A Heather for Winter interest

Calluna vulgaris "Robert Chapman"

Above is a photograph of a Heather or Calluna vulgaris in the front garden. It is far more stunning in person, the red glow from it is wonderful for this time of year. In spring, the foliage colors up in fine golden yellows, then the plant turns orange for summer and fall with lavender flowers. For the grand finale in winter, the foliage turns bright flame red. A tapestry of different heathers as evergreen ground cover is breathtaking. However, the variety "Robert Chapman" is the best for dazzling colors in all of the four seasons.

Keep in mind that there are 1000s of Calluna vulgaris varieties on the market. Look them over and get a nice selection for your gardens. They grow in full sun, drought tolerant, and flower in different shades of white, pink, red, and lavender.

USDA hardiness zone 4 to zone 8

Forget the groundhog, Spring is here

It is said we are to have six more weeks of Winter, okay. As I'm writing this post, a frog is croaking outside my office window here at the house. I guess he had not heard or did not watch the news yesterday. Silly frog.

Today I want to share the two varieties of irises that are up and blooming at Beech Street Gardens. Delightful........................The flower above is an Iris histrioides "Katharine Hodgkin".
A wonderful speckled mauve bloom.

This iris is Iris reticulata "Purple Gem". Once again an outstanding color.

Both of these irises are in the Reticulata family. Originally from Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus Mountains where it is very dry in the summer. Bloom time is February to March, reaching a height between 5" to 8" depending on the variety. Easily grown in average, medium, well drained soil in full sun to part shade. Soil needs to stay relatively dry in summer in order for the bulbs to set buds for the following year. Great plants for the drought tolerant garden.

USDA hardiness zone 5 to zone 9

Interested in obtaining a few of these irises for your garden visit Garden Fever in NE Portland, OR., they have a wonderful supply in stock now.

Clematis cirrhosa "Wisley Cream"

While out working in the yard today, I spotted my evergreen Clematis "Wisley Cream" that grows on the southeast corner of the garage in bloom. Pretty little four petal flowers, pale creamish yellow speckled with maroon on the inside, an inch and a half to two inches wide. Very small and delicate............but a wonderful winter flowering plant that is fragrant. A Mediterranean variety, that blooms from January to March reaching a height of 15 feet. It can also be grown in a container.

One very important lesson I was taught about growing Clematis: dig the whole deep, put the root system in, and fill the hole with potting soil, not dirt. Earthworms will take care of mixing the potting soil and dirt together. It is even possible to have clematis blooming 12 months of the year from January to December if you plant the right varieties.

USDA hardiness zone 5 to zone 9

Hellebores for the Winter Perennial

My first choice for a winter flower for the garden, whether it be a formal or cottage. The ones at Beech Street Gardens are just coming into bloom. I believe there are about ten different varieties planted thru the gardens. The variety pictured above is the oldest planting of Hellebores in the gardens.

It came from the Heronswood Nursery and is a non named variety, flowers are double pink. It has been planted under the large cherry tree in the back garden for about six years. At its prime it will be about 2.5-3 feet tall and about 4 feet wide. When the flowers start opening I will take another photo for you to see the color and the size of the plants.

The Hellebore or Helleborus comes in a very wide color selection, cream to pink, rich red, grape purple, deep burgundy and almost black. Many are freckled with spots or veined in a contrasting color, coming in singles, doubles, or semi-doubles. There are rounded petals and pointed petals, even outward facing flowers.

USDA hardiness zone 5 to zone 8.

Check out Heronswood Helleborus x hybridus for 2010: Onyx Odyssey. You will truly want this for your garden. I know I will be getting one.

One becomes two Agave Shira ito no Ohi

Check the posting from December 23 about these two Agaves. How sweet is that, they are two different plants. I separated them from each other after that posting.

Needed to make sure they were going to be fine before I posted anything new about them. Left them on the bench for a week to let the roots heal from any damage before potting them up. They have been in the pots for two weeks now, and they look great. Now I have three for my collection.

Snowing at Beech Street Gardens................

Took this picture at 3pm, snowing like crazy. Weather report says it will be gone by tonight. Thought I should take the picture now before it gets much darker. It is very pretty, I will take a few pictures of plants if it lets up a little. Hopefully it will not end up like last year..... 19+ inches.

Twin Agave Shira ito no Ohi

Cute as cute can be................Bought this pair of Agaves and hopefully I can separate them. I have not looked at the root system closely yet to see if they are one plant or two separate plants. If they are one that will be okay. These plants are about 1 1/2" wide each, very small. Pick this plant up if you find one, plan on spending a little extra cash for this variety. All your gardening friends will truly be jealous!

USDA hardiness zone 9 to zone 10.