Tag Archives: perennial

Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima) is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family. It is endemic to three of the eight Channel Islands of California, where it grows on cliffs. It is rare in the wild due to its limited distribution. However, it is also cultivated as an attractive garden plant, valued for both its foliage and flowers. …

Hibiscus adds a tropical flair to your Sunnyvale garden. It is a bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 8 to 16 ft tall and 5 to 10 ft wide, with glossy leaves and solitary, brilliant red flowers in summer and autumn. The 5-petaled flowers are 4 inch in diameter, with prominent orange-tipped red anthers. Provide the plants with at …

Streptosolen jamesonii (Marmalade Bush) – An evergreen rambling, shrub that without support will grow 4-6 feet tall and wide; with support it can reach 15 feet. It has oval-shaped 1 inch long leaves with a wrinkled appearance that densely clothe the sprawling branches and a bountiful display of large 5-inch orange, bell-shaped flowers bloom at the terminal ends of the …

Water Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpiodes) is a perennial with delicate sprays of sky-blue, tiny flowers adorned with yellow centers in late-spring/early-summer in Sunnyvale (USDA zone 9). The sprays (cymes), up to 12 inches tall, resemble a coiled scorpion’s tail, hence the name. The flowers rise on a semi-evergreen foliage of shiny, oblong, bright green leaves. Easy care, resilient to most pests, …

Is this Pickwick Crocus white with delicate lilac-blue stripes, or lilac with white stripes? In pursuit of the answer, it’s fun to force a pot and examine the flowers closely. Plant between clumps of Jeanne d’Arc and Flower Record for a lovely composition in white and purple. Heirloom, 1925. This variety is one of the familiar, and welcome, giant spring …

Society garlic is an attractive ornamental plant from South Africa whose leaves have a garlicky odor. It belongs to the lily family — as do onions and garlic — but to a different genus, entirely restricted to Africa, which includes about 24 species. The genus name Tulbaghia honors Ryk Tulbagh, an 18th-century Dutch governor of the Cape of Good Hope; …

A classic perennial wallflower selection with profuse clusters of fragrant, mauve flowers over an exceptionally long season; nearly year-round in warm coastal areas. Shrubby, upright form is perfect for mixed borders, cottage and butterfly gardens. Colorful, easy to grow and drought tolerant once established.

Helichrysum argyrophyllum, the Golden Guinea Everlasting Daisy, makes a great groundcover in open sunny spots and is perfect for sunny rock-gardens. This South African native has small silver/grey leaves and from late summer into autumn it is covered with masses of bright yellow everlasting daisies. This is a tough plant that will survive heat, drought and even frost. We purchased …

Cyclamen is a great winter-flowering plant that loves light shade. You can grow in indoors or out. I am currently using them as a winter highlight in my former firepit. The red cyclamen is classic for the winter holidays. This salmon variety is also pretty. Strong stems bear vibrant, filly flowers well above attractive, silver-mottled leaves. In the summer, the …

Hebe speciosa, its many cultivars and hybrids are very popular garden plants in area with suitably mild temperate climates. They appeal because of their lush evergreen foliage, showy flowerheads, long blooming season and ease of cultivation. They are used to form borders, low hedges, bushes and potted patios for patios and terraces. They are ideal for coastal gardens due to …