Tradescantia virginiana

Spider Lily

Family: Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 1.5-3 feet

·        Spread: 1-1.5 feet

·        Bloom Time: June to July

·        Bloom: violet-blue to purple, three-petaled flowers accented by contrasting yellow stamens open up, a few at a time, each for only one day

·        Light: part shade to full shade

·        Soil: average; prefers acidic soils

·        Moisture: medium; prefers moist

·        Use: native plant gardens, woodland or shade gardens, rain gardens, wild gardens or naturalized areas;  can be grown in borders, but mid-summer foliage decline may not be desired for this use

·        Care: cut back foliage almost to ground when it declines mid-summer; divide clumps when overcrowded

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; foliage sprawls in an unattractive manner by mid-summer

·        Native to: eastern U.S.

·        Notes: arching, iris-like, dark green leaves up to 1' long and 1 inch wide are folded lengthwise forming a groove; can self-seed under ideal growing conditions

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H051

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Heuchera x 'Lime Marmalade'

Coral Bells 'Lime Marmalade'

Family: Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 10 to 16 inches

·        Spread: 16-18 inches

·        Bloom Time: June

·        Bloom: white sprays

·        Light: part shade to full shade

·        Soil: best in rich, moist well-drained soil

·        Moisture: keep moist, consistent

·        Use: edging plant, understory plant, or add interest to woodland garden; also does well in containers

·        Care: winter compost mulch applied after ground freezes helps prevent root heaving, divide clumps in spring every 3-4 years

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; frost heaving of roots may occur when winter temperatures fluctuate widely

·        Native to: genus native to North America

·        Notes: large mound of deeply-lobed and heavily ruffled lime to chartreuse leaves that retain color all season

·        Supplier: The Flower Factory

·        Teaching Garden Location Code: Shade Garden F224

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Primula veris 'Sunset Shades'

English Cowslip 'Sunset Shades'

Family: Primulaceae (Primrose Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  3-9

·        Height: 6-8 inches

·        Spread: 10-12 inches

·        Bloom Time: April to May

·        Bloom: clusters of tubular flowers in shades of yellow, orange and red, including bi-colors

·        Light: part shade to full shade

·        Soil: prefer humusy, well-drained soil

·        Moisture: medium to moist

·        Use: shade or woodland garden; attracts bees and butterflies

·        Care: low maintenance; clumps can be easily divided in spring

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: Europe

·        Notes: clump forming; deer and rabbit resistant

·        Supplier: The Flower Factory

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Shade Garden F169

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Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder'

Silver Feather Grass 'Silberfeder'

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 5 feet

·        Spread: 3-4 feet

·        Bloom Time: August

·        Bloom: large, feathery plumes that emerge a shimmering pinkish-silver in late summer

·        Light: full sun to part shade; best in full sun

·        Soil: tolerant of a wide range of soils from well-drained sandy soils to the heavy clays

·        Moisture: prefers moist soils

·        Use: ornamental grass, but clumps need a lot of room; accent in back of border, meadows, wild gardens, cottage gardens, naturalized areas or pond periphery

·        Care: leave foliage standing throughout winter for visual interest and to provide protection for the crowns; substantial clumps tend to flop when subjected to heavy winter snows and will often benefit from some support; cut foliage to the ground in late winter just before new shoots appear

·        Concerns: no frequently occurring insect or disease problems

·        Native to: species native to eastern Asia

·        Notes: narrow green leaves with a white midrib form rounded arching clump of foliage; flower plumes persist into winter for good winter interest

·        Supplier: The Flower Factory

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H039

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program