PERILLA

Perilla frutescens is a decorative foliage annual ofter mistaken for Coleus. I have always had mine in containers on the deck planted with other part shade plants, but they can be planted in the ground with many other complementary plants. From what I understand several parts of the plant are edible, most commonly the leaves which are suppose to taste kind of cinnamon herbal. I keep mine evenly moist and pinch mid season to keep them full and bushy. There are other foliage colours and shapes but the above pictured is the most common type. I have not tried this, but they look like they would be easy to start from cuttings.

HELENIUM

Heleniums (SNEEZEWEED) are a very easy care perennials. I've had mine in the garden for three years and really don't do much to them. I have located them in the back part of my largest mixed border. There are dwarf kinds but mine is a standard height (about 4 feet). The one note of caution is to watch for it when it first comes up in the garden. It really looks like a weed when it breaks the ground and can be mistakenly pulled. Make sure you give them plenty of sun and great drainage. They bloom about 8 to 10 weeks and make a great cut flower.

ROSES

I wanted to share some pictures of roses from my rose garden. In a future post, I'll go over some tips on growing them. Enjoy!

GERANIUMS

I've been amazed by some gardeners that will pass up some of the traditional favourites for all the latest and greatest plant cultivars and hybrids. They will go to there local nursery or garden centre and not even look at the more common annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, only to purchase the most resent varieties. Don't misunderstand me, I love seeing and acquiring some of newest plant varieties available, I just think there are some plants that have been around for awhile that shouldn't be looked over. GERANIUMS (Pelargoniums) are one of those plants that come to mind that should have a place in every ones garden. They come in many colours, bloom for months, there are tall ones and short ones, and trialing ones. Many have beautiful foliage. There are doubles and singles, fringed ones, some look even like small star bursts. The below photo is one of my favourites --- Ivy geraniums. Besides the trailing growth habit, I love the bright colours they come in. They have wonderful waxy foliage. And best of all they are very forgiving if I forget water them and they dry out a little. I often tuck them into some of my containers or plant clusters of them in some of my mixed borders.

AGASTACHE

Agastache foeniculum or as it is know by its common name ANISE HYSSOP is a easy care hardy perennial. It prefers full sun although it can be grown in part sun/part shade and has lovely lavender blue to french blue flowers. A bee and hummingbird favourite, make sure you keep it irrigated weekly, located in good drainage and deadheaded to lengthen blooming period. There are many types of Agastaches but right now I only have this species in my garden. I was attracted to the licorice scented leaves and the french blue flowers. It can get tall but can be kept shorter by pruning to half when the perennial reaches 18" tall. The picture shows how tall it can get before I learned this pruning technique. Next year, in another area of the garden I'll plant Agastache rupestris ( SUNSET HYSSOP). The foliage smells wonderful and has orange flowers ( one of my favourite flower colours).

PHLOX

I've had my Garden Phlox ( Phlox paniculata ) for about 4 years. It's a good little producer and really needs very little care. Keep it in full sun with good air circulation ( to keep mildew to a minimum) and mulch to maintain cool roots. It comes in many colors but I've always preferred the brighter stronger colours compared to pastel. Some support maybe need because the stems can be brittle at the base joint. Although all have the fragrance the white seem to be strongest. Hummingbirds and Butterflies love this plant.

SHADES OF GREEN

Its been the driest summer in history for the Seattle area. My lawn, which I do not irrigate during the summer, has gone dormant turning a straw colour. Looking more like a Eastern Washington landscape rather than being so close to the Emerald City. Tomorrow night we are receiving our first fall rains. I look forward to it. I remember a short six months ago when the garden was vibrant with many shades of green and springs promise was displayed throughout the yard.

RUDBECKIA

Rudbeckia is one of the easiest perennials to grow in the Northwest. With meeting just a few of there minimum requirement's they explode into colour throughout late summer and fall.
Locate them in full sun with well drained soil, and weekly water to guarantee an abundance of blossoms. Every several years I divide mine to keep them from over crowding.

PERSICARIA

There are many types of Persicarias, all of which have beautiful foliage and some have the edition of lovely flowers. Even though the one pictured above has interesting and decorative foliage it will be remove this fall from the garden because it's to aggressive and has even gone into the lawn. I've battle with it for several years and finally decided to remove it. It's a shame because it has such a pretty little perennial but my mixed borders deserve plants that behave and stay in there place.



The larger leaved hybrid pictured ( I think its called "Dragons Blood" ) is a better performer. I have it located in front of some Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed), Echinacia, and other shrubs, perennials, and ground covers that are in the greys, plums, Burgundies and grey-greens to play off the colours in its leaves.

TITHONIAS

This Mexican and Central American native is a real work horse in the mixed borders. It requires full sun, very little water when established (about two month after sowing), and blooms like crazy until the first frost. The flowers are intense pumpkin orange and foliage is velvety. It even can be enjoyed inside as a cut flower. I tend to plant it with strong saturated colours like yellows, royal blues, and hot pinks. I highly recommend this easy care annual to add some punch to your garden.