Tag Archives: perennial

Cuphea – Flamenco Red

Many gardeners have learned the value of Cuphea for summer long flowers. We value them not only for the small, attractive flowers, but also for the hummingbirds, butterflies, and nectar-feeding insects that swarm around them. Aka Bat-Face Cuphea, St. Peter’s Plant, Tiny Mice, Bunny Ears, Cuphea llavea. Cuphea is a family of plants containing about 115 species according to the …

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Walker’s Low Flower

Walker’s Low Flower, aka Catmint. Catmint is one of the toughest perennials you can grow. It’s a proven performer during hot, dry weather, and the silvery foliage and blue flowers look great most of the season. Deadhead or cut back hard after first flush of bloom to encourage more flowers. Average, well-drained soil is usually sufficient. Tall types may need …

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Linaria purpurea

You can’t get any easier to grow than Linaria purpurea. Slender spikes of tiny violet-blue snapdragon-like flowers over narrow, whorled, blue-grey leaves light up many an old garden. Blooms all Summer in full sun or part shade. Fairly drought tolerant once established & it reseeds! To 3’ high & 1’ wide, it looks good in groupings. Native to southeastern Europe.

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Lily – Fortnight

Attractive, light yellow iris-like flowers with vivid maroon blotches loom on stiff stalks over neat clumps. Fire resistant. Fortnight lily are evergreen perennials with spreading fans of stiff, leathery sword shaped leaves up to 2 ft in length but only 0.75 in wide. Be aggressive in your pruning of them. The upright clumps of leaves are held in a vertical …

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Pepino Dulce

Pepino Dulce produces fruit that are the size of a large goose egg with a cream-colored rind that usually has beautiful purple stripes. I will give you time to look up the size of a goose egg. It has a sweet, mild flesh that is somewhat melon-like. Used fresh in salads or cooked. Beautiful, glossy ornamental plants require a very long …

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Dianthus

The name Dianthus is from the Greek words dios (“god”) and anthos (“flower”), and was cited by the Greek botanist Theophrastus. The color pink may be named after the flower, coming from the frilled edge of the flowers: the verb “pink” dates from the 14th century and means “to decorate with a perforated or punched pattern”. Ecology: Dianthus species are …

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Coleus

Coleus is a pretty foliage plant , Solenostemon scutellarioides   Family: Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Solenostemon (sol-en-oh-STEM-on) (Info) Species: scutellarioides (skew-tell-ar-ee-OH-ih-deez) (Info)   Synonym:Coleus blumei Synonym:Coleus scutellarioides   Category: Annuals Tropicals and Tender Perennials   Height: 12-18 in. (30-45 cm) 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)   Spacing: 9-12 in. (22-30 cm)   Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) …

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Chive

Chives are an easy addition to the Sunnyvale garden. It’s great to cut a few stalks with scissors and add them to your baked potatoes or other dishes. You can add them to herb boxes, pots, or in the ground. They are perennials (with adequate care).

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Cuphea cynea

Black eyed Cuphea, Tri-coloured Cuphea, Cuphea cyanea. Cuphea is attractive to bees and hummingbirds.   Family: Lythraceae (ly-THRAY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Cuphea (KYOO-fee-uh) (Info) Species: cyanea (sy-AN-ee-uh) (Info)   Category: Shrubs, Tropicals and Tender Perennials   Height: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)   Spacing: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)   Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to …

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Cyclamen

Cyclamen is a great winter-flowering plant that loves light shade. You can grow in indoors or out. The red cyclamen is classic for the winter holidays. In the summer, the foliage dies back and it is stressed by reflected heat (so shade is important).

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