Baptisia 'Lemon Meringue' flowers up close
Baptisia, also called false indigo, is a shrub-like plant that does well in our hot and humid summers. Recent breeding efforts have expanded the range of flower colors creating a new look for an old favorite. I myself have been taken by two top performers according to Mt. Cuba Center’s 15-page report, Baptisia for the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Mt. Cuba Center’s Trial Garden, managed by George Coombs, research horticulturist, evaluates native plants and their related cultivars. From 2012 to 2015, staff evaluated 46 selections of Baptisia including representatives from 11 different species to determine which performs best in the mid-Atlantic region. Over 60 percent of the plants tested receive 4 or 5 stars. Among those, 10 superior cultivars outperformed the rest. Fortunately for me my two Baptisia cultivars are included in the ten.
Dutch Chocolate and Lemon Meringue
I have two Lemon Meringue and two Dutch Chocolate plants. I purchase them several years ago as small plants. Now in April, they are tall and just about to bloom. In the summer, they will be loaded with yellow or chocolate brown flowers. Although they look like shrubs, these plants are herbaceous perennials. I cut them back in the winter and in March, new growth emerges from the base. By summer, the plants grow to their mature height of about 3 feet high and wide, each year. The plants have pea-like flowers on tall spikes, similar to lupines, which emerge in April and are in full flower in May. In the fall, the dark brown pods can be left on the plant or used for dried flower arrangements. Baptisia plants are deer resistant, heat and humidity tolerant, and drought tolerant once established.
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Monday, April 27, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Now That You Have Seeds, Order Bulbs for Summer Blooms!
Many gardeners focus on obtaining seed in the spring to start their garden. Now that summer is around the corner, don’t forget to add summer-blooming bulbs such as alliums, cannas, crinums, dahlias, lilies, gladiolus, and iris to your garden. For interesting foliage, try caladiums, colocasias, and alocasias. Below is a short list of companies that sell bulbs in alphabetical order. For more, you can always google to see who carries your favorite or, see more companies on pegplant.com. Even Costco, faithfully carries great summer bulbs every spring (price is hard to beat), so if you are already food shopping there, check out their garden offerings also. PS you can't beat their containers, many made of recycled materials, for under $30.
Amaryllis and Caladium Bulb Company, Florida, has catalog and can order online. Sells amaryllis, caladiums, and spring and summer bulbs.
Brecks, Ohio, has a catalog and can order online, states that it ships bulbs directly from Holland
Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, Virginia, has a catalog, can order online, can visit display garden and shop in Gloucester, VA.
Dutch Grown, Pennsylvania, order bulbs online.
Easy to Grow Bulbs, California, can order online, no catalog. Sells bulbs, succulents, and houseplants.
John Scheepers Beauty from Bulbs, Connecticut, can order online and has catalog. Also has sister company Van Engelen for wholesale bulb orders and a sister company, Kitchen Garden Seeds, for vegetable, herb, flower seeds
Longfield Gardens, New Jersey, can order online but no catalog, sells bulbs and perennials
McClure and Zimmerman, Wisconsin, has a digital catalog and can order online, sells bulbs
Odyssey Bulbs, Massachusetts, online, no catalog, sells unusual bulbs and perennials
Old House Gardens, Michigan, can order online and has a print catalog, known for heirloom bulbs
RoozenGaarde and Washington Bulb Company, Washington, has a mailorder and internet division called Tulips.com. There is a retail gift shop in WA. Also ships flowers and promotes bulbs as wedding favors.
Telos Rare Bulbs, California, sells bulbs from South Africa, South America, and western U.S., online, no catalog
White Flower Farm, Connecticut, can order online and obtain catalog, wide range of bulbs, perennials, holiday plants, and gardening tools. Has display gardens and store in CT.
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