Plant Profile: Virginia Bluebells

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginiana) are a native plant to the Mid-Atlantic USA.

They thrive in deciduous shade and moist soil. If happy in a location, they will readily self-seed and form a nice colony in a few years. You can collect the seeds and scatter them as you like. You can also dig and divide them to spread them about.

Enjoy them while they are in season. You can see them in bloom en masse in early to mid-April in publicly accessible locations all around the Washington, DC region. Here is a link to our list of local Bluebell viewing hot spots: http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2014/04/best-spots-for-viewing-virginia.html.

Because they are ephemeral, in your own garden you will want to plant a companion that comes up as the Virginia Bluebells are fading -- like Ferns, Hostas, and Astilbes.

And surprise! Despite the name, not all Virginia Bluebells are blue – some are pink or white!

Virginia Bluebells need no real maintenance and are generally rabbit- and deer-proof.

Read more about Virginia Bluebells in the April 2015 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine (http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2015/04/washington-gardener-magazine-april-2015.html).

Virginia Bluebells – you can grow that!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine and edited by intern Allison O'Reilly.

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All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Video Wednesday: Chrysanthemum Plant Profile

Chrysanthemums or "mums" are an asset to any perennial garden. They provide quiet foliage all through the growing season and then set bloom right when most everything else is finished. From gold to pink to white and maroon, there is a color for every planting scheme. Don’t limit yourself to just the pompon cushion variety either...

Read more about mums at:
http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2012/11/chrysathemums-you-can-grow-that.html

To see other videos in our Plant Profile series., go to:
~ Japanese Anemones - click here
~ Asters - click here
~ Toad Lily - click here
~ Pink Muhly Grass - click here
~ Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchids - click here

Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchids: You Can Grow That!

It is a myth that all orchids are necessarily hard-to- grow, expensive, and are only safe in the hands of experienced gardeners. The most commonly available orchids are the Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchids. These so-called “grocery store” orchids are tolerant of the conditions inside most homes and make ideal “beginner” plants for first-time orchid growers. They are also quite inexpensive now due to cloning or tissue-culture reproduction, which has really brought down the prices of these plants in the last decade.

They have long-lasting blooms, often going for several months. The height of their natural bloom season is from November through March, but you will find them for purchase forced into bloom at all times of the year.

Phalaenopsis orchids need lots of air movement, even moisture, and several hours of indirect (but bright) sunlight each day. Avoid direct sunlight, which is too harsh for them.

They prefer temperatures no lower than 60 and not much higher than 85 degrees. They dislike sudden temperature changes. Cold temperatures will cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop. If this occurs, remove the yellow foliage and continue caring for the plant normally.

Water them when dry and allow the soil to dry out between watering.  The plant uses more water when it is in flower. However, it does store moisture in its canes, and can withstand short dry periods. Add a weak solution of liquid orchid fertilizer to the water, but cut that back during its blooming time.

And whatever you do, don’t add ice! Despite what the marketers tell you, these tropical plants do not appreciate freezing cold water on their root zones.

Repot them every year or two in a slightly larger pot and use a potting mix specifically formulated for orchids. Your orchids will also appreciate a “summer vacation” outside in a lightly shaded spot, just remember to bring them inside before a frost.

For more about orchid care, visit the National Capital Orchid Society at www.ncos.us, the Maryland Orchid Society at www.marylandorchids.org, or the Virginia Orchid Society at www.vaorchidsociety.org.

To see other videos in our Plant Profile series., go to:
~ Japanese Anemones - click here
~ Asters - click here
~ Toad Lily- click here
~ Pink Muhly Grass - click here

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Video Wednesday: Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)

This is the third video in series of plant profile videos aimed specifically at the Mid-Atlantic home gardener. See the first one, Japanese Anemones, here, and second one on Asters, here.

ASTERS: YOU CAN GROW THAT!

Asters are a hardy perennial that mostly bloom in late summer and autumn in the Mid-Atlantic region. Asters are native to Europe and North America. There are over 600 species in the Asteraceae family. They are deer-resistant, easy-to-grow, and vigorous plants.

The flowers are daisy-like in shape and come in shades of white, pink, lavender, and blue with a yellow center. The most popular variety is the New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae). Other popular Aster varieties include: 'Wood's Blue,' 'Monch,' and 'October Skies."

Their use in the garden is mostly as a filler plant in borders. They tend to get leggy and flop, so stake them or place them next to a plant or other feature that they can lean on. Look for some of the shorter, bushier cultivars to avoid the flopping. You can also try “pinching” them or cutting them back in late June to control their height.

Asters prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, they are fairly drought-tolerant. They attract butterflies and make good cut-flowers as well.

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Primrose: You Can Grow That!

Primrose are a cold hardy perennial for us in the Mid-Atlantic USA, that is also widely sold as a houseplant at local supermarkets and garden centers. At just $2-4 each, I buy several and use them to decorate my home with flowers during the depths of the winter doldrums. Then, when they stop flowering, I plant then out in the garden in a moist, part-shade spot. They come back reliably each year with little/no care and bloom about the same time outdoors as they did inside.

One extra step I do for them inside is that I pinch out any spent blooms as I come across them during weekly waterings. This seems to encourage more and longer flowering from the plants.

This year, rather than compost these sweet little plants, why not plant them out in your garden and be rewarded with blooms for years to come?

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Hen and Chicks Succulents: You Can Grow That!

"Hen and Chicks” Succulents (Sempervivum sp.) are like chips -- you cannot have just one! Once you start growing them, you'll find yourself collecting the many different varieties. There are over 3,000 named sempervivum cultivars, in numerous colors, shapes, textures, and sizes.

Sempervivum literally means "live forever" as they can be divided and propagated almost effortlessly. However, don't think that you can just set-it-and-forget-it. Each individual plant has a three-year life cycle and produces off-shoots for two of those years, so you will need to pull out those baby "chicks" and replenish the mother "hen" spot periodically.

These easy-to-grow succulents are great for indoor or outdoor containers. They can also be grouped with other cactus/succulents for a nice layered or contrasting look.

Sempervivum prefer full to part sun and very well draining (sandy/rocky) soils. They need little water and are very drought-tolerant.

Note that there are winter hardy varieties available here in the Mid-Atlantic. They are great in rock gardens and thrive in stone containers or concrete troughs. If you select a tender variety, you must bring it indoors for the winter and they should be kept as container plants to save you from digging and re-planting them out every growing season. 

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Calendula: You Can Grow That!

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) also known as Pot Marigold or Poet's Marigold is a half-hardy perennial plant that readily re-seeds if ever a bad winter kills it fully back.

Plant it in full sun and in well-draining, loamy soil. I only water it if we have not had a decent rain in weeks. Deadhead them frequently to encourage continual blooming. (I find them to be a long-lasting cut-flower.) You should also occasionally weed around them and pull out new seedlings to pot them up and pass them on to other gardeners.

It was named Herb of the Year in 2008 as it is edible and beneficial. Snip off the colorful ends of the flower petals to add a pretty accent to any salad or as a decoration on baked goods. It has a very light taste -- like a spicy pale honey. The dried petals can be used to color broths, cheeses, and butter. They are a thrifty substitute for the very expensive saffron.



Calendula tends to sulk in the summer heat of the Mid-Atlantic, but that is just a pause in its robust routine. In my garden plot, I cannot recall any month of the year that it doesn't have a few blooms opening up. This is a tremendous workhorse that belongs in every edible and cutting garden.

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Snapdragon: You Can Grow That!

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) are a cool season annual (sometimes a tender perennial) like pansies and violas that bloom in the shoulder seasons (early spring and late fall). They stop blooming through the coldest part of winter, but hold on to their green foliage for us here in the Mid-Atlantic (USDA zone 7).

Snapdragons make excellent container plants and it flowers in a wide range of colors from whites, oranges, and yellows to pinks and purples.

The common name "snapdragon", originates from the flowers' reaction to having their throats squeezed, which causes the "mouth" of the flower to snap open like a dragon's mouth.

Snapdragons are low-care. Just plant them in a sunny spot and make sure they do not entirely dry out. Mulching and snipping off their spent blossoms can help them stay healthy and floriferous*, but is not required.

And, oh yeah, they are deer-resistant! That makes them pretty useful among other cool-season annuals that are practically deer and rabbit candy. So, if you have a bare spot in a bed or container in the cooler gardening months, think about adding snapdragons.

*floriferous = continually bearing lots of flowers

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Toad Lily (Trycyrtis): You Can Grow That!

One of my all-time favorite flowers, Toad Lily (Trycyrtis), is a mainstay of the zone 5-8 shade garden in the fall.

It likes moist conditions, but not standing water. This summer's drought left my plants a bit crispy around the edges, but did not effect the blooming rate. The flowers are stunningly beautiful, but not large, so place these plants in the middle or front of the border for best viewing.

After planting, they take virtually no care. You can fertilize them, though I have only ever thrown some leaf mulch around their base a few times a year and called it a day.

If you want to divide and share them with gardening friends or relocate them around your own garden, do so in early spring to let them settle in before the autumn bloom cycle.

The only other advice I can share is that they can get a bit tall and lanky, which makes them easy to knock over. Putting them near something they can lean on is a good idea and keeping them out of prevailing winds helps too. I have mine planted next to the base of my gazebo and against an old birdbath where they are happy to keep company with Solomon's Seal and Lungwort.

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Beautyberry: You Can Grow That

Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a shrub that is native to our Mid-Atlantic area and throughout the southeastern United States, Beautyberry adapts well to various growing conditions from part shade to full sun, from moist soil to dry. It reaches 4-6 feet in height and width.

It is a show-stopper in late summer/early fall when the brilliant purple berries adorn the branches. Birds and other wildlife are also fond of the berries as a food source so you may find your berry display stripped sooner than you would like.

The shrub itself is a bit awkward in growth habit -- throwing out a long branch here, than there. Careful placement is a must so that you can both enjoy the berries and not be constantly fighting its wayward limbs. I planted mine to the back corner of a garden bench near a fence and that allows me to drape and arrange it as needed. In early spring, you should do a rejuvenation pruning -- meaning cut it all back to about 6".

Beautyberry in flower

The crushed leaves are said to be an excellent mosquito repellent and scientists are currently testing that Beautyberry benefit with promising results. I tried it out myself and did not find it effective, but your mileage may vary.

The shrub is famous for its amethyst-purple berries. Recent introductions also include white and pink berry versions. There is a small trial garden at the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC, that is worth visiting this time of year to view the different cultivars and to decide which ones you'd like to add to your home garden.

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.

Zinnias: You Can Grow That!

Zinnias are colorful summer annuals that are practically care-free and a great choice for beginner gardeners. The zinnia is a rewarding choice especially for those of you who have never started flowers from seeds before.

Rewarding is an understatement actually! So far this summer, I have picked 10 bouquets of flowers from my small zinnia patch and it is just getting started. The bees and butterflies love them too. I am often cutting my blooms right out from under the insects with a quick "sorry" as I run off to put them in a vase.

To start zinnias from seed, clear off a patch of soil in a sunny area of your garden. Here in the humid Mid-Atlantic US, good wind circulation is a must as zinnias are vulnerable to powdery mildew so make sure this out in the open and not next to a brick wall of tall shrubs. Scratch a few lines in the ground and then sow your seeds according to the package instructions. Water them in well. If it doesn't rain consistently, you may have to give them supplemental water, but usually they are fine without it.

The only other care note is to have your floral snips handy as once they start blooming, you will want to pick them practically daily. The more you cut, the more flowers they produce.

And it is not too late for this growing season! Last year I did not start zinnia seeds until early August and I was picking flowers by the end of September and they kept on producing through October.

All who are involved with You Can Grow That! (YCGT!) believe that plants and gardening enhance our quality of life. We want people to be successful with what they grow and to become more aware of the many gifts that horticulture brings. Find out more at http://www.youcangrowthat.com/.