Allium….not just a Spring bulb!

Looking for a great perennial border plant? Check out Allium millennium! As you may have guessed from its picture this is a ornamental onion plant that is related to the whimsical spring blooming Allium bulb. This mid-late summer perennial bloomer puts on a beautiful purple display starting in mid-July. The tidy grass-like foliage stands about 12″ tall with the purple blooms at about 18″. It has proven to be fairly drought tolerant and the honey bees are loving them too!

Happy Gardening!

Extending Hydrangea’s Bloom Season

I have been doing an experiment the past few seasons to extend or delay my Hydrangea tree’s bloom time. In the picture below, the bottom half of the tree was pruned back the 3rd week in June while the top half was pruned back the 2nd week in July. In turn this pushes the bloom time back. The rule of thumb is that this can be done on the Panicle or Annabelle Hydrangeas. Do not prune back traditional macrophylla Hydrangeas and expect blooms the same year (although some new hybrids allow this).

Another benefit to pruning the stems back by 1/2 the length, is that the shorter stems have less tendency to bend which allows the flowers stay vertical (which I prefer).

So  if you’re looking to time Hydrangea blooms for a party or to just extend the blooming season in your garden, don’t be scared to cut Hydrangeas back early in the season.

Happy Gardening!

Bottom half pruned 3rd week in June. And bloomed mid-August. Top half pruned 2nd week in July and bloomed early September. Photo taken mid-October.

Red, White and Blue Firecracker

I’m getting ready for the 4th of July with this rambunctious mixture of Hydrangeas in a bold red vase. This mixture features 3 types of Hydrangea: Incrediball Hydrangea, Pee Wee Oakleaf Hydrangea, and Let’s Dance Moonlight Hydrangea.

Did you know that Oakleaf Hydrangea have a subtle and pleasant fragrance? Plus they are one of the first Hydrangeas to bloom!

Happy Gardening!

Fun n’ Frilly Cosmos

Cosmos soft texture provide a fun and colorful addition to any bouquet. This cut flower grows well in any soil and is easily started from seeds. They perfectly pair with the structured texture of many other summer favorites such as Rudbeckia and Zinnias. Not only will you enjoy this addition to your garden, birds and butterflies will thank you too!

Happy Gardening!

What’s In This Bouquet: 

  • Handful of Rudbeckia, Zinnias and Cosmos. 
  • Loosely place in favorite vase. 
  • Tip: Cosmos are a loose and free flower with somewhat floppy stems, don’t fight this; allow them to  fall naturally.