Tulip (tulipa) The tulip is a beautiful and versatile flower. It peeks its small crown out of the ground in early spring and grows quickly, blooming during spring and early summer, depending on the species. These plants can be an allergen though, tuliposides and tulipalins are chemicals that cause various allergic reactions in some people. Because of the presence of Tulipanin A, it induces a dermatitis that is mostly occupational and affects tulip bulb sorters and florists who cut the stems and leaves. Tulipanin A and B are also toxic to horses, cats and dogs.
There are various pests and viruses that will affect the tulip. The one, however, to be aware of is The tulip breaking virus, pictured on the right. This disease is sold to consumers who wish to have the pretty variegated look, yet it is considered almost eradicated in commercial fields. |
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Amaryllis (hippeastrum) Part of the Belladonna family, and commonly known as the "Belladonna lily" or the "Naked lady plant" this plant is native to south Africa. The leaves of the plant are produced in the autumn or early spring in warm climates depending on the onset of rain and eventually die down by late spring. The bulb is then dormant until late summer.
Many first time gardeners find it hard to make this one bloom but if you follow a few simple steps you will find that it will bloom repeatedly every year. After the initial bloom remove the flower stalk and water regularly. Do not fertilize and place outdoors in a shady location. Then, just before the first frost move indoors into a cool, dry location such as a walled in porch. |
Zinnia (zinnia elegans) This picture show several colors of this large and pretty flower. they have long, smooth stemmed flowers and short stalk less leaves. It is known to attract butterflies and will re-seed itself every year. It requires little care, but should be dead headed often to encourage successive blooms.
Do not dead head the last flowers of the season to encourage re-seeding of the bed for the next year. These plants prefer half to full sun and are drought tolerant and flourish in full, scorching sun. They do good in most soil types and are fairly pest resistant. |
Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis) Pansies can bloom over the winter, and are often planted in the fall. In the warmer island climates, pansies have been known to re-seed themselves and come back the next year. Care of the Pansy is minimal, dead heading every second or third day and watering weekly in the spring and fall and daily or bi-daily in the summer until the last three weeks of the year when you should stop dead heading and let the seed pods develop and split open.
Pansies are not very heat-tolerant but can be grown in the shady areas of the yard. The delicate flowers are best used as a cool season planting, warm temperatures inhibit blooming and cause the plant to begin to produce seed pods and hot muggy air causes rot and death. In colder zones, Pansies may not persist without snow cover or protection (mulch) from extreme cold or periods of freezing and thawing. |
violet (Viola ) The smaller cousin of the Pansy, the Viola - or Jonny-Jump-Up - is planted as a ground cover because it is quick to grow, fairly drought tolerant, and readily re-seeds itself. The viola needs to be dead-headed weekly to prevent sections from dying out, but all-in-all is low maintenance. Can grow wild in some climates.
Sometimes in extreme heat the viola will begin to get "leggy" and form long branches before flowering. Bury the leafless section of the leg to create the illusion of another plant and reduce the unsightly mess in your garden. |
larkspur (Delphinium)Part of the buttercup family, commonly known as Larkspur, can be very deadly, but have beautiful blooms. Flower from late spring to late summer. Delphiniums prefer cool, wet accommodations and are not drought tolerant. Remember to Select a site with full sun to light shade and well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
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periwinkle (Vinca minor) Periwinkle, one of the gardener's oldest enemies. This plant is usually picked out for its beauty which then becomes an almost instant regret. Growing much like the ivy plant, and just as hard to get rid of, is what the periwinkle plant is best known for, but they can be pretty when planted properly and off the ground.
Periwinkle is used as a hide all for problem spots in the garden and can grow in most soils. it is highly drought resistant and can make a great garden all on its own when kept properly trimmed. These plants also rarely have issues with pests, but watch out for the wolf spiders that like to nest in the vines. |
Blue Bells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) This plant is a bulbous perennial. The common bluebell flowers in April and May. The stems are 10-30 cm long and bend over at the top. The black seeds may have a long period of survivability and can emerge after several years' absence if suitable conditions recur.
The seedlings can flower in 2 years from seed; as a result, bluebells can quickly spread in suitable conditions. They spread via propagation of seed as well as bulb and if disturbed, can quickly multiply. |
swordfern (Polystichum munitum) The sword Fern is native to B.C, Canada and grows in abundance. This pet friendly plant can regrow after a trampling from your pet, and is hardy enough to survive the summers and winters of B.C. It often grows to about 5 or 6 ft tall, with a rhizome crown that does not like to be buried when planting. This plant prefers wet or moist shady regions or partially sunny ones, but can survive sun.
According to Western Oregon University, "Indigenous tribes are known to consume the Western Sword Fern for various purposes. For example, they cook the rhizomes and eat them to cure diarrhea. When the leaves of the sword fern are young, the Swinomish would eat them to ease the pain of sore throats and tonsillitis. Women of the Lummi tribe would chew the leaves of this particular sword fern to help them during childbirth. The leaves themselves can also be used for flooring, bedding, and protective layers in food or storage boxes and baskets." |
DayLilly (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus)The Daylily is a beautiful tuberous plant that can fill almost any soil with ease. It can withstand heavy winters and long, dry summers, making it perfect for most climates. The Daylily can flourish with a bit of water during a drought and can be tricked into blooming twice a year if done right, with careful control of the water.
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For More Information on Daylily Visit:
Daylily Care Daylily Pest Information Daylily Propogation Video |
Iris (Irideae)The Iris is a large collection of species of flower, from tuberous (grown from a tuber or Rhizome) to bulbous (grown from a bulb). The iris is a drought resistant plant that can flower all year long, depending on the species. The Bearded Iris tends to flower towards the end of summer, whereas one type of Iris, the Japanese Iris, blooms closer to the beginning of spring.
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Miners lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) Miners Lettuce is a small ground cover normally found growing in deep woods on undisturbed soil. Curiously, they seem to be found growing under cedar hedges in high quality soil around urban areas as well. These small sorrel like plants can be eaten as the name suggests. Studies have shown that 100 grams of miner’s lettuce contains 33% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C, 22 % of Vitamin A, and 10 % of iron. This is a good start to your daily vitamin and mineral intake. With the ease of growing this (you don't disturb the soil, therefore no weeding and turning to be done) it makes an excellent choice for the minimal effort garden.
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Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)Sorrel is another wild growing garden herb. It is super easy to grow and I suggest it be planted in pots to avoid its taking over the garden during the winter months. It has a slightly lemony taste to it, leading to the name, sour grass. Also known as spinach dock and narrow leaved dock, this plant grows well in any soil and can be very drought resistant. There a few varieties of sorrel, Sheep sorrel (left) being the most common and smallest of the bunch, and common sorrel (right) being the largest.
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Clematis (Ranunculaceae) Clematis is a beautiful flower, full of color and life. They will easily attract butterflies that are seeking a bright meal. The clematis prefers loose soil that is high in nutrients. A mixture of loam or peat and manure will make these beauties grow quickly. For the most part, clematis prefer to have their roots kept cool and moist, although not overly moist, and the usual suggestions are mulch or shade plants. I like to add ground covers that benefit the plants such as violas or creeping thymes.
These plants grow as a very large vine, so make sure to always give it loads of room to grow or a trellis to climb. There are many different species of Clematis, some being slow growers that prefer to be pampered, and some being the super fast growing species that can readily take almost any environment and temperature. |
giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) According to wikipedia, the Giant Hogweed plant is a noxious weed and "The sap of giant hogweed causes phytophotodermatitis in humans, resulting in blisters, long-lasting scars, and if it comes in contact with eyes, blindness. These serious reactions are due to the furocoumarin derivatives in the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds of the plant." This plant can even cause blindness, but the effects of the poison are only felt after exposure to the sun. If you come into contact with the plant, stay out of the sun and seek medical treatment.
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For More Information on Hogweed Visit:
Hogweed Identification |