Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘Crimson Comets'

Buttonbush 'Crimson Comets'

Family: Rubiaceae (Bedstraw Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  5-9

·        Height: 6-10 feet

·        Spread: 6-10 feet

·        Bloom Time: early to mid summer

·        Bloom: bright white, fragrant, pincushion-like globular flowers mature to round, crimson-red seed-filled fruits

·        Light: full sun to part shade

·        Soil: moist humusy soils; seed source for songbirds; provider of nesting and cover;

·        Moisture: medium to wet

·        Use: shrub borders and hedges, wetlands, low spots, in shallow water at the edge of ponds or large water gardens; wildlife gardens; nectar provider for pollinators and hummingbirds; seed source for songbirds; provider of nesting and cover

·        Care: pruning is usually not necessary, but may be done in early spring to shape; if plants become unmanageable, however, cut back near to the ground in early spring to revitalize

·        Concerns: no serious insect of disease problems

·        Native to: species native to eastern and southern North America and Cuba

·        Notes: compact mounded bush of glossy green foliage; foliage turns orange and red in fall; deer resistant

·        Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Wet Garden D188

 

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Coreopsis verticillata ‘Electric Avenue'

Threadleaf coreopsis or Tickseed 'Electric Avenue'

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 18 inches

·        Spread: 20 inches

·        Bloom Time: early summer to mid-fall

·        Bloom: daisy-like, bright yellow flowers with golden-yellow centers on thin stems above foliage

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: average to poor; thrives in sandy and rocky soils

·        Moisture: dry to medium; drought tolerant

·        Use: borders, natural areas, wild gardens, cottage garden, rock/alpine gardens

·        Care: low maintenance; shear or deadhead for rebloom; clean-up in early spring before new growth emerges; divide every 2-3 years if needed to restrain spread

·        Concerns: no serious problems, crown rot if in standing water

·        Native to: species native to east-central United States

·        Notes: fine-textured, dense mound of threadlike emerald-green leaves; usually dies back to the crown each winter; spreads by seeds and rhizomes; deer resistant

·        Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Pollinator Garden C191

 

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Ceananthus americanus

New Jersey Tea

Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-8

·        Height: 3-4 feet

·        Spread: 3-5 feet

·        Bloom Time: May to July

·        Bloom: two-inch cylindrical clusters of tiny, fragrant, white flowers on long stalks; mature to brown seed capsules

·        Light: full sun to part shade

·        Soil: average, gritty, well-drained

·        Moisture: medium to dry; massive , deep roots enable quick recovery from severe drought or fire

·        Use: shrub borders, native plant gardens, shrubby groundcover for rocky slopes and banks; flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds

·        Care: low maintenance

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew

·        Native to: eastern and central North America; a Wisconsin native

·        Notes: compact, dense, rounded shrub; foliage of toothed, broadly-ovate leaves (to 4 inches long),  medium to dark green  on top and gray and hairy below; young twigs are yellow and stand out in winter;  black walnut tolerant; common name derives from the use of its leaves as a tea substitute during the American Revolution

·        Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H231

 

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Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Elst01'

Blue Empire™ Beardtongue 'Elst01'

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  5-9

·        Height: 30-40 inches

·        Spread: 24-36 inches

·        Bloom Time: late July to September

·        Bloom: long wands of stacked deep blue flowers

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: average, gritty, free-draining

·        Moisture: medium dry to dry; drought tolerant

·        Use: perennial or shrub borders for late season color; flowers attractive to butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects

·        Care: hard prune in late spring; blooms occur on new wood

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; may experience crown-rot in water-logged soil; superior disease resistance

·        Native to: species native to the Himalayas and East Asia

·        Notes: low-growing subshrub with bushy habit; herbaceous stems arise from a woody center; fast-growing; fragrant, powdery-gray-green foliage; deer and rabbit resistant

·        Supplier: Ebert's Greenhouse Village

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Pollinator Garden C194

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program