Flower of the Day - Wild Bergamot, Bee Balm

Name: Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot

Latin Name: Monarda sp.

Plant Type: Perennial, zone 3-9

Blooming Time: Summer

Blossom Color: Red,pink, blue

Height: Up to 48 inches

Plant Spacing: 2-3 Feet

Special Care Instructions:

Full sun to part sun

Sand to clay

Dry to medium water

Wild Bergamot spreads vigorously. You will have to spend a bit of time in spring pulling out the stems that grow underneath the soil surface.

Deadhead flowers to prolong summer bloom.

Tends to self-seed.

Fun Facts:

Hummingbirds, butterflies and larger bees with long tongues.

Wild bergamot, or Monarda fistulosa, is known as bee balm.

 This perennial herb is a member of the mint family.

It has been used in medicines and foods in the United States for hundreds of years. HistoryWild bergamot was widely used by Native Americans. The Ojibwe tribe dried and boiled the entire plant to extract its oils, which they used to treat bronchial troubles. They also chewed the leaves and placed the chewed wad inside their nostrils as a remedy for headache. The Tewa found the herb flavorful and cooked it with meat, while the Iroquois used it as a beverage ingredient.

Flower of the Day - Beard Tongue and Beard Tongue Red Huskers

This post is about two different types of the same plant bread.  It was just easier in one post.

The one Beard Tongue flower looks like a normal foliage-colored plant, with green leaves.  The other species has red foliage and it's Latin name (Penstemon digitalis) actually means "Husker Red".

Name: Beard Tongue

Latin Name: Penstemon, Penstemon digitalis

Below: Beard Tongue (Penstemon)

Below: Beard Tongue "Red Huskers", (Penstemon digitalis)

Plant Type: Perennial, zone 3-8

Blooming Time: Summer

Blossom Color: Large array of colors (Penstemon), Very pale pink (Penstemon digitalis)

Height: 29-35 inches

Plant Spacing: 12-18 inches

Special Care Instructions:

Full Sun

Normal, Sandy or Clay Soil

Neutral, Alkaline or Acid Ph soil

Average or Moist Soil

Fun Facts:

The Penstemon digitalis species of Beard Tongue flower has Red Foliage.

Flowers are attractive to butterflies and bees.

Rabbit Resistant

Flower of the Day - Basket of Gold

Name: Basket of gold

Latin Name: Aurinia saxatilis

Plant Type: Perennial, zone 4-7

Blooming Time: Late spring-early summer

Blossom Color: Golden Yellow

Height: 8-12"

Plant Spacing: 12-15"

Below are some pictures of Basket of Gold growing in or edging rocks

Special Care Instructions:

Perennials can be planted anytime from spring through fall.

Low to moderate water requirement, allow soil to dry between thorough watering

 Full sun to partial shade

Fun Facts:

Low-growing, spreading perennial that produces a profuse spring bloom of bright yellow flowers that are particularly attractive in rock gardens, sprawled over rocks or cascaded over rock walls. After bloom, it will remain in the garden as an attractive ground cover

Aurinia meaning golden and saxatilis meaning found among rocks.

Synonymous with and formerly known as Alyssum saxatile

Additional common names include yellow alyssum, madwort, goldentuft and gold-dust

Flower of the Day - Bamboo Orchid

Name: Bamboo orchid

Latin Name: Arundina graminifolia

Plant Type: Tropical plant, zone 10-11

Blooming Time: Summer-Fall

Blossom Color: Colors from White to Pink to Purple

Height: The 4-6 inch leaves grow on stems that can reach in excess of 8 feet tall when grown outdoors. Indoor plants typically reach four to six feet in height.

Special Care Instructions:

When planting a Bamboo Orchid outdoors, select a site that receives full sun for best flowering results. The plant is adaptable to partial shade, but flowering will be reduced. The Bamboo Orchid likes a perpetually moist soil, though it must be free of standing water. For indoors growth, the Bamboo Orchid requires more humidity than the typical home offers. This can be accomplished using an indoor humidifier, vaporizer, or mister. You can also try setting the plant on a humidity tray, which is essentially a low pan filled with ornamental rocks and water. In addition to the humidity, regular watering is essential to keep the soil moist.

Flower of the Day - Chinese Bellflower

Name: Balloon flower, Chinese Bellflower

Latin Name: Platycodon grandiflorus

Plant Type: Perennial, zone 3-9

Blooming Time: Summer

Blossom Color: Blue

Height: 1/2 to 1 ft.

Plant Spacing: 1 to 1 ½  ft.

Special Care Instructions:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Division and transplanting are possible but tricky because of the stringy root system, and it may be best to leave the plants undisturbed.

Fun Facts:

This balloon flower cultivar is a dwarf selection that typically grows to only 6-12" tall. Features unique, puffy flower buds shaped like hot air balloons which open into 3" diameter, single, blue, upward-facing, bell-shaped flowers with five pointed lobes. Oval, dentate leaves to 3" long.

 Blooms most of the summer.

Flower of the Day - Avens, Grecian rose

Name: Avens, Grecian rose

Latin Name: Geum chiloense

Botanical Name: Geum

Plant Type: Perennial, zone 5-9

Blooming Time: Spring-Summer

Blossom Color: White, Yellow, Orange and Red

Height: 11-14 Inches

Plant Spacing: 10 inch spread

Special Care Instructions:

Prefers moist soil with good drainage

Full Sun

Divide frequently; young or newly divided plants bloom longer and stronger than older ones. Deadheading will promote a longer flowering time and re-bloom.

Fun Facts:

From the Rose Family

Bee Magnets

The different colors have pretty cool names too: Blazing Sunset, Double Bloody Mary, Eos, Fireball, Lady Stratheden, Mango Lassi, Marmalade, Mrs. Bradshaw, Pumpkin, Starker’s Magnificum, and X Ciccineum Boriss.

Flower of the Day - Astilbe

Name: Astilbe

Latin Name: Astilbe sp.

Plant Type: Perennial, zone 4-9

Blooming Time: Summer

Blossom Color: White, Purple, Red, Pink and Peach

Vase Life: 3-7 Days

Storage Temperature: 32-36 degrees

Ethylene sensitivity: Ethylene Sensitive

Height: Stem Size: 8-16” Blossom Size: 4-6″

Plant Spacing: 1-3 Ft apart

Look at these gorgeous wispy arrangements made with the Astilbe flower

Special Care Instructions:

Astilbe plants like cool and wet places, however they don’t like soaking in puddles. 

Plant in a hole twice the size of the clump of roots and 4- 6 inches deep.

Place roots of plant into the hole and make sure that 1- 2 inches of the crown are below the dirt level.

Backfill the hole with loose dirty and pat down around the top to remove any gaps of air.

Make sure as soon as you’re done planting your Astile that you drench the soil with water.

If the Astilbe is allowed to dry out it might stall the growing process.

Make sure to keep your Astilbe well watered.  In climates that get more rain than most extra watering won’t be necessary.  Rather than giving small waterings every day, drench the area every few days.

Add a layer of bark chips to the top of the planted area.  It will help keep the soil moist and also act as a barrier for unwanted weeds.

The plants spread quickly, and as they spread, large clumps of root form. The crowns of these clumps tend to rise above the soil. You should cover the crowns with loamy soil to keep the roots from drying out.

The most common insects and diseases to attack the Astilbe plant include the tarnished plant bug, powdery mildew, and bacterial leaf spots. Even so, the plant is not especially prone to pests. If any of these problems do emerge, you can apply an appropriate insecticide or fungicide then. Preventative pesticides are not recommended, however.

Fun Facts:

The Astilbe species are native to mountain ravines and woodland in Asia and North America.

The astilbes we see at our local florists are hybrids with parents of Asian origin.

Flower of the Day - Aster

Name: Aster

Latin Name: Aster sp.

Botanical Name: Calistephus Chinesis

Popular Name: China Aster

Plant Type: Perennial, zone 3-9

Bloom Color: Red, Pink, Purple, White

Blooming Time: Summer, Fall

Vase Life: 5-10 Days

Ethylene sensitivity: Not Ethylene Sensitive

Height: ranges from 8 inches to 8 feet, depending on the type

Check out these gorgeous, whimsical bouquets that all include Aster!

Special Care Instructions:

Plant in well-drained, moist soil in either partial shade or morning sun. Some varieties can be planted in full sun, but this varies, so be sure to check planting instructions. Compost, peat moss or mulch will retain moisture, control weeds and ensure plants have sufficient nutrients.

Your hole for transplanting asters should be twice as wide and deep as the plant's container. Plant the crown of the aster even with the ground level. Plant and thin plants to at least 18 inches apart to avoid overcrowding

Remember, asters are prone to mildew so be careful to plant them in areas with good circulation and good sun exposure.

Water asters as directed, but remember that they are considered a "drought tolerant" plant and do not like standing water.

Fun Facts:

They have many uses, such as in borders, rock gardens, or wildflower gardens. Asters also attract butterflies to your garden!

With their wildflower beauty and lush texture, asters have long been considered an enchanted flower. In ancient times, it was thought that the perfume from their burning leaves could drive away evil serpents. Today, they’re known as a talisman of love and a symbol of patience. Also known as starworts, Michaelmas daisies or Frost flowers, the name aster is derived from the Greek word for “star,” and its star-like flowers can be found in a rainbow of colors – white, red, pink, purple, lavender and blue, with mostly yellow centers. The September birth flower, asters also hold the honor of being the 20th wedding anniversary flower.

Thought to bring luck and protect against evil, legend has it that when the anemone closes its petals, it's a signal that rain is approaching. Still other mythology connects the anemone to magical fairies, which were believed to sleep under the petals after they closed at sunset. Perhaps it's because of this magical and prophetic tales that today in the language of flowers, anemones represent anticipation.

Flower of the Day - Anemone

Name: Anemone

Botanical Name: Anemone Coronaria

Popular Name: Poppy Anemone, Lily of the Field, Windflower

Plant Type: Perennials

Blooming Time: Mid Spring – Early Fall

Vase Life: 7 – 10 days with proper care

Storage Temperature: 32-42 degrees

Ethylene sensitivity: Not Ethylene Sensitive

Height: 11.7 invhes

Plant Spacing: at least 8 inches apart

Special Care Instructions:

This sounds complicated…haha

Step 1

Give your poppy anemones a cold treatment by storing them in your refrigerator for two to three weeks. Poke a few holes in a plastic bag and fill it about 1/3 of the way with potting mix. Place the tubers in the bag, and cover the tubers with about 1 inch of soil. Put the bag into your refrigerator. Keep the soil in the plastic bag moist, but not drenched. Check on the tubers every few days, and give them a few spritzes of water--don't allow the soil to dry out. Remove the bag after two to three weeks.

Step 2

Dig holes 1 to 2 inches deep in the location you've chosen. Your poppy anemone tubers should be planted 6 to 8 inches apart, in rows that are spaced at 10 to 12 inches apart. Sunset Plant Finder recommends planting poppy anemones with the scarred side facing up. Cover each tuber up with soil, and then irrigate each thoroughly. Push a planting stake into the soil near where you plant your poppy anemone tuber; this will help give the plant support as it grows.

Step 3

Check on your poppy anemone tubers every few days, and water when necessary. Sunset Plant Finder suggests keeping the soil around your poppy anemones well watered during both the growth season and blooming time.

Step 4

To care and maintain your poppy anemone, The Maryland Cooperative extension at the University of Maryland suggests fertilizing your poppy anemones each time you water using a liquid based fertilizer (20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 20% potassium).

Starting Anemones Indoors:

Step 1

To start  poppy anemone tubers indoors 4 to 6 weeks before spring, fill up planting cells with sand. Water each cell, saturating the sand. Allow sand to drain.

Step 2

Poke holes in each cell to a depth of about 1 to 2 inches. Place a poppy anemone tuber into each of the cells with the scarred side facing up and cover with damp sand.

 Step 3

Check your poppy anemone tubers each day. Keep the sand moistened, not drenched. Once the seedlings reach about 2 to 3 inches in height, you can plant them outside or into containers, using the steps described above.

Cut Flower Care:

Recut the stems at an angle, removing one to two inches with a sharp knife to allow for better water intake.

Keep Anemones in medium light and in a cool spot to prolong vase life. This flower prefer the cold water and the cold spaces. Anemones will open in light and heat so be sure to keep plan appropriately for blooming purposes.

Refresh the water that the stems are standing in on a daily basis. Anemones are heavy drinkers so check their water level frequently when hydrating and arranging.

Position the anemone arrangements in a cool area of your home, or place of business, in order to keep them looking fresh.

Whenever possible, place the arrangements in the refrigerator at night or when not being displayed.

Adding nutrients to the water will also help to extend the freshness of anemone arrangements.

Anemones continue to grow after arranging. Leave enough room in bouquets and wedding centerpieces for flowers to open.

Fun Facts:  

Anemones are excellent fresh cut flowers for wedding centerpieces and bouquets.

Some say the name, anemone, or wind-flower, was given because it is so fragile that it withers when the wind blows over it; others say that it only blooms when the wind blows it open.

Anemones are delicate flowers that come in white, purple, pink and red shades.



Flower of the Day - Alstroemeria

Name: Alstroemeria

Botanical Name: Alstroemeria cvs.

Common Name: Peruvian lily

Plant Type: Perennial, Flowering Cut Plant

Blooming Time: June - August

Vase Life: 7 – 14 days

Storage Temperature: 30 to 33 degrees F

Ethylene sensitivity: Are Ethylene Sensitive

Height: 30 cm

Spread: 40 cm

Plant Spacing: 34-40 cm

Special Care Instructions:

Does well in Full sun, Full shade, Partial Shade.

Alstroemeria thrives in well-drained soil.

Don’t let soil become too dry, however, because they produce the most blooms when the soil is kept moist.

Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch such as compost or shredded bark around the plant in spring. Mulch enriches the soil, keeps the roots cool, and extends the blooming period. Replace the mulch as it decomposes or blows away.

Cut Flower Care:

Remove any leaves that may be under water.

While holding the stems under water in a sink or under running water, cut about one inch off each stem with a sharp knife or shears. DO NOT let the newly cut end dry off before transferring it into another container.

If buds appear to be very tight, submerging them in warm water will promote opening.

Water to which a floral preservative solution has been added should be used to arrange fresh cut Alstroemeria in. Using it as recommended will provide additional days of vase life. Try to avoid using water from a water softener.

Immediately after the stems are cut, place your Alstroemeria in a clean, deep vase of warm preservative solution (about 100 degrees F). Allow several hours to condition them before arranging.

Temperature is a key factor in the lifespan of all flowers. Display your fresh cut Alstroemeria arrangements in a cool area out of direct sunlight and drafts.

Alstroemerias are thirsty flowers. It is important to check to see that the vase is full and add preservative solution as needed. If arranged in floral foam, be sure it is completely saturated and the container is full daily.

Fun Facts:

Resembling a miniature lily, Alstroemeria, often called the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, was named after its discoverer, Baron Claus von Alstromer, a Swedish baron who collected the seeds on a trip to Spain in 1753. Today, this popular flower can be found in a range of colors – from white to golden yellow, orange to apricot, pink to red, lavender and purple. Symbolizing friendship and devotion, the Alstroemeria’s leaves grow upside down, with the leaf twisting as it grows out from the stem, so that the bottom is facing upwards – much like the twists, turns and growth of our friendships.