Hymenocallis is a wonderful genus of bulbous amaryllids…native mostly to the US, Mexico, and Central America. Hymenocallis (spider lilies) are an easy-to-grow moisture-lover that are a reliable perennial wildflower in the garden. Spider lilies are a tough, low maintenance plant which makes it perfect for rain gardens. In the wild many Hymenocallis (spider lilies) often grow in or near water …
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Poppy – Icelandic
The Iceland Poppy is a boreal flowering plant. It is native to subpolar regions of Europe, Asia and North America, and the mountains of Central Asia, but not in Iceland!!! Iceland poppies are hardy but short-lived perennials, often grown as biennials, that yield large, papery, bowl-shaped, lightly fragrant flowers supported by hairy, one foot, curved stems among feathery blue-green …
Read More »Penstamon – Purple
Penstemon is a western United States native that has colorful tubular flowers on tall spikes. This prairie plant thrives in hot, sunny conditions and is a stunning addition to wildflower plantings. Another common name is beardtongue. About This Plant Penstemon forms dense spikes of tubular flowers in early to mid summer. Flower colors include pink, blue, red, purple, and white. …
Read More »Salvia – Blue Hills
Salvia × sylvestris ‘Blauhügel’ BLUE HILL. This salvia cultivar is a compact plant which typically grows only to 20″ tall. Features densely-flowered, spike-like racemes of pure blue flowers which bloom in June and continue throughout the summer. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. A mint family member which has narrow, dark green, basal leaves (to 5″) and smaller stem …
Read More »Sea Lavender
Sea Lavender. Herbaceous Perennial Flower Also known as Statice, Statice Plumbago Limonium latifolium Plumbaginaceae Family Synonym: Statice latifolia Tolerant of droughty soil, this sun-loving perennial delivers dense clouds of blue to pink-purple flowers rising above dark green basal rosettes. Delicate and airy in the garden and as a dried flower. Sunlight: full sun Shade from hot …
Read More »Bacopa
Bacopa. Sutera cordata. They are annual or perennial, decumbent or erect stemmed plants. The leaves are opposite or whorled,sessile. Leaf blade regular, round to linear, venation palmate or pinnate. Stems hairy or smooth. The flowers are produced solitary or in pairs from leaf axil, usually radially symmetrical, sepals 5, petals 5, usually white, blue or purple in color. Dispersal and propagation is by seeds and stem fragments. Crushed leaves have a distinctive ‘lemon’ scent.
Read More »Geranium
An easy-to-grow perennial, geranium is often used in borders, rock gardens, and as a ground cover. Another common name is cranesbill.
Read More »Hydrangea
Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea. Up until recently, if you wanted a blue Hydrangea, you needed acidic soil; otherwise it was pink. Toxicity: Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses Toxic Principles: Cyanogenic glycoside Clinical Signs: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea. Cyanide intoxication is rare – usually produces more of a gastrointestinal disturbance. Family: Hydrangeaceae (hy-drain-jee-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Hydrangea (hy-DRAIN-juh) (Info) …
Read More »Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea . Very popular . You need at least a foot width of soil. I tried growing it in 3 inches but it did not grow well. Sunnyvale’s climate zone (9b) is right on the edge for this tropical plant. You should protect it from freezes. Read more: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55375/#ixzz3HZrgOo3C
Read More »Red Trumpet Vine
Red Trumpet vine has lots of pretty red flowers. I am warning you that it is an aggressive climber. You can see an example at the intersection of Matilda and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road. Another example is on the south side of Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road past Fremont just past the Falefal-stop restaurant. I have a plant growing in a 3-inch wide trench and …
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