Osmanthus x burkwoodii

Osmanthus x burkwoodii
“Burkwood osmanthus”
OLEACEAE

Evergreen Shrub

Zone: 7 – 9
Native habitat: hybrid was raised in England; Asia and Europe for parent plants

Conditions
Soil: fertile, will tolerate any including clay
Moisture: well drained, drought tolerant once established
Light: full sun (better) to full shade (few flowers and more open growth)
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): Slow growing to 5′ – 10’ x 5′ – 10′
Other: will shed leaves if too dry but will usually recover

Aesthetic

Shape/Stem:  large, dense, evergreen, rounded habit
Leaf: Thick, serrated, opposite, mid-green, leathery. ovate, 2.5-5cm
Flower: Little white, tubular flowers, fragrant, absolutely covered
Bloom: April
Other: slow to grow; fruits are few and black

Treatment (how to…)
Plant:  regular, water while establishing; can grow open when young if in too much shade so keep this in mind
Maintain: low maintenance; fertilize once per year; can be pruned hard and will come back, prune after flower (thinning or heading back)
Propagate: seed, cutting

Uses
Landscape:  Background plant, hedging (spectacular in flower), large mixed borders, woodland margin, or anywhere where the fragrance would be appreciated, bank or slope, screening
Companion planting: can look stunning planted in a white garden (with other white blooms); strong enough constitution and large enough stature to support a clematis growing up to add summer excitement; ombines with others with larger leaves, such as rhododendrons and Mahonia
Medicinal: not known;
Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals: rabbit resistant

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase):  1 gallon
Nature: large tough slow growing evergreen shrub, fragrant
Identification (key features): leaves: dark green, ovate, 2.5-5cm; flowers, clusters of small, highly-scented, white, April
Interesting facts: AGM winner; parents are the Chinese Osmanthus delavayi and the Turkish/Georgian Osmanthus decor
Cultivars: O. delavayi – rounded plant with arching stems 10′-16’ x 10’
Comments:

Nerine bowdenii

Nerine bowdenii
“Nerine” “Conish Lily” “Cape flower”
AMARYLLIDACEAE

Herbaceous Perennial Bulb

Zone: 7 – 10
Native habitat (range) South Africa

Conditions
Soil: any
Moisture: well drained, best dry during summer, water again when flower spikes emerge, even moisture when leaves growing
Light: full sun
Exposure: sheltered spot
Plant size (h x w): 18″ – 24″ x 6″
Other: tough

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: clumping, upright
Leaf: simple, basal, parallel veined, green, linear, strap-shaped,, lily-like, leaves appearing after the flowers
Flower: tall single stocks without leaves (to 2m) flowers tubular in umbels bubble gum pink, lily-like pink flowers 6-8cm, wavy, recurved segments
Bloom: late  summer well into the fall (long lasting bloom)
Other: bulb-lets duplicate to form nice clusters 

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: plant shallow leaving tip just covered almost showing; they generally like to be crowded; ideally plant in early spring
Maintain: low maintenance; fertilize when actively growing in spring with 20:20:20;divide when looks to be erupting out of the ground in spring
Propagate: bulb-lets duplicate folk out or pull apart (division) (early spring)

Uses
Landscape: mixed boarder, accent, container, cottage, perennial bed, cut flower, nice planted in a long line, Mediterranean
Companion planting: don’t play well with others (will not share space and never fully disappear so be sure to give it its own spot in the garden) it can grow well under a tree
Medicinal: no

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase):  bulbs or 1g
Nature: great value long lasting late summer bloomer
Identification (key features): herbaceous bulbous perennial, growing to 45 cm with strap-shaped leaves and large umbels of lily-like pink flowers in late summer to fall
Interesting facts: this is the only hardy nerine; species was named in 1904 after Athelstan Hall Cornish-Bowden (1871–1942), who had sent bulbs of the plant to England
Cultivars: 
 Comments: if you plant it in a container be sure to protect from cold

Loropetalum chinense

Loropetalum chinense
“Chinese fringe-flower”
HAMAMELIDACEAE

Evergreen Shrub

Zone: 7 – 10
Native habitat: Asia

Conditions
Soil: humus rich, acidic
Moisture: well drained, evenly moist
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: protect from winter winds
Plant size (h x w): 3′ – 4′ x 3′ – 6′
Other: evergeen in victoria but can occasionally get killed to the ground by a severe winter (will slowly come back); particular about growing in the right conditions

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: tiered branching
Leaf: deep olive green with striking burgundy coloured tips, alternate, serrate, ovate
Flower: clusters of white or pink, spidery fringe flowers
Bloom: springs; second bloom summer
Other: tidy nice foliage

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; plant in a sheltered area and only if you can give it the conditions listed above
Maintain: low maintenance; can cut hard back in fall if needed
Propagate: seed, cutting,

Uses
Landscape: container, specimen, screen; hedge, border, espalier
Companion planting: nice with herbaceous perennials with pink blooms and dark green foliage
Medicinal: none known;
Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: no
Other animals:

Interest
Local info, evergreen in Victoria but not always in other locations of Canada
Pot size (to purchase):  2 gallon
Nature:
Identification (key features):white flowers, dense rounded form with 1-2 inch, evergreen leaves light green with striking burgundy tips; 3-5′ usual with tiered branching
Interesting Facts: brought to the US around 1989 from China
Cultivars: L c. f. rubric – burgundy foliage and pink flowers
‘Sizzling Pink’ – dark burgundy foliage, upright spreading form 6′ x 5′
‘Papa’s Red’ – darker red flowers, 8′-10 x 5′-6′
‘Razzelberry’ – 4′-6′ x 4′-5′
‘Raspberry Ic’ – 4′-6′ x 4′-6′
‘Purple Pixie’ – 1′-2′ x 4′-5′
Comments:

 

beta vulgaris ssp. cicla

Betula vulgaris ssp. cicla
“Swiss Chard”
CHANOPODIACEAE

Biennial Vegetable

Zone: all
Native habitat: 

Conditions
Soil: average
Moisture: well-drained, average
Light: full sun
Exposure: general; seaside
Plant size (h x w): 16″ – 20″ x
Other:  don’t enjoy extreme winds; in good conditions will grow fast

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: rounded, dense, prostrate
Leaf: handsome, decorative, edible, basal, 12″, arrowhead, green to purpley red, thick midrib, puckered looking foliage
Flower: insignificant, green, off raised stalk
Bloom: april-may
Other: will last for 2 years but in the heat of teh summer in the second year will bolt

Treatment (How to…)
Plant: sow in spring or fall; easy to grow; easily transplanted
Maintain:  low maintenance, remove dead foliage as needed or as you want to eat from base of stem; remove when spent or no longer wanted; will usually last through Victoria winters fine (occasionally killed); poring a bit of salt water by it can help but not necessary
Propagate:  seed,

 Uses
Landscape: container, edible garden, raised bed, mixed boarder,
Companion planting:
Medicinal: edible leaves and stalks
Other: sparrows eat

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: leaf miner (remove pest), powdery mildew (spray foliage with water)
Deer resistant: mostly yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native
Pot size (to purchase): 
Nature: handsome edible foliage plant
Identification (key features): Leaf blades >45cm, ruffled, puckered, red-orange-yellow-green, thick midribs and petioles.
Interesting facts: get the best oil from the leaves when grown in poor soils as you get less wood and more oil
Cultivars/Species:
‘Bright Lights’ – green or burgundy leaves and yellow, red, purple, green or white stalks
Comments:

 

Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’

Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’
“Switch Grass”
POACEAE

Deciduous Perennial Grass

Zone:  5 – 9
Range: North America

Conditions
Soil: any
Moisture: average to wet to dry
Light: full sun (best) tolerates part shade but may flop over and loose form
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): 3′ – 4′ x 1′ – 2′
Other: very adaptable to a wide array of conditions
Aesthetic
Shape/stem: clump forming, upright, tidy
Leaf: grass-like, bluey grey green leaves, yellow in the fall, nasal, parallel venation, soft/flexible, thin, linear, even width along, serrulate, obvious sheathing
Flower: spikelet/plume, showy, pinkish silver panicle, airy look
Bloom: summer
Other: fruit is grain in late fall; leaves last well into the winter

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general;
Maintenance: low maintenance; cut down whenever it begins to look bad (early spring/late winter/late fall), never cut hard into crown, leave 3-4″; divide as needed 
Propagation: division (spring or late fall), seed (no self-seeding here in Victoria yet)

Use
Use: fall interest, container, rain garden, bog garden, late summer interest, accent, filler, mass planting, perennial boarder, waterside, soubd garden,
Companion:  ideas: Aster novae-angelinea, Calamintha nepeta, Achillea, Asclepias tuberosa, Eupatorium dubium Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: native to North America, cultivar of garden origin
Nature: adaptable upright ornamental grass
Identification (key features): Upright grass holding form into winter; Spikelets arranged in open panicles, feathery, silvery, late summer; leaves obvious sheathing, grey-blue colour, even width along, basal
Interesting facts: 
Cultivars: – ‘Prairie Sky’ – nice cultivar with good colour (silvery green with purple tingest and purple panicle) 2′ – 6′ x 1′ – 3′
P. v. ‘hanse Herms’ – darker maroon in fall, lovely if you can find it

Molinia caerulea

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea ‘Skyracer’
“Purple moor grass”
POACEAE

Deciduous Perennial Grass

Zone:  4 – 8
Range: Europe

Conditions
Soil: average to poor
Moisture: average to wet
Light: full sun (best) tolerates part shade
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): 6′ – 8′ x 2′ – 4′
Other: slow to establish

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: clump forming, oval, upright, slightly arching
Leaf: grass-like, basal, parallel venation, green, bronzey / greeny-yellow in fall, linear, sheathing, serrulate. strong midrib, long leaves
Flower: spikelet/plume, showy, purple, tall, upright
Bloom: summer to fall
Other: fruit is grain in late fall; doesn’t hold shape reliably in fall and easily broken

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general;
Maintenance: low maintenance; cut down whenever it begins to look bad (late fall – usually cut down earlier than most grasses as it does not carry in to the winter well); divide as needed (will likely not need to be divide for a long while)
Propagation: division (spring or late fall), seed (no self-seeding here in Victoria yet)

Use
Use: fall interest, container, rain garden, erosion control, accent, filler, mass planting, perennial boarder, waterside,
Companion:  
Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native; does not set viable seed in Victoria yet but does flower reliably here
Nature: tall ornamental grass
Identification (key features): Tall grass. average 2meters; Leaves are 1m by 2cm, medium green that are folded and have a thick midrib; plume 3m high, looks like its braided.
Interesting facts: 
Cultivars:

Phalaris arundinacea

Phalaris arundinacea
“Reed canary grass”
POACEAE

Deciduous Perennial Grass – Rhizomatous

Zone:  3 – 9
Range: Worldwide spread

Conditions
Soil: any
Moisture: average to dry, well drained
Light: full sun to part shade
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): 3′ – 9′ x endless spreading
Other: spreads by rhizomes and seed; can be invasive/weedy

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: clump forming, forms dense, nearly pure stands
Leaf: grass-like, simple, green, lanceolate, sheathing off basal stems, arching
Flower: insignificant, spikelet, green
Bloom: summer
Other:

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; likely good idea not to plant; never plant near a wetland
Maintenance: low maintenance; cut down whenever it begins to look bad (late fall to early winter); divide as needed
Propagation: division (spring), seed (no self-seeding here in Victoria yet)

Use
Use: container (best), if plant in a bed keep an eye on it but weedy
Companion:  will displace native species 
Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native; will displace native species, hazard to wetlands
Nature: spreading to dense mat
Identification (key features):
Interesting facts: 
Cultivars:
P. a. ”Strawberries and Cream’ – striped leaves, highly attractive, don’t trust any cultivars anywhere near a wetland, container planting is best
Comments: displaces all native species of grasses; considered the worst wetland invasive species – worldwide spread

Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’

Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon‘
“Knotweed”
POLYGONACEAE

Herbaceous Perennial

Zone: 4 – 9
Native habitat (range):  China; garden origin 

Conditions
Soil: rich, can handle heavy clay
Moisture: well drained, moist is best (pales out leaves in lack water), can take drier conditions
Light: morning sun only to shade (pales in strong sun)
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): 18″ – 36″ x 18″ – 24″
Other:

Aesthetic
Shape/stem:  clumping/mounded, stems red
Leaf: attractive, deep burgundy with chevron of white, lance shaped, simple, alternate, good fall colour
Flower: clusters/panicle, small, white, insignificant
Bloom: July to fall
Other: vigorous grower but not invasive, seeds sterile, non-stoloniferous (not root invasive); dies right down in the fall to re-appear in the spring

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general
Maintain: low to no maintenance; will die back in the fall, cut back as needed around this time when looks bad or let die; divide in the spring to contain size; deadhead if you want or leave
Propagate: divide (spring as it emerges), cutting
(note: only need a small piece to form a good sized mound in one season)

Uses
Landscape: container, accent, perennial boarder, filler,
Companion planting: hostas, ferns, other shade perennials; nice against rich greens or yellows

Medicinal:  none known
Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: none significant
Deer resistant: no
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native,
Pot size (to purchase):  1 gallon
Nature: foliage plant, looking good for a long period
Identification (key features):
Interesting facts:
Comments: stems are easily broken 
Cultivars: P. m. ‘Purple Fantasy’ –
Persicaria polymorphia  “Giant Fleece Flower”
– clump-forming, 3′ – 5′ x 3′ – 4′
Persicaria perfoliata  “Mile-a-minute weed”
– self-pollinating with viable seeds – prolific tender annual
– grows to 30′ in one season forming a dense and soffocatin mat
– can set 1000’s of seeds (more invasive)

Impatiens walleriana

Impatiens walleriana
“Patience plant” “Busy Lizzie”
BALSAMINACEAE

Herbaceous Annual (or perennial till hit by frost)

Zone:
Native habitat: genus, Africa

Conditions
Soil: average, humus
Moisture: well-drained, moist
Light:  part shade to full shade
Exposure: shelter from wind
Plant size (h x w): 8″ – 24″
Other: brittle and easily broken so keep out of foot traffic

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: mounding, compact or spreading/pendant (this depends on cvs.)
Leaf: alternate, lancolate, ribed, green
Flower: flat-faced with spur 
Bloom: early summer to frost
Other: different cultivars have different forms and flower colours so keep this in mind

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: do not plant near foot traffic, strong winds, or ocean
Maintain: remove when spent or bring inside for the winter
Propagate: seed

Uses
Landscape: basket, container, bedding, houseplant
Companion planting: 
Medicinal: none known
Other:

 Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: a fungal disease has been known to affect it, been present in BC since 2003 where it swept though killing all of them; mildew appears on the underside of leaves, plant then goes mushy and dies within 6 weeks
Deer resistant: yes
Other animals:

Interest
Local info,: not native, annual here in Victoria, susceptible to a fungal disease so may want to consider planting something else instead
Pot size (to purchase): 4″
Nature: attractive shade tolerant annual
Identification (key features): 5 petals overlapping to form a hexagon like shape; leaves lanceolate

Interesting facts:
Cultivars:
Comments:  not sold as often anymore,
Impatiens ‘New Guinea’ – can be a good replacement to this one – resistant to fungal disease

 

Hosta spp. & cvs.

Hosta spp. & cvs.
“Hosta” “Plantain lily”
ASPARAGACEAE

Herbaceous Perennial

Zone: 3 – 8
Native habitat : NE Asia

Conditions
Soil: fertile, humus, high organic content is ideal
Moisture: well-drained, moist; can take some drought
Light: full sun to part shade (morning sun, afternoon shade is ideal)
Exposure: general
Plant size (h x w): 2″ – 4′ x to 4′
Other: colour will sometimes wade in intense full sun; not suitable for deep shade

Aesthetic
Shape/stem: mounding
Leaf: vary in size, colour, variegation, shape and puckering; simple, basal, parallel venation, entire to undulate, , ovate or lance-shaped, attractively coloured from blue to green to yellow to …
Flower: spike/raceme, erect above foliage, white to lavender to purple, 3 petals, perfect, tubular
Bloom: June, July
Other: primarily a foliage plant

Treatment (how to…)
Plant: general; keep in mind they will grown in size with age
Maintain: low maintenance; often require slug bait; remove flowered spikes when spent to the base or let them set some seed and then cut them down; divide when too big/older and dense; cut back leaves before first frost (as they go to mush); don’t mulch over crowns
Propagate:  division (late fall / early spring; like cutting a piece of pie, don’t have to remove entire plant, just cut into peices; or soak in water and tease/pull apart), seed

Uses
Landscape: perennial boarder, container(happy for years), mixed boarder, filler, cottage, under-planting for trees or shrubs, city garden, woodland margin
Companion planting: Rhododendrons, ferns,
Medicinal: unknown; new shoot edible when cooked
Other:

Vulnerabilities
Pests and disease: slugs and snails (especially when young)
Deer resistant: no, deer love to eat them
Other animals: rabbits love to eat them

Interest
Local info,: not native,
Pot size (to purchase): 1 gallon; select for size and colour of folliage
Identification (key features):
Interesting facts:
Cultivars/Species: so many, 2000+,
Comments: common, useful, foliage plant