Some Shade

I don't feel like I have done the shade plants justice yet, so here goes:

Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbagoides) is a very versatile perennial. It does well in full sun but will also thrive in shaded areas with some sun. It makes a beautiful taller groundcover. The bright blue flowers will bloom most of the summer and the foliage blazes bright red in the fall.


We recently started growing Midnight Rose Coral Bells and have been very impressed with the unique color patterns on the leaves. The leaves are very dark purple with bright pink specks.



Most of the Hostas are done blooming and starting to die back, but Guacamole is still shiny and green, and the large white blooms smell so sweet. (see below)


Guacamole Hosta



Bugbane (Cimicifuga ramosa 'Atropurpurea') also has a very sweet fragrance.

September Charm Anemone has large, soft pink flowers that are blooming heavy right now.

Chocolate Chip Ajuga is a nice groundcover for shaded areas. The leaves are narrow and compact and the flowers bloom purple on spikes in the spring.

Fall Bloomers etc...

Pink Ripple Thyme is still blooming sporadically, but the plants are incredible (see below). They could easily pass for a 2 gal plant


Pink Ripple Thyme



Hummelo Stachys is a Lamb's Ear that is quite a bit different. It has very showy flowers and smooth, medium green leaves. This is another that is thriving and totally dwarfing the little 1 gallon pot.

Hummelo Stachys


Yet another low, groundcover-type perennial that is doing exceptionally well this year: Georgia Blue Veronica


New England Aster is blooming now (photos above and below). It is a native species which shows in the flower color variations.


New England Aster



Fireworks Goldenrod just keeps getting brighter and brighter. It has such a nice form and gorgeous shot of color for the fall.



Tall Sedum are really blooming nicely right now. Above: Matrona


Neon Sedum


Autumn Fire Sedum with Matrona and Neon in the background

Magnus Coneflower


Magnus Coneflower



Queen Anne's Lace Yarrow



Mystica Penstemon



Fireworks Goldenrod




Blue Mist Caryopteris



Blue Mist Caryopteris



Sweetbay Magnolia

Perennials

Coneflowers are blooming nicely right now, the taller orange variety is Sundown and the shorter variety to the left is Twilight.


Spiderwort is a beautiful and versatile perennial that can tolerate full sun or part shade. This is a golden leaf variety called Sweet Kate (also called Blue and Gold)



Neon Sedum is just starting to show color.



Matrona Sedum is in full bloom with pale pink flowers and purple/green foliage. (Above and below)

Perennial Photos

Here are some photos that have not been posted. All were taken this year at the nursery. Above: Rozanne Geranium


Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbagoides)



The 'East Gravel'
I love when the flower colors frame and comlpiment each other.


Palace Purple Coral Bells



Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium)



Marcus Meadow Sage.
This is a dwarf variety that stays compact and only get to about 12". The flower color is softer and more on the blue side compared with May Night.



Kamschaticum Sedum
We have recently started carrying flats of this variety and the one below.


John Creech Sedum



Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium)


Meadow Rue (Thalictrum flavum 'Glauca')



Red Carpet (Elizabeth) Sedum



Citronelle Coral Bells


Caramel Coral Bells



Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata)

Re-blooming Shrubs

Ok, now for the shrubs:


Leptodermis oblonga has been incredible. It looks similar to Common Lilac with lavender flowers and dark green foliage. The blooms are smaller clusters and the leaves are quite a bit smaller than Lilac, but it has bloomed the entire summer, and the leaves have held perfectly.



French Lace Weigelia was cut back several weeks ago and has rebloomed nicely. The foliage is bright green and soft yellow variegated, and frames the rich pink flowers nicely.



And now a sample of the roses. They are all still in full bloom:

New Dawn Climbing Rose has a large, pure white bloom.



So far the Drift Series has been living up to all of the claims. All of the varieties we carry have been blooming all summer and we have trimmed them up here and there only for a neater look in the pot. The faded blooms just fall off as the new buds emerge. They seem like a relatively maintenance free rose. The varieties we carry are Pink Drift (above), Red Drift, Coral Drift, and Peach Drift. They are all low-growing, compact groundcover roses.



The Carefree series have also worked well for us. Carefree Spirit is new for us this year and has a flower similar to Home Run with deep red petals and a pure white eye. It is a shrub rose and gets 4-5' X 4-5', but has small, shiny leaves.

Re-bloomers

Perennials just don't quit. Most can be cut back after flowering and will rebloom either as heavily as the first time or just sporadically. Here are some that are re-blooming right now here at the nursery:


Joan Senior Daylily still looks the same as it it did two months ago. It is so sweet with the soft yellow-green eye.



Rocky Top Coneflower (Echinacea tenneseensis) is quite a bit different from Purple Coneflower varieties. It has a beautiful, rose pink flower and softer foliage. Here at the nursery it has been more of a sporadic re-bloomer, but the foliage stays very nice.


Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnaris) has finely cut, soft green foliage and an adorable flower with a tall cone and reflexed ray flowers. The flowers vary in color from pure yellow to yellow with a deep red center to pure orange red.



Blue Loveliness Self Heal (Prunella) keeps suprising me every year. It is still as covered in blooms as it was in spring. It will keep blooming through the summer, but benefits removal of spent flowers; it will have a cleaner look and even more stunning purple flower clusters.



Raspberry Swirl Dianthus has been cut back and is blooming again right now. The flowers are few but the foliage still looks amazing.




Fire Star Dianthus is another Dianthus that is reblooming nicely right now.