Iris sibirica ‘'Strawberry Fair'

Siberian Iris 'Strawberry Fair'

Family: Iridaceae (Iris Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-8

·        Height: 24-30 inches

·        Spread: 18-24 inches

·        Bloom Time: early to mid summer

·        Bloom: heavily ruffles, lavender-pink standards and magenta-pink falls with a creamy white signal edged in blue; blossoms rise on sturdy stalks above foliage

·        Light: full sun to part shade; prefers a sunny location

·        Soil: rich, moist soil that is moderately acidic (5.2-6.4); tolerant of clay and wet soils

·        Moisture: medium, somewhat drought tolerant once established

·        Use: mixed perennial beds, borders, cottage gardens, city gardens, around water features, rain gardens, cut flower

·        Care: low maintenance; rarely requires division; cut back in late fall

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: species native to Europe, central Asia and Siberia

·        Notes: foliage consists of clumps of grasslike, upright blue-green, narrow, and fairly-rigid, blade-shaped leaves; flowers attract butterflies, rabbit and deer resistant; black walnut tolerant

·        Supplier: donated by Peggy Mravik

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Wet Garden D148

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program

 

Echinacea ‘'Tres Amigos'

Sombrero® Coneflower 'Tres Amigos'

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 18-20 inches

·        Spread: 20-23 inches

·        Bloom Time: July to September

·        Bloom: large daisy-like flower opens peachy-coral, ages to rose, and fades to burgundy

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: average, well-drained

·        Moisture: medium; drought tolerant once established

·        Use: specimen or massed plantings, perennial borders, cottage gardens, butterfly and pollinator gardens, cutting gardens, naturalizing with grasses and native plants, containers, dried flowers

·        Care: cut stems back after flowering to promote extended blooming; leave some spent blooms in the fall to produce seed heads for winter food for finches and other birds; divide clumps when overcrowded

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: species native to eastern United States

·        Notes: well-branched, sturdy, compact plant with high bud count; deep green lance-shaped leaves; flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds; dried stems and seed heads provide winter interest and food for wildlife; deer resistant

·        Supplier: Donated by West Madison Agricultural Research Station

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Wet Garden D149

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program

 

Nepeta hybrid ‘'Blue Prelude'

Catmint 'Blue Prelude'

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  5-9

·        Height: 28-36 inches

·        Spread: 24-30

·        Bloom Time: late spring to summer

·        Bloom: loose spikes of abundant bright lavender-blue, two-lipped, trumpet shaped flowers; flowers are larger than other nepetas and appear all the way up the stems

·        Light: full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade

·        Soil: light, well-drained

·        Moisture: medium; allow soil to dry between thorough waterings

·        Use: edging and borders; cottage, pollinator, rock and perennial gardens; ground cover and erosion control; mass planting; containers; cut flower

·        Care: trim back occasionally to encourage rebloom; water regularly, especially in extreme heat

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: hybrid cultivar

·        Notes: upright mounding form, with broad, deeper green leaves than other nepeta; mint-scented foliage repels pests including mosquitos; flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant

·        Supplier: Kopke's Fruit of the Bloom

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Sidewalk Garden G215

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program

 

Veronica longifolia ‘'Forever Blue'

Spike Speedwell 'Forever Blue'

Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 16-18 inches

·        Spread: 18-20 inches

·        Bloom Time: late spring through late summer

·        Bloom: deep blue, dense flower spikes rise above foliage mound; open from the base upward; five-petaled individual blooms fused  into a tube

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: average, medium, well-drained

·        Moisture: medium

·        Use: beds and borders; edging; ground cover; informal, cottage, prairie, meadow, gravel and rock gardens; cut flower

·        Care: deadhead spent flowers for longer blooming; midsummer shearing after the first flowering encourages new basal foliage and late summer flowering; may require staking, especially if grown in less than full sun or if the soil is overly moist or fertile

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; some susceptibility to mildew in adverse conditions

·        Native to: species native to Europe

·        Notes: grows in bushy, upright mounds; excellent branching; lance-shaped green leaves; mildew resistant; attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; sterile hybrid; deer and rabbit resistant

·        Supplier: Donated by West Madison Agricultural Research Station

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Sidewalk Garden G209

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program