
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| Columbine (Phlox paniculata) |
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Full sun in cool areas, partial shade in warm areas.
Prefers a neutral soil ph.
Plant 12
in. apart.
Reaches a height of 16-28 in. high, 12 in. wide. Clusters of 1/2 in. blossoms. Blooms July-September. |
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| Daisy, Shasta (Chrysanthemum maximum) |
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Full sun.
Prefers a soil ph of 6.0-8.0
Plant 12-14 in. apart.
Reaches a height of 1-3
ft. tall. Blossom size of up to 6 in. in diameter. Blooms midsummer to fall. Grows in zones 4-10. |
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| Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) |
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Full sun.
Prefers a soil ph of 5.8-6.2.
Plant in hole 1 ft. wider than root ball at the
same depth as in container. Space 4 1/2-5 ft. apart. 3 1/2-4 for a hedge.
Grows up to 8 ft. tall.
Blossom
size of 6-12 in. in diameter. Blooms midsummer-frost. Grows in zones 4-9. |
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| Peony (Paeonia) |
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Full sun.
Prefers a soil ph of 6.5-7.5
Plant in hole 18 in. deep x 18 in. wide, 3 ft. apart.
Reaches
a height of 3 ft. high x 3 ft. wide.
Grows in zones 3-8 |
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| Phlox, creeping (Phlox stolonifera) |
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Shade.
Prefers a soil ph of 5.5-7.0
Plant 10 in. apart.
Reaches a height of 6-12 in high.
Blossom size of 1 in. diameter. Grows in zones 3-8 |
Shearing Sweet William
Question: I planted some Sweet William last year, and they bloomed beautifully this year. The flowers are
now starting to die(after several weeks in full bloom). What should I do now? Should I shear them back? Is there any way to
get the plants to flower again?
Answer: Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William) is a vigorous biennial providing
dense clusters of flowers on tall stems. Sown from seed in late spring, they will bloom the following year. Once they've flowered,
they won't flower again. You can shear back the spent blooms and stems to keep the plants looking attractive, or you can leave
them alone, allowing the flowers to produce seed and deposit them in the bed. This self-sowing habit will perpetuate your
Sweet Williams, so you'll have plants of flowering age each year.
Pansies
I'd like to start some pansies by seed. When is the best time to do that?
Do it now! August is a great time to sow pansies for next spring. Pansies are easy
to grow and hardy. Sow the seeds in flats in a cool, shady place, and keep the soil moist at all times. When the plants are
large enough, transplant them into frames. Cover them with a coarse material for winter protection, then set them out in permanent
beds in the spring.
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