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with out first asking me....you may e-mail me if you wish to use them.
Bellflowers are an important group of plants grown primarily for the bright
blue flowers of most species, although there are many attractive white forms. Some members
of the group are comparatively low-growing; those include the CARPATHIAN HAREBELL 6-12 inches
high, and the SERBIAN BELLFLOWER which is a sprawling plant 4-6 inches tall. The one pictured here
is called the GREAT BELLFLOWER, one of the taller, more erect species which grows 2-4 feet.
Growing Tips
Bellflowers may be grown in partial shade or in full sun. most prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil;
Serbian Bellflower do best in sandy soil. Stake taller species. Some winter protection
will help prevent the crowns from rotting. Divide every 3-5 years in the spring.
Columbines are easy to care for and have attractive, spurred, nodding flowers that are
often two-tone. I have some in my garden that are very pretty two-tone red and yellow. The one shown here is the most
common type. Its called ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLUMBINE and grows 2-3 feet tall and has 2-inch-wide blue and white flowers.
The Common Columbine, (canadensis) is also very popular; it growns 1-2 feet tall. Both do well in partial shade.
There are many hybrids that grown 1-3 feet tall and have 2-inch flowers of red, yellow, blue, white, or purple. Columbine
bloom in late spring or early summer and have compound, lobed, dull gray-green leaves.
Growing Tips
Columbine prefer partial shade, which will also prolong the blooming period, but they will grown in full sun where it is cool.
Soil should be rich, sandy, and well drained. Keep plants well watered during growth. They are not long-lived but can be
grown easily from seed.
Pink Turtlehead is a valuable in the garden for two reasons. First, it is a tall plant, reaching 4-5 feet,
and is useful in the background of many flowers beds. Second, this species blooms in late summer and early fall,
when there are few other perennials in bloom, and when summer color from annuals has started to fade. The plants
odd common name comes from the resemblance of the flowers to a turtle's head.
Growing Tips
Pink turtlehead needs partial shade and rich, reasonable moist soil. It grows well in swamps or alongside ponds and
streams, slowly forming into a large clump which can be divided easily. Plant the division 18 inches apart.
Named for its attractiveness to bees, this flower is also a favorite of hummingbirds. Bee Balm had red, purple,
lavender, pink, or white flowers that bloom in summer on square, hairy stems 2-3 feet tall.
The leaves have a minty scent. Bee Balm grows rapidly, spreading by underground shoots.
Growing Tips
Plan Bee Balm in partial shade. Ang good garden soil is acceptable. Divide often in the spring to keep
the plants from becoming invasive; space new plants 18-24 inches apart. Underground barriers will also
control their rapidly spreading growth.
For a long-blooming carpet of delicate, golden color under trees and shrubs, Chrysogonum is a good choice.
Also called "GOLDEN STAR" it blooms from late spring to summer and grows well in the woodland garden. The plant
reaches 4-12 inches in height; its hairy leves are often tinged with purple. The 5-petalled yellow-gold
flowers are 1 1/2 inches across. this plant mades a great ground cover.
Growing Tips
Plant Chrysogonum in partial to full shade in rich, well drained soil. It flowers best during cool summers and
where the soil is kept constantly moist. In the northern limits of its hardiness, it will need winter protection.
Plants may be divided in either spring or fall, and the divisions planted 12 inches apart.
Also know as windflowers, these plants are available in many colors and sizes. For the shade late-spring
garden, the "SNOWDROP WINDFLOWER" is a good choice; it grows 12-18 inches tall and is topped with fragrant,
inch wide white flowers. "SNOWDROP" is a well-known cutivar. For the fall garden, plant "JAPANESE ANEMONE" which grows
from 1-5 feet tall, depending on the cultivar; the one shown here is the "ROBUSTISSIMA" it has pink or white flowers.
2-3 inches across. Snowdrop Windflower is the hardier of the species.
Growing Tips
Anemones like partial shade and rich moist, well-drained soil. Japanese Anemone should be planted in a spot protected
from the wind. Both kinds should be divided in fall; plant the division 18 inches apart. Japanese Anemone grows more
rapidly and will need division more frequently.
I will be adding more shade gardening plants later. If you have questions on a perennial for the shade
or any plant just sent me an e-mail and i will try and get the answers for you.
The next page will be in information on the different degrees of shade. Not all shade is the same, some may have
shade because of trees, other have a lighter shade area where it may just not get full sun but does get some
degree of light.
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