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

Divide & Conquer...Or Spread The Love!

This is a great time to start dividing your plants!  Hostas and Daylily plants are hardy and easy to divide with a spade or knife.  When you divide you can replant them in another spot, give your bounty to friends, or put them in pots to donate to local gardens etc.  I have donated plants to a garden club plant sale as well as a couple of community gardens.  When you start digging and dividing you may be worried that you are damaging the plant, but fear not they will spring right back and give you a great season!  If you do decide to pot some of these guys, a gallon size pot is a good choice, with good soil, and decent drainage.  Also, make sure they get a good drink!  After a couple of plants you will be a professional!

Petite Perennials....Smaller Scale Favorites

Perennials have long been a popular choice for adding color to gardens.  However, today many homeowners don't have the space or the time for extensive perennials borders.  You can still incorporate many of these perennials if you choose your cultivars carefully.

Bold colors of Phlox have been introduced in cultivars that are both compact and disease-resistant, including the Flame Series and the Volcano Series.

Bee Balms which are a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies can be an amazing color show but most varieties are quite tall making them too large for the small garden.  There are pint-sized selections such as Fireball and Petite Wonder that will suit any small space with vibrant grace.

 

Explore the new plants and new cultivars.  There are so many options and choice sure to fill any space!

Creeping Jenny...Great For Beds and Even Better For Containers

Creeping Jenny is a perennial ground cover that I love to use in landscape beds and also in containers!  Its bright color and vibrant yellow flowers are awesome and its trailing habit is perfect for containers!

Creeping Jenny is a  low-growing, rampant, evergreen groundcover with rounded, brillant green foliage. In summer, it produces many cup-shaped, bright yellow flowers.Noteworthy characteristics: This cultivar can withstand damper soils than many other types of ground covers and can tolerate limited foot traffic.Care: Grow in a moist, but well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Soil should not dry out in summer. Full sun or partial shade, but color is best in full sun.
I have used this in many of my own containers and it will come back in the new season...no replanting!  These can be easily split and moved around the garden as well.  You will see this a lot in many custom container plantings...but I think many people do not realize that this will come back!  This should be relatively easy to get at a good garden center and very easy to get from your local landscaper.

Hardy Ice Plant...Drought Resistant!



I have this planted along some boulders in the full sun and
it looks fantastic and requires little to no care during the season.

 Ice plants are drought tolerant, and experience few insect or disease problems. So they make a gardener’s life a little easier. In general the only problems might be deer damage, and possibly scale. They make excellent ground covers for banks and slopes.
It does prefer dry and sandy soil and does not like wet soil in the winter. Hot conditions keep the flowers blooming most of the summer and it requires little to no care. Delosperma looks great as a ground cover in a rock garden or in front of a perennial border.  This one may be slightly hard to find.  I always order several to keep on hand!