$17.99 Fill-A-Flat Sale is in stores now-Sunday.
Hello, again!
I don’t really think they are technically ‘heirlooms’, but I think many of us have great memories of our grandmothers’ perennial gardens from decades ago and their tried-and-true perennials, many of which are still growing and thriving today. My Grandmothers both had bearded iris, peonies, creeping phlox, hosta, lily of the valley and vinca vine. I can still remember, like it was yesterday, my Grandmother Coulter showing me how to propagate vinca vine in the summers. She pulled a rooted shoot out of the ground, wrapped it a few times around her finger, and stuck it back in the ground to make a new plant. She would even propagate roses by placing a cutting into the ground and covering it with a glass jar, providing somewhat of a greenhouse for the new cutting.
While these plants are still very much used today, we do have more options now for new varieties brought to us through plant breeding from our old favorites. Let's take a look at some of these newer options:
Coral bells or Heuchera have so many new varieties that love a shade-to-part-sun location. While delicate bell-shaped flowers adorn the plant, the real attraction of coral bells is its colorful foliage. From lime to green, orange, and purple there is something for everyone, and you’ll enjoy the foliage all season long.
Lenten rose or Helliborus is another shade-to-part-sun perennial that keeps its foliage all winter long. Its leathery, dark green foliage with showy veins is ornamental all season long. The first bloomer of the season, many times showing color in February, it’s always in bloom for the Lenten season with pink, purple and even black flowers depending on the variety you select.
Echinacea or coneflower is one of our tough natives in our area. While the native species is purple, we now have many other options including gold, scarlet, orange, rose-red, cream, and yellow. Growing best in full sun and drier conditions, it's perfect for low water use landscapes.
Yarrow or Achillea is another Kansas native which excels in full sun and drier conditions. With many pastel color options, and being a rebloomer when deadheaded, it’s great for our region.
Hosta or plantain lily is a versatile, shade-loving perennial that is celebrated for its striking foliage, which today ranges from vibrant chartreuse to deep emerald and features captivating variegation patterns.
Perennials perform year after year in the garden, either in a perennial border or mixed into our landscapes. ferti-lome Premium Bedding Plant Food is just what you need to fertilize your perennials. It’s also highly recommended for many flowering plants. Premium Bedding Plant Food is a quality bedding plant food with micronutrients and slow release water insoluble nitrogen to aid in healthy plant growth. Advanced coating technology with polymer- and sulfur-coated urea provides gradual, consistent nutrients for up to 30 days.
I hope you’ll add a new perennial or two to your landscape this year. I’m especially glad in the following years when I do!
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
P.S. - Our wildly popular Fill-A-Flat Sale begins today, with mix and match flats of 36 annual plants just $17.99 each. Pro tip, we restock regularly, so stop by more than once!
