After a long winter we all look forward to gardening. These perennials will add color early in the season.
Primrose
Primrose
Height: 15-25cm
Spread: 25-30cm
Bloom: Early to
late spring. Auricula Primrose may bloom again in the fall.
Spacing: Oxlip
and Cowslip 25-30cm apart, Auricula 30-38cm apart
Growing: Primrose
grows well in moist, shady locations. They are best showcased in rock, woodland
gardens and mixed flowerbeds. Primrose looks great at the front of the border.
They should be divided every 2-4 years except for Auricula, which won’t need to
be divided unless the center of the plant starts to die out.
Auricula
Primrose, Primula auricula
Oxlip Primrose, Primula elatior
Cowslip Primrose, Primula
veris
Spurge
Euphorbia polychroma
Height: 45-90cm
Spread: 60-90cm
Bloom: Early
Spring
Spacing: 30-45cm
Growing: Spurge
grows well in full sun and can be located in dry, hot locations with poor soil.
Spurge looks best in the front or middle of a border. It works well in rock
gardens and as an accent plant. This perennial does not spread and stays in its
mounding form. It is also deer-proof and repels mice and moles.
WATCH OUT!
Lily-of-the-Valley
This perennial has delicate, sweet-smelling flowers, but it
is an invasive plant. It spreads vigorously crowding out weaker plants.
Height: 15-25cm
Spread: 38cm or
more
Bloom: Early
Spring
Spacing: 15-20cm
apart
Growing: Lily-of-the-Valley
grows well in partial to full shade. It can be used as a ground cover, around
the base of trees and shrubs and can grow in shady areas were other plants can’t
survive. It likes moist areas so is suggested that compost is added to the soil
before planting. If the area is too dry the leaves will be small and pale.
To see more interesting plant choices go to http://www.holesonline.com/
Candy any one?
Check out this YouTube video on Candytuft. It's a great early bloomer!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=early+blooming+perennials&oq=early+blooming+perennials&gs_l=youtube.3..35i39l2.545.3444.0.3929.15.15.0.0.0.3.142.1499.10j5.15.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.8j1Ug973-yg
I have to say I like the setup of this post, having all the Primrose together and giving the over view at the top of the page. I didn’t know that Primrose could bloom again in the fall! It’s helpful that you talked about dividing them, and how often it should be done. A lot of people (like myself) don’t consider that when buying plants for our gardens. I like that you put in there information about deer resistance, this is becoming more important with our rural communities. I know in a place like Calgary it isn’t as important but it’s cool to know it will repel mice and voles as well. I like how you put Lily-of-the-Valley in there, its kind or like you did the pros and cons to spring bloomers.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos, great color, and a useful blog post! I didn't know that Primrose could come in the first color variety and I was very pleased to find that out. Your information is organised and flows well with your pictures. I also love how you included not only some beautiful early bloomers, but also one for moist shady gardens and sunny dry locations as well. Very well rounded and simple for the everyday gardener. Your 'Watch Out' section is also a really neat attention grabber, and a good way to help people realize that just because its beautiful, hardy, and early, does not mean its all good. Can't wait for the next post!
ReplyDeleteGood start, make sure you give enough information in your introductory paragraph, as well, a bit of a closing statement is a bit of a teaser for what you will be discussing next week!
ReplyDeletemake sure that your links work before publishing please