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Thymus ‘Coccineus’

This lovely Thyme forms a dense mat of dark green, semi-evergreen leaves.  Excellent for use in between steppers or as a lawn alternative.  Once established it is drought tolerant.  In early summer it is smothered with magenta-red flowers.

 

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Monarda ‘Purple Rooster’

Monarda ‘Purple Rooster’ is one of the darkest and truest purple flowers around!  Its upright, rigid stems create a strongly vertical aesthetic while the dull green leaves have a rough, sand-papery texture. Purple Rooster is very much so mildew resistant, which is a big plus when it comes to Beebalms!  This cultivar was selected by The Flower Factory in Stoughton, Wisconsin and named by the owners David and Nancy Nedveck.

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Liriope ‘Spicata’

Liriope spicata is a species of low, herbaceous flowering plant from East Asia. Common names include creeping lilyturf, creeping liriope, lilyturf, and monkey grass. This perennial has grass-like evergreen foliage and is commonly used in landscaping in temperate climates as groundcover. Creeping lilyturf has white to lavender flowers which produce single-seeded berries on a spike in the fall. It is one of the most popular groundcovers in the southeastern United States and areas with a similar climate.

Creeping lilyturf is a rhizomatous, grass-like perennial which forms clusters of narrow, arching, glossy, dark green leaves (to 14 inch (0.64 cm) wide) typically growing 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38 centimetres) high. Erect flower spikes with small, white to pale lavender flowers arise, somewhat hidden, among the leaves in late summer. Blackish berries develop in fall and often persist through winter. Roots have prominent rhizomes and frequent tubers. A cultivar exists with variegated leaves.

Creeping lilyturf looks very similar to another common species in the genus—lilyturf (Liriope muscari). Creeping lilyturf can be distinguished by its rhizomatous root system (in contrast to the diffused root system of lilyturf), its less prominent flower spike being partially within leaves (lilyturf has a longer spike extending well above leaves), and its generally narrower and shorter leaves when compared those of lilyturf.

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Nepeta ‘Little Titch’

The Catmint ‘Little Titch’, ‘Nepeta ‘Little Titch’, is one of the smallest in the Catmint family. With a bloom time of May through September, it is more upright and compact than many on the market today.

‘Little Titch’ requires full sun and will tolerate morning shade. It has a plant height of 8-10″ and a plant spread of 12-15″.

The abundant lavender blue flowers have light fragrances with mid-green leaves.

Use ‘Little Titch’ in front of border, as an edging plant, or in rock gardens.

This Nepeta is drought and seaside tolerant and attracts hummingbirds.

For best results, deadhead after each bloom time. This plant was discovered at Four Seasons Perennials in Great Britain.

This plant may also be known by its common name, Persian catmint.

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Perovskia ‘Little Spire’

Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Sharp soil drainage is especially important. Avoid wet, poorly drained soils. Plants have good drought tolerance. Best flowering occurs in full sun locations. Stems are more likely to flop if plants are grown in part shade. Cut back plants almost to the ground in late winter to early spring as soon as new growth appears.

Although the taller species sometimes benefits from a spring pinching to control height, this small cultivar performs well without pinching.

Noteworthy Characteristics: Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly called Russian sage, is a woody-based perennial of the mint family which typically grows 2-4′ (less frequently to 5′) tall and features finely-dissected, aromatic (when crushed), gray-green leaves on stiff, upright, square stems and whorls of two-lipped, tubular, light blue flowers tiered in branched, terminal panicles (12-15″ high). Long summer bloom period. Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year (1995).

Genus name honors Russian general V. A. Perovski (1794 – c. 1857).

Specific epithet means with leaves resembling salt-bush.

‘Little Spire’ is a compact Russian sage cultivar which typically grows to 2′ tall (species typically grows to 3-4′). It is a woody-based perennial of the mint family. Features finely-dissected, aromatic, gray-green foliage on stiff, upright, square stems. Whorls of 2-lipped, tubular, violet-blue flowers tiered in branched, terminal panicles appear over a long summer bloom. Silvery foliage can provide good winter interest in warm winter climates.

Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Plants tend to sprawl or flop over as the summer progresses.

Garden Uses: Mass or specimen in borders. Provides long summer bloom for the perennial border. Contrasts well with both pink (e.g., phlox, mallow or roses) and yellow (e.g., rudbeckia) perennials.

Edger along paths. Gray-green foliage and blue flowers provide good texture, color and contrast to many other summer blooming plants.

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Phlox Sub. ‘Emerald Blue’

There are many selections of Moss Phlox, all of them forming a low mound or cushion of dark green needle-like leaves, smothered by tiny flowers in late spring. This is a vigorous variety, with a showy display of deep lavender-blue flowers. Exhibits excellent disease resistance. Clip plants lightly immediately after blooming to encourage a dense habit. Wonderful in the sunny rock garden, for edging, or in mixed containers. Clumps may be ripped apart and divided in early fall, after 3 to 4 years. Requires good drainage. Drought tolerant, once established.

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Salvia ‘May Night’

Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’. Garden sage. One of the most commonly used salvias in the northeastern US, it is covered in striking dark violet-blue flower spikes in May and June and remains upright and tidy throughout the season. Attracts birds, butterflies and bees. Makes an excellent cut flower, fresh or dried, and its leaves are freshly aromatic.

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Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’

Culture: Easily grown in evenly moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Best in part shade (some morning sun or sun dappled conditions). Established plants have some tolerance for dry shade (particularly plants with thick leaves), but soils should never be allowed to dry out. Full size and quality form are best achieved with consistent moisture. Water is best applied directly to the soil beneath the leaves. Divide plants as needed in spring or autumn. Division is usually easiest in early spring before the leaves unfurl. Plant in locations protected from wind.

Noteworthy Characteristics: Hosta is a genus of about 70 species of shade-loving, rhizomatous, clump-forming, herbaceous perennials which are native to open woodlands, woodland margins and glades in Japan, Korea, China and eastern Russia. Hostas are primarily grown for their ornamental foliage. Stalked, conspicuously-veined, often dense, basal leaves in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures rise up from a central rhizomatous crown to form a rounded to spreading mound of foliage. Bell or funnel-shaped flowers in terminal, mostly one-sided racemes bloom in late spring or summer atop vertical, unbranched, usually leafless but frequently bracted scapes which rise upward from the crown or rootstock to a point often well above the foliage mound.

Genus name honors Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host (1761-1834) and was first established in 1812. The genus was subsequently renamed in 1817 as Funkia in honor of botanist Heinrich Christian Funk under the belief at that time that Hosta was an invalid name. Hosta was finally reinstated as the genus name in 1905 by the International Botanical Congress.

Funkia remains a popular common name today in some areas. An additional common name for plants in this genus is plantain lily (foliage is somewhat plantain-like and flowers are somewhat lily-like in some species).

‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is a miniature, clump-forming hosta that produces a symmetrical foliage mound (to 6″ tall and 11″ wide) of thick, rounded, blue green to gray-green leaves (2″ long by 2 1/2″ wide) with cordate bases and mucronate tips. Each leaf is curled in such a way as to purportedly resemble the shape of a mouse ear. Bell-shaped, lavender, lily-like flowers bloom in mid-summer on thick pale green scapes rising to 8-12″ tall. ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ was named Hosta of the Year for 2008 by the American Hosta Growers Association. Deckert 2000.

Problems: Slugs and snails are attracted to the foliage, chewing jagged holes in the leaves, and if left unchecked, can cause serious damage over a fairly short period of time. Watch for foliar nematodes which feed on the leaves causing interveinal browning. Leaf spots and crown rot are less frequent problems. Plants infected with Hosta Virus X (HVX) , tobacco rattle virus or tomato ring spot virus should be immediately removed from garden areas and destroyed. Otherwise, hostas are virtually pest-free and are considered ideal low-maintenance garden perennials. Leaves, particularly of exposed plants, can be severely damaged by hail storms. Leaves are commonly eaten, often voraciously, by deer.

Garden Uses: Hostas are a mainstay of shade gardens. Notwithstanding the often showy flowers produced, hostas are primarily grown in shady areas for the often ornamental excellence of their foliage. Very effective in groups or massed. Good background plant. Shady borders, shade gardens or woodland gardens.

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Hosta ‘Francee’

‘Francee’ is another popular variety of hosta that Green Gate Farms offers and this one’s variegation holds up very well in sun. Francee’s medium to dark green heart-shaped leaves have narrow, clean white margins. This variety forms a wide low mound of slightly glossy foliage which is ideal for use as a groundcover. This lovely hosta, also known as Funkia or Plantain Lily has funnel-shaped lavender flowers that emerge in mid to late summer.

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Iris s. ‘Caesar’s Brother’

The Siberian Iris Caesar’s Brother iris produces deep purple flowers in late spring with sturdy stems which rise to 40″ high above a clump of grass-like, linear leaves. The delicate leaves make them one of the queens of fresh cut floral bouquets. After blooming is complete, the vase-shaped foliage will retain its green color into the fall. Symbolizes: eloquence, deep sentiment, faith hope & wisdom. February birth month flower. 25th Wedding Anniversary flower.