Tried and True

We’d like to draw your attention to some older varieties that have withstood the test of time, and are stalwart performers in the garden.  Certainly everyone loves to choose their favorite “new and exciting” variety from the season’s offerings, but often plants of great merit go unrecognized and unheralded.  Here we hope to show off a few of the “oldies-but-goodies”– plants that you can count on year after year.  The classics never go out of style!

Asclepias incarnata – Red Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed

Here is a native plant that will add more than good looks to the garden.  The flowers, of course, are the main feature, intricately shaped and dusky rose-pink.  They are heavily laden with nectar and pollen, attracting butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial insects.  Like many members of this family, Red Milkweed serves as a larval host plant for the Monarch butterfly.  We have watched many monarch larvae grow develop into butterflies, using Red Milkweed as the primary food source.  Mature plants can easily accommodate a large number of larvae without becoming debilitated by the munching, and there is nothing more rewarding than watching a new monarch emerge from its beautiful jewel-like chrysalis.  Red Milkweed is an easy-to-grow perennial, preferring moist soil and full sun to mostly sun.  It is tolerant of poorly drained and wetland sites.  The upright-growing plants can reach 3-5 ft tall

Liatris spicata ‘Floristan White’ – Floristan White Gayfeather

Why is it that people don’t use more white in their gardens?  In the clamor for color, we sometimes forget that white is the peacemaker that links all parts of the color wheel, allowing a smooth transition from one color scheme to another. White Gayfeather is one such perennial, making a statement on its own with its dramatic spike-like form, but never overpowering its neighbors. Liatris forms long-lived clumps, without much effort on the part of the gardener, asking only for sun and well-drained soil, and reaching a height of 3-4’.  The wand-like flower stalks make excellent cut flowers. Liatris is a mid-summer bloomer that attracts butterflies which feed in the nectar-rich flowers.  ‘Floristan White’ is a cultivar of the native Gayfeather.

Phlox paniculata ‘Laura’ – Laura Tall Garden Phlox

Year after year, ‘Laura’ is one of our top selling Phlox varieties.  Who can resist her lush saturated violet-purple color, accented with starry white eyes?  (And in our opinion, a perfect companion for the White Gayfeather!) Gardeners who want a traditional phlox (not a dwarf with oversized flowers and undersized plants) look to classic varieties like ‘Laura’ for substance and sheer flower-power in the garden.  ‘Laura’ is both floriferous and fragrant; nothing evokes summer memories better than the distinctive sweet scent of Phlox!  Planted in full sun in moist fertile soil, ‘Laura’ grows 36” tall and has better than average mildew resistance.  For best mildew control, maintain good air circulation around the plants, and thin the clumps when they become crowded.

Salvia nemerosa ‘May Night’ (Mainacht) – May Night Meadow Sage

This former Perennial of the Year (1997) is still one of our best selling perennials. The reason is simple: gardeners want plants that have a long flowering time, are easy to grow with no special cultural needs, require little to no maintenance, and have no disease or pest problems. There is no better candidate than Salvia ‘May Night’!  Coming into bloom about 2 weeks before most Salvia varieties, ‘May Night’ will also rebloom if spent flowers are removed.  Culture couldn’t be simpler: provide full sun and average soil, water while becoming established, and then let it be! The dark violet-blue flower spikes make a wonderful color foil for cool colors (pink Dianthus) or warm colors (Coreopsis or Gaillardia).  A winner in all respects!

Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’ – Common Toad Lily

This is a fool-proof plant that every gardener with a bit of shade should have!  With its intricately shaped, orchid-like blooms, it is sure to become a conversation piece, especially since it blooms in September and October when little else is in bloom.  Late to emerge in spring, Toad Lily grows quickly once the weather begins to warm, developing graceful, upright but arching 3’ stems of oval leaves arranged in ladder-like fashion.  Toad lilies prefer moist but well drained soil in full to partial shade, and make excellent companions to Hostas and Ferns.  The variety ‘Miyazaki’ has white flowers which are heavily spotted with purple.  Plant in a location where these unique flowers can be viewed up close!