Common name:Spanish Lavender
Botanical name:Lavandula stoechas
This evergreen dense shrub grows 1' tall and 1-2' wide. It has gray green, narrow, long leaves. During spring, flowers on a cone-like spike capped with a purple butterfly-like flag appear on the top of the foliage. It is very attractive but not as fragrant as other lavender varieties. Many cultivars now available, with different color flowers. Tip shear after bloom period to encourage more density. Pruning should be done once a year, every year. This plant does well in full sun with well-draining soil.
Common name:Purple Coneflower
Botanical name:Echinacea purpurea
The Purple Coneflower is a long-lived, reliable standby for the perennial garden. Rosy purple petals fall below the prominent orange-tinged cone and blooms in late June to September. It should be placed toward the front or middle of the border, or interplanted with Ox-Eye Daisy in the cut flower garden. It should be grown in fertile, well-drained soil. The plant blooms well in shade, but does even better in sun. -Holland WIldflower Farm
Common name:Montebretia
Botanical name:Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora
Montebretia is a bulb, closely resembling gladiolus. Vertical, strap like leaves grow to 3' tall. Brilliant red, coral/apricot, red, red-orange, or bright yellow flowers sit on top of arching stalks during the summer. Plants may wither in winter but come back in spring. It requires sun to part shade. Once this plant is established, it requires little or no summer watering. This plant performs well in containers as it is considered invasive in some areas.
Common name:Irish Moss
Botanical name:Sagina subulata
This perennial is mainly used as a groundcover and is less than 1' tall and wide. It has small, grass-like, light green flowers with insignificant white flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
Designer: Phil Thornburg Winterbloom
Photographer: Phil Thornburg Winterbloom
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.