Blog

Looking to enhance your ornamental grass selection? Native to the American prairie, Sorghastrum makes itself at home in any sunny border.Golden Sunset™ is a warm-season grass that forms neat clumps of wide, olive-green blades. Shapely and graceful, it has an upright/arching habit. Full, rich golden plumes rise to an impressive, but not overwhelming, height. Golden Sunset™ is a warm-season grass that forms neat clumps of wide, olive-green blades. Shapely and graceful, it has an upright/archi

Here’s a perennial you may not have considered. Colorful, easy to grow, drought-tolerant once established – and with eye-catching fall colors, to boot! ‘Ascot Rainbow’ lives up to the colorful part of its name with striking, yet subtle, gray-green leaves edged in gold. Come cool nights, the foliage becomes suffused with ever-deepening reds. It’s an autumn display worth waiting for. Culture NotesThey don’t come much simpler. Give it full sun or very light shade, and keep it irrigated until it’s

“Russian Sage” Is Neither? Nyet So Fast!We reported recently that Perovskia, a.k.a. Russian sage, is neither Russian, nor a sage. Turns out we were only half right.Horticulturist and sharp-eyed reader Mark Deacon, of Cincinnati Technical & Community College, updated us. It’s still not Russian, but it has gotten smarter.The perennial formerly known as Perovskia is native to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tibet. It’s not from Russia, with or without love. But while we weren’t watching, those never-sati

That’s right, folks: Perovskia is native to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tibet. It’s not from Russia, with or without love.It’s also not a sage, despite the pungent salvia-like aroma released when the silvery foliage is crushed. It’s actually in the mint family.P. atriplicifoliaThe original! Talc-white stems rise from lacy, blue/pewter foliage, adorned with sprays of lavender flowers. Named Perennial Plant of the Year in 1995, it stands a loose-limbed 3 – 4’ and is hardy in Zones 4 – 9. P. hyb

So you think Latin names are difficult, you silly English-speaking person? Hah!Let’s examine first a popular perennial, then the less-familiar story behind its name. GaillardiaA backbone of the sunny garden, “blanket flower” is known and loved world-wide for its array of bright, cheerful, often bicolor blooms.Complex daisy-like flowers feature a plethora of petals with toothy, pointed or fluted tips. Puffy gold/red centers remain attractive and interesting even after petals fade. As you mig