Red Hot Rulers of the Garden

These Plants are the 'Red Hot Rulers of the Garden'. They may not be pure red in their color, but they will draw some attention none the less. I have tried to give you multiple idea combinations to try with each plant listed. Red is typically used with other bright colors in the garden but try to be more creative. Try various shades of red together or concentrate on different bloom times with reds. Foliage consideration is also important. You can add ornamental grasses with reds to soften the bold look which the reds tend to offer. Enjoy!


Dianthus 'Frosty Fire' is an excellent red for the garden. This plant has double red flowers with blue foliage. It grows to about 8" tall. Try using this one with Blanket Flowers (Gaillardia) which the yellow and orange of the blanket flowers will bring out the foliage of the Dianthus. Other great combo's include Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervivens), Daisies (luecanthemum) and Gooseneck Loostrife (Lysimachia clethroides).

Introducing Aster 'Hardy Red'. Now I know that many people avoid Asters because of their falling, sloppy nature but, if you plant ultra-sturdy plants around them, you can have a plant that isn't so clumsy come bloom time. Try placing this one smack dab in the middle of a group of False Indigo's (Baptisia australis). They will help stabalize one another. Another good companion plant with structural support is Joe Pye Weed (Euporatum maculatum 'Gateway').

Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' is an excellent red for the late summer garden. It grows to 30" tall and flowers profusely. This makes a great focal plant or does well in masses. The best way to use this plant is to place 3 plants at 8ft apart and plant other perennials in between. My absolute favorite with this plant is Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis). The orange petals of the Blackberry Lily mesh well with the off-red color of the Phlox. They're both tall plants so, remember to plant something underneath such as Astilbe 'Peach Blossom' (with adequate moisture), Anenome sylvestris 'Macrantha' or Gypsophila 'Bristol Fairy' (Baby's Breath).

Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet' is a great xeriscape plant for sun or part shade. It attracts butterflies and hummingbird's and is a great provider of height to the landscape border.

Ilike to plant this monarda with Artemesia ' Valerie Finnis', Astilbe 'Deutschland' and Hemerocallis 'Mauna Loa' (Daylily). If you'd like, you can try Liatris spicata 'Floristan White'

as well. Great plant, long bloom and does well in dry soil.


Gaillardia 'Burgandy Wine' is a profuse bloomer. I have used this one together with Coreopsis ' Moonbeam', Artemesia 'Powis Castle', Asclepias tuberosa and Salvia nemerosa 'Marcus'



One of my all time favorite Daylily's is this garden standout called 'Chicago Apache'. This stellar performer grows to 26 inches, has a green throat and is a rebloomer. Try this one with Achillea 'Terra Cotta' for a display of salmon, yelloe, orange and red. Another great pairing is with Echinacea 'Sundown'. The flower color of this Daylily is quite consistant as compared to other varieties. Combines well with oranges and light pinks.

Achillea 'Paprika' is an interesting perennial. It blooms profusely with fading flowers from red to yellow. It does have a tendency to flop and become messy so make sure that you cut this one back to encourage new growth. Combine with Platycodon 'Shell Pink' or Showy Primroses for a great pink and red display. Also works well with Astilbe 'Ostrich Plume', Panicum virigatum (Switch Grass) and Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle).


Aquilegia 'Red Star' is one of my favorite Columbine varieties. This Spring Bloomer does well in shaded areas that don't get too heavily shaded. Plant this one with Trollius 'Golden Queen', Bleeding Hearts, Ferns and in and amongst emerging Hosta's. This plant tends to be short-lived but worth it. It's self-seeding nature provides lots of small plants to which, you can replace those that have died. Exquisite Flower.

Top Ten Perennials for Minnesota Shade Gardens

When Planting perennials in Minnesota, considerations must be made for certain plants to protect against excessive snow thaw which can create boggy soils, salt from driveways and sidewalks and freeze-thaw cycles in the Spring and Fall. The following is a list of my favorite perennials for shade in the Minnesota Landscape. See this Gardeners website for information on how to obtain these plants at exceptional prices at www.amazingearthclub.blogspot.com

Epimedium 'Lilafee' This is a great ground cover type perennial for shade. It forms thick clumps, lavender-violet flowers appear over heart shaped leaves. Works well with emerging Hosta's, Globeflower, Solomon's Seal and Bleeding Hearts.


Thalictrum aquilegifolium purpureum also known as Meadow Rue, is a tall plant, 3-5ft in height which resembles columbine. Blue-green foliage with violet -purple flowers on purple stems.

Try combining this one with Bleeding Hearts and Golden Orange Globe Flower.
Alchemilla mollis also known as Lady's Mantle. This vigorous and superb perennial has chartruese flowers and hairy leaves that collect water droplets from the morning dew. This plant grows about 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Plant this one in masses that meandor through ferns and Astilbe's.



Ligularia 'Desdemona' A great focal plant for the deep shade with hard to find, orange flowers on long empty stems. Giant shiny green leaves with purple undersides. This one grows to 3.5ft.
Great with Hosta's.

Aconitum fisheri which is known as Monkshood, is a rare spectacle in the garden. It may be rare due to it's poisonous nature. All parts of this plant are poisonous and should be handled carefully. Otherwise, this plant provides a foliage similar to Leucanthemum's, yet darker and almost black. I have these planted in amongst Monarda's and Globe Flower.

Anenome tomentosa 'Robustissima' This Windflower is simply incredible. It booms in early fall with a bounty of light pink flowers that are shed daily, creating a carpet of petals. 30" tall and a great plant to bring light to a dark area. Combine with Astilbe's like 'Fanal'.


Cimicifuga racemosa This plant known as Bugbane brings a bright cherry fragrance into the shade garden. It's a tall plant, reaching 5ft tall or more. Give this one some room. This is a great plant to combine with Brunnera, Ferns and Ananenome's.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Looking Glass'

This may easily be my all-time favorite perennial in any category. It grows in deep shade and resembles Forget-me nots. The flowers are an intense sky blue and the leaves of this cultivar are a shiny silver. Plant this one in masses amongst Bleeding Hearts and Globeflowers for a Spring display bof pink, gold and blue.

Astilbe thunbergii 'Ostrich Plume'

This Astilbe has cascading flower heads that create an interesting focal point when planted en masse. The striking pink flowers are often shades of pinks, adding to the enchantment of this unique Astilbe. Try planting this one around a specimen Goatsbeard or Cimicifuga.

Aruncus diocus

This Sylvan's Goatsbeard is the plant to beat for fast growth and bulk in the garden. This plant has a formidable yet soft appearance, with a foliage similar to that of the Astilbe's. If used in the back border, combine with cinnamon ferns or woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata). If used as a specimen, consider using a lower growing groundcover type plant around it to fully showcase this plants character. Remember to plant this one as a 1 gallon sized plant.

Enjoy!

Hosta-liscious

Some of my favorite Hosta's for 2009-2010



Hosta 'June' Hosta 'Guacamole'

Hosta 'Touch of Class'


Hosta's bring color and contrast into our shaded gardens. They make great focal plants and are also excellent in mass plantings. Although Hosta's can be quite expensive, their quick growth and tolerance of frequent division make them a great coice even on a low budget. Instead of buying Hosta's in bulk, consider buying 1-3 plants and allowing them to grow for two seasons before dividing them into a new crop. Most mature Hosta's can be divided into 4 or more sturdy plants every two or three years and actually perform better than undivided plants. Just remember to plant them in humus rich soil and give them adequate water during the hot summers.
As mentioned earlier, Hosta's can be expensive. A great way to save money on plants is to sign up for an Amazing Earth membership at http://www.amazingearthclub.blogspot.com/
Amazing Earth is a Minnesota based company that provides plants and landscaping materials to their members at great discounts. The memberships with Amazing Earth are for 3 years and can be used by any member in the household. Unlimited yearly purchases can be made and there is no minimum order. The plants and materials are delivered directly to your home with a nominal, predetermined delivery fee. As an example of the savings that you will experience with an Amazing Earth membership, the hosta's displayed on this page would be priced as follows;
Plant Retail Price Amazing Earth Price Savings

Touch of Class $15.00 $7.10 $8.40
June $15.00 $7.10 $8.40
Guacamole $14.50 $6.75 $7.75

Hosta 'Drinking Gourd' Hosta 'Captain Kirk' Hosta 'Guardian Angel'