The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

Category Archives: Perennials

Cleaning up the perennials

Posted on by Posted in Perennials, Spring .

It’s been rainy and cold for days now but there was work to be done out in the garden. Enough is enough. I’ve promised big things this year so every waking second is crucial. Even if it is was too wet to venture into the garden beds for fear of soil compaction, I could still take care of some important tasks.

One of the tasks was to start cleaning up the perennials I could easily reach and removing all of their dead foliage from seasons past. Here is some of what I accomplished:

PHLOX

We started with the pink Phlox that looked like this.
cut down perennials 5

And it was heart warming to see that they will be back again in 2015
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And will soon look like this.
phlox

 

VERONICA

The numerous Veronica ‘Royal Candles’ were left as is for winter.
cut down perennials 2

And each and every one of them fought of winter’s wrath and are ready to shine again.
cut down perennials

Like this.
veronica3

 

MONARDA

I enjoy the winter interest of spent Monarda (Bee Balm) blooms.
cut down perennials 7

And those tough as nails sons of bitches are back …
cut down perennials 8

… and willingly spreading wherever they please, even under this Clethra shrub.
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The pungent smell on my fingers after cutting the Monarda down have me longing for the early summer.
monarda3

 

GERANIUM

Current state of Geranium ‘Espresso’.
cut down perennials 10

And tiny proof that it is back for more.
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And “more” looks like this beauty.
geranium3

 

LADY’S MANTLE

The ratty looking Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla Mollis) ..
clean up perennials

… are now ready to strut their stuff.
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… and light up those shady areas.
lady4

 

HEUCHERA

Good to see Heuchera ‘Blackout’ is rounding into form.
cut down perennials 3

 

BUGBANE

Without a doubt, the perennial I am most excited to see perform this spring/summer is the Bugbane ‘Brunette’ (Cimicifuga). Two years in and I haven’t seen much but I am more than willing to remain patient for these beauties. I’m just psyched to see that it is back for a third spring and I’m convinced that the ladybug and earthworm below are signs of good luck.
cut down perennials 4

Along with other endless tasks, I’ll continue to plug away at cleaning up the perennials out in the garden the next few days and hopefully we’ll see some true spring weather soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

John

 

 

 

Lady’s Mantle – Alchemilla mollis

Posted on by Posted in Blooms, Foliage, Perennials .

I think it may be time to change the name of this blog to “Obsessive Baseball Fan Who Happens to Garden As Well”. Even when I attempt to create a post solely about one plant, I can’t prevent a baseball reference from sneaking its way in.  Maybe I still haven’t recovered from last week’s festivities. Or maybe, as a former NJ governor liked to say, “Gardening, baseball and you, pahfect tagetha” (you really should check out that prior link. It will have you immediately booking a vacation to NJ this summer.)

Every winning baseball team has its share of superstars. They are the players that grab the headlines, perform their best on the biggest stage and whose names are seen most often on the backs of fans shirts. Players like Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter and Darryl Strawberry come to mind with my unforgettable 1986 Mets. Or even Mike Piazza from those solid Metropolitan teams in the late 90’s/early aughts.

But superstars alone cannot get it done. You need those other players that do all the little things well; things that go unnoticed by many but what ultimately help wins championships. Those that move runners into scoring position with less than two outs. Those that knock the ball down and prevent doubles from turning into singles. They can’t all be stars, you need some of those unsung players as part of the winning formula. Guys like Wally Backman in 1986 or Todd Pratt in 1999 come to mind.

One of the Wally Backman’s in my garden today is Lady’s Mantle.
lady4

 

Alchemilla mollis rarely steals the show in the garden. Instead, It is that steady performing groundcover or edging plant that makes the garden whole. From the moment those leaves start to unfurl in spring, you know old reliable is back for another season.
lady2

 

Let me correct myself for one moment. There is a time when this perennial does truly “shine”. Sort of like when the utility infielder hits an unlikely walk off home run. And that is when Lady’s Mantle captures the rain droplets in spring.
lady's mantle

lady6

lady3

 

It is a photographer’s dream.

Beyond that, this plant provides a nice contrasting leaf shape to other perennials and shrubs from spring through fall. The chartreuse blooms, typically arriving in June, are a nice understated feature as well.
lady's mantle

lady

 

I have found it is best to trim off the spent flowers as soon as possible to keep this plant looking it best as summer approaches.
lady5

 

Some additional info for Alchemilla:

  • Survives in zones 3 – 8
  • Size typically maxes out at 1.5 ‘ x 2.5’
  • Can handle full sun (more on that in a minute to almost full shade)
  • Blooms in June here in zone 6B
  • Prefers a consistently moist soil
  • Has been reliably deer and rabbit resistant over the years

I currently have these as a groundcover in my back bed along the deck.
full3

 

As you can see below, Lady’s Mantle comes along pretty quickly in spring as evidenced by the “still no signs of life” ornamental grass sitting behind them.
ladys-mantle

 

I honestly thought I’d have more photos of these in mass, but they line the garden beds I’ve struggled with the most over the years so I’ve done a good job of hiding that from you all. Maybe this will be the year we step up to the big leagues (couldn’t resist).

The one negative/higher maintenance aspect of Lady’s Mantle is that it does require constant moisture. If not, this is what you may see.
lady-2527s-mantle-fall

 

Luckily for me, constant moisture isn’t much of a problem unless we have a real dry summer but keep in mind before purchasing Lady’s Mantle.

Until next time when I find a way to compare daffodils to relief pitchers.

Deer resistant perennials for wet soil

Posted on by Posted in Deer, How-to, Perennials .

A friend in town, who only recently became aware of this life changing blog, asked me for some plant recommendations. Oh shit. Typically I am not a fan of doling out plant advice because the pressure can become crippling.

If the recommended plant doesn’t survive, I’m scorned at the next basketball game.

If the suggested choice can’t be found at the local nursery, I’m no longer trusted and the kids aren’t invited to any more birthday parties.

But I’m putting it all on the line today.

Without fear.

I am that confident with the choices I’m about to offer up. The following perennials (staying away from grasses for now; he’ll have to buy me lunch first) are very specific to the conditions we have here in zone 6B New Jersey. Throw in deer and rabbits galore.  And a high water table which leads to very poor draining soil.

So my local homey, here are the top 7 perennials that I can vouch for based on my personal experience. Each has thrived for at least 5 years running and all show no signs of slowing down.

Click on the hyperlink for each plant name for additional info where applicable.

You are welcome in advance.

#1 – Joe Pye Weed – close to 6 feet tall, blooms are long lasting, attracts numerous critters  and looks good all the way into the fall.

joe pye weed

joe pye and miscanthus

 

#2 – Amsonia – the deer have never touched it, great bluish blooms in spring followed by fine textured foliage all summer. But Fall is when it shines with unbelievable colors ranging from yellow to orange.   

amsonia2

amsonia

amsonia

 

#3 – Astilbe – no critter has ever touched it, appreciates oodles of moisture, blooms in white and pink and red in late spring and the fern like foliage separates itself from others.   

astilbe2

astilbe3

 

#4 – Bee Balm – the scent keeps the deer at bay, the bees flock to it and the blooms last all summer and even into fall. I personally love the taller options which make their presence known in the garden.

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bee

 

#5 – Purple Coneflower – yes they are everywhere but it is still an oldie but goodie. Multiplies like mad so there is a full supply year to year. Consistent blooms without a care in the world.   

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moth3

 

#6 – Lobelia – cherishes the waterlogged soil and provides late summer blooms.

lobelia2

blue lob

 

#7 – Mountain Mint – not the showiest, but what a critter magnet. I could stand over these in bloom all day.

mint2

mint

We’ll talk again in spring dude but start doing your homework now if you want to continue to hang with me.

Favorite photos of 2014

Posted on by Posted in Blooms, Foliage, Ornamental grass, Perennials, Shrubs .

First off, I want to thank all of you for your kind comments on the last post and/or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Text. Each one made the sadness just a little bit more manageable and that was so appreciated by my family and me.

We are all still bumming big time over the loss of our Casey and the new “normal” thrust upon us. It is so painfully empty in the house. And damn I had no idea what slobs the kids are; the crumbs Casey disposed of are now piling up. She did an awesome job of covering up for them.

So while I don’t have the drive or want to write up a witty post or research a favorite perennial, I did have the need to look back through ALL of my garden photos from 2014 for an energy lift out of these doldrums.

I find it so easy to immerse myself right back into the bloom and foliage colors like it is the middle of summer.

If I had any sense of smell (note to self – surgery in 2015) I could smell those flowers like they were in the room with me.

I can physically feel the warmth of that time.

This all feels damn good right about now.

So here is the what I think is the best of the best.

onion3

 

hum5

 

ver2

 

peony buds

 

vib9

 

echinacea

 

garden

 

tomato2

 

grass

 

mt airy fothergilla

 

fog

 

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Amsonia Blue Ice – through the seasons

Posted on by Posted in Perennials .

Included below is a tour of Amsonia Blue Ice from my garden. It runs from May through September of this year.

I’ve included the actual dates each of the photos were taken to show the long season of interest for this native perennial.

Amsonia Blue Ice

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ – May 14th

 

Amsonia Blue Ice

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ – May 14th

 

Amsonia Blue Ice

Amsonia Blue Ice – May 25th

 

Amsonia Blue Ice

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ – June 3rd

 

Amsonia Blue Ice

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ with Dwarf Monarda – June 15th

 

Amsonia Blue Ice

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ – October 5th

Some notes about this perennial:

  • Averages 12″ in height
  • Averages 24″ in width
  • Hardy in zones 3-9
  • Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade
  • Blooms in late spring as noted above
  • Deer resistant
  • Native perennial
  • Trimming back after bloom creates a fuller plant later in the season

Veronica Royal Candles

Posted on by Posted in Perennials .

It is late September 2012 and I’m mourning the transition from summer to fall while I hum Taylor Swift’s “We are never getting back together”. I am in complete denial of the impending cold weather and in order to further facilitate that denial, I head online to find me some plant deals. The hunt for a bargain is always exciting and it allows me to dream of a better, warmer day.

One of the places I always check out is Santa Rosa Gardens. They are always good for some heavily discounted plants near the end of the gardening season. I have purchased a ton of ornamental grasses from them in September/October/November of each year with wild success.

On this day however, I find no grasses to my liking. But I am still desperate to acquire some new plants. After long deliberation, I remain calm and conservatively decide to buy a few bulbs. Nothing overly exciting but I still get off fantasizing about March/April blooms.

Right before I submit my order, I check out the “Bargain Bench” section one last time and without much thought, throw in an order of 6 plants at a super cheap price. To prove I’m not fibbing, you can see my actual order below.

santa

Those 6 “throw-in’s” were Veronica ‘Royal Candles’.

A plant I had zero experience with.

A plant I had never researched.

A plant I had no plan for in terms of location (shocking, I know).

A plant that didn’t necessarily work with my conditions.

And a plant of which I now own over two dozen.

veronica3

Isn’t that how it always works? The best plan is no plan at all.

After I received these 6 Veronica (Speedwell) through the mail, and in a move of desperation, I stuck them in the ground in a known wet spot just hoping they would miraculously survive the winter. Solid decision making there.

Not only did they survive the winter, they survived Hurricane Sandy only a few days after I planted them.  And they bloomed their little asses off that spring. I figured the rabbits or deer would eventually get them but they remained untouched all the way into fall.

Was it a stroke of a luck? I was leaning in that direction, so I didn’t touch them as we rolled into and through 2013. This would be the true test.

Sure enough, they kicked more booty and were once again OK with the waterlogged clay soil, the rabbits and the deer. I was hooked. Time to add a bunch more for that great punch of color.

veronica6

I found them dirt cheap at my local nursery this spring and purchased a few trays. I literally placed them everywhere at the front of my beds.

 

 

 

And all I’ve gotten in return is purple awesomeness and hosts of happy critters along the way.

ver

ver2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the complaints I’ve read about these perennials is how the blooms start to “brown up” from the bottom which takes away from the overall look of the blooms.

veronica1

While this is true, I’ve found that with a quick snip of the blooms, they are quick to recover, usually blooming again within two weeks.

veronica2

Yes, it is solely the blooms that make this plant interesting, but some times you simply want large bursts of color all at once and to date, this dwarf perennial has delivered the goods.

veronica

DSC_0107

A few additional notes on this Speedwell:

  • Prefers full sun, but I have most of mine in partial sun with outstanding results
  • Size maxes out at approximately 12″ x 18″
  • Survives in zones 2-9
  • Apparently easy to divide and I will test this out next spring

You’ll be sure to hear more about these from me in 2015 as together we’ll see if they hold up well in year 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Geranium ‘Espresso’

Eupatorium perfoliatum (American Boneset)

Posted on by Posted in Perennials .

I’ve been known to track all of the plants in my yard via spreadsheet, so one would think I could account for each and every one of them. That is usually the case, as I diligently add and subtract from said spreadsheet whenever I acquire or lose a plant along the way. Call me crazy, but it gives me peace of mind, a feeling of control and it looks frickin awesome.

Every once in a while, however, one slips through the cracks and I am genuinely shocked when I see a plant emerge that I had completely forgotten. That was the case recently when I found this bloom hiding behind other plants, completely out of view from just about every angle in my landscape:

That would be Eupatorium perfoliatum, commonly known as Boneset as I’ve learned after some fevered research. This perennial WAS in my spreadsheet but it got lost among all of the other Eupatoriums in the list (Yes, the spreadsheet is sorted first alphabetically by it’s botanical name and then by the particular cultivar). If my memory serves me correctly, I purchased this three years ago at a local native plant sale. I believe the tag line that pulled me in was “can handle flooded conditions”.

I had planted this in my mostly native and self seeding garden along my driveway and had forgotten about it. I assumed it had become toast like  so many others after one of our lousy winters. But after climbing through the garden to pull a weed, I noticed the whitish bloom and investigated further. Sure enough, she had survived and was thriving. You can see below that the Boneset was hiding behind a mass of Sneezeweed which shielded it completely from view:            

Of course, the next step now is to relocate it to a better location, understanding that it can reach as high as five feet tall and three feet wide. The blooms will clash badly with the yellow flowers of the Sneezeweed and we cannot have that under any circumstances.

I do love the shape of the leaves on this plant and the slightly reddish coloration:

And of course, the blooms attract a host of creatures:

Now I’ve got to go and update the spreadsheet indicating the exact date I first noticed it blooming.

You know you’re jealous.

Carex and Ajuga

Posted on by Posted in Perennials .

Somewhere in my past travels I saw a line of Carex (Sedge) planted within a mass of Ajuga (Bugleweed). I believe it was at Longwood Gardens but it could have easily been in a magazine or even a dream (no exaggeration here). Either way, I found the combination intriguing and vowed to attempt it myself.

I have oodles of Ajuga in my garden:

And I love me some Carex.

It didn’t take long for me to identify the area where I wanted to make the magic happen:

All that was left to do was to purchase the Carex. My go-to retailer when ordering grasses on-line is Santa Rosa Gardens. They always have grasses super cheap, especially in the middle of summer. The plan was to acquire around ten sedges as this vignette needed to make a statement.

Lo and behold, Santa Rosa came through yet again and I purchased ten Carex oshimensis ‘Ice Cream’ at $3.99 a pop (hop over to their site immediately, they only have four left in stock):

Once they arrived in the mail, I wasted no time and went to work; blazing hot sun and high temps be damned.

Step one was to dig out small plugs of the Ajuga:

Step two was to replace those plugs with the newly purchased Carex:

It didn’t take long before all were planted:

Step three was to transplant the cut out Ajuga plugs to other parts of the garden.

Step four was to heavily water all of these plants.

The final step is to now kick back and wait and see if this planting performs and actually looks any good.

Only time will tell.

Two new plants I’m digging