Customer Service

All Season Perennial Garden

All Season Perennial Guide

Convallaria majalis

About:

Lily-of-the-Valley is native to cool, temperate areas in the Northern Hemisphere. It is very hardy and makes a carefree ground cover. The small bell-shaped flowers dangle above rich green foliage each spring and are wonderfully fragrant.

Planting:

Soak the “pips,” or bulbous roots, in lukewarm water for a few hours before planting. They will swell a bit from absorbing water, which will help them grow quicker when planted. Plant 8-12” apart in well-drained, rich soil in an area that receives part to full shade. Plant so the top of the pip is barely sticking out of the ground and the roots are spread out. Pack the soil firmly around the pips and water well.

Maintenance:

Keep soil moist, but not soggy. Prune off spent flower stalks. Feed twice a year with a general fertilizer, once in late spring and again mid summer. The plants will spread rapidly via underground stems called rhizomes, so use lawn edging if you wish to restrict growth.

Over-wintering:

Lily-of-the-Valley is quite hardy, but you can mulch around the plants to protect the root system during winter’s freezing and thawing cycles.

Phlox paniculata

About:

Phlox are in the Polemoniaceae, or Phlox, family and are native to the eastern U.S. They bloom over a long period in the summer and attract beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds. Ours is a mixture of white, magenta and pink blooming plants that will put out masses of fragrant flowers.

Planting:

Plant the crown, the place where the shoots and the roots meet, level with the soil surface and 18-24” apart in an area that gets full sun. Phlox can tolerate clay soils, but do best in fertile, well-drained soils. Water well after planting.

Maintenance:

Mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture. Deadhead (remove) spent flowers to prolong the bloom season and prevent the plants from self sowing. Phlox are susceptible to powdery mildew in areas with high humidity. To prevent this, avoid overhead watering. Water at the base of the plant and avoid soaking the foliage unnecessarily. Thin out plants periodically to promote good air circulation and avoid dense masses of stems. If mildew becomes a problem, spray with a sulfur-based fungicide, following the label instructions.

Over-wintering:

Phlox are quite hardy and should over-winter successfully. Mulch to protect the roots from winter’s freezing and thawing cycles.

Oxalis deppei

About:

The Good Luck Plant, also known as False Shamrock or Iron Cross, is in the Oxalis family. It is not a true clover. Clusters of rosy-pink flowers bloom over four-leaved clover-like foliage, with purple blotches in the center.

Planting:

Plant bulbs immediately or refrigerate (away from fruit) until ready to plant. Plant the bulbs 1-2” deep and 3-4” apart in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Unlike most oxalis, this one prefers full sun. Good Luck Plants may also be grown in containers.

Maintenance:

Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Keep soil barely moist.

Over-wintering:

The Good Luck Plant is tender and will only over-winter successfully in zones 8-10. In colder areas, the plants may be dug up before the first frost and brought inside to over-winter. Store in a cool, frost-free location and let the plants go dormant. If grown in containers, allow plants to go dormant when the leaves begin to yellow. This variety usually requires one month dormancy. When new foliage emerges, move to a sunny location and fertilize.

Helleborus niger

About:

Hellebores are in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, and are native to parts of the mountainous areas of Europe. They have large white, sometimes pinkish or lavender, cup-shaped flowers over dark green, leathery leaves. Although they have been used medicinally over the years, all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. The sap of the plants can also be irritating to skin. Use gloves when handling plants.

Planting:

Plant the crown, the place where the shoots and the roots meet, either level with or just below the soil surface in well-draining, moist, organic-rich soil. As hellebores have a deep-growing root system, plant the roots downward rather than fanning them out below the soil surface. Hellebores will not tolerate acidic soil, full sun or dry conditions. Plant where they will receive partial shade during the heat of the day and lay down a one-inch layer of organic mulch to retain soil moisture.

Maintenance:

Every spring, remove old foliage and feed the plants with a balanced fertilizer.

Over-wintering:

Hellebores are quite hardy and should survive the winter season just fine. Laying down a layer of mulch is recommended for added protection.