Ajuga x 'Tropical Toucan'

Feathered Friends™ Carpet Bugle 'Tropical Toucan'

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 4-6 inches

·        Spread: 1-2 feet

·        Bloom Time: spring

·        Bloom: cobalt blue flower spikes

·        Light: part sun to part shade

·        Soil: prefers humusy well-drained soil

·        Moisture: medium moisture

·        Use: primary use as a ground cover

·        Care: divide plants if become overcrowded; plants may be cut back to the ground after flowering, if necessary, to rejuvenate foliage

·        Concerns: avoid planting near perennial beds or lawns where its spreading nature could pose removal problems; no serious insect or disease problems

·        Native to: species native to Europe

·        Notes: bright gold leaves form dense carpet of rosettes

·        Supplier: Kopke's Fruit of the Bloom

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Sidewalk Garden G244, Heuchera Garden E249

 

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Ligularia dentata 'Midnight Lady'

Bigleaf Ligularia; Golden Ray 'Midnight Lady'

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 35-40 inches

·        Spread: 30-36 inches

·        Bloom Time: late July to September

·        Bloom: clusters of large daisy-like golden orange flowers with brown centers on 3 to 4 foot erect, branching,  purple-black stems

·        Light: part sun to part shade is best (4-6 hours direct sun); prefer cool summer locations -- foliage tends to wilt in the heat of the day in direct sun

·        Soil: humusy, rich

·        Moisture: consistently moist to wet

·        Use: group or accent plant; grow at edge of a stream, ponds, bog, or swamp; woodland garden or back of borders that are in part shade; large containers; cut foliage, flower

·        Care: low maintenance when grown in suitable location; prune spent blooms; clean up spent foliage in early spring to deter slugs; shade from hot afternoon sun; protect from windy sites; can be divided every 3-4 years if desired

·        Concerns: slugs and snails can be troublesome; leaf wilting can occur in hot summer weather, particularly if plant is exposed to too much sun

·        Native to: hybrid cultivar; genus native to central and eastern Asia

·        Notes: upright clump-forming specimen forms ornamental mounds of shiny, dark  bronze-purple foliage with plum-purple undersides; thick, nearly-round leaves have serrated margins; flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators; rabbit and deer resistant; somewhat tolerant of urban pollution

·        Supplier: Kopke's Fruit of the Bloom

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Wet Garden D153

 

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Stachys minima (Stachys spathulata)

Dwarf Betony

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-8

·        Height: 3-6 inches

·        Spread: 8-12 inches

·        Bloom Time: June to July

·        Bloom: rose-purple, tubular, two-lipped flowers bloom in dense whorls on plump 4-6 inch spikes above basal foliage

·        Light: full sun to light shade (flowers best in full sun)

·        Soil: average, well-drained

·        Moisture: medium; evenly moist; established plants have some drought tolerance

·        Use: borders and edging; small area ground cover; rock and cottage gardens, informal naturalized areas; rock walls; containers

·        Care: low maintenance; deadhead after bloom to preserve foliage vitality; avoid overhead watering; leave over winter and clean up in spring

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; too much shade, excess humidity, and poor drainage promote root rot and leaf diseases; watch for slugs and snails

·        Native to: Southern Africa

·        Notes: dwarf, rhizomatous green perennial providing interesting form and texture even when not in bloom; foliage forms dense, ground-hugging rosette of dark, glossy green, spatula-shaped, scalloped and crinkled leaves; flowers attract bees and other pollinators; deer and rabbit tolerant

·        Supplier: Kopke's Fruit of the Bloom

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Wet Garden D154

 

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Prunella grandiflora 'Lacy Blue'

Selfheal 'Lacy Blue'

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

       

·        Hardiness Zones:  4-9

·        Height: 6-8 inches

·        Spread: 8-10 inches

·        Bloom Time: mid-summer to fall

·        Bloom: violet blue two-lipped hooded blooms in terminal flower spikes atop square, opposite-leaved flowering stems

·        Light: full sun to part shade

·        Soil: well drained; prefers moist, humus-rich soils

·        Moisture: moist

·        Use: groundcover; borders; cottage and woodland gardens

·        Care: maintain consistent moisture in summer; deadhead spent flowers to prevent self-seeding

·        Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems; powdery mildew, leaf spot, and blight are occasional issues

·        Native to: sport of species native to woodlands and meadows in Europe

·        Notes: aggressive, sprawling, mat-forming; semi-evergreen perennial; egg-shaped to lance-shaped deep green leaves in basal tufts; spreads by stolons and rhizomes  as well as self-seeding (however, offspring may not come true from seeds); blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators

·        Supplier: Kopke's Fruit of the Bloom

·        Teaching Garden Location & Code: Welcome Garden B184, Wet Garden D187

 

       Content produced through:

       Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program 

 

       Questions?  

       Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program