Archive for the ‘Perennials’ category

Akebia Quinata (Chocolate Vine)

September 16th, 2008

Akebia quinata is a twining woody vine and a vigorous climber. Its dense green foliage is divided into groups of five leaves. Its flowers, which appear in spring, are small and can be obscured by the foliage. They are chocolate-scented, hence the common name. The flowers of the species are purple, but can vary by cultivar. Akebia quinata ‘Shirobana’ has white flowers that are supposedly more fragrant than the species.

The chocolate vine is deciduous in cold climates, but can be semi-evergreen to evergreen in warmer areas. It is a good choice for a vertical foliage accent in moderately shaded locations.

1 comment »

Posted in Perennials

Tags:

Tropical-Looking Grasses

October 10th, 2007

A dramatic, tropical-looking grass can make a great accent or mass planting in your garden.

  • Arundo donax (Giant reed) : Zone 6-10
  • Arundo donax ‘Variegata’ (Variegated giant reed) : Zone 6-10
  • Carex muskingumensis (Palm sedge) : Zone 4-9
  • Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern sea oats) : Zone 4-8
  • Erianthus ravennae (Plume grass, Hardy pampas grass) : 5-9
  • Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Japanese forest grass) : Zone 4-9
  • Liriope spicata, Liriope muscari (Lilyturf) : Zone 4-10
  • Miscanthus giganteus (Giant silver grass) : Zone 5-9
  • Miscanthus sinensis (Silver grass / Maiden grass) : Zone 5-9
  • Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo grass) : Zone 6-10
  • Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain grass) : Zone 5-9
  • Saccharum arundinaceum (Hardy sugar cane) : Zone 6-10

Miscanthus sinensis

No comments »

Posted in Perennials

Tags:

Tropical-Looking Vines

October 10th, 2007

Adding a backdrop of climbing vines will give your garden a lush, tropical rainforest look.

  • Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’ (Hardy kiwi vine) : Zone 4-8
  • Akebia quinata (Chocolate vine) : Zone 4-9
  • Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman’s pipe) : Zone 4-8
  • Bignonia capreolata : Zone 6-9
  • Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) : Zone 5-9
  • Clematis x hybrida (Clematis): Zone 4-8
  • Humulus lupulus ‘Aurea’ (Golden hops) : Zone 4-8
  • Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing hydrangea) : Zone 5-7
  • Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle / Trumpet honeysuckle) : Zone 4-9
  • Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower / Maypop) : Zone 6-9
  • Wisteria spp. (Wisteria): Zone 5-9

Akebia quinata

No comments »

Posted in Perennials

Tags:

Tropical-Looking Ferns

October 5th, 2007

Cold-hardy ferns, especially the larger varieties, can add a tropical look to your garden.

  • Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair fern) : Zone 2-8
  • Athyrium filix-femina (Lady fern) : Zone 2-9
  • Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern) : Zone 5-8
  • Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hayscented fern) : Zone 3-8
  • Dryopteris filix-mas (Male fern) : Zone 4-8
  • Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich fern) : Zone 2-6
  • Osmunda regalis (Royal fern) : Zone 2-10

Dryopteris filix-mas (Male fern) : Zone 4-8

No comments »

Posted in Perennials

Tags:

Tropical-Looking Groundcovers & Flowering Perennials

September 29th, 2007

These tropical-looking perennials are excellent for filling in your tropicalesque garden with low-maintenance areas.

  • Aspidistra elatior (Cast-iron plant) : Zone 6-10
  • Belamcanda chinensis (Blackberry lily, Leopard flower) : Zone 5-11
  • Bergenia cordifolia (Heartleaf bergenia) : Zone 3-8
  • Crocosmia (Montbretia) : Zone 6-10
  • Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ (Purple Pineapple Lily) : Zone 6-9
  • Euphorbia epithymoides (Cushion spurge) : Zone 4-8
  • Helleborus (Hellebores) : Zone 4-9
  • Hemerocallis (Daylily) : Zone 3-9
  • Hibiscus moscheutos (Rose mallow) : Zone 5-9
  • Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ (Chameleon plant) : Zone 3-9
  • Iris ensata (Japanese iris) : Zone 4-10
  • Iris pseudacorus (Yellow flag iris) : Zone 5-8
  • Ligularia stenocephala (Ligularia): Zone 5-8
  • Lilium x hybridum (Lily) : Zone 4-8
  • Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) : Zone 2-9
  • Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’ (Red Dragon Persicaria) : Zone 5-9
  • Petasites japonicus ‘Giganteus’ (Japanese Butterbur) : Zone 5-9
  • Rodgersia aesculifolia (Rodgersia) : Zone 3-9
  • Sedum ‘Matrona’ (Matrona sedum) : Zone 4-9

Belamcanda chinensis (Blackberry lily, Leopard flower) : Zone 5-11

Photo courtesy Tom Murphy VII

No comments »

Posted in Perennials

Tags: