Name |
|
| Genus/Species | Iris ensata |
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Type | Rhizome |
| Aka | Russian Iris, Japanese Flag, Iris kaempferi |
| Origin | Japan, northern China to eastern Russia |
| General | Lovely colour in the water gardens |
| Use | Water gardens |
| Attract | Bees |
| Zones | 1 - 10, 14 - 24 |
| Sun | Full sun to partial sun, tolerates total shade |
| Water | Constant to ample |
| Soil | Light soil or place in pot, cover with rocks and place in water |
| Plant | If in soil, plant in fall with neutral soil and plenty of water |
| Size | 4' by 4' |
| Leaf | Long swords |
| Flower | Purple and yellow flat singles, doubles available |
| Bloom | Middle of April |
| Seeds | Seed pods |
| Feed | Does not like alkaline soil or water |
| Prune | Cut back after bloom |
| Prop | Division, seeds |
| Notes: | First year of seeds, supposedly does not grow true to parent |
| Pests | Snails |
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Name |
|
| Genus/Species | Hedera helix |
| Family | Araliaceae |
| Type | Perennial evergreen vine |
| General | Classic ivy |
| Use | Good wall covering, ground cover |
| Attract | Bees, birds |
| Zones | 3 - 24 |
| Sun | Full sun to part sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Soil | Average |
| Plant | Excellent wall covering |
| Size | To 15' or longer |
| Leaf | Five lobed dark green with veins |
| Flower | Clusters of green flowers then black berries |
| Bloom | Spring to summer |
| Seeds | black berries that drop and reseed |
| Feed | Standard if any, high nitrogen when first planting |
| Prune | Chop away as needed, needs severe cleaning out every so often |
| Prop | Seeds will sprout readily, tranplants well |
| Notes: | Not as vigorous as Algerian Ivy, but still a fast grower |
| Birds love the berries, and will nest in a high, well established wall | |
| Pests | Rats will nest under ivy if allowed |
| Name | Jupiter's Beard |
| Genus/Species | Centranthus ruber |
| Family | Valerianaceae |
| Type | Perennial |
| Aka | Red Valerian |
| General | Invasive, re-seeds too easily |
| Good plant for difficult area | |
| Use | Tall back ground, border |
| Zones | 7 - 9, 12 - 24 |
| Attract | Butterflies, bees |
| Sun | Full to partial sun, likes it hot |
| Water | Drought tolerant, best with some water |
| Soil | Average, does well except in damp shade |
| Size | 4" high, 3' wide |
| Plant | Bushy, tall |
| Leaf | Bluish green fairy leaves |
| Flower | Tiny red clusters at stalk top |
| Bloom | Spring to summer, fall if trimmed |
| Trim spent flowers to prevent spreading and repeat bloom | |
| Seeds | Many, many, seeds on parachutes that fly everywhere |
| Feed | None required |
| Prune | Freely trim to control |
| Prop | Seeds, cuttings, division |
| Warning | Will spread with the winds |
| Picture | http://plantsdatabase.com/go/136/index.html |
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