Category Archives: Perennials

Forget-Me-Not

April 28, 2013 – 1:58 pm

Every morning for the past month (and their still blooming strong) I have been greeted by a bench full of bright sky blue flowers with bright sunny yellow centers.  I love Forget-me-nots for their long lasting spring bloom and for all the little bouquets I have picked of them over the years.  There’s nothing better to fill a mayday basket or planter with.  Here’s some dirt on Forget-me-nots:

 

Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens

Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens

 

Myosotis sylvatica

Forget-Me-Not

Forget-Me-Nots are biennial flowers.  If you want to have Forget-Me-Nots coming up next year it is important that you allow the plants to reseed as the original plant will not come back until the third year.  Forget-Me-Nots aren’t picky about their soil but they do like a little bit of moisture.  They make themselves at home in rain gardens, along stream banks, perfect for a low spot in the garden where it stays moist longer after a rain, or near the end of the down spout.  They are deer and rabbit resistant and grow quickly.  Full sun to part shade.

 

Blog compliments of Heidi Brosseau

 

 

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Sneak Peak – Euphorbia

March 3, 2013 – 2:33 pm

Euphorbia epithymoides ‘First Blush’ PP15292 COPF  12” Tall x 12-16” Wide

‘First Blush’ Euphorbia creates a softness to perennial beds and borders with tricolor foliage.  The bright green leaves have wide cream margins that “blush” a bright rose-pink from spring into summer.  I think the reason for all that blushing must have something to do with the brilliant yellow bracts that surround the rosy flower buds in early spring.

First Blush

Euphorbia ‘First Blush’
Photo courtesy Walters Gardens

 Did the demure beauty of ‘First Blush’ strike your fancy?

Our next Euphorbia is likely to strike a match!

 Euphorbia polychroma ‘Bonfire’ PP18585 COPF  18” Tall x 36” Wide

Bonfire

Euphorbia ‘Bonfire’
Photo courtesy Walters Gardens

Heat up your beds with ‘Bonfire’ Euphorbia!  In spring the foliage is a blazing combination of deep purple, red, and orange with a chartreuse singe above green undergrowth.  Late spring throws another log on the fire as vivid yellow bracts ignite the whole plant and burn, I mean bloom for weeks.  And there’s “s’more”, at the peak of summer the top growth matures to a warm burgundy followed by a smoldering red in the fall.  That inferno of color makes this one of the most colorful Euphorbias to date!

Here’s the dirt on Euphorbia…

Euphorbia does well in full sun to part shade.  They like plain old average garden soil and aren’t considered high water users but do appreciate regular watering during dry spells.  They are deer and rabbit resistant and are great plants for container, cottage, rock and eclectic gardens.

 Thanks Heidi for another great Sneak Peek!!!

 

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A Sneak Peek at Hardy Ice Plant

March 3, 2013 – 2:13 pm

Heidi’s Sneak Peak – Delosperma, Hardy Ice Plant

This unique perennial covers ground with a mat of succulent, bright green, needle-like leaves that become the perfect background for a vibrant carpet of brightly colored daisy style flowers in summer.  Zone 4 hardy varieties like ‘Table Mountain’, ‘Lavender Ice’ and ‘Red Mountain’ are fun and eclectic additions to perennial gardens with well-drained soil, and are excellent performers in rock gardens.  Less hardy varieties like ‘Fire Spinner ™’ and cooperi fill out readily and make awesome low maintenance annuals here in Minnesota.  So perfect in terracotta pots on patio tables and planters, or out on a sunny deck where things dry down quickly.  Many mistake them for sedums before they start blooming.  Then, once the flowers begin to open, I have people asking me if they’re real.  The colors are so vibrant and the blossoms are so perfect I can understand why they ask.  Here are the varieties we will have available for the 2013 growing season:

Delosperma dyeri ‘Red Mountain’     Produces glowing burnished-red flowers.   2-3” Tall x 12-24” Wide, Zone 4-8

Delosperma ‘Lavender Ice’ is just that  Frosty orchid-lavender flowers.  2-3” Tall x 12-24” Wide, Zone 4-8

Delosperma ‘Table Mountain  Bright fuchsia flowers  2-3” Tall x 12-24” Wide, Zone 4-8  

Delosperma cooperi   Blooms fluorescent pink.  4-6” Tall x 12-24” Wide     Zone 6-9

Delosperma ‘P001S’, Fire Spinner ™’ Petals start white in the center and graduate from fuchsia to red to bright orange on the ends.  2-3” Tall x 12-24” Wide, Zone 5-8

Photos courtesy Garden World and Walters Gardens.

Here’s the dirt on Delosperma…

Delosperma thrive in full sun, and well-drained, gravely or average soils.  They are deer resistant and drought tolerant once established.  These succulent groundcovers range in height from 2-6” and spread to about 12-24” wide.  Enjoy their low water needs!

 

 

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Heidi’s Sneak Peak – Phlox

February 8, 2013 – 12:21 pm

Since Valentine’s Day is coming I wanted to “Peek” about something that’s sweet!  So here’s a selection of delectable treats great for the garden, now isn’t that neat!

First Editions® Phlox paniculata…Bubblegum Pink™, Coral Crème Drop™, Cotton Candy™, and Grape Lollipop™!

Well, it may be too cold here in Minnesota to box these up and give them to your sweetheart February 14th, but in just a couple more months they’ll be ready to GrOw!  These First Editions® won’t actually curb any sweet tooth cravings, butterflies and hummingbirds on the other hand will never seem to tire of this favored food source.  It’s a dessert tray of, “The most mildew resistant phlox to date.”  and was introduced by Bailey Nurseries along with Plant Introductions Inc.  Four varieties of hardy upright garden phlox will treat you to months of delicious fragrance and a feast of color in the summer garden.

Bubblegum Pink really pops with clusters of perfectly pink flowers, each accentuated by a dark pink eye.

Coral Crème Drop will melt your heart batting the rosy eyes of its lovely coral blooms.

Grape Lollipop will stick out as a tasty grape-color with striking red eyes.

And you’ll be stuck on Cotton Candy’s soft lavender-pink flowers with cotton candy centers.

Well, how did I do?  Did Cupid’s Arrow strike?  Well, if so, then here are a few more specifics on each variety.  Including pictures for your nightstand and all the “language of love” and secret code words that go along with them.  Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Phlox paniculata want full sun and good air circulation.  An exposed planting site like this will help prevent issues with disease.  The 4 varieties we have highlighted here are considered, “The most mildew resistant phlox to date.”  However, under confined, damp, excessively humid or shaded conditions powdery mildew could still take hold and become a problem.  This is not a plant you want the sprinkler overhead watering every night.  They can grow in a wide range of soils provided they are well drained.  Measurements:  18-22” Tall x 18-24” Wide.  Hardiness zones 4-8

First Editions® Bubblegum Pink™ Phlox; Phlox paniculata ‘Ditomfra’ PP21,171; First Editions® Coral Crème Drop™ Phlox; Phlox paniculata ‘Ditomdre’ PP20,907; First Editions® Cotton Candy™ Phlox; Phlox paniculata ‘Ditomfav’ PP21,369; First Editions® Grape Lollipop™ Phlox; Phlox paniculata ‘Ditomsur’ PP21,109

Photos courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

6358-1_PhloxpanCandyStoreCottonCandyPPAF.jpg

First Editions Cotton Candy Phlox

6359-1_PhloxpanCandyStoreBubbleGumPinkPPAF.jpg

First Editions Bubblegum Pink Phlox

First Editions Coral Creme Drop Phlox

First Editions Coral Creme Drop Phlox

First Editions Grape Lollipop Phlox

First Editions Grape Lollipop Phlox

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By Deb Knecht | Comments (0)

Perennials with Fall Color

October 3, 2012 – 2:59 am

Perennials with great fall foliage!

Take a fall color tour of your landscape or garden.  Do you find an area that lacks in late season interest or color.   I’m not just talking flowers, mums, sedums, and asters, are well known and amazing but there are a few perennials that tend to be overlooked each autumn.  These selections are spring and summer bloomers that really do double duty by showing off amazing fall foliage as our nights get longer. 

Hardy Cranesbill (Geraniums) like ‘Johnson’s Blue’, ‘Rozanne’, ‘Bevan’s Variety’ and ‘Biokovo’ bloom profusely in shades of pale pink, violet and blue all summer long above low spreading clumps of aromatic foliage.  Then, hardy geraniums turn up the heat for fall, their leaves become bright orange and red.

Hardy Cranesbill are tolerant of a wide range of soil types from heavier clay to sandy loam.  They do well in full sun to part shade.  Mature height and width will vary by variety. 

Red Leafed Mukdenia   Muk What?  Mukdenia is a unique perennial with some impressive attributes.  Shiny green, fan shaped leaves show off starry white flowers in spring and add lovely texture throughout the growing season.  As the season progresses a deep red begins to creep inward from the edges of the leaves which finally become a head turning fire red in fall.  Part shade, 8-12” Tall.

Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum Variegatum) – 2013 Perennial Plant Associations’ Plant of the Year

The arching stems of Variegated Solomon’s Seal support dangling white bell flowers underneath a ladder of bright green variegated leaves edged in white.  Graceful and elegant in the shade it makes a wonderful companion plant to hosta and ferns.  With fall Variegated Solomon’s Seal turns bright gold.  An excellent addition to the shaded perennial border or woodland garden.  Part to full shade, 18-24” Tall.

Blue Star (Amsonia) – 2011 Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of the Year

Blue star flower clusters bedazzle the stems of this hardy native in May and June.  Needle-like or willow shaped leaves line the stems and form compact clumps that turn a brilliant golden yellow in the fall.  Tolerant of wet soils but does not require it.  Deer resistant.  Easy to grow and low maintenance.  Full sun to part shade, Size varies by variety.

Pig Squeak (Bergenia)

Waxy, evergreen cabbage-like leaves have a unique leathery appearance.  An absolute favorite of mine for a tough groundcover.  In spring violet red flower clusters emerge on stocky red stems.   The waxy leaves (which do squeak like a pig when you rub them) turn reddish-bronze.  Absolutely stunning planted with Amsonia.

Will grow just about anywhere.  Full sun to full shade.  Deer and rabbit resistant but attractive to butterflies.

12-15” Tall

Bowman’s Root (Gillenia)

Lacy, star-like white flowers on maroon stems seem to flutter above clumps of low green foliage in summer.  This eastern and southern U.S. native produce a lovely airy effect that turns buff and then deep bronze in the fall.  The flowers are followed by unique seed heads that add winter interest.  Very easy to grow,  Full sun to part shade.  24-36” Tall

Thanks to Heidi Brosseau for this post!

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Perennial of the Year | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Autumn Bride Heuchera

October 2, 2012 – 6:41 am

Heidi Brosseau – our retail manager – submits the following blog.

Coral Bells ‘Autumn Bride’

Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’    “White coral bells, upon a slender stalk”

When September rolls around ‘Autumn Bride’ Heuchera comes into bloom and I can’t help but hum the tune that reminds me of car rides with mom and singing rounds at the campfire.   The bright green/chartreuse fuzzy leaves of ‘Autumn Bride’ produce mounds of disease free foliage on hardy plants.  In September the fountains of pure “white coral bells upon slender stalks” bloom abundantly until frost and make lovely cut flowers.   They are deer resistant and make wonderful accent plants, tolerant of sunny locations but best in part shade with loamy, slightly acidic soils.  Heuchera in general are easy to grow perennials, long lived and low maintenance.  Mature size of ‘Autumn Bride’ is 18-24” tall and wide.

As the lyrics of the song suggest Lilies of the Valley with their dark green foliage and spring blooms do make nice companion plants for ‘Autumn Bride’.  We also recommend Hosta, Astilbe and Brunnera which will also produce foliage texture and color contrast as well as overlapping bloom times.

After all these years I still haven’t heard them ring.  Maybe Belinda in her fairy wings could help with that!

“White Coral Bells upon a slender stalk.  Lilies of the Valley deck my garden walk.  Oh don’t you wish that you could hear them ring?  That will only happen when the fairies sing.”

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Fall Color | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Awesome Asters and Autumn Joy Sedum

September 20, 2012 – 7:57 pm

When you mention fall perennials and annuals – the first thing that crosses most people’s thoughts are Mums.  We do have a nice supply of Mums still available – however – it’s the Asters that are now stealing the show!

Asters are a super hardy fall perennial – growing from 12″ to 24″ tall depending on the variety and most asters come in pinks, blues to purple.  Pictured here is the  Purple Dome Aster that we have growing here at the nursery on the hillside now for many years.

The beautiful purple color provides a pop of color to your perennial bed.  Partnered with sedums and ornamental grasses – it will give some tired beds new life for fall!

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Fall Color | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Chelone – Turtlehead

September 4, 2012 – 10:06 am

Are you looking for another great fall blooming perennial?  Chelone (pronouced chee-LOW-nee) or also known as Turtlehead might just be for you!  We have it in several placed in our shade gardens and it is now coming into bloom and is just gorgeous.  The foliage color on these plants is such a deep vibrant green and adorned with the lovely pink flowers – it is really a nice “perk” this time of the year when so many things are fading or have faded.

They are robust, moisture-loving perennials and their blossoms look a little “inflated”.   They resemble the head of a turtle with it’s mouth open – probably where the name came from!  The dried seed clusters once the flowers are gone are also very atractive. 

These plants are hardy here in Zone 4 – and will grow to about 2 feet tall.  They will spread a little – but they don’t overtake an area.  You can use them as a specimen plant or in the background as a border.  Companion plants include Joe-Pye weed, asters, and Japanese anemone.

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Fall Color | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Suddenly Sedums

August 23, 2012 – 10:50 am

 

‘Carl’ Sedum

A week ago I gazed impatiently at the sedum saying to myself, “It can’t be much longer”.  Their flower buds were still tightly closed and barely showing color.  Suddenly, something changed!  I rounded the corner this morning to a radiant display of deep red buds opening to vivid pink, and rose-burgundy flowers.  The thick, leathery texture of the sedum foliage creating a dense backdrop for their brilliant flower clusters. Upright varieties like ‘Garnet Brocade’ and ‘Red Cauli’ grow into 12-15” tall plants of succulent, deep burgundy foliage and dark rose-pink to red-burgundy flowers.  ‘Maestro’ Sedum tops out around 24-30” and has more of a burgundy blush to the leaf which, when paired with its rose pink flowers creates an absolutely stunning display!  A green leaved variety, ‘Carl’ has vibrant pink flowers borne on strong 18-24” stems.  Another real beauty is a variety called ‘Lidakense’.  It is different from the varieties that I have mentioned above in that it has a lower spreading habit.  At only 8-10” tall ‘Lidakense’ produces amazing mounds of purple-grey succulent leaves with intense pink starry flowers.  Sedums are a very popular perennial due to their hardiness and low maintenance.  They prefer well drained soil and once established are drought tolerant.  Once blooming the sedums become butterfly magnets adding even more appeal to these already amazing plants. Excellent in rock gardens and along the perennial border sedums pair well with asters, mums, grasses, rudbeckia or hydrangeas.

 

Heidi Brosseau – our retail manager – submitted this blog post.

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Fall Color | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Minnesota Hardy Mums are Here!!

August 13, 2012 – 1:32 pm

Now is the perfect time to dress up your tired or fried baskets and planters or add some late season color to your landscape or perennial border.  Our fall favorite here at Knecht’s are the Minnesota hardy mums! These dense, compact varieties offer an assortment of colors ranging from yellows, rusts and reds to purples, pinks and creams.  Pair them with ornamental or perennial grasses, asters, sedums and ornamental kale for a truly spectacular fall display!  After you’re through decorating with your hardy mums you can plant them into the garden or landscape to be enjoyed for years to come. When planting things like hardy mums or other fall blooming perennials be sure to take the time to mulch them well before winter gets underway to protect their unestablished root systems. You betcha this will help insure good survival through their first Minnesota winter!

 

 

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By Deb Knecht | Also posted in Annuals, Fall Color | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Butterfly Gardening

July 15, 2012 – 8:22 pm

Rudbeckia Goldsturm

Today, as I was walking through our perennial sales deck – you almost had to duck for cover from all of the butterflies flying around!   What fun!

Butterfly Gardening

The monarchs, swallow tails and the red painted lady butterflies were everywhere.   Gardening with butterflies in mind presents endless possibilities for different plants with all different sizes and colors.  Pictured here are just a few of the many choices available.  Butterfly gardening is more than just the plants.  Butterflies like shelter – water – and places to sun themselves.  Check out our Butterfly Gardening page under our Plants Tab.

 

g ‘Lord Baltimore’ Hibiscus

Goldsturm Rudbeckia ranks right up to the top in my favorite perennials.  It has just started blossoming and will continue to blossom right up until frost.  It will self seed and fills out a perennial bed beautifully.  Preferring full sun – however – we have two different areas (in our gardens – in half day or more shade) and they are amazing.

Hibiscus – that’s your tall perennial either in the middle of a circle bed or in the rear of the garden.   Perennial Hibiscus are one of the last perennials to appear in the spring.  Typically, they won’t wake up until the end of May.  Be sure to apply a layer of mulch around the crown after we have an inch or two of frost in November.

The Garden Phlox – beautiful plants – in such an assortment of colors.   These plants also want full sun.   These are more of a medium sized perennial – 24″ on the average.

‘Cotton Candy’ Garden Phlox

 

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The Dazzle of Daylilies

June 29, 2012 – 8:36 am

The Dazzle of a Daylily (by Heidi Brosseau)

 When I decided to write a blog about Daylilies I had a hard time deciding which varieties to spotlight.  Should I talk about the varieties you see everywhere?  Stressing their reliability, and vigor? Or, perhaps I’ll blog about the less common hybrids, which also produce the same popular, low maintenance, and easy to grow plants. 

How to choose?  Well a walk through the daylilies decided it for me.  On my stroll I was dazzled by three amazing varieties and here they…

 

‘Return a Smile’ from the Designer Daylily series.  These vigorous plants are smiling away just waiting for you to smile back at their incredible floral display. Mauve pink flowers with deep wine purple eye and yellow-green throat start blooming early to midsummer and rebloom throughout the growing season.  The lovely petals are slightly ruffled around their edges adding to its beauty and charm.  26” Tall

‘Woodside Romance’ from the Designer Daylily series.  Large, fragrant, “diamond dusted”, rose pink flowers have strongly ruffled petal edges.  These show stoppers produce up to 30-35 buds on each scape creating a long season of bloom!  One of the most lovely of all the daylilies as far as I’m concerned.  27” Tall

 

‘Primal Scream’ from Proven Winners.  I have seen a lot of interesting plant names but when you take a look at the huge 8” screaming orange, golden dusted flowers on these plants you’ll agree with me that this one lives up to its name.   It’s an award winner and you will quickly see why with its unique, slightly twisted, ruffle edged petals.  I don’t think anyone could walk by this one without a second look!  34” Tall

 Daylilies are tough adaptable plants that benefit from division every 3-4 years.  Full sun will get you the best floral display but they will grow great in part shade as well.

 

 

 

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June 21, 2012 – 12:49 pm

Culver’s Root ‘Apollo’  – Veronicastrum virginicum

Nuts about Natives?  This perennial’s for you!

Culver’s Root ‘Apollo’ is a hardy, low maintenance native perennial providing a stately addition to the back of the perennial border, as a specimen in wildflower plantings, or in sunny rain gardens.  Pinkish-lilac flower spikes rise above the clean foliage in midsummer creating tall well-defined plants.  A wonderful selection for cutting gardens, dead head to lengthen the bloom.  Attractive to birds and butterflies. 

Grows well in any good, well-drained soil.  Regular watering will produce the best display.  Plant in Full sun.  Grows to 40” Tall

 

Bee Balm ‘Coral Reef’  Monarda ‘Coral Reef’ PP16741 CPBRAF

Vivid coral pink spider like flowers are in full bloom right now attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and bees by the hundreds!  A true attention grabber Coral Reef is taking center stage right now in the sun perennial department of the nursery and just about every cart leaving has at least one on it seems.  Monarda makes a wonderful addition to sunny perennial beds, wildflower gardens, and cutting gardens.  The spicy fragrance of the foliage is enjoyable planted near seating areas as well.  Blooms in summer, dead head regularly to extend the bloom.  Excellent paired with Garden Phlox, Veronicastrum, Liatris and Heliopsis. 

Grow in moderately moist, well-drained soil and full sun.  Grows to 36” Tall

This post was submitted by Heidi Brosseau – our retail manager.

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Ramblin’ Red Rose

June 8, 2012 – 7:20 am
Ramblin’ Red Rose

The Ramblin’Red Rose.  Wow!   This climber – a seedling of the Henry Kelsey climbing rose is an outstanding red rose.  Producing full, double 3″-4″ flowers born in small clusters on strong well thorned stems.  Hardy to Zone 4.

This is my climbing rose which we have in front of our garage.  It’s been growing here for the last 4 seasons and this year, has been awesome.  This picture was taken during Memorial Day weekend – all of these blooms before June 1st!
The first year or two, we did have some winter die-back on the stems, but last year and this – virtually none.  It is a repeat bloomer and shows good disease resistance.  The blossoms are slightly fragrant.   In the fall, after it has gone dormant, I apply a layer of mulch around the bottom, but that is all I do for extra care.  We prune the canes back a little bit but that’s its.  An easy to care for rose – and pictures say a thousand words – Beautiful!
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Great Groundcovers

May 25, 2012 – 10:07 am

Are you in need of a perennial groundcover?    Heidi Brosseau, our retail manager, is featuring 3 groundcovers.

1)  Snow-in-Summer ‘Silver Carpet’ – Cerastium tormentosum – A silver carpet of petite leaves covers itself in late spring and early summer with a blanketing of white flowers.  It grows 3″ tall by 15″ wide and will fill in quickly.

2)  ‘Summer Daze’ Prunella – a Prunella hybrid.   This vig0rous groundcover blooms all summer long creating a carpet of clean foliage and dainty pink flowers.  Versatile and reliable, it will tolerate hot dry conditions once established.  An excellent selection for erosion control on steep banks and rough slopes.  It grows 12″ tall and wide – and can be grown in full sun to part shade.

3)  Pachysandra – Japanese Spurge.  A versatile groundcover that always looks great.  Dense green foliage creates a classic groundcover for shady borders, under trees and along north facing structures.  Sweetly fragrant white flowers bloom in early spring to a height of 8″-12″.  These plants will fill in an area and stay looking great even into the late fall.  They prefer moist well drained soil and part to full shade.

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