Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii

Savanna Blazing Star

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-8

·        Height: 2-5 feet

·        Spread: 1-2 feet

·        Bloom Time: July to October

·        Bloom: fluffy, thistle-like spikes of tightly bunched pink flowers on tall stems atop foliage mound

·        Light: prefers full sun

·        Soil: average, well-drained; prefers dry, sandy or rocky soils; grows taller in fertile loams, but may require staking

·        Moisture: dry to medium; intolerant of wet soils in winter

·        Use: perennial borders, cutting gardens, prairie gardens or naturalized areas; attracts butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and moths

·        Care: low maintenance

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: Maine to Wisconsin, south to Mississippi and Georgia

·        Notes: where it is found, distribution var. nieuwlandii is usually more limited than other Liatris species; tolerates more partial shade than species; distinctive extra large flower heads; grows from underground corm which increases in diameter with age; may self-seed

·        Supplier: donated by Janis Noonan

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H207

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

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Salix x boydii

Boyd's Dwarf Willow

Family: Salicaceae (Willow Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-7

·        Height: 9-12 inches

·        Spread: 6-9 inches

·        Bloom Time: April to May

·        Bloom: infrequent yellow female catkins

·        Light: prefers full sun; tolerates light shade

·        Soil: moist, sandy to gritty, extremely well-drained; avoid dry soils

·        Moisture: medium, consistent

·        Use: sculptural accent plant in rock gardens, troughs, and containers

·        Care: water as needed; prune if needed only in late winter to early spring before leaves emerge

·        Concerns: dislikes heat and humidity; willows are susceptible to blights, crown gall, powdery mildew, leaf spots, scab, rust and cankers;  insect pests include aphids, scale, borers, lace bugs, beetles and caterpillars

·        Native to: Scotland

·        Notes: a natural hybrid; slow-growing, dwarf, deciduous, dioecious (separate male and female) shrub; erect habit  with gnarled, hairy twigs, and rounded, rough-textured, prominently gray-green leaves (to 3/4 inches long)

·        Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Rock Garden C303

 

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Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'

Cardinal Flower 'Queen Victoria'

Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 3-4 feet

·        Spread: 18-24 inches

·        Bloom Time: July to September

·        Bloom: cardinal red spikes of two-lipped, tubular flowers on unbranched, alternate-leafed stalks

·        Light: full sun to part shade

·        Soil: prefers rich, moist, humusy soil

·        Moisture: medium to wet; requires constant moisture; tolerates some standing water

·        Use: accent or mass; will naturalize; attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; effective near ponds, streams; provides late summer bloom to the perennial border, wild garden, rain garden, native plant garden or woodland garden

·        Care: low maintenance; deadhead to encourage rebloom; apply mulch in winter to protect root system and prevent heaving; divide clumps in spring

·        Concerns: no serious disease or insect problems

·        Native to: North America

·        Notes: clump-forming, hardy, but somewhat short-lived; basal rosette of finely-toothed, lance-shaped, beet-green leaves; tolerates deer, rabbits; may self-seed in optimum growing conditions; toxic to cats, dog, and horses

·        Supplier: K&A Greenhouse

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H206

 

       Content produced through:

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Schizachyrium scoparium 'Chameleon'

Little Bluestem 'Chameleon'

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-9

·        Height: 18-24 inches

·        Spread: 18-24 inches

·        Bloom Time: August to September

·        Bloom: insignificant, white frond-like flowers on sturdy stalks above foliage; form burgundy seed heads in autumn

·        Light: full sun

·        Soil: well-drained, sandy to loamy

·        Moisture: dry to medium; intolerant of wet soils in winter; drought tolerant once established

·        Use: foliage and textural interest in borders, containers; and meadow/prairie or woodland plantings; erosion control; green roofs; winter interest (remains upright)

·        Care: low maintenance; in dry periods, water infrequently but deeply; cut to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth appears; if grown in containers, winter protection may be needed

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; ; some susceptibility to aphids, mealybugs, leaf spot, spider mites, and spittlebugs; too much fertilizer or water and insufficient sun can cause floppy growth

·        Native to: cultivar of North American species

·        Notes: showy ornamental grass with upright, arching, vase-shaped form and compact habit;  strappy leaves have bright white and green stripes in spring and summer, developing pink and purple hues in late summer and fall; flowers attract pollinators; seed heads feed winter songbirds; deer resistant

·        Supplier: 

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H205

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program