Review Of perennial Garden Plants From Nature Hills Nursery
What is a perennial Plant?
Perennial plants are plant types that grow back every spring. There are perennial plant species that will meet just about every need a landscape or garden has. Perennial plants are available in a myriad of shapes, colors and sizes and range from low growing plants to tall growing plants. Perennial gardens are often a combination of plants that flower, plants that have colorful leaves and foliage, and low growing ground covers for that especially shady spot.
The Ajuga or Carpet bugle is a genus of about 40 to 50 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants that belong to the Lamiaceae mint family. In nature, the vast majority of this plant species can be found in Europe, Asia and Africa. There is however 2 species that are native to South East Australia. These plants grow between 2” to 20” high.
The name 'Aster' is derived from the Greek word for star. Asters have composite flower heads and a central disc composed of up to 300 individual flowers, which are normally yellow or orange. The central disc is surrounded by large, brightly colored petals, designed to attract pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. Most Aster perennial plants flower between late summer and autumn. Aster plants look best when grown at the back of a border combined with other late blooming flowering plants, such as the Japanese Anemone. Aster perennials grow at a rapid rate and they will benefit from being divided in late autumn or early spring, at least once every 2 years.
The Astilbe species of perennial garden plant is excellent as a shade plant in your shade garden, due to its rich, dense foliage and feathery, summer blooms. Astilbe plants are also referred to as the False Spiraea and False Goat's Beard. Astilbe is native to Asia and North America. This summer flowering perennial, blooms between June and July. Colors include pink, red, white, purple and peach. This species of plant reaches a height of between 18" to 5ft. Astilbe perennial plants look great when planted in mass. They are an ideal choice for flower beds, garden borders and as a container plant. These easy to grow plants prefer partial to full shade and a soft, well drained soil, mixed with lots of humus or peat. Water the plants to keep the soil moist, as often as possible.
Bleeding Heart perennial plants flower from late spring to early summer. This perennial plant species prefers partial shade and adequate moisture during the summer period. At maturity it grows to a height of between 2ft and 3ft. Water regularly to guarantee that this garden plant stays in bloom until well into the fall. The Bleeding Heart is an excellent perennial for the shade border where soils are moist but well drained.
Cannas are tropical and subtropical flowering plants with large, banana like leaves. They can be grown as annuals in cooler regions, where they add an instant touch of the tropics to gardens. A surge in interest and hybridizing has resulted in a dazzling array of cannas to choose from.
Columbine perennial plants are native to Asia, Europe and North America. This plant species is a favorite food source of humming birds and bees, due to the copious amounts of nectar they produce. Columbine plants produce large, showy blooms on top of blue green foliage from late spring to early summer. Colors include: yellow, white, pink, blue, purple and mixed combos. The Columbine is the state flower of Colorado and is sometimes known as the Rocky Mountain Columbine. This easy to grow plant variety, grows well in partial shade and well drained soil. It will however grow in average soil and tolerate dry soil conditions. Columbine perennials grow to a height of between 15 inch and 20 inch and are an excellent plant choice for flower beds, container planting, garden edging and garden rockeries. Columbines are a hardy perennial plant and will continue to grow and bloom until frost.
Coneflower perennial plants are a true American plant. These prairie plants are easy to grow, and are extremely low maintenance. Common colors include: red, gold, mauve, white, and purple. The Coneflower plant is a major attractor of birds and butterflies. They prefer full sun and will grow well in almost any well drained soil, including dry soil. Coneflower perennials grow to a height of between 24 and 42 inch, depending upon the plant type. Coneflowers, once established will flower from midsummer until frost. Certain Cone flower types don’t flower until the second year. Being very hardy, they will likely survive the first light frosts before going dormant for the winter. Coneflowers are a popular cut flower and are long lived when placed in a vase.
Coral Bells perennial plants are low, mound shaped plants that reach a height of 12 inch to 18 inch. This plant species blooms in late spring to early summer with flowers rising to about 24 inches. The flowers are an airy cluster of bell-like flowers. Dead head old flowers during the growing season for the plants to continue to bloom. Coral bells perennial prefer rich, well drained soil in either full sun or partial shade. Ensure that the Coral Bells is planted in well drained soil. Coral bells will benefit from winter mulch where freezing and thawing soil causes heaving.
Coreopsis perennial plants grow to a height of between 1ft and 2ft. This plant species blooms between May and August, if you deadhead expired flowers. Coreopsis perennials grow very well in full sun in a well drained soil. It is tolerant of dry soil. If grown in moist, fertile soil, Coreopsis has a tendency to open up resulting in plants that are not as attractive.
Daylilies are popular throughout the world for their large, showy flowers. Daylilies are a hardy plant variety and capable of growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 1 through to 11. This makes the Daylily a really adaptable landscape plant. Daylily breeding has become somewhat of a specialty in the USA, where their heat and drought tolerance has made them very popular.
Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants, found naturally, mainly in Europe and Asia. The species are mostly perennial herbs, a few are annual plants and a few are biennial plants. Dianthus plants are used as food plants by the larvae of the Cabbage Moth, Double Striped Pug, Large Yellow Under wing and the Lychnis Moth.
Diascia perennial plants are native to the Southern African continent and are a genus of perennials. The leaves are heart shaped, or ovate, or lance shaped and some are toothed. The flowers are spurred and are borne in loose or dense racemes. Diascia plants reach a height of 12 inches and flower between late spring and summer. Diascia perennials are commonly used in garden edges, garden borders and flower beds. Diascia, originating in South Africa love full sun and grow best when planted in any fertile soil that drains well.
Geranium is a genus of 422 species of flowering annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as Cranesbills. Geranium plants are naturally occurring in the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, but mostly in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region. In the USA, true Geraniums are frequently distinguished from the less hardy Pelargoniums as "hardy geraniums" by gardeners.
Perennial Hibiscus plants, add a welcome touch of color to your backyard garden. Hibiscus perennials produce wonderful blossoms, providing they have plenty of sun and are well looked after. Hibiscus varieties differ in color, shape and size, depending upon the plant type. This perennial plant species belongs to the same family as okra and cotton; 2 heat loving plants. As such, hibiscus plants typically don't start to grow until the air and soil temperatures have heated up, so be patient in the spring and wait for this perennial plant species to sprout.
Hosta is a genus of about 23 to 40 species of Lily type plants, native to North East Asia. In the past they were often known as the Corfu Lily, the Day Lily, or the Plantain lily. These terms are nowadays, seldom used. Hosta plants are herbaceous perennial plants, often used as shade plants and ground cover plants. Popular cultivars include the Francee Hosta, Gold Standard Hosta and June Hosta. The American Hosta Society and the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society support Hosta Display Gardens, often within botanical gardens.
Iris is a genus of between 200 to 300 species of flowering plants that have showy flowers. Iris is both the scientific name and common name for this plant species, whose name is derived from the Greek word for rainbow. Iris plants are extensively grown as ornamental plants, with the most common Iris plant species being the bearded German Iris, due to it being easy to cultivate and propagate. Other Iris types commonly found in garden flower beds and garden borders are Siberian Irises and Japanese Irises.
Peony or paeony (Paeonia) is the only genus in the flowering plant family Paeoniaceae. This plant species is native to Asia, Southern Europe and Western North America. The Peony has been the state flower of Indiana, since 1957. Once planted the Peony likes to be left alone and produces splendid blooms each year. Peonies are used as ornamental plants because of their very large, often scented flowers. This plant species is a major attractor to ants, due to the nectar that forms on the outside of the flower buds.
Phlox perennial plants are in general long flowering and fragrant garden plants. The more common Phlox paniculata or garden phlox is the most spectacular but also the most prone to powdery mildew. An alternative to the garden phlox is spotted phlox (Phlox maculata) that offers earlier flowering, darker leaves and much better mildew resistance.
Salvia is a genus of plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The plant species is thought to have originated in Central and South Western Asia. Salvia plant varieties produce flowers that are produced in spikes, racemes, or panicles, and generally produce a showy display with flower colors ranging from blue to red. Salvia plants are used as food plants by the larvae of some butterfly and moth species.
The perennial Verbena is one of the showiest of perennial flowers and is heat tolerant and ever blooming. The majority of Verbena perennials require between 8 to 10 hours of full sun and well drained soil. Verbena perennial plants don’t require a particularly rich soil to grow, but adding a slow release fertilizer during the growing season will benefit the plant. Verbenas have been known since ancient times. Roman messengers adorned their clothing with sprays of verbena. In folk medicine, Verbena plants were used as a remedy for several ailments, including rheumatic pains, lumbago, and pleurisy. It also provided a potion for aiding digestion.