Tuesday, September 28, 2010

LONG FLOWERING PERENNIAL FLOWERS

Perennial flowers are among some of the favorite plants gardeners enjoy because they come back every year and put on a colorful show.

Their beauty and longevity make up for the work many of them require such as pruning, staking, deadheading and dividing. But some perennial flowers make up for the work we put into them by having extra long bloom times or having repeat flowering times all season long.

Their large blocks of color are show stoppers. So here are some perennials to consider for your garden if you enjoy perennials that flower for long periods of time:

1. Centranthus (Red Valerian)
USDA Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 3 to 4 months
Good Varieties: Centranthus ruber 'Albus'

2. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
USDA Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 3 or more months
Good Varieties: Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb', C.v. 'Golden Showers', C. grandiflora 'Early Sunrise'

3. Corydalis lutea (Fumewort)
USDA Zones 4 - 9
Bloom Span: 4 months
Good Varieties: C. lutea is the best one

4. Dianthus (Pinks)
USDA Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 2 or more months
Good Varieties: Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bath's Pink', D. g. 'Cheddar Pink', D. deltoids (Maiden Pink)

5. Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower)
USDA Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 2 to 3 months
Good Varieties: Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus", E.p. 'Fragrant Angel', E. "Art's Pride'

6. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
USDA Zones 2 - 9
Bloom Span: 3 to 4 months
Good Varieties: Gaillardia x grandiflora, Gaillardia 'Goblin' (dwarf), G. 'Burgundy', G. 'Monarch'

7. Nepeta (Catmint)
USDA Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 2 to 3 months
Good Varieties: Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant', Nepeta x faassenii 'Dropmore' (Sterile and doesn't need deadheading)

8. Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
USDA Zones: 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 3 months
Good Varieties: Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'

9. Scabiosa (Pin Cushion Flower)
USDA Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 3 or more months
Good Varieties: Scabiosa caucasica 'Butterfly Blue', S. c. 'Pink Mist'

10. Sedum (Stonecrop)
USDA Zones 3- 9
Bloom Span: 2 to 3 months
Good Varieties: Sedum 'Autumn Joy', S. 'Bertram Anderson', S. Madrona, S. 'Brilliant'

11. Veronica spicata (Spike Speedwell)
USDA Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Span: 3 to 4 months
Good Varieties: Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

Thanks to Houston Plants and Garden World for this information!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

September 2010 Yard of the Month

Congratulations to Mr. Yun-L:Chang, our September Yard of the Month Winner! His fabulous yard is at 26306 Ridgefield Park Lane. Check it out! Thanks for helping our community look great.

September 13, 2010 - General Meeting


We had a great meeting to this past Monday to start our 2010-2011 Garden Club year. Thanks to Dr. Mike Owens for his informative talk on How Much Water and When. Did you know you should only water your lawn for 6 minutes, then wait 30 minutes and water again?

Friday, September 10, 2010

September General Meeting

The first meeting of the 2010-2011 Garden Club year will be this Monday, September 13 from 7-9 at 26818 Rockwood Park Ln. Our speaker will be Mike Owens speaking on How Much Water and When. We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting and welcoming our new friends and neighbors!