Spring 2008

Alpines grow naturally in mountainous areas that encompass a variety of growing conditions and terrains: sun, shade, craggy cliffs, bogs, rocky pastures and meadows. They do not like to have wet "feet" and do best in rocky, very well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. In the garden, they like gravelly, fertile, well-drained soil that mimics their natural habitat.

AQUATIC PLANTS

Water gardening has become very popular in this area. Plants will tie your water garden to the rest of your landscape. They can soften the edges of pre-formed pools and can provide a food supply and shade for your koi or goldfish. They add oxygen to the water and help stabilize the pool's environment. Some aquatic plants will even attract birds, hummingbirds and butterflies.

Marginals or Shallow-Water plants:  Thrive in shallow water or very moist soil. Most marginal plants are grown at the edge (margins) of a pond or in water one to six inches deep. Can be either annual or perennial. This area is considered Zone 5. Anything labeled as Zone 5 or lower should survive the winter.

Acorus calamus Variegatus - Full to Part Sun - Level 1-3 - white striped sword-like foliage - Zone 4-10 - Height 24-30”
Acorus gramineus Ogon - Sun to Part Shade - Level 1-2 - yellow and green striped upright foliage - Zone 5-9 - Height 6-12”
Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) – Part Sun to Shade - Level 1 - lovely single yellow blooms - serrated foliage - Zone 3-10 - Height 12-24”
Canna Pretoria – Sun to Part Shade - Level 1-2 - big melon-orange flowers - zebra striped, yellow and green foliage – Zone 7-10 – Height 3-5’
Cyperus alternifolius Gracillis - Sun to Shade - Level 1-2 - umbrella-like whorls of graceful green foliage - Zone 9-11 – Height 24”
Equisetum japonica – Sun to Part Shade - Level 1-2 - bright green, fleshy stems - very striking - Zone 2-10 - Height 24-40”
Equisetum scirpoides - Sun to Part Shade - Native - Level 1-2 - hollow, upright, textured stems with brown banding - Zone 3-9 – Height 24”
Gunnera manicata – Sun - Level 1-2 - giant 1-2 foot leaves - very hot sun can scorch leaves – Zone 5-8 - Height 6-8’
Iris versicolor – Sun - Level 1-2 - narrow gray-green leaves –slate blue flowers with white centers – Zone 4-10 - Height 24-32”
Juncus Spiralis (Corkscrew Rush) – Sun to Part Shade - Level 1-2 - unusual, thin, spiraling leaves – Zone 3-9 - Height 16-24”
Lobelia cardinalis Queen Victoria – Sun - Level 1 - dark maroon foliage with deep scarlet flowers atop tall stems – Zone 4-9 - Height 24-36”
Musa Basjoo – Sun - Level 1-2 - hardy banana - rapid grower in warm  weather - Zone 3-7 – Height 2-15’
Pontederia cordata - Sun to Part Shade - Level 1-2 - purple-blue blooms - shiny, deep green, lance-shaped leaves - Zone 4-11 - Height 24”
Pontederia cordata Pink Pons - Sun-Part Shade - Level 1-2 - pink flower clusters on tall stems - shiny lance shaped - Zone 5-11 - Height 24”
Primula vialli - Part Shade - Level 1 - tall, fragrant spiky flowers that range in color from hot pink to red or purple - Zone 5-8 - Height 24”
Sarracenia Dana’s Delight (Pitcher Plant) - Sun - Level 1 - lovely pink  with red veins - ruffled hood - carnivorous - Zone 5-9 - Height 1-2’
Scirpus zebrinus - Sun to Part Sun - Level 1-3 - tall stems with cream and green horizontal stripes - neat clumps - Zone 3-10 - Height 3-4’
Typha angustifolia – Sun to Part Shade – Level 2-4 - long, narrow chocolate brown cattails - slender green foliage – Zone 3-10 - Hgt. 5-6’
Typha Variegatus - Sun to Part Shade - Level 2-3 - cinnamon brown   cattails - green and white striped leaves - Zone 4-10 - Height 5-6’
Typha minima - Sun to Part Shade - Level 1-2 - unique, small variety -    1-inch rounded cattails - blue-green foliage - Zone 3-10 - Height 18”
Zantedeschia aethiopica - Sun to Part Shade - Level 1-2 - large, white calla flowers all summer - glossy foliage - Zone 8-10 - Height 24”

Floaters:

Float freely on the surface, shading the water, aiding in algae control and cooling the water for fish.  All Level 5.

Eichornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth) – Sun – 2 to 3-inch tall lilac-blue flowers - upright foliage - Zone 9-11
Nymphaea (Waterlily) – Purple, Red, Yellow or Pink - Sun - flowers   last 2-5 days - if well fed, will bloom all summer - reproduces by budding; roots detach and grow new plants - Zone 3-11
Pistia stratoides (Water Lettuce) – Sun or Shade – unique lettuce-like   foliage that floats on the water’s surface - grows best in moving water - Zone 9-11
Pistia stratoides Rosette (Water Lettuce) – Part Shade – lettuce-like  foliage with ruffled edges - grows best in moving water - Zone 9-11

Oxygenators:

Act as natural filters, inhibit algae growth, provide an environment  for fish to flourish.

Myriophyllum brasilliensis– Sun to Part Shade – Level 4 - unusual red stems with lacy lime green foliage - Zone 5-9 - Height 16-24”

stepables®

STEPPABLE & JEEPERS CREEPERS are brand names for tough, easy to grow plants that endure light to moderate foot traffic and are sold in specially sized smaller pots so you can tuck them all over your landscape. Ideal for filling nooks, crannies, pathways and borders, these vigorous perennials spread rapidly and are excellent lawn substitutes and weed inhibitors.

Ajuga Chocolate Chip Atennaria dioica Rubra Azorella trifurcata Nana Campanula poscharskyana Cerastium tomentosum Chamaemelum nobile Chrysogonum virginianum Delosperma nubigena Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff) Herniaria glabra Green Carpet Houstonia caerula Laurentia fluviatilis Leptinella Platts Black Leptinella squallida Lotus corniculatus Pleniflorus Lysimachia nummularia Mazus repens Alba Mazus repens Purple Origanum vulgare Aureum

PotentillaVerna Nana Pratia Celestial Spice Pratia County Park Sagina subulata Irish Moss Sagina subulata Scotch Moss Sedum sexangular Sedum spurium John Creech Sedum spurium Voodoo Stachys byzantina Silver Carpet Thymus Pink Chintz Thymus praecox Albus Thymus praecox Coccineus Thymus praecox Elfin Thymus praecox Nutmeg Veronica prostrata Veronica Reavis Veronica Creeping Speedwell Viola labradorica Waldsteinia ternata