Native to China, Japan. Large plants with imposing leaves and clustered tiny flowers in plumes somewhat like those of astilbe; bloom in early to midsummer. Primary feature is handsome foliage, which often takes on bronze tones in late summer. Plants spread by thick rhizomes, need rich soil. The various species hybridize freely. Dormant in winter; provide winter mulch in cold climates. Showy in moist woodland or bog gardens.

Rodgersia aesculifolia

To 6 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide. Leaves are divided like fingers of hand into five to seven tooth-edged, 10-in. leaflets; they are similar to those of horsechestnut (Aesculus). Shaggy brown hairs on flower stalks, leaf stems, major leaf veins. White flowers.

Rodgersia pinnata

To 4 ft. tall, 2 1/2ft.wide. Leaves have five to nine 8-in. leaflets. Red flowers.

Rodgersia podophylla

To 5 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide. Coppery green leaves divided into five 10-in.-long leaflets. Creamy flowers.

Esteemed for its dark coloring, Cow Parsley offers a layered 18 in. mound of luscious, plum-colored, fernlike foliage. In early summer, branched stems produce airy umbels defined by small white flowers and pink bracts. A rich blend of opulent purple leaves can be achieved when you associate this beauty with Aster ‘Lady in Black’ and Berberis ‘Golden Ring’. Keep the blooms trimmed back to ensure an attractive habit.

Corydalis ‘Blackberry Wine’ – A newer cultivar with fragrant purplish-pink flowers from May to July (more flowers in spring) over fern-like bluish green foliage. ‘Blackberry Wine’ definitely blooms longer in areas with cooler summers, such as coastal BC. It is semi-evergreen and prefers partial shade or filtered light. Grows 8 to 12″ high by 8 to 18″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Corydalis ochroleuca (syn. Pseudofumaria alba) – White Fumewort features unusual creamy-white flowers (with contrasting greenish-yellow throats) from late spring through to summer over greyish-green ferny foliage. This evergreen species can be short-lived but readily self-seeds to replace itself. Grows 12″ high by 16″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Corydalsi flexuosa ‘Purple Leaf” – An attractive cultivar with bright purple-tinged electric-blue flowers (blooms more reliably than ‘Blue Panda’) with white throats from March to April over green ferny foliage with bronze-purple highlights. May go summer dormant in the heat and prefers partial shade with fertile, well drained soil. Grows to 12″ high . Hardy to zone 5.

Corydalis cheilanthifolia – This species is native to China and has very fern-like mid-green foliage similiar to the fronds of Cheilanthes or Lip Fern. It bears spikes of golden-yellow flowers from spring through to summer, with the foliage eventually turning bronze and persisting through winter. Ferny Corydalis grows 9 to 12″ high by 20″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Primula vulgaris BELARINA PINK CHAMPAGNE – A new twist on an English cottage garden favourite with closely packed dusky pink double blooms with cream centres. The flowers are borne from early to mid-spring and are held over green basal leaves. This variety prefers part to full shade with evenly moist fertile soil. Grows 7″ high by 1′ wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Primula x pruhoniciana ‘Wanda’ (syn. Primula juliae) – An old-fashioned favourite with abundant magenta-purple blooms (with contrasting yellow eye) smothering the foliage below from March to May. It forms dense patches that seem to thrive even without regular division.  ‘Wanda’ prefers part to full shade but tolerates coastal sun. Grows 4-6″ high. Zone 3.

Primula rosea – The Himalayan Meadow Primrose is native from Afghanistan to Nepal and prefers evenly moist soils. It bears rose-pink flowers with yellow eyes from March to April and naturalizes well. ‘Gigas’ is an RHS Award of Garden Merit cultivar with bright magenta-pink blooms. Primula rosea is an herbaceous perennial that grows 8″ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Primula vulgaris BELARINA BUTTERCUP YELLOW (syn. ‘Kerbelbut’) – Another newer introduction of the traditional English primrose with buttery-yellow double blooms, each surrounded by leafy green collars. BUTTERCUP YELLOW prefers evenly moist well-drained soil in part to full shade. Grows 8″ high by 12″ wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Blue Lady’ – A seed-grown strain (which is true to colour 90% of the time) with variable single blooms of greyish-lavender to deep purplish-blue, often with some red highlights. These are nicely contrasted by golden stamens and are held on stalks averaging 16″ high. ‘Blue Lady’ was developed in Germany and is hardy to zone 4.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Golden Sunrise’ – A truly spectacular mixed strain of single Hellebores with large (2-3″ wide) blooms ranging from pale yellow to deep canary. These may be clear, lightly spotted, streaked or edged in burgundy-red. ‘Golden Sunrise’ blooms for about six weeks, starting in late winter. Grows 18″ tall and is hardy to zone 4.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Peppermint Ice’ – A double-flowered beauty from the Winter Jewels Series with 3″ wide pink flowers with a dark rose picotee. ‘Peppermint Ice’ has good vigour and may vary from pale cherry blossom tones to mid-pink, often with pronounced veining. This strain blooms from late winter into early spring and grows to 18″ high. Zone 4 hardy.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Pink Lady’ – This seed strain was developed by Gisela Schmiemann of Germany and bears 2-3″ wide blooms. The single flowers may vary from soft pink to two-tone, or even a deep rose pink. ‘Pink Lady’ generally blooms from March to May in the garden and grows to heights of 18″. Hardy to zone 4.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Apricot Blush’ – A beautiful colour breakthrough that is part of the Winter Jewels series, bred by Marietta O’Byrne of Oregon. This strain includes 3″ wide single blossoms of peach to apricot (some with dark nectaries) and irregular rose-pink edges, streaks or veining. Blooms from February to April. Grows 20″ tall and 24″ wide. Zone 5 hardy.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Blue Metallic Lady’ – This seed strain is a little variable, so I would definitely pick out any new acquisitions while in bloom. The flowers range from a dark purple blue to a powdery reddish-blue, many with a distinct metallic sheen – all nicely contrasted by yellow stamens. ‘Blue Metallic Lady’ grows 18″ tall by 24″ wide, and is zone 5 hardy.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘White Lady Spotted’ – One of my favourite hellebores due to its vigor, mine bulked up to a mature specimen in just 3 years. The slightly pendant single white blooms are generously spotted in deep maroon – although with some variation, as it is a seed strain. I prune my tatty winter leaves back just before the flower buds emerge and it looks great for the rest of the year. Grows 18-24″ tall by 24-30″ wide, and is zone 5 hardy.

Helleborus x hybridus ‘Berry Swirl’ – The pendulous double blooms of ‘Berry Swirl’ are not only deer resistant, but they keep coming for 3 months from late winter right into spring. The variable pink, orchid or reddish flowers have cream highlights and darker picotee edges and veining. This Lenten Rose grows 18″ tall to about 24″ wide, and is zone 5 hardy.

Species of this genus produce clusters of tiny flowers with a sweet, delicate fragrance. Foliage is handsome. Provide well-drained soil.

Heliotropium arborescens: from Peru. This old-fashioned favorite grows to 4 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide in the mild-winter zones where it is a perennial, but it’s typically treated in all regions as a summer bedding annual to 1 1/2 to 2 ft. high, 1 to 1 1/2 ft. wide. Dark violet, purple, blue, or white blossoms are densely set in curved, one-sided spikes that form rounded, 3 to 4-in. clusters. They have a scent reminiscent of vanilla. Veined leaves have a darkish purple cast.
‘Black Beauty’ and ‘Iowa’ are varieties with deep purple flowers; there are also dwarf forms under 1 ft. high.

All are good in pots (in cold climates, overwinter them in a frost-free spot). They can take full sun in cooler climates but need partial shade in warmer ones.

Trailing, arching stems that root where they touch soil make these plants useful as ground and bank covers. Shiny dark green, oval to oblong leaves. Lavender-blue, five-petaled, pinwheel-shaped flowers appear in leaf joints in early spring. Plant the larger species and its varieties 2–2 1/2 ft. apart, dwarf kinds 1/2 ft. apart. When plantings mound up or are layered with old stems, shear or mow before new spring growth begins. Will grow in almost any soil. Compete successfully with surface tree roots.

Vinca major is the larger, more aggressive species, and should be avoided. Leaves to 3 in. long, flowers to 2 in. across; mounds to 1–2 ft. high. Spreads rapidly; can be extremely invasive in sheltered, forested areas.

Well, at least there is the internet and Google to assist those who have a question and need an answer.

Q. Who is older – Johnny Depp, Nicholas Cage or Barack Obama?

A. The Answer Lady knows this one without even looking up dates.

Why is that you ask?

Nicholas Cage is only six days younger than Answer Lady. Plus, her adorable 14-year-old is a huge Johnny Depp fan and tells Answer Lady all of the time that they were born on the same year. That would make both men 47.

President Barack Obama, Image from visitingdc.com.

Now, our president was born in 1961. In fact, he will have his 5oth birthday on August 4th.  So the answer to the question is that Barack Obama is older than Nicholas Cage and Johnny Depp.

Q. Why has my spider wort gotten leggy?

A. Spider wort loves spring weather. This grassy plant gets nice and high. Fuchsia or purple flowers bloom and it is quite lovely. However, once the heat of summer settles in the plant is not so happy, especially if it is in full sun most of the day.

Spiderwort in full sun, not pretty.

I have spider wort in full sun and in part shade. The plant in part shade is a little weepy but there for the most part. The plant in full sun is wilting, drying away and the patch of ground is looking bad. This fall, I am transplanting the rest of my spider wort to the part shade sections.

Q. Which is tastier – Elephant Ears or Funnel Cakes?

A. The answer to this question is that the Answer Lady does not have a clear concise answer. Both food items contain flour, sugar and grease. Both are sugared – granulated sugar on the elephant ear and powdered sugar on the funnel cake. You can get toppings on the elephant ears that make them even more tasty.

That does not answer the question and the Answer Lady must ask that dear readers begin to pipe in about their preference. As it is County Fair season, we are planning on an expedition to decide which is better. It is a tough job but someone has to do it. Does anyone want to join me and share in the load?

Image by Grafixar

All dogwoods offer attractive foliage and blossoms; some have spectacular fruit or winter bark. Leaves of many types turn brilliant colors in fall. What appear to be flower petals in many dogwoods are actually bracts—petal-like modified leaves. These surround the inconspicuous true flowers.

Cornus florida 

Native to eastern U.S. Trees tend to branch low, the branches building up in horizontal layers (with gray twigs pointing upward at branch ends). Mature trees–often wider than tall–have a gently rounded to flat crown.

Small flower clusters are surrounded by four roundish, 2–4-n. bracts with notched tips. The species has white bracts, but selections offer bracts in pink shades to nearly red (as well as white). Bracts form in fall; tips may dry out in harsh, dry winters, preventing inflorescence from opening fully. Flowers almost cover the tree in midspring before the leaves expand. Oval, 2–4-in.-long leaves are bright green above, lighter green beneath; turn glowing red in fall. Clusters of small, oval scarlet fruit last into winter or until birds eat them.

Subject to anthracnose, a fungus that can cause leaf damage, stem cankers, and decline or death of the tree. Avoid injury to bark from mowers and string trimmers; try to keep the tree healthy with adequate feeding, watering, and air circulation.

Examples of Species
The most familiar species to gardeners is called Common Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis). It will grow into large mounds which can be 47 inches in height and can spread about 18 inches across. Flowers will bloom in the late spring and early summer. The flowers have white inner petals and pink outer petals.

Another species of bleeding heart often seen in gardens is called Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra exima). It is called a ‘fringed’ bleeding heart because it has grey-green fern-like leaves. It will form clumps that are 24 inches in height and can spread about 18 inches. The flowers bloom in the spring and are either white or pink.

The last species that is of particular interest to gardeners is called the Western Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa). This plant’s most distinguishing features include blue-green fern-like leaves, and pink flowers. It is a low-growing plant that can reach a height of 18 inches and can spread across as much as 36 inches. More often than not this plant species is found in gardens on the west coast of Canada because it is found growing wild in the forests.

Growing Conditions and Uses
All species of bleeding hearts require similar growing conditions which include; planting in shade or part shade, and average to moist soil. You can plant bleeding hearts in full sun, but the plant will stop producing flowers midway through the summer when the sun is its most intense. They should be well-watered throughout the summer, but not to the point that you have waterlogged soil (can result in root rot). Placing compost around the plant will ensure it gets the nutrients it requires and will result in the requirement of less fertilizer. Planting in shade or part shade will also ensure that your bleeding heart remains in bloom until the fall. Since most species of bleeding hearts grow naturally in shady woodlands and moist canyons, they are well-suited to shade gardens and woodland gardens. They can also be planted in close proximity to a pond or stream.

Final Thoughts on Bleeding Heart
There are many different varieties of bleeding heart to choose from with different flower and leaf colours. A few examples to choose from include Dicentra spectablis “alba” which has flowers that are entirely white, and Dicentra spectablis “Steward Boothman” which has dark pink flowers and blue-grey leaves. Coral Bells and Hostas are good companion plants with bleeding hearts and help fill in the gaps after the leaves start to turn. Leaf spot and downy mildew can be an occasional issue, but usually this plant species will not encounter problems as long as you provide proper care for it.
Adam Mohamed

Scirpus cernuus grabs your attention with the small flower clusters at the ends of the stems.  Some have likened this to fiber optics.  Hence the name Fiber Optic Grass.  Scirpus cernuus is a wetland plant and will grow in moist soil or even in the water.  Scirpus cernuus grows in full sun if it is in a wet enough environment.  Without the pond,  light to full shade makes growing Scirpus cernuus a lot easier.  Scirpus cernuus grows 8″ tall and slowly spreads a few inches each year.  If the Fiber Optic Grass dries out, cut off the brown tops and give more water, they will often recover.  Scirpus cernuus is Winter hardy into the low teens.  The Fiber Optic Grass can sometimes be found under the name Isolepis cernua.

The calla lilies are a beautiful genus of flowers that have been enjoyed by humans for centuries. The calla lily grows from a type of bulb called a rhizome and produces very large green leaves, typically covered with lighter-coloured spots. The flower blooms from the top of a rather thick stem and sort of resembles trumpet shaped rolled paper, having a texture ranging from rather fleshy to wet autumn leaves. A grouping of calla lilies is a wonderful addition to any garden, since they are relatively easy to grow and are an absolute favourite as a cut flower inside the house. Keep on reading to learn more about calla lilies and how to grow them for your own gardening pleasure.

The calla lily, or zantedeschia, is a genus of twenty-eight different species all native to the southern parts of Africa with a tropical climate, from South Africa up to Africa aligned with the northern point of Madagascar. The genus calla was originally named by the famous Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus but as it became apparent that the genus needed to be split up, the German botanist Karl Koch named the new genus after his fellow botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi from Italy. It became a major hit in Europe and is still very popular, especially as a wedding flower, although it has been known to appear at funerals as well.

The calla lilies grows from bulbs, or rather rhizomes, and will therefore, as most other bulbs, spread by producing even more bulbs. These bulbs can be dug up, and replanted in another location. The calla lily is a very hardy and strong genus that will grow in more or less any soil as long as it the climate is humid enough. In many of the countries from where the calla lily originates it is thought of as a weed and is ferociously cut down to make way for agriculture. The calla lily can also be propagated through its seeds but it takes a little more finesse than to just dig up those extra bulbs.

Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia), attractive foliage and clusters of bright purple flowers in winter, sun to light shade.

Native to Australia. Grows at moderate rate to 10 ft., climbing by twining stems. Attractive flowers shaped like sweet peas bloom from late winter to early spring, carried in clusters of several to many. Needs light, well-drained soil. Provide support for climbing and cut back after bloom to prevent tangling. Good against trellises in large containers (use soil mix rich in organic matter).

Hardenbergia comptoniana

Light, delicate foliage pattern; leaves divided into three to five dark green, narrow, 2 to 3-in.-long leaflets. Flowers are violet-blue, 1/2-in. long, and held in long, narrow clusters. Where temperatures drop below 24°F/–4°C, plant beneath overhang.

Hardenbergia violacea 

Coarser textured than H. comptoniana; leaves usually undivided, 2–4 in. long. Flowers are lilac or violet to rose or white. ‘Happy Wanderer’ is a tough, vigorous selection with pinkish purple blooms. ‘Canoelands’ is similar but with narrower leaves an a longer bloom period. ‘Icicle’ has pure white blossoms. ‘Rosea’ (H. v. rosea) has pink flowers. ‘Mini-Ha-Ha’ is a shrubby dwarf form growing just 3 ft. tall and wide.

Pink Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum), semi-deciduous, 5-10 ft., white to pink flowers late winter and spring, native, sun to part shade.

Ribes sanguineum is native to the coastal ranges from British Columbia to central California where it grows in a variety of habitats. Two varieties are popular for landscape and garden use. Both do well in part shade, rich soils  and with regular winter moisture. They can adapt to drier conditions during summer, and will lose their leaves in drought conditions.

Both pink and red varieties have long tassles of small bright flowers, and deep green leaves that are wrinkled on the surface. Both produce edible berries that are loved by birds. One of the most beautiful native plants, and best adapted for garden use.

Margaret Roach at last weekend’s shade gardening workshop, above

LAST WEEKEND, along with a few dozen other garden nerds, I attended a half-day shade gardening workshop in Columbia County, and took 8 pages of notes.

We started at Margaret Roach’s lovely, hilly two-acre spread (she being the garden blogger I most admire, and author of a forthcoming dropout memoir about leaving the city for a more serene life in the sticks — I can relate). Our second stop was Loomis Creek, a nursery known for unusual offerings and stunning display borders. One of Loomis Creek’s owners, Bob Hyland, presented the second half of the workshop, and shared the news that the nursery will be closing for good Columbus Day weekend, when Bob and his partner de-camp for new adventures on the West Coast. Great bargains there in their final close-out; I came away with a car-full.

When asked why we were there, one woman spoke for many: “Because I don’t have any SUN!!!” Despite what I hoped when I first came to my Long Island cottage in May ’09 — south-facing backyard and all that — I have NO full sun anywhere on my half-acre. It varies from part to deep shade throughout, and I’ve been gravitating toward plants that don’t have to struggle. Also, almost all my gardening knowledge to date comes from books. I wanted to see how real gardeners actually handle plants (I may never plant a quart nursery pot again without tearing it into several pieces, as we watched Bob Hyland do with a  pot of ajuga).

Here’s some of what we learned last Saturday, beyond the basics (the basics being ‘plant in multiples of 3,5,7,9; in drifts or waves rather than rows…’):

• Shade plants grow slowly. That’s why they tend to be more expensive. It takes a nursery 2-3 years to nurture seedlings (hellebores, epimedium) along to salable size.
• When transplanting/dividing plants in fall, pre-soak the ground. I’d always just sprinkled perfunctorily, but Margaret recommended a few hours a day for a few days in advance. And wait for cool, overcast weather to do the deed, if possible.
• September is THE time to transplant and divide perennials (in Zone 5, anyway; here in Zone 7, we can probably go into October). October’s the month for planting new trees and shrubs.
• A lot of woodland (shade) plants have shallow root structures, so their roots freeze easily if you move them too late. They are adapted to live in small pockets of soil between tree roots. “Pocket planting of baby seedlings may be more effective,” said Margaret, than buying larger nursery specimens. “It’s nature way.” That requires patience, not my strong suit.
• Think “opportunistic” gardening on a shady property — that is, create gardens for beauty in March through May, before deciduous trees leaf out. Identify your seasonal opportunities and make the most of them.
• An easy kind of shade garden (well, it’s all relative) is creating a “skirt” around deciduous trees, with early bulbs and primulas, trilliums, Jeffersonia, and ‘dolls eyes’ aceta (cimicifuga) — none of which I’ve tried — especially near the house, where you can view them through a window in March and April.
• The best way to design: “Look out the window.” Especially in winter, that’ll be your most frequent vantage point.
• Group containers full of high-impact, long-lasting plants, such as ‘citronelle’ heuchera, hostas, begonias, and hakonechloa to welcome visitors into a shade garden.
• Spanish bluebells are “good for the back 40″ – sweeps of ground cover visible from a distance.
• Note to self: get some petasites! They’re dramatic, huge-leafed, pre-historic-looking things.
• If you want to special-order annuals from a nursery for next year — if you need a large quantity or want something unusual — do it now.

Shell ginger, Alpinia zerumbet

A tall landscape plant, shell ginger (or one of the many other gingers available), provide striking background foliage in the landscape.  It may grow up to six feet tall and will continue to spread if given adequate space.  It is rated for zones 8-11 but may not flower if affected by frost.  However, our shell ginger is flowering nicely this year after more than a week of freezing temperatures in January.  Part shade and moist soils are best for this plant.  Although it will tolerate full sun, it is not drought tolerant and may require even more water than a shaded plant.  Shell ginger also makes an attractive house plant.

Like all gingers, shell ginger is native to Southeast Asia.  Although it is in the same family as the ginger we commonly use for cooking, the rhizome (or root) of Alpinia zerumbet is not typically used as a spice: the rhizome of Zingiber officinale is what you typically find in stores.  However, the leaves of Zingiber officinale are not particularly showy, and the plant seems to grow poorly in southwest Florida, so it is not marketed as a landscape plant.  The Estates Garden Shoppe sells shell ginger as well as a variety of other gingers, ranging from variegated forms to gingers with purple leaves and unique flowers unlike anything you’ll see on other plants.  There are several large clumps of shell ginger behind the Henry Ford Statue near the Ford estate and several other examples of ginger on the grounds, mainly by the Edison pool.

Globba Ruby Ginger is currently for sale in the Estates Garden Shoppe.