Windflower Plant Profile

Windflower (Anemone blanda) is a plant with daisy-shaped flowers that bloom in a blend of pink, blue, and white in the early spring. They are also known as Wind Anemone or Grecian windflower. They are native to the mountains of Europe and Greece.

They are commonly planted in containers, rock gardens, and at the front of flower borders as they grow to only 4- to 6-inches tall. The foliage is attractive and fern-like. They are visited by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Windflowers are easy-to-grow, deer-resistant, and can naturalize after a few years. Fertilizer and supplemental watering are unnecessary. They are hardy to zones 4 to 10.

Soak the corms or bulbs overnight before planting them in a sunny spot in a hole about 3 to 4 inches deep in well-drained soil and in a location that will not be wet or irrigated in the summer.

The corms are round and it is fairly hard to tell which end is up, so just place them on their side and they will find their way to the surface and sun. You can plant them pretty close together – a dozen or more in one square foot of space is normal.

Once the flowers have faded, let the foliage turn yellow or brown and then cut it off. Cutting the foliage too early may deprive the bulbs of needed chlorophyll to store energy and re-bloom next year.

Windflower: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.

Audio, video, and text by Kathy Jentz

Editing by Madison Korman

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Winter Aconite Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/02/winter-aconite-plant-profile.html

~ Amur Adonis Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/amur-adonis-plant-profile.html

~ Spanish Bluebells Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/04/spanish-bluebells-plant-profile.html

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GardenDC Podcast Episode 233: What's Up, Buttercups?

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Peggy Anne Montgomery with Garden Media Group, all about the Ranunculus family. The plant profile is on Fleabane and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on the Robins Reign of Spring from Christy Page of Green Prints. 

TO PURCHASE, RANUNCULS BULBS go to: https://shop.kathyjentz.com/collections/ranunculus

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 127: Unusual and Specialty Bulbs

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-127-unusual.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 43: Galanthus 

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/01/gardendc-podcast-episode-43-galanthus.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 56: Next Level Containers 

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-56-next-level.html

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support.

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store!

This episode is archived at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Whats-Up--Buttercups-e30h2sg

Show Notes will be posted after 3-25-2025.

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We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Show Notes: Skylar Drew

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Ranunculus Plant Profile

Persian buttercup (Ranunculus hybrid) are beautiful cool-season flowers. The blooms look like a small peony or rose (without the thorns). The Persian Buttercup was crowned 2025’s Bulb of the Year. They come in a wide range of colors from pastel pinks and peaches to deep reds and purples.

 Persian buttercups make a great cut-flower and are very attractive in mixed bouquets.

Ranunculus are cold-hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11 and grown as annuals in colder zones.

You can purchases Ranunculus tubers In late fall or early spring. Store them in a cool place (around 50 degrees) until you are ready to plant them. 

Plant them in well-drained soil in full sun.

To give them a bit of head start, soak the tubers in water for 3 hours and then pot them up in containers about 6  weeks before you  plan to put them outside with other cool season annuals such as primroses, violas, and snapdragons.

Give them a bit of liquid fertilizer and keep them deadheaded for continual blooming.

Ranunculus: You Can Grow That!

TO PURCHASE, RANUNCULS BULBS go to: https://shop.kathyjentz.com/collections/ranunculus

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Madison Korman

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Hardy Cyclamen Plant Profile

 https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/03/hardy-cyclamen-plant-profile.html

~ Colchicum Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/10/colchicum-plant-profile.html

~ Amur Adonis Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/amur-adonis-plant-profile.html

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Hardy Cyclamen Plant Profile

Hardy Cyclamen are flowering perennials that typically bloom from fall to spring. The blooms range in color from white, pink, magenta, red, or lavender. They are members of the primrose family. Cyclamen are native to Europe and the Mediterranean, where they typically grow on rocky slopes. Hardy cylcamen species can grow in USDA zones 4 to 9.The garden-hardy species include Cyclamen hederifolium, Cyclamen cilicium, and Cyclamen coum. They prefer to grow among the root zones of trees or shrubs and because they are often small in size, should be placed on the edges of pathways or on shaded slopes so you can see and enjoy them. Their leaves are heart- or kidney-shaped with marbled variegations. Many collect them just for the attractive foliage. Cyclamen go dormant in the summer. The plants grow from a round tuber and should be placed in soil with good drainage so they don’t rot. It is especially important that they stay relatively dry during the summer months. Common names for hardy cyclamen include Alpine Violet and Persian Violet, though they are neither a violet nor from Persia. Another common name for them is Sowbread. because, pigs like to dig up and eat the tubers. Interestingly, hardy cyclamen are considered deer-resistant. Hardy Cyclamen are bee-pollinated and can be propagated by division or freshly collected seeds. Hardy Cyclamen: You Can Grow That! The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine. Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz Editing by Madison Korman ➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!) ➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out ➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE ~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com ~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener ~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/ ~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine ~ Podcast: GardenDC If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles: ~ Florist's Cyclamen Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/03/florists-cyclamen-plant-profile.html ~ Colchicum Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/10/colchicum-plant-profile.html ~ Amur Adonis Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/amur-adonis-plant-profile.html

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Florist’s Cyclamen Plant Profile

Florist’s Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) has heart-shaped leaves and sweetly scented flowers that come in a range of colors from white to pink to red to lavender. It is also known as Persian Cyclamen and previously was categorized as Cyclamen latifolium and Cyclaminus persica.

The plant flowers in late winter into spring and go dormant in summer.

It is native to the Mediterranean and is hardy to USDA zones 10 and 11.

Florist’s Cyclamen is grown as a houseplant in areas with cold winters. It is an especially popular flowering gift for Valentine’s Day.

It grows from a tuber and reaches 6 to 9 inches high.

Place it in bright, indirect light, such as a north- or east-facing window. They thrive in high humidity and temperatures between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep them away from heat sources or air vents.

It is toxic to dogs and cats, so do not allow pets to access the plant.

Avoid watering the top of the plant, which can cause the tubers to rot. Wait to water until the soil feels dry. Reduce watering when it goes into dormancy. Remove the spent flowers to encourage continual flowering. Give the plants a weak liquid fertilizer every month or two during winter.

Cyclamen can be propagated by seeds and by division of the tuber. When repotting Florist’s Cyclamen, be sure to keep the top of the tuber slightly above the soil level.

Florist’s Cyclamen: You Can Grow That! The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine. Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz Video and Editing by Madison Korman ➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!) ➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out ➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE ~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com ~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener ~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/ ~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine ~ Podcast: GardenDC If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles: ~ Tillandsia aka Air Plant Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/02/air-plant-plant-profile.html ~ African Violet Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/02/african-violet-plant-profile.html ~ Oxalis Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/oxalis-plant-profile.html

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Win a Flowerbulb.eu Gift Card in the April 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

Win a Flowerbulb.eu Gift Card in the April 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest! For our April 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a Flowerbulb.eu gift card (value $100).

   Flowerbulb.eu is the place to learn all there is to know about flower bulbs. It is not a site for purchasing bulbs; it is dedicated to providing education and inspiration on all thing’s bulb related. It’s time to buy your summer-flowering bulbs now. Your pollinators will love them! Follow Flowerbulb.eu on social media for stunning images and fun DIY projects. Visit Flowerbulb.eu to learn more.

  To enter to win the gift card, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on Tuesday, April 30, with “Flowerbulb.eu” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the April 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine issue and why. Include your full name and address. The winner will be announced by May 1.

UPDATE: Our contest winner is Jen Defensor! Congratulations, Jen.

Ipheion Plant Profile

 

Ipheion Plant Profile

Ipheion (Ipheion uniflorum) is a flowering bulb that blooms in early spring. The flowers are typically pale blue, white, or pink. It is also known as Starflower, Mexican Star, Springstar, and Starlikes.

It is a South American native -- where it is used as a groundcover plant.  Ipheion grows to about 10 inches high. The Latin name and classification have changed several times for Ipheion.

Pollinators are crazy for it. The flowers are sweetly-scented, but the grass-like foliage smells like garlic when crushed -- which makes it deer- and rabbit-resistant.

It is hardy to USDA Zones 5 to 9. Ipheion prefers full- to part-sun and slightly moist soils. It is fairly drought-tolerant so does well in rock gardens and in containers.

You can purchase the bulbs and plant them in the fall. It looks great in combination with daffodils and tulips. This is also an old-fashioned pass-along plant. Bulbs can be dug and divided shortly after the flowers fade.

It will self-seed and naturalize in lawn areas, then dies back by mid-spring. Ipheion is also a good cut-flower and is easy to use for bulb forcing too.

Ipheion: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.

Audio and text by Kathy Jentz

Video and editing by Cassie Peo

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

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~ Podcast: GardenDC

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Win a $100 gift certificate to buy bulbs online from Flowerbulbs.com

For our October 2023 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a $100 gift certificate to buy bulbs online from Flowerbulbs.com ($100.00 prize value).

   Looking for inspiration for your home and garden? Flowerbulbs.com is all about bulbs, bulb flowers, and bulbs in pots. Visit Flowerbulbs.com for inspiration for gardens, the most beautiful bouquets, holidays, and celebrations, and DIY tips with flowers and bulbs.

   To enter, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on October 31 with “Flowerbulbs.com” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the October 2023 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine and why. Include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on (or shortly after) November 1. 

UPDATE:

The contest winner is Douglas Reimel of Clarksburg, MD. Congratulations, Doug!

Spanish Bluebells Plant Profile

Spanish Bluebells Plant Profile

Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) are a flowering bulb that blooms in mid-spring. The common name comes from the lavender-blue, bell-shaped blooms on its foot-tall flower spike. They are sometimes referred to as Wood Hyacinths. While the flowers are normally blue, you can also find white and pink forms.

They are native to Spain and northern Africa. These little bulbs are hardy to USDA zones 3 to 8. Spanish Bluebells prefer well-draining soils in sun to part-shade locations.  They are deer-resistant and low-maintenance.

The bulbs naturalize by both self-sowing and by making more bulb offsets. You can dig and divide a clump to replant them once the foliage starts to die back. If planted near English bluebells (Hyancinthoides non-scripta), they can potentially hybridize with each other and create new flower forms from their seeds.

Spanish Bluebells: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.

Video and editing by Jessica Harden

Audio and text by Kathy Jentz

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

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~ Podcast: GardenDC

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GardenDC Podcast Episode 146: Spring Color Inspiration

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Roger Davis, Longwood Gardens’ outdoor landscape manager, about their spring bulb color displays. The plant profile is on Spanish Bluebells and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Core Aeration from Jeff L. Rugg, author of Greener View Gardening.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/support.

Show Notes: 01:28 Meet Roger Davis, Longwood Gardens’ outdoor landscape manager. 02:01 “I grew up in the South so we have to have our vegetables.” 02:35 All about Davis’ home garden in PA. 03:26 “I think it’s important to nurture that next generation of people that love nature and love gardening.” 05:42 Beer garden for dads and fountain shows for kids, what more could you want! 06:10 Why did the founder of Longwood Gardens purchase the land? 08:41 When will the conservatory construction finish? 10:42 Hot and humid summers, adequate rainfall, and chilly winters! 12:42 “Our Christmas display is very popular.” 13:46 The Flower Walk, what is the planting timeline? 16:09 Color blocking on the Flower Walk: purple, pink, and what else? 17:43 Does Longwood Gardens save any of their annual flower bulbs? 20:44 Do they leave tulips up when they’re first dropping petals? 21:26 “[Daffodils] can cover ugly tulip foliage.” 22:55 “The squirrels were definitely busy.” 24:24 There are 80 different varieties of tulips on the Flower Walk. 24:57 What are Davis’ favorite tulips? 25:40 “There is nothing better than walking through the garden and getting the scent of something fragrant.” 29:22 “One of the fun parts of gardening to me is the experimenting.” 30:00 What to do for Dutch Hyacinths flopping over? 33:11 How does Longwood Gardens fulfill their bulb crop wishlist? 37:33 What are Davis’ favorite bulb gardens or displays? 40:26 Longwood Gardens treats their bulbs as annuals, how does this change how the bulbs are cared for? 42:57 How did Davis plan his design for Flower Garden Walk? 47:04 Spanish Bluebells: this week’s Plant Profile! 48:28 Garden updates: Lilacs, azaleas, and golden ragwort are blooming! 48:48 Upcoming events: Mount Vernon Plant Sale; Beltsville Garden Club Plant Sale; Chevy Chase Garden Club Garden Tour; Georgetown Garden Club Garden Tour; Silver Spring Garden Club Plant Sale. 50:18 “The Urban Garden” by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight 51:17 “Groundcover Revolution” by Kathy Jentz. 52:40 The Last Word on Core Aeration from Jeff L. Rugg, author of “Greener View Gardening.”

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ Colorful Foliage and Longwood's Chrysanthemum Festival

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-34-colorful.html

~ Gardening with Bulbs

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/09/gardendc-podcast-episode-27-gardening.html

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We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:

Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Editing and Show Notes: Jessica Harden

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