Green Thumb Corner

The Daylily Pygmy Plum, Hemerocallis 'Pygmy Plum' (Moldovan, '90), has large edge ruffled blooms that are plum colored with a small lemon green throat on semi-evergreen foliage. Pygmy Plum will bloom for in June and July and is a constant rebloomer. It can survive harsh conditions that many other plants can not and prefers full sun for the best performance.Daylilies are some of the easiest plants to grow and are a good choice for any gardener. They will grow in almost any soil and handle drought to wet soil conditions. Use for stand alone plantings, edging, in borders or in mixed containers and tubs.

The Dianthus Pixie Star, Dianthus 'Pixie Star' (PPAF), has vibrant pink flowers with a dark red eye with evergreen grey-green foliage. This plant blooms from spring through Fall an will have lots of blooms if continually deadheaded. It is truly a great addition to any perennial garden and is a favorite as a border plant or in containers.

The Dianthus Strawberry Sorbet, Dianthus 'Strawberry Sorbet' (PPAF), has dark red flowers with pink splotched petals and a matching pink edge on blue-green foliage. This plant blooms from spring through Fall an will have lots of blooms if continually deadheaded. It is truly a great addition to any perennial garden and is a favorite as a border plant or in containers.

The Hosta Blue Umbrellas, Hosta 'Blue Umbrellas', is one of the largest of the blue shaded hosta's. It has huge blue-green leaves that are cupped downward like an unbrella. The pale lavender flowers of this fast growing hosta appear in June, however, hosta's are not known for their flowers. Hosta's provide bright color in shade with wonderful foliage and Blue Umbrellas is no exception. Blue Umbrellas performs best if planted in full shade but will tolerate some direct sun. Plant in any moist and well-drained spot. Blue Umbrellas has excellent slug resistance. This low care perennial is ideal for shady positions, tubs and patio pots, and is one of the most popular landscape plants. A great choice for any beginner gardener.

The Iris 'Butter and Sugar', Iris siberica, has creamy white butter-yellow flowers with greenish yellow veins. Blooming from late spring into summer, it has a plant height of 28" and a spread of 18-24" Iris 'Butter and Sugar' is one of the most easily grown Iris'. Iris 'Butter and Sugar' prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate some afternoon shade. This Iris needs plenty of water throughout the season to continue to looks its best. The Iris 'Butter and Sugar' has many uses. Best used around pools, ponds and water gardens, and for mass plantings. It can also be used in difficult banks and preventing erosion. They also make magnificent cut flowers and are resistant to deer.

The Iris Tiger Honey, Iris x germanica 'Tiger Honey' is a fragrant reblooming bearded iris that has yellow flowers with streaks of white in the petals. With a velvety texture and beautiful sword-shaped foliage, it has a plant height of 32" Tiger Honey blooms in the spring and then again in the fall. It prefers average, well-drained soil. Tiger Honey prefers full sun, but will tolerate a little afternoon shade. It will make a great addition around pools, ponds and water gardens, and for mass plantings. It can also be used in difficult banks and preventing erosion. They also make magnificent cut flowers and are resistant to deer.

The Salvia 'Plumosa', Salvia nemorosa, has glowing purple stems loaded with deep, double purple flowers that bloom from June to October. With its gray-green basal leaves and aromatic foliage, it makes an attractive accent all summer long. It has a plant height of 18" and a spread of 18-24" and stays in excellent compact form. Salvia 'Plumosa' should be planted in full sun in a moist well-drained area. To increase bloom time, it should be cut back after the first bloom. 'Plumosa' is a magnet for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds and is deer-resistant. It is hardy for container gardening and provides excellent cut flowers. Blooms look wonderful next to Sedum 'Matrona', Achillea 'Coronation Gold' and Saliva 'Snow Hill'.

The Heuchera 'Plum Pudding', Heuchera x 'Plum Pudding', also known as a Coral Bell and Alumroot, has unique pewter gray and silver foliage with undercurrents of deep purple. In the spring time, small green and maroon flowers appear that last into the summer, however, Coral Bells are not known for their flowers, but their foliage. 'Plum Pudding' has a plant spread of 18-24" and a height of 12" It is best to grow 'Plum Puddings' in medium wet, well-drained soils, in full shade. (It can tolerate some morning sun.) 'Plum Pudding' looks especially good around the edge of borders, near variegated plants, woodland edges, rock gardens, perennial borders, or in mass to form an attractive ground cover. Great for a beginner gardener.

The Geranium Jolly Bee, 'Pelargonium', a Proven Winners selection, has rich, deep-blue flowers with white eyes that bloom from June till August. With its beautiful dark green foliage, it has a plant width of 12" and a height of 8-12" 'Jolly Bee' needs to be cut back in early summer for repeat bloom time in the fall. 'Jolly Bee' Geranium, being drought tolerant, needs a full sun area with some shade in the afternoon.For best results, plant in a dry to moist area in a well-drained site. The Geranium family is well known for its stunning fall colors that include reds, oranges, and yellows. It is a superb plant for cottage gardens, container growing, borders or informal borders in mass plantings. There is an attaction to bees and butterflies and it is very disease and deer resistant. A great plant for a beginner gardener.

The Hibiscus 'Aquarian', is one of the most unique Hibiscus in the Fleming series. It has wonderful 12" lavender pink flowers with spoon-shaped, purple casted leaves. It is one of the shorter Hibiscus, standing 3' in height. The Flemings names this Hibiscus after the song 'Age of Aquarias'. It is best to plant this Hibiscus in a full sun area and it will tolerate most soil types. 'Aquarian' looks wonderful with grasses, as a background plant or with Hibiscus 'Old Yella' and Hibiscus 'Torchy'. (PPAF)

The Hibiscus 'Crown Jewels', is the smallest of the Flemings series. With a plant height of 2' and 10" blooms, it is one not to miss. The creamy white flowers have red centers and dark violet 'maple-cut' leaves. All of these features make it one of the finest. 'Crown Jewels' took over 20 years to develop and refine the species and one can see why. It is best to plant this Hibiscus in a full sun area and it will tolerate most soil types. 'Crown Jewels' looks wonderful with grasses, as a background plant or with Hibiscus 'Old Yells' and Hibiscus 'Torchy' or as an alternative plant to Hibiscus 'Disco Belles'. (UPSS 11,857 P2)

The Hibiscus 'Dream Catcher', stands 4' in height and bears a 12" flower that is extremely unique from all other Hibiscus on the market today. Its pale pink, quilted flowers remind one of a soft pillow and is aptley named. 'Dream Catcher' also has maple-cut leaves with purple shades throughout the growning season. It is best to plant this Hibiscus in a full sun area and it will tolerate most soil types. 'Dream Catcher' looks wonderful with grasses or as a background plant. (PPAF)