Summer's Garden Gems

You know, sometimes there are plants we stumble across that are true Phlomis: Image Courtesy of Christy Vincent, Photographer. delights. They are usually not ones we would normally consider when we add plants to our gardens, but once we have grown them, we wonder how we could have overlooked them! I know I have found some that I am very happy with, and I would like to give you some ideas on some of these little (and some not-so-little) summer garden gems I have found over the years.

Phlomis fructicosa: Jerusalem Sage

Here is a truly gorgeous and distinctive-looking plant. Think of the whorled flower heads of Monarda, only color them yellow, make them bigger, and stack them one on top of the other. This is Phlomis. With its fuzzy, grey-green broad leaves, this is one plant that makes a wonderful accent in and out of bloom.

Phlomis is big, so give this plant plenty of room to spread out. Originally from the Mediterranean, this plant will spread, but is not invasive in our southern Great Lakes region. It makes an excellent weed-smothering barrier, and can easily be pruned back. In fact, it responds well to pruning and dividing. Once thought to be only hardy into USDA zone 7, this plant will grow well in our region. It prefers a drier spot. The first year I attempted to grow this perennial sub-shrub, I had it in too moist a position. I replanted the surviving plants in rather poor, sandy soil in full sun, and it survived and thrived! It blooms in early summer, and is a great plant for attracting bees and butterflies. Leave the spent flower heads on to add winter interest in the garden, and remove in the spring. As I mentioned, hardiness isn't the problem if it is grown in well-drained, on-the-dry-side, sandy soil. Hardiness is from zones 4 to 9 if it is situated where it likes to be.

Chelone glabra: Turtleheads

Here is another tall and distinctive plant. If you have a consistently moist spot, this is a great addition to poorly drained areas! The flowers of Chelone resemble that of the snapdragons. Flower color ranges from white to pink. Beware of the variety or species you are buying, not all of them are reliably hardy in our region. Chelone glabra happens to grow well here. Plants are tall, up to 4 or so feet in height, with narrow, green leaves. This plant is one for full shade to partial shade, and doesn't do well if allowed to dry out, although as it becomes established, it will tolerate more dryness than when young. Great for late-season interest, Chelone blooms in late summer to early fall. It reseeds freely, so if you don't want more in a particular area, remove the seed heads for simple control.

Clematis heracleifolia: Bush Clematis

Good for full sun or partial shade, Clematis heracleifolia is different from its cousins in that it is a bush rather than a climber. Colors vary from light purple to deep purple, depending upon the cultivar. The flowers resemble hyacinths, being borne in clusters and have a long bloom period, from mid-summer to fall and are fragrant, sometimes strongly so. The only drawback is that this suffers a bit in the summer heat, and the leaves can become a bit stragly in appearance. By chosing cultivars, you can have a plant that ranges from 24 inches to 36 inches in height, and is more-or-less self-supporting. It grows well in average soil in full sun and tends to revert to a more vinelike habit in partial shade. This clematis is also a sub-shrub, and will suffer some dieback in the winter, so cut the dead stems off in late winter to early spring.

Knautia macedonica: Red Pincushion Flower

With flowers similar to Scabiosa in form, Knautia has red flowers on wiry stems, shooting up from the base of cutleaf-like foliage. There are several varieties available, but they will on average top out with flowers at about 18 to 24 inches in height. Long-blooming, they do well in a site that is well-drained, but not allowed to dry out. Soil should be average in fertility, and they do best in the full sun. Hardy enough for our region, they start up in June and don't stop until the frost gets them in the fall.

Ligularia stenocephala x przewalski: 'The Rocket'

Another tall, yellow-flowering beauty that really brightens-up partially shaded spots! Ligularia stenocephala x przewalski is a hybrid member of a genus of plants with many distinctive characteristics. Unlike many of its kin, this ligularia has flower spikes or tufts of yellow flowers rather than daisy-like form. 'The Rocket' has serrated and heart-shaped or roughly triangular-shaped leaves. The flower spikes rise up sometimes to 6 feet in height! The best spot to plant this large beauty is in moderately fertile and consistently moist soil in part shade. Morning sun is fine, but avoid afternoon sun if at all possible. Poorly drained areas will work with this plant, so keep that in mind as well. It will bloom in our region from mid-summer into fall.

Antirrhinum: Hardy Snapdragon, 'Debutante'

Here's something that will be a conversation piece in our gardens! This is a perennial snapdragon, hardy into zone 5. 'Debutante' blooms with soft raspberry-pink highlighted with yellow blooms all summer. This plant does well in full-sun, well-drained and rich soil. Flower spikes reach up to 24 inches in height.

Dictamnus: Dittany, Gas Plant

Here's another conversation piece for the garden! Dictamnus is a plant with glossy green leaves and spikes of pink or white, starlike or lilylike flowers, individually, they are small in bloom, but the spikes are great for cut flowers. The seed heads offer good winter interest, The whole plant is fragrant, and it is said that on still and warm nights, the volatile oils released can be lit with a match. Some people have a reaction to the plants, with rash, so take care when handling this unusual perennial. This does best in full sun. Height with blooms is about 30 to 36 inches with a spread up to 30 inches. Average soil with average fertility and moisture will satisfy its needs, and it is one perennial that resents transplanting, much like the peony. So, take all this into consideration when siting it! It may take two or three years to reach full potential, so also keep that in mind.

Hemerocallis: Everblooming Daylily: 'Purple d'Oro

One of my biggest rants is about the Stella d'Oro daylily. This ubiquitous plant seems to pop up everywhere! Landscapers love it, commercial landscapes are full of them, and every homeowner seems to have at least two or three. Nothing wrong with an "everblooming" daylily, but this is one plant that has dominated and inundated nearly every landscape! I just about gave up on the notion of ever growing a non-yellow everblooming daylily. This has the same growth characteristics as any of the Stellas: 18 to 24 inches in height and spread, blooming in flushes from early summer into fall. The difference is this one is pinkish-lavendar, with a yellow eye or throat. Plant as for any other daylily in average, well-drained soil and in full sun to light shade. Keep the seed pods picked, and it will bloom in flushes throughout the season, but NOT in that common yellow color!

Actinidia kolomitka: Hardy Kiwi Vine

No, you won't get a ton of large Kiwis from these vines! More like small, berrylike, although edible fruits. What you want to grow this vine for is its lovely foliage, often pink, white, and green. Leaves are heart-shaped and the male variety has the best foliage. This vine is great for draping over arbors, and will reach about 20 feet in height. It does best in full sun, average soil, and has average water requirements. Nice and unusual, it will offer a touch of class to any garden!

That about wraps it up for some of my favorite and unusual summer gardening gems. I hope you will be inspired to try some of these and other unusual plants in your garden, soon!