Penstemon digitalis Beardtongue
June 22, 2021
Beard-tongues are native to North America and are very hardy, low-maintenance, Water Wise and disease-resistant. They are hare-resistant and they attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. They could be in a butterfly garden.
The Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ was the Perennial Plant Association’s 1995 Perennial Plant of the Year. I purchased mine from Green Gate Garden Centre I have this in at least two beds in the garden. In one which is fairly close to the spruce tree, it was companioned with Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip.’ Bugleweed
In another bed with lots of sunlight the pink penstemon’s companion plants include an annual Verbana with pink blossoms, the Campanula glomerata Dwarf Clustered Bellflower, sweet oregano, columbine and Veronica spicata Royal Candles Dwarf Spike Speedwell which all blossom in late June and early July. Ground covers include Creeping phlox,
I highly recommend this combination in a community garden as all these plants are low-maintenance and water wise.
References
Historic tall bearded Iris ‘Mrs. Andrist’
June 14, 2021
According to the Historic Iris Preservation Society (HIPS), this historic tall bearded Iris cultivar ‘Mrs. Andrist’ was hybridized by Willis E. Fryer (Mantorville, Minnesota) in 1919.
‘Mrs. Andrist’
It is a hardy bearded rhizomatous iris that grows vigorously and is easily subdivided. It has thrived in Calgary and is a feature of many older gardens and is not sold in nurseries. Most gardeners are happy to share ‘Mrs. Andrist’ Iris as it spreads and is very easy to subdivide by separating its rhizomes. It is about 22″ in height. It prefers full sunlight. Its “fall” colour is “rich velvety purple” with an amoena pattern and a distinct white border. Its “standard” colour is “pure white” and its “beard” is a light lemony yellow. It is very fragrant. In Calgary it is often in full-blossom by mid-June when Phlox sublata Creeping phlox ‘Candytuft Pink Stripe’, creeping thyme, tall Blue Cornflower, cranesbill geranium, snow-in-summer, blue jacob’s ladder, decorative allium, veronica speedwell, Dianthus ‘Tiny Rubies’, and white clips are also in blossom. Bearded Iris is a drought-tolerant perennial with low-water needs as are Day Lilies, Echinacea, Lavender, Sedum, Gaillardia, Rudbeckia and Phlox, to name only a few. They can be planted together.
Willis established his nursery in 1898 in Mantorville, Minnesota. In his 1922 catalogue, he claimed to have tested over 600 varieties of iris. ‘Mrs. Andris” and ‘Dr. Andris’ were two of many cultivars that he advertised in the section ‘New Iris. ” He claimed that he had more seeds and more Iris than any other grower in the United States at that time. In 1922 ‘Mrs. Andrist’ cost 30 cents each or 3 dollars a dozen.
There are dozens of Mrs. Andrist Iris in the Parkdale Community Garden transplanted by thirty Brookfield Residence volunteers from the lane way garden in September 2015 prior to the construction of The Henry.
This photo was taken on June 24, 2019 by Jessica Howe.
While blooming in June, the spent buds can be snapped off easily. In August in Calgary, irises should be divided when the mounds become too root bound, usually after about three years. I like to cut the leaves back to c. 6″ in the fall or spring. Irises can be planted in and among sticky geranium.
Scilla siberica Siberian squill
May 8, 2021
Scilla siberica Siberian squill
The Sibirean squill bulbs were planted in the late 2010s and have since naturalized. Along with the Tulipa Tarda, they are the earliest flowers to bloom in the Parkdale Community Garden in Calgary, Alberta. This photo was taken on April 30, 2021.
This post also has a permanent page “Scilla siberica Siberian squill” listed under “Individual plants”
Folksonomy: spring bulbs, ephemeral plants, spring ephemerals, blue blossoms,
See also
* Siberian squill Wikipedia article Scilla siberia (Wikipedia)
Gentiana calycosa Pleated gentian
August 11, 2020
Gentiana calycosa Pleated gentian
This plant requires a moist, cool soil in part shade. In Parkdale YYC it begins to bloom in mid-July. The striking deep, intense blue colouring makes it conspicuous and it all “All parts of this plant…are poisonous if ingested.”*
“Gentians are among the loveliest of mountain wildflowers and are rock-garden favorites. The genus honors King Gentius of Illyria, ruler of an ancient country on the east side of the Adriatic Sea, who is reputed to have discovered medicinal virtues in gentian plants.” (LBJWC)
References
*Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (LBJWC) The University of Texas at Austin.
Folksonomy: xeriscape,
Antennaria pussytoes
July 2, 2020
Antennaria pussytoes
Antennaria is native to North America. It is waterwise and sustainable.
Antennaria is also known as catsfoot, cat’s-foot, and everlasting. The flower resembles the pad of a cat’s paw.
| Light | Sun |
| Soil | |
| Size | H: W: cm to cm |
| Blooms | late June early July |
| Colour | Pink |
| Growth | Fast |
| Leaves | Silver-green |
| Native plant | Yes |
| Fragrant | |
| Waterwise | Yes |
| Features: |
|
Lychnis viscaria German catchfly
June 30, 2020
Lychnis viscaria German catchfly
This easy-to-grow, Zone 3, old-fashioned perennial blooms from the middle of June and reaches its peak towards the end of June. Its cluster flowers on tall flower stalks, are a deep pink tall flower stalks and the foliage, which forms a grass-like mound, remains green late in the fall and appears again in early spring. It can be used for xeriscaping – once it is established, it is drought tolerant, does not need a lot of watering but does not like to dry out completely. It can grow in relatively dry areas but does better with enough moisture. This sturdy cottage garden plant, which is native to Europe, will grow in a container or in mass plantings, in a scree, alpine, or rock garden, and along the garden border. Ornamental grasses, Stachys byzantina Lamb’s-Ear, and other delicate flowers like the Campanula cochlearifolio Fairy Thimble Bellflower, and the Dianthus Red Border Pinks, make good companions. It is excellent for cutting. Other good cutting flowers that bloom at the same time include Mrs. Andrist Iris, roses, and catmint. It is a compact plant that can grow to about 24″ and spread to about 12″. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It is a good choice for a naturalizing or woodland garden.
If faded flowers are deadheaded, it will flower longer.
In 2006 it was named as Heritage Perennials® Top 10 Perennial.
In early spring, clumps may be easily divided. It can live for at least five years.
Its name comes from its sticky stems.
July 21 featured perennial Creeping Jenny
July 21, 2017
Lysimachia nummularia “Aurea” Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny Flynn-Burhoe meta4site.com ParkdalePerennialsYYC
The City of Calgary recommends Lysimachia nummularia “Aurea” Creeping Jenny as one of its Yardsmart perennials. “This is an excellent spreading groundcover for shady spots and trails nicely over rocks or walls with yellow flowers in midsummer. It does best in partial shade but will tolerate sun and shade as well. It is good for moist locations and a good plant to take advantage of rainwater runoff. It does spread but can be easily picked back by pulling stems out. Helps attract bees to the yard.
References
The City of Calgary recommends Lysimachia nummularia “Aurea” Creeping Jenny as one of its Yardsmart perennials.
July 20 featured perennial – Joe Pyeweed
July 20, 2017
Eupatorium maculatum Joe Pyeweed, Spotted Joe-Pye Weed
Joe Pye Weed Flynn-Burhoe meta4site.com ParkdalePerennialsYYC FB
References
“Joe Pye Weed” Better Homes and Gardens
July 19 featured perennial Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’
July 19, 2017
Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’
Phedimus spurius, Two-row Stonecrop, Live Forever.
‘John Creech’ stonecrop Flynn-Burhoe meta4site FB ParkdalePerennialsYYC
References
“Sedum spurium ‘John Creech'” Classy Groundcovers
Sedum floriferum ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’
July 16, 2017
Sedum kamtschaticum var. floriferum cv. ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’
(Orange Stonecrop, Kamschatka Stonecrop, Live Forever, Russian Stonecrop)
Sedum floriferum ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’
A robust naturalizer in Parkdale YYC.
I purchased this plant at greengate Garden Centre in Calgary in the fall of 2011 along with a number of perennials that were on sale in late September. This garden bed called September surprise has been consistently productive in every season.
On their website Green Gate Farms in the US describes it as,
“‘Weihenstephaner Gold’ Sedum is among the most popular groundcover sedums with its covering of tiny canary yellow star-shaped flower clusters in late spring. ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’ is a low-growing stonecrop that spreads by trailing stems to form an attractive ground cover. Flowers appear on reddish stems rising above the thick, triangular, succulent green leaves sharply toothed near the ends. The leaves turn purple in fall and into winter. The clusters of star-shaped, yellow-tinted, bronze-orange flowers are very attractive to butterflies and bees. An excellent selection for difficult sites such as banks and rocky areas.”
They also recommend that “Stonecrop be planted in “average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Needs good soil drainage to perform well. Avoid over-watering. Drought tolerant. Tip cuttings from plants may be rooted directly in soil around the plants.”
Height: 3-6 Inches, Spread: 12-18 Inches, Zone 3 – 9;
Exposure
• Sun
Soil Moisture Preference
• Dry
• Average
Attracts Wildlife
Vanessa cardui Painted Lady
• Butterflies
Critter Resistance
• Deer Resistant
• Rabbit Resistant
Season of Interest (Flowering)
• Summer
Season of Interest (Foliage)
• Summer
• Fall
• Winter
Growth Habit
• Spreading
Height
• 4-8 Inches
Attributes
• Container
• Mass Planting
• Edging
• Rock Garden
• Evergreen
• Drought Tolerant
• Ground Cover
• Border or Bed
• Great Foliage
Foliage Color
• Green
-
- edum floriferum ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’
-
- Lamium, Centaura Montana, sedum, Mountain Avens 4 June 2015
-
- Sedum July 2013
-
- Sedum July 2013
-
- edum floriferum ‘Weihenstephaner Gold’
Another Calgary garden 