Tag Archives: evergreen perennials

Pizazz in Pots for Fall & Winter Color

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Brighten up the dreary gray days of fall and winter with some pizazz in pots perfect for entry ways, window boxes or hanging baskets. You can create your year round eye catching color using hardy dwarf shrubs, conifers and trees, blending them with perennials, bulbs and seasonal annuals.
Think outside of the box when choosing plants for your containers. There are many hardy ground covers, ferns and ornamental grasses that combine well with evergreen shrubs, trees and perennials for year round containers. Accent with long blooming annuals that can be exchanged easily seasonally. Bulbs can be also planted in your containers, just try to remember where you plant them so they can be appreciated

Conifers come in many colors, textures and forms

when they emerge. Choose plants with similar water and sun requirements following the right plant, right place philosophy.

Edible container gardens can also be a year round treat. Herbs, veggies and other edibles combine well together for color interest and a bonus harvest. Try blueberries, evergreen huckleberries, sage, lavender, rosemary and other tall herbs for height. Strawberries,

evergreen ornamental grasses

wintergreen, thyme and other creepers can be used to spill over the sides of your containers. Lettuce, cabbage, kale, spinach, radishes and swiss chard seeds can be directly planted into your containers for later grazing. Add violas, pansies and calendula for colorful annual edibles.

Plants for Containers

cabbage, kale & violas

Dwarf Conifers- Alberta Spruce, Hemlock, Hinoki Cypress
Evergreen Shrubs- Azaleas & Rhododendrons, Boxwood, Camellia, Heather, English Holly (Dwarf forms), Japanese Holly, Mexican Orange(Choisya), Nandina
Evergreen Perennials: Bergenia, Deer Tongue Fern, Helleborus, Heuchera, Orange Sedge, Sword Fern, Toffee Sedge, Tassel Fern
Ground Covers: Cotoneaster, Sedums & Hen’s n’Chicks, Vinca
Annuals for Cool Season: Cabbage & Kale, Calendula, Pansies & Violas, Primroses

When planting your containers, use a good quality potting mix and organic fertilizers. This power pack combination will feed your plants for a longer period of time and is better nutritionally than using chemical fertilizers which deplete soils. Dr Earth and Fox Farms are reliable product brands that work exceptionally well for containers, hydroponic growers and in the landscape.

Stop by Alpine Nursery & Landscape, in South Hill Puyallup for fantastic plants for any container.  We are a full service nursery carrying soils, fertilizers, pest control products and garden art.  When you are here, don’t forget to stop by The Pond Pad water garden and koi pond store.  www.alpinegrows.com

Hellebore (Christmas Rose) Care

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Hellebore or Helleborus (Christmas Rose)  are hardy evergreen perennials with thick leaves and long lasting flowers.  There are many varieties with bloom color ranging from white, pinks and burgundies.  Most flowers are single petaled, some are spotted and others have double flowers.

  • Prefer part sun to full shade. Varies in  exposure by variety.
  • Long lasting blooms from late winter through spring.
  •  Deer resistant.  Deer usually stay away from this plant.
  • Likes rich, moist, well draining soils.  Use organic fertilizers and a soil amendment a few times a year to promote thick lush growth and sturdy, long lasting blooms. Try Dr. Earth Rose and Flower food to promote healthy soil = healthy plants.
  • Grows from 12′-24″ tall and 12″ -30″ wide, depending upon variety.
  • Very versatile- preforms well in containers, landscape or  shade gardens.
Rosemary

‘Rosemary’ is hardy to -30 deg. F, grows to 12″ x 18″. Blooms December through May. Part Sun to full shade.

‘Pink Frost’ Flowers open whitish pink aging to burgundy red. Silvery green leaves with red stems. grows to 12-15″ x 18-24″ hardy to     zone 5. Part sun to shade.

‘Cherry Blossom’ upright, stunning, soft pink bloom with red picotee edging and red centers. Grows 12-14″ x 14-20″. Likes part sun. Gorgeous! Hardy to Zone 5.

For additional information on Helleborus visit: www.bloomingnursery.com and www.drearth.com for fertilizing tips, schedules and healthy soil.

 

Huechera (Coral Bell) Care

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Huecheras or Coral Bells are hardy, evergreen perennials with colorful, mounding foliage.  They bloom in spring (May, June) with spikes of white, pink or red flower “bells” that are magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies.

  • Hardy in zones 4-9. Heat & humidity tolerant.
  • Prefer moderately well draining soils, allow to dry somewhat in between waterings. Drought tolerant. Make sure not to bury the crown when planting.
  • Full to part sun. Darker colors can take more sun (some color may fade in too much sun), the veined varieties generally require more shade. Good for cut flowers.
  • Very versatile & popular- use in containers, landscape or gardens.
  • Fertilize a few times a year with an organic fertilizer like Dr. Earth Rose & Flower or All Purpose and add a soil amendment or compost to promote healthy the plants.

‘Midnight Rose’ Splashes of pink on burgundy foliage.

‘Marmalade’ Shiny, wavy foliage from amber to deep sienna.

‘Obsidian’  “The Black Standard”, will not fade in full sun.

‘Peach Flambe’ Bright peachy leaves turn plum in winter.

 

If you would like to learn more about Heucheras visit: www.terranovanurseries.com  We carry many of their perennials, stop by and see our selection, it’s growing more and more as we get closer to spring, Alpine Nursery, Puyallup, WA.