Charting this week’s top 10
It’s time for a top-10 list of perennial plants in my garden. These are my current favourites, plants that aren’t much bothered by pests, reliable, and usually available at good garden centres.
No. 1: Astrantia major, or masterwort. It’s also known as Hattie’s pincushion because of the delicate flowers that appear above the attractive foliage. It’s a tough perennial that will grow in full sun but does best in dappled shade, where the soil is rich and moist. Cut the flowers for drying, and the plant will respond by producing more blooms.
No. 2: Crocosmia. Lucifer, the most popular variety — bright red and aptly named — will turn up the heat in any garden from midsummer to fall. Plant a few bulbs and, once it’s established, watch the clump increase. It isn’t invasive because our climate limits its expanse, unlike in Ireland, where it can be seen for kilometres along hedgerows.
No. 3: Veronica, also known as speedwell. There are many species and hybrids, short and tall, so take your pick. Veronica is extremely hardy and it blooms early to midsummer. Grow it in full sun and the narrow, spiked flowers will appear en masse to please all kinds of pollinators. Most common colours are bluish, but there are others in pink or white.
No. 4: Geum, a reliable spring bloomer. I must love this plant as I have half a dozen varieties. Long blooming, sometimes repeating, it’s perfect for the edge of a perennial border. It forms a low mound of attractive foliage, sending up flowers on long, wiry stems. It will grow in most soil types, but it won’t like a place where the soil dries out for long spells.
No. 5: Echinacea, or coneflower. Who doesn’t love them? If there is a problem, it’s that there are so many varieties, and a few haven’t been the most reliable. The best one I’ve grown is the series called Cheyenne Spirit. I’ve had a bed of it for five years now, all easily grown from seed. It even produces a few offspring without any help from me.
No. 6: Coreopsis verticulata, or tickseed. This is a threadleaf coreopsis so named for its fine foliage. One of the easiest perennials to grow, it produces delicate, daisylike flowers and does so from early summer through to fall, making it one of the longest blooming perennials around.
No. 7: Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind.’ This is the grass that was named a plant of the year by the Perennial Plant Association. It’s a naturally occurring hybrid of a North American native and clearly a winner, as I’m seeing it used now in parking lot schemes, which is a nice change from day lilies.
No. 8: Hosta. What can I say? People love them, and I’m finally starting to. They’re easy to grow and the range is endless, including slug resistant varieties and ones that can handle a bit more sun.
No. 9: Eryngium planum, commonly called sea holly, is ideal for a sun-baked place in the garden. In summer it produces steel-blue, thistlelike flower heads and lots of them. It’s low maintenance and makes a fine cut flower, but not for a bouquet because it’s a bit too prickly to be anywhere near a wedding gown.
No. 10: Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Loraine Sunshine.’ The botanical name is a bit of a mouthful, so you can use the old common name of oxeye if you like; however, this one is a specific variety with yellow flowers and leaves that are almost white. Give it a place that isn’t too dry, and it will form a low clump to show off its unique foliage.
Now, if I was to make a list next week, it could well be one of entirely different plants and include a few that I haven’t grown yet. Don’t you just love lists? Images: https://flic.kr/s/aHskykXv6X.
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