Name |
|
Genus/Species | Iris ensata |
Family | Iridaceae |
Type | Rhizome |
Aka | Russian Iris, Japanese Flag, Iris kaempferi |
Origin | Japan, northern China to eastern Russia |
General | Lovely colour in the water gardens |
Use | Water gardens |
Attract | Bees |
Zones | 1 - 10, 14 - 24 |
Sun | Full sun to partial sun, tolerates total shade |
Water | Constant to ample |
Soil | Light soil or place in pot, cover with rocks and place in water |
Plant | If in soil, plant in fall with neutral soil and plenty of water |
Size | 4' by 4' |
Leaf | Long swords |
Flower | Purple and yellow flat singles, doubles available |
Bloom | Middle of April |
Seeds | Seed pods |
Feed | Does not like alkaline soil or water |
Prune | Cut back after bloom |
Prop | Division, seeds |
Notes: | First year of seeds, supposedly does not grow true to parent |
Pests | Snails |
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Name |
|
Genus/Species | Hedera helix |
Family | Araliaceae |
Type | Perennial evergreen vine |
General | Classic ivy |
Use | Good wall covering, ground cover |
Attract | Bees, birds |
Zones | 3 - 24 |
Sun | Full sun to part sun |
Water | Moderate |
Soil | Average |
Plant | Excellent wall covering |
Size | To 15' or longer |
Leaf | Five lobed dark green with veins |
Flower | Clusters of green flowers then black berries |
Bloom | Spring to summer |
Seeds | black berries that drop and reseed |
Feed | Standard if any, high nitrogen when first planting |
Prune | Chop away as needed, needs severe cleaning out every so often |
Prop | Seeds will sprout readily, tranplants well |
Notes: | Not as vigorous as Algerian Ivy, but still a fast grower |
Birds love the berries, and will nest in a high, well established wall | |
Pests | Rats will nest under ivy if allowed |
Name | Jupiter's Beard |
Genus/Species | Centranthus ruber |
Family | Valerianaceae |
Type | Perennial |
Aka | Red Valerian |
General | Invasive, re-seeds too easily |
Good plant for difficult area | |
Use | Tall back ground, border |
Zones | 7 - 9, 12 - 24 |
Attract | Butterflies, bees |
Sun | Full to partial sun, likes it hot |
Water | Drought tolerant, best with some water |
Soil | Average, does well except in damp shade |
Size | 4" high, 3' wide |
Plant | Bushy, tall |
Leaf | Bluish green fairy leaves |
Flower | Tiny red clusters at stalk top |
Bloom | Spring to summer, fall if trimmed |
Trim spent flowers to prevent spreading and repeat bloom | |
Seeds | Many, many, seeds on parachutes that fly everywhere |
Feed | None required |
Prune | Freely trim to control |
Prop | Seeds, cuttings, division |
Warning | Will spread with the winds |
Picture | http://plantsdatabase.com/go/136/index.html |
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