Thursday, April 19, 2012

Growing Hops....Make Any Garden A Beer Garden!

Yes...You can grow hops in your garden!  Hops are a perennial plant, meaning with proper care one plant will produce for many years. Hops like fertile soil, plenty of sun and water, and something to climb on.  And boy will they climb!  A hop garden is mesmerizing to watch grow. Each day there is new growth and never a boring watch. You will find yourself checking them every day, it is that addicting.  These may be a little bit tricky to find but your local horticulture professional can help!  Forget the man cave...you can have a man garden!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Coreopsis 'Mango Punch...Add some fresh,soft, low maintenace color.

Coreopsis

'Mango Punch'

The low, mounding perennial covers itself in summer with mango-orange flowers that have a red blush.

I love the fresh, fruity hue of this new variety. I have it in a couple different places...in front of some Russian Sage as well as mixed in with some white Obedient Plant.  Both plantings are gorgeous! Clip the faded blooms so the flowers will keep coming.

General Description
Low, nicely branched stems with rusty orange daisy flowers describes the Mango Punch tickseed's summer appearance. An herbaceous perennial selected by Terra Nova Nurseries of Canby, Oregon, 'Mango Punch' grows as a low mound with limited winter cold tolerance. The many rusty orange daisy flowers attract butterflies and bees. Promptly trimming off spent flowers ensures a constant flush of new flowers in summer, even into early autumn.
Plant 'Mango Punch' in a well-draining moist to slightly dry soil that is fertile and not highly alkaline in pH. Capable of enduring light drought, water it if both heat and dry soil occur in unison to prevent browning. This sun-loving perennial is well-suited to the front of perennial borders, rockeries, containers or as an edging. Its intolerance of prolonged subfreezing winter temperatures finds it best as a vivid seasonal container plant or bedding annual outside its hardiness range. It does, however, need a winter dormancy to return, even in frost-free gardens.

Characteristics                                       

  • Plant Type
    Perennial
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun, Partial Sun
  • Height
    8"-11" / 20.3cm - 27.9cm
  • Width
    12"-14" / 30.5cm - 35.6cm
  • Native To
    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH
    Neutral
  • Soil Drainage
    Average
  • Soil type
    Loam
  • Growth Rate
    Fast
  • Water Requirements
    Drought Tolerant, Average Water
  • Habit
    Upright/Erect
  • Seasonal Interest
    Summer, Fall

                                                                                                       

    Special Characteristics

  • Usage
    Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Wildflower
  • Sharp or Has Thorns
    No
  • Invasive
    No
  • Attracts
    Butterflies
  • Self-Sowing
    Yes