propagating perennials

Meehania urticifolia “Silver Sprinter”-Japanese Dead Nettle or Wood Mint

2011-09-14T06:44:00.001-07:00

Propagating Japanese Dead Nettle is simple since it is a perennial groundcover so in the spring anywhere the plant has rooted itself dig and replant preferably in a moist and well drained soil. It is deciduous and is a native of Japan but is hardy in Zone 5-9. It will reach a height of 4-6,” it’s lavender flower attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and will bloom from early spring to late fall and if the plant gets leggy in the summer just trim back otherwise wait until spring. It has variegated leaves of grey, green with white trim.

Leonotis leonurus-Orange lion’s-tail

2011-09-10T14:03:00.001-07:00

Propagating orange lion’s-tail can be done either by cutting in late winter of by snipping off the plantlets at the base of the plant. Only a evergreen perennial in Zone 9-10, a native of South Africa. The plant will reach a height of 4' and it has medicinal as well as sedative properties and some will even smoke the leaves because it will exhibit the same effect of cannabis. It is used widely in South Africa for many medicinal needs that includes flu, headache and fever. Its blooms are fragrant as well as orange, the plant is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and its nectar attracts hummingbirds.

Mimulus-Monkey Flower

2011-08-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

There are 150 different varieties of Mimulus and to propagate them dig up the crown in the spring and divide. Colors range from yellow, pink, red and orange and bloom through the summer into the fall as long as you remove the faded flowers. As perennials they are short lived and prefer moist areas in full sun or partial shade. Native to the west coast of the USA. In early days the plants when cooked acted as a salt substitute. They reach a height of 4-6,”are are deer and rabbit resistant and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lantana camara-Lantana

2011-08-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

Propagating lantana can be as simple as snipping the stolen around where the root may take hold or by a cutting. It is a perennial from Zones 7/8-11 and an annual everywhere else. It is a cousin to verbena, is poisonous/toxic to animals however butterflies, hummingbirds and bees are attracted to its nectar. It can reach a height of 48", is drought and also deer resistant. It blooms throughout the summer up until frost and colors range from yellow, orange, red, pink and purple. It is also fragrant, a cousin to verbena and a native to Mexico.

Lewisia tweedyi-Tweedy’s Lewisia

2011-08-17T07:04:00.001-07:00

Propagating what I believe is one of the most colorful perennials, born and bred in the USA, Pacific Northwest, and a cinch to propagate is lewisia. When I say to propagate you remove the off-sets or pups, what brings to mind are strawberries. You remove the umbilical cord that runs from the parent to the “baby” and plant. Varieties range in color from white, pink, coral and yellow and prefer a soil drainage of crushed gravel because the crown will rot if too damp. Also like most colorful perennials lewisia attracts snails, slugs, aphids and mealy bugs. It also prefers morning sun, average moisture, and planting beneath a well drained dripline is optimum. It will bloom from mid spring until early summer, reaches a height of 6-12", is evergreen and will grow in Zones 5-8. Be aware deer love to snack on it!

Typha minima-Miniature Cat-Tail

2011-08-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Propagating Typha is done in the spring by dividing the crown and the flower is just a miniature of the standard Cat-Tail, with only a height of up to 27". As many know this plant loves moisture and full sun and when the seed head bursts plenty of seed flies around and it is great as cut flower especially during the holidays and grows well in Zones 4-9.

Camelina sativa-Camelina

2011-08-03T10:47:00.001-07:00

This is an annual, basically a weed, that is used for biodiesel in planes/jets. It is primarily grown in Northern States because it cannot withstand the heat of summer. In Florida and Georgia they plant it as a winter crop, in by December out by April. It will flower in 85-100 days and it’s the seed heads that are used to make fuel. One acre makes about a gallon. Honeywell got FAA permission to fly to the Paris air show on camelina. They farm it in Montana and have a plant that makes into fuel in Houston. The plant itself has been around since the Bronze age and is native to Northern Europe. It is also used as feedstock. Ethanol as you know is from corn which feeds the world and that’s why some like Camelina. A 50 pound bag of seed can cover 5 acres and the cost to covert runs about $60, however because the seed has about 40% oil, and rich in OMEGA-3 fatty acid, it needs to be stored at 8% humidity or lower or else it becomes combustible and it’s the carbon the plant absorbs that makes it so valuable. It takes in more then is burned in a flight. It grows up to 3' and is in the mustard family.

Equisetum hyemale-Rough Horsetail

2011-07-27T06:04:00.001-07:00

Propagating Rough Horsetail is simple, however be aware it is invasive if it is not planted in a container, because it grows by underground rhizomes and since it is a moisture loving plant it is not easy to locate rhizomes under water. This plant could date from the Paleozoic Era and existed for millions of years because extinct fossils with stems the size of tree trunks have been discovered. It is native almost world wide from North and Central America, Asia and Europe. It can grow up to 5' is evergreen in some locales and its hardiness Zone is 3-11. It’s stems reminds one of Bamboo.

Goniolimon tataricum-German statice

2011-07-20T07:47:00.001-07:00

Propagating German statice is quite simple however be careful because it has a tendency to irritate the skin and can be poisonous, but dig up the parent plant and then divide the root ball. It is one perennial that is hardy throughout the USA, Zones 2-9. It can reach a height of 12-18" and can be used in many different ways along a rock wall or as a centerpiece. The blooms can vary depending on the variety, rose, white or silver-grey and some may know it is great in dry flower arrangements or as a wreath. Once established it is drought tolerant however make certain it doesn’t get too much water in the winter. It blooms from mid to late summer, its blooms attract butterflies, is deer resistant, and is native from Europe to Russia.

Eupatorium cannabinum “Florio Pleno”-Double Hemp Agrimony

2011-07-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

Propagating Double Hemp Agrimony is as easy as digging up the main plant in spring, before new growth, and dividing the clump into how many transplants you desire. It is a native to Europe where it is used as a commercial cut flower. Under optimum growing conditions the plant can reach 8'. The plant can be invasive in a small garden which prefers an evenly moist soil in either full sun or partial shade. Its flowers are fragrant, at least the doubles are, and will attract butterflies but not deer nor rabbits. Its stems are purple and blooms are a purplish pink that will flower mid summer until early fall. During the founding of the USA, colonists used the plant to treat malaria. Hardy in Zones 3-9.

Peucedanum ostruthium “Daphnis”-Variegated Peuce Materwort

2011-07-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am not familiar with this plant and because of that I could not find anything on propagating other then by seed, stratification of 4 weeks, however because the plant forms a clump you might try dividing it in the spring, but since it is a native of France, it will not be easy. The plant itself is poisonous and will cause skin irritation so wearing gloves and long sleeve shirts when gardening around it is necessary. It is also very fragrant and its flower resembles Queen-Anne’s Lace that bloom through early to mid summer and will reach a height of 24". The plant prefers a partial or full shade exposure with a moist well draining soil and is hardy in Zones 5-9.

Catananche caerulea-Cupid’s Dart

2011-06-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

Propagating Cupid’s Dart is simple it is a good self-seeder or it can be accomplished dividing the root ball in the spring and will give you more blooms throughout the summer by deadheading. It’s grass like foliage would be great contrast amongst grey foliage plants and is native to the Mediterranean but can be grown in Zones 4-9. It will reach 18-27" in height, is drought tolerant, its dandelion shaped flowers are blue in color, prefers full sun, and it a great cut flower. The plant symbolizes love.

Asclepias curassavica-Bloodflower

2011-06-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

Propagating Bloodflower unfortunately is only done by seed, cutting or possibly layering since it is a native of South America and is only hardy in Zones 8-10. Since it is a great food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, often denuding the plant in the spring, many people use containers to grow the plant from seed in the spring in colder zones. The plant does attract aphids and gets mildew but attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and moths outweigh the risks for many. It does grow up to 36," blooms year round in its zone and is also evergreen. The flowers are orange-red and pinching back the top produces a bushy plant, however its sap can be poisonous and is not drought tolerant.

Melittis melissophyllum “Royal Velvet Distinction-“ Bastard Balm

2011-06-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

This particular Bastard Balm was patented in the Netherlands so propagating it for sale is illegal, however for private use because it is a self-sower there is a chance your gardens will flourish however dividing the root ball in spring will give you another opportunity to increase the number of plants. It belongs to the mint family so its leaves have the fragrance of honey. It is native to Western Europe so its USA Zones are 5-9. This particular variety’s blooms are orchid like, white with a red lip, that will bloom from late spring until early summer and deadheading will not make it re-bloom. Its flowers are attracted to butterflies, bees and birds, the plant will reach a height of 12-14,”will do well in either full sun or partial shade and needs a well draining moist soil.

Dorycnium hirsutum-Hairy Canary Clover

2011-06-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

Propagating Hairy Canary cannot be done by division but plants can be duplicated by seed, cuttings or layering. It is an evergreen woody plant native to the Mediterranean which means hardy in Zones 7-9 in the USA. It will spread up to 36" so it can be used as a groundcover or hanging over a wall. It reaches a height of up to 24", it is drought resistant, and needs full sun. Its flowers are a whitish pink and will bloom in mid-late summer followed by brown seed pods. Its leaves are felty and tinged silver-grey.

Houstonia serpyllifolia-Thyme-leafed Mountain Bluet

2011-06-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

Propagating Houstonia is simple since it grows outward by underground stolons so in the spring trace the plant to the outer edges and where you see a new plant cut the stolon and transplant. Now it may seem contradictory but the plant prefers a moist sandy and slightly acidic soil and needs at least a few hours of sun to bloom so make certain the soil is amended with compost or manure when transplanting. It is evergreen and its blooms are frequented by small butterflies and bees and a specific moth caterpillar loves the plant as its home. It is native to the Eastern seaboard and was found in the Appalachian Mountains in WV and does well in Zones 5-9. It blooms mid to late summer and its color is a light blue/lilac with a yellow eye and grows to a height of 2-3". It will do well in rock walls or in flagstone paths.

Monotropa uniflora-Indian Pipe, Corpse Plant

2011-05-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Propagating Indian Pipe is almost impossible since it is not a plant but a fungus that relies on the sugars from the trees in the forest soil. It does not produce chlorophyll and is a non-photosynthesizing plant, so it does not require sunlight. It is related to blueberries and heathers so unless you live in a forest there will be no reason to propagate it or it will succumb. However its flowers and stems are all white, reminds some of Lily of the Valley, blooms in mid summer to early fall, is hardy in Zones 4-8, and grows to 6-12" in height and is native to Asia, North America and South America.

Baptisia australis-False Indigo, False Lupin

2011-05-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Propagating False Indigo is best done by cutting or seeding because it’s roots are deep underground and it takes an axe to split its dense base and then you need to get at least two buds to insure that the transplant lives, however it could take up to three years before it blooms. Take cuttings between January and March. Although one would assume by its name that it is a native to Australia it is actually a native to the US, Central and Eastern, and hardy in Zones 3-10. It reaches a height of 36-48" blooms in late spring to early summer and its flowers are bluish-purple. It will take either full sun or partial shade in well drained soil and because of its deep roots it is drought resistant.

Nelumbo lutea-American Lotus

2011-05-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

Propagating American Lotus is easy since American Natives ate the tubers as sweet potatoes and the leaves as spinach. Cut the tubers that have at least 2 eyes and then replant into soil in pots with at least 6" of water on top, but not more then 4 feet, with the pot sitting in soil. They need to be fertilized once a month and requires full sun. Initially is was a native to the Southeast but spread throughout the country, is prohibited in Connecticut but endangered in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Hardy in Zones 4-11. Its bloom is a light yellow, reaches a foot in diameter, and flowers from mid summer through early fall.

Tradescantia pallida-Purple Heart or Purple Wandering Jew

2011-05-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

Propagating Purple Heart is simple. Break off a brittle stem section and make certain the leaf nodule is planted under the surface of the sand and it should root easily with watering. They are easy to transplant as well. They can be invasive in Zones 8-10. A native of Mexico. As some of you know wandering jew can be found in hanging baskets inside the home. Its flowers are pink and bloom year round in the right climate. It will reach a height of 12" and prefers full sun but will also accept partial shade.

Saururus cernuus-Lizard’s Tail

2011-04-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

Propagating Lizard’s Tail and be accomplished in the spring by dividing the root clump, however be aware it can be an aggressive grower in the right setting so planting in a container can stem the spread if necessary. It is a bog/pond perennial and is sometimes used in aquariums but does not flower in tanks, and it is native to North America and hardy in Zones 5-11. Its flower is white and blooms from mid summer to mid fall and attains a height on 18-36". Birds love the nectar and it is deer resistant and will do well in either shade or full sun.

Lathyrus latifolius-Everlasting Sweet Pea

2011-04-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

There is no need to propagate perennial sweet pea because some considerate invasive if you don’t deadhead because each plant will drop 100 seeds in a growing season so this is best planted away from your intricate gardens or used to cover slopes. It also could be used as a screen instead of buying expensive woody plants and allow it to attach to chicken wire. It is not fragrant but comes in shades of red, pink, mauve, purple and white and blooms throughout the summer and into early fall, but it will attract butterflies. It is in the bean family so its tendrils will reach upwards of 6 feet and beyond, will tolerate drought, and will rot in winter if the soil is too moist. It should be cut back to the ground in the fall. It is native to Europe, deer will not munch, and hardy in Zones 3-9.

Cypripedium reginae-Lady’s Slipper Orchid

2011-04-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

Propagating Lady’s Slipper Orchid takes patience and digging it up from its natural habitat is prohibited. It is a native to North America and is the state flower of New Hampshire and is hardy from Zones 3-8 but in warmer zones it prefers cooler areas similar to ferns with acidic type soil. Its height can reach 2-3' and blooms from late spring to early summer and blooms are a light pink to white. It’s growth spreads by rhizomes and propagating them isn’t hard but they take a while to mature and it is best done either in the spring or fall but don’t expect flowers until the second year.

Eucomis “Oakhurst”-Purple Pineapple Lily

2011-04-06T07:35:00.001-07:00

Propagating Pineapple Lily should be accomplished in the spring and only every two years, because you need a mature bilbet before it reproduces and after slicing off the bulbet from the main bulb use powered sulphur to seal the slice to prevent rot. You can also divide the main bulb into 4 pieces. Pineapple Lily is native to S. Africa so it is only hardy in Zones 8-10. Butterflies and Hummingbirds love the flowers nectar which blooms from late summer until early fall. It is a member of the Hyacinth family. The flower color will range from a deep pink to purple and will reach a height of 24-30". It prefers a sandy loam amended soil that is moist but not wet.

Eucomis “Oakhurst”-Purple Pineapple Lily

2011-04-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

Alstroemeria psittacina “Royal Star”-Variegated Parrot Feather

2011-03-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

Before propagating Parrot Feather you should know that it is POISONOUS and TOXIC but it can be divided in the spring, it has fleshy roots and is a great cut flower so wear gloves when near the plant. It grows up to 36" and flowers through the summer into the fall. Its flowers are unusual because they are green and red finged with maroon and its leaves are variegated with white borders. It tolerates heat and humidity for Zones 7-9. Native to Mexico and Brazil.

Osteopermum-African Daisy, Cape Daisy

2011-03-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

Propagating African Daisy is usually done by tip cuttings, with constant misting, in autumn or try layering. There are over 85 different species and the colors range from purple to yellow to white to blue and with constant deadheading will bloom throughout the summer up until frost but prefer cooler areas. The normal hardiness zones are 8-10. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers and the plants can vary in height from 8-24" and must have a well draining but moist soil and are susceptible to root rot and viruses, either in full sun or partial shade. African Daisies are native to Africa.

Omphalodes cappadocica-Navel-seed

2011-03-15T05:35:00.000-07:00

Propagating Navel-seed is accomplished in the spring by digging up the rhizomes that spread underground and rooting it either in a medium separate from the plant or allowing it to spread off from the parent. It grows upwards of 6-10" and can either be used as an edging plant or in a rock garden since its blooms of blue or white tend to be profuse. It will bloom through most of the spring and can be used as a cut flower and is rabbit resistant. Hardy in Zones 6-9 but it prefers cool summers so plant in a windy location in partial shade, truley a woodland plant, in hotter zones in well draining soil. It is native to Asia Minor.

Orthosiphon aristatus-Cat’s Whiskers

2011-03-10T05:56:00.001-08:00

Cat’s Whiskers is only a perennial in Zones 9-11 because it is a native of S.S. Asia. Honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to its nectar and colors come in white, blue and lavender. It prefers a bog or wet environment in either full sun or partial shade with no drying out, will bloom from late summer to early fall with deadheading, and will reach a height of 18-24". Propagation by 5-6" stem cutting in water or by layering.

Stipa gigantea-Giant Feather Grass

2011-03-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

Giant Feather Grass should be used as a speciman plant in a windy location because it prefers cool summers and mild winters but is hardy from Zone 6-9 and in the former it is evergreen but should be cut back in early spring before new growth takes off. It can be divided in the spring but it will take some hacking to achieve division. It does not do well with a winter’s wet soil. It’s tan spikes start in early summer and can last through the winter and of course deer will not munch. It will reach a height of 8-10 feet so it could possibly be used as a screen with ample space. It is native to Spain, Portugal & Spain and is drought tolerant.

Chiastophyllum oppositifolium “Jim’s Pride”-Golden Lambstill

2011-03-03T08:34:00.001-08:00

Spring 2012 is just around the corner in many Southern states and those in the Northern half well they could be still shoveling snow. Pity. The first plant in 2012 to propagate is Golden Lambstill which is a native of Armenia or the old Russia. If you can use your imagination it can be similar to Euonymous “Emerald Gaiety from a distance because it’s growth is rhizomatous so it is easy to divide however in early summer. It is evergreen that doesn’t mind full sun as long as the soil is moist and well draining and it is also a succulent. It is hardy from Zone 5, extra protection, to 9 and reaches a height of 4-6" and it’s flower blooms in late spring to early summer and is yellow.

Environmentalists fret about Plum Island's future

2010-10-06T12:25:00.001-07:00

By FRANK ELTMAN, Associated Press Writer Frank Eltman, Associated Press Writer
Wed Oct 6, 9:29 am ET

PLUM ISLAND, N.Y. – Researchers since the 1950s have studied dangerous animal diseases here that if unleashed could imperil the nation's livestock. Cold War germ warfare testing also occurred on Plum Island, and for decades the U.S. Army used it as a coastal defense post.

Nevertheless, many environmentalists characterize Plum Island as a "remarkable gem" and "exemplary site for fish and wildlife" when describing its attributes.

The federal government wants to relocate the animal disease lab to Kansas and is proceeding with plans to sell the isolated, 840-acre pork chop-shaped island off the eastern tip of Long Island, a move that has some environmentalists fretting about Plum Island's future.

On Wednesday, more than two dozen environmentalists and civic leaders were taking part in a daylong tour of Plum Island. It's sort of a real estate "open house," in which they will get a rare public glimpse of operations at the lab, as well as visit remote parts that are home to endangered bird species and other wildlife.

"We'd like to see a continuation of the research and development in some form, coupled with a more formalized protection of the rest of the island as a national wildlife refuge," Randy Parsons, policy adviser for the Nature Conservancy, said as the environmentalists gathered for remarks in an auditorium and a tour in an old green bus along winding roads through lush landscape.

Some of them also lined up to buy $12 souvenir T-shirts — offered in pink, blue, brown or yellow, and bearing an outline of Plum Island.

Although Agriculture Department scientists perform the lab studies, the island has been overseen by the Department of Homeland Security since 2003. About a dozen community groups have been granted access under tight security restrictions in the past year, DHS spokeswoman Kristine Garland said.

Because of the island's status as a potential target for terrorists who might want to steal dangerous pathogens or wreak other havoc, all visitors must undergo FBI background checks and all bags are inspected before visitors are permitted onto a ferry for the 1 1/2-mile trip.

Despite its mystique as the subject of a 1997 Nelson DeMille best-selling book of the same name, and its mention as a possible home for Hannibal Lecter in the film "Silence of the Lambs," Plum Island could be an ideal place for day trips because of its pristine beaches, some environmentalists say. They'd rather see that than homes or condo developed there.

[Related: See more private islands for sale]

"It would be a terrible insult to the millions of people who live within an hour's drive of the (Long Island) Sound for this to be developed as a playground for the few, as opposed to making it a managed and loved place for the many," said Curt Johnson, program director of a group called "Save the Sound."

He said the island has been identified as "an exemplary site for fish and wildlife, and in particular colonial birds." Nearby Great Gull Island, Little Gull Island and Plum Island combined have a large population of nesting roseate terns, an endangered species, he added.

The U.S. General Services Administration, which has responsibility for selling the island, is compiling a draft environmental impact statement, a preliminary step necessary to proceed with any sale. The statement, expected last month, has been delayed until late November or early December, GSA spokeswoman Paula Santangelo said. The delay is to allow input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Documents, some obtained earlier this year by The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Law, reveal that hundreds of tons of medical waste, contaminated soil and other refuse already have been shipped off the island. Other island sites have been cleaned in compliance with federal regulations.

And the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined in 2006 that no munitions or ordnance remain from the Army base that once housed as many as 4,000 troops from the Spanish-American War through World War II. As late as 2007, New York government inspection reports said there is no environmental threat on the island.

"The opportunity to visit an island where very few have visited in 50 years is remarkable," said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "We're delighted that Homeland Security would welcome environmentalists. Any new start for the island needs to include preserving what's valuable; that's our goal, to preserve the environmental integrity so it's not lost forever."

Also under way is a congressional risk assessment of Homeland Security's decision to move the animal disease lab to Manhattan, Kan.; some lawmakers question the wisdom of studying dangerous pathogens in the so-called Beef Belt. DHS has determined that an accidental release of foot-and-mouth disease would have a $4.2 billion impact on the economy, regardless of the lab's location.

Still, the tour Wednesday appears to be another incremental step toward an eventual sale.

Alan Schnurman, a real estate developer in the Hamptons on Long Island's east end, said he has heard estimates that Plum Island could fetch as much as $50 million.

"As a high-end real estate project, whether it's developed as a resort or for high-end individual homes, Plum Island is very appealing to a certain segment of the population," Schnurman said. "I'm an environmentalist at heart, so I'd probably like to see a combination of both. They should develop the area where the lab is located and set aside the rest for environmental purposes."

In addition to the laboratory, Plum Island features a water filtration plant, sewage treatment facilities and other amenities that would be attractive to any developer.

"We just think that given the importance of Long Island Sound generally and the fact that there is an ever-shrinking pool of natural open space on the coastline, any sale should really be sensitive to the environmental values," said Charles Rothenberger, a staff attorney for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. "If there is going to be any development, it should be limited to the current infrastucture and conservation arrangements should be made to protect the majority of the island."

Other popular stories on Yahoo!:

Dracocephalum peregrinum “Blue Dragon”-Dragonhead

2010-09-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

For the ideal home landscape Dragonhead will add a burst of color when other perennials are fading, early summer to early fall of violet-blue flowers, and will spread rapidly in full sun or partial shade. The best time to propagate is in the spring by dividing the root ball and plant in a moist well drained soil mixture. Dragonhead is native to Russia so it can take the cold possibly down to zone 5 with protection. It will reach a height of 8"-12" and it’s sometimes used as a cut flower.

Pennisetum alopecuroides “Moudry”-Black Fountain Grass

2010-08-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Propagating Black Fountain Grass as to increase the color of your garden is simple, just dig up the root ball in the spring and divide it more then likely with a spade after you cut the plant back to the ground. There was conflicting information as to the height ranging from 18"-24" and 29"-35" so be sure that you don’t plant it in front of something that will hide what’s behind it. Also some say to cut off the seeds to prevent self-seeding and another says the flowers are sterile and seeds will not be true to form so be safe and cut the seed heads. The flowers are striking, black/purple in late summer to early fall and they are excellent cut flowers, fresh or dried. If you have a wet spot on your property the plant should do well and is drought as well deer resistant. There is also a dwarf variety that only reaches 6"-12". Pennisetum is native to tropical and warm temperate climates but will survive down to Zone 6 with protection.

Meconopsis betonicifolia-Himalayan Poppy

2010-08-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

Propagating Himalayan Poppy, which is not a true poppy takes patience, but the rewards are stunning. First collect the seed either from other plants or purchased. Lay them on a wet paper towel, rung out and store in the fridge for 4 weeks. The dormancy needs to be broken. Then remove from the fridge and let the seeds sit, covered with the paper towel and never allow it to dry out, until the seeds germinate and are about 6" tall then transplant outside into a rich moist humus soil in partial shade. It will not flower the first year and may not the second, the plant is not long lived but its purple flower will leave you gasping. It blooms in early summer and reaches a height of 20"-28" but could reach as high as 6'. The plant is a native of China and does best in colder zones, down to Zone 3 and are rabbit resistant.

Tricyrtis formosana-Toad-lily

2010-08-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Propagating toad-lily to increase the color and diversity of your landscaping is done in the spring by dividing the clump although it is a slow grower and should be planted so they can be seen from the house or outside sitting areas. They reach a height of 16"-20" and come in purple/white. They can be used as cut flowers but like most perennials they don’t last long once cut. Toad-lilies bloom in the fall up until frost and although they are hardy down to Zone 5 but they could use extra protection against deep frost and prefer shade and rabbits do not munch on them. They prefer a moist rich well draining soil on the acid side like azaleas.

To the medical team killed in Afghanistan needlessly.

2010-08-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

KABUL, Afghanistan – The first sign of danger was the crackle of gunfire over their heads. Ten gunmen, their faces covered, rushed toward terrified humanitarian workers and began shouting "Satellite! Satellite!" — a demand to surrender their phones.

Moments later, 10 of them lay dead, including two women hiding in the back seat of a car the attackers hit with a grenade, according to an Afghan official familiar with the account the sole survivor gave police.

It is the first detailed narrative of the slaying of six Americans, two Afghans, one German and a Briton on Aug. 5 in remote northern Afghanistan. They were ambushed and shot Aug. 5 after journeying about 100 miles — much of it on foot and horseback — through the Hindu Kush mountains, giving eye and other medical care to impoverished villagers.

Afghan and U.S. investigators spent at least four hours this week questioning the survivor, a 24-year-old father of three named Safiullah. He was employed as a driver for International Assistance Mission, a nonprofit Christian organization that has worked in Afghanistan since 1966.

Safiullah, who like many Afghans uses only one name, told investigators that the killings occurred around 7:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m., according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose details of the ongoing investigation.

The official, whose information has proven reliable in the past, said Safiullah, who is being held but not behind bars, gave the following account of how the killings unfolded.

At the end of the trip, the team spent their final night in a village. The next morning, riding in four-wheeled drive vehicles, they encountered a river swollen by heavy rains.

An Afghan man in the area offered to help the team as it was trying to cross the river. Two members of the team — including leader Tom Little, an optometrist from Delmar, New York, who had worked in Afghanistan since the late 1970s — rolled up their pants legs and waded in to find a spot shallow enough for the vehicles to ford the river.

After successfully crossing, the team stopped to take a break in a forested area at the side of the road, which ran through a narrow valley. They wanted to get ready for their long journey back though Badakhshan province and on to the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The Afghan man who had offered to help the group left. Then came the attack.

The gunmen rushed in, firing bullets over the medical team members' heads.

"What's happening?" Little shouted.

A gunman struck Little in the head with the back of an AK-47 rifle. Little fell bleeding to the ground. When he tried to get up, the attackers fatally shot him in the torso.

Two of three female members of the team had jumped inside one SUV to hide. The attackers tossed a grenade at the vehicle, killing them both. Then, one by one, they killed the rest of the group — except the driver.

Safiullah told investigators he believes the lead gunman was Pakistani because he yelled "Jadee! Jadee!" — a word used in several regional languages that means "hurry up." It is more commonly used in Pakistan and India than Afghanistan. He said all the attackers understood Dari and Pashto, the two main languages spoken in Afghanistan, but conversed in Pashaye, a local dialect used only in parts of the northeast corner of Afghanistan.

Safiullah said he doesn't know why he survived while two other Afghan members of the team were killed. He said he raised his arms in the air and recited verses from the Islamic holy book Quran as he begged the gunmen for his life.

The official said Safiullah speculated that the gunmen might have shot the team's Afghan cook, who was lying under one of the vehicles, because they thought he was armed. Safiullah said they might have killed the second Afghan, a guard employed at International Assistance Mission since 2007, because he was wearing a head scarf wrapped in a style favored by northern militias.

A fourth Afghan on the trip, Dr. Said Yasin, left the group a day before the killings, saying he was tired and wanted to take a more direct route back to Jalalabad where he has family. Dirk Frans, the IAM executive director, said Yasin told the team he was suffering from a kidney ailment and asked permission to leave on his own.

"He is fine now," Frans said about Yasin. "He's OK. He is well — of course extremely sad that all but one of his colleagues are gone."

After the killings, the gunmen took Safiullah with them on a seven- or eight-hour hike through a forest. During the journey, one of the gunmen spoke on a radio with a high antenna, saying, in Pashto, "Everything's finished. We killed them," Safiullah told investigators, according to the official.

The attackers stopped to pray in the evening, then continued on, walking toward a flashing light that Safiullah said was meant to guide them to a village near Barg-e-Matal, scene of heavy fighting in recent weeks between government forces and militants who crossed over from Pakistan.

There, they met up with another group of people, who asked Safiullah if he was a Muslim, his father's name, how many children he has and how he got a job working for foreigners.

The gunmen told Safiullah that he could leave, but he told investigators he feared he would be shot in the back if he did so. He said he dropped to his knees and began hugging the legs of one of the men. Eventually convinced that they had no plans to kill him, Safiullah said he started running. He said he rested by a large rock, and then despite extreme fatigue began running again.

An older man he met along the way let him briefly ride a donkey. Safiullah said he eventually found his way back to the town in the Kuran Wa Munjan district of Nuristan province where the group had left their three four-wheeled drive vehicles and rented eight horses at the beginning of the trip.

The group had assembled last month in Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan, and then drove south, according to Safiullah.

They left their vehicles in Kuran Wa Munjan and then trekked nearly half a day on foot and horseback over mountainous terrain to reach the Parun valley. The valley is a harsh, isolated area about 9,500 feet above sea level where an estimated 50,000 people eke out a primitive existence as shepherds and subsistence farmers.

Safiullah said he was not aware of any threats to the team during the two weeks they spent walking from village to village providing medical care.

The Taliban said they carried out the attack because the team members were spying and trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. IAM said it is registered as a Christian organization with the Afghan government, but does not proselytize.

"IAM would not be invited back to villages if we were using aid as a cover for preaching," Frans said in a statement. "This specific camp, led by Tom Little, a man with four decades experience in Afghanistan, has led eye camps for many years to Nuristan — and was welcomed back every time."

The bodies of four of the Americans, escorted by FBI personnel, were flown to the United States on Wednesday aboard U.S. military aircraft, according to Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. "In accordance with their families' wishes, the remains of two American citizens will remain in Afghanistan and be laid to rest here, in the country they selflessly and courageously served for so many years," she said.

Tradescantia “Concord Grape”-Spiderwort

2010-08-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Propagating Spiderwort is easily done in the spring by digging up then dividing the clump. What is neat about this spiderwort are that its leaves are steel-blue and its blooms are a violet-purple shade. It will bloom most of the summer and early fall if you deadhead and will reach upwards of 18". Although it likes full sun this is one plant that prefers a moist, rich soil and will even tolerate wet sites beside a stream or pond. The flowers attract butterflies and rabbits prefer not to munch

Semiaguilegia ecalcarta-False Columbine

2010-07-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

Propagating this short-lived perennial is simple, just let it go to seed, or carefully dig up self-seeded plants in early spring and transplant and although this cousin to the regular Columbine prefers full sun in cooler regions of the country, it also prefers a well drained moist soil. This plant is a native to China, blooms late spring to early summer and reaches a height of 8"-18" with violet to purple flowers. It is also deer resistant and possibly hardier under Zone 5 but with extra protection.

Penstemon digitalis-“Husker Red” Penstemon

2010-07-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

Propagating Penstemon is hard because there are different varieties and sometimes garden centers will sell plants that are not hardy to your zone so before you buy make certain the variety you are buying is hardy to your zone because there are west coast and east coast types. “Husker Red” is an east coast type and it can be propagated by division, however other varieties can only be propagated by layering or cutting(mid summer to early fall) in west coast types. Now Penstemon’s are native to the USA, however “Husker Red” was hybrized at the University of Nebraska and is hardy in Zones 3-8, however its flower color is white to pale pink however its leaves and stems are deep purple. It grows to a height of 2 ½' and its flowers are hummingbird and bee magnets. To be hardy this variety needs good draining soil where west coast type generally do well in poor soils and need full sun, 10-12 hours daily. Normally “Husker Red” is evergreen and is supposedly deer resistant. One could always check the hardiness of their purchase by going to the Penstemon Society.

Thamnocalamus crassinodus-Mountain Bamboo

2010-07-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

Propagating Mountain Bamboo is simple because it is a clumping bamboo and would suggest that propagating either in the spring or fall would bring success. This plant can grow up to 25' so it is a great screening material however it prefers shade or an early morning sun which will bring out the burgundy color of its canes which start in the spring with a blue hue. It is native to East Asia and Africa and is not cold hardy so do not attempt to raise outside of Zones 8-10.

Zauschneria garretti”Orange Carpet”-California Fuchsia

2010-06-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

Propagating California Fuchsia is simple just cut off a piece of the plant, remove any flowers, use a sharp knife or X-acto blade and put it in water and it should root in about 30 days. What’s great about this plant is it’s low growing reaching a height of 4" and although the name suggests a California type plant it is hardy to Zone 3. It prefers a semi-shaded area with good drainage but do not over water because it is also drought tolerant and evergreen in warmer zones. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies and is native to the dry parts of some Western states. Obviously the flower color is orange and deer resistant.

Dierama pulcherrimum-Angel’s Fishing Rod

2010-06-23T06:26:00.001-07:00

Since Angel’s Fishing Rod is in the Iris family that means you have to divide the corm after flowering which is August to September. It’s blooms are either, pink, magenta or white and the plant can reach 4'-6' in full sun. It is native to South Africa so in essence it is only hardy in Zones 8-10, and possibly on the outer fringe of 7. It prefers consistent moisture in the growing season and is evergreen and it takes two years before it flowers.

Lunaria biennis-Money Plant or Silver Dollar

2010-06-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

Propagating Lunaria is simple, it is self-seeding and is a biennial, like Columbine, so it doesn’t bloom until the second year then dies, but if you don’t deadhead you will not have a problem because some say it is an aggressive plant so don’t put in front of your bed. There is also a perennial, Lunaria rediviva. It is commonly called the Money Plant or Silver Dollar because its seed head resemble a silver dollar used in fall/winter arrangements. The plant zone is 2-9 so it is hardy and is deciduous, however birds and butterflies like the plant which blooms from April-June and the colors range from purple to lilac to white. It prefers a moist well draining soil in partial shade to full sun and will reach a height of 36". It is native to Central & Southern Europe.

Wulfenia carinthiaca-Cow’s FootstepWulfenia

2010-05-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Propagating Wulfenia should be done in early summer, after blooming, or preferably early fall by dividing the crown. This is an alpine plant found in the meadows of Austria and Albania so it dies not like heat nor humidity although it is hardy from Zones 5-8. It prefers a northern exposure in a light rich sandy/gritty soil with even moisture in either full sun or partial shade. It is evergreen and the plant reaches a height of 6-8" however its flower spikes can reach 24." It will bloom from May-July and the color is a rich deep blue. For experienced gardeners mainly.

Tellima grandiflora “Forest Frost”-Fringe-cups

2010-05-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Propagating Tellima or fringe-cups can be accomplished in the spring by dividing the crown. Forest Frost is patented but its leaves are much more colorful, silver with burgundy veins, then regular fringe-cups, which is a hairy light green, the plant is native to the Pacific Northwest, is evergreen in warmer zones but hardy to Zone 5. The flowers on the basic fringe-cups are white but pink on Forest Frost. Bloom is from late spring to early summer, May-June. The plant prefers partial to full shade and will grow in moist soils but will also tolerate drought conditions. The plant is deer resistant, will reach a height of 24," and is fragrant.

Scrophularia auriculara “variegata”-Variegated Figwort

2010-05-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Scrophularia or Figwort can be propagated in the spring by breaking apart the clump. Its flowers are insignificant, brown, and should be removed after blooming because they will take away from its green and creamy-white variegated leaves which should also be cut back hard in the summer if the foliage becomes tired or turning brown. This plant will remain evergreen in mild winters hardy in zones 5-9, requires a partial shade to full sun exposure in a moist soil well draining soil, and will reach a height of 12"-18".

Chamerion angustifolium-Fireweed

2010-05-05T07:38:00.001-07:00

Propagating Chamerion or Fireweed can be done in the spring by breaking apart the crown, with plenty of roots on each piece and transplanting after cutting back any top that remains from the previous year. Fireweed got its name because it is one of the first plants to become established after the aftermath of a fire along with goldenrod and thistle. Its native zone is widespread from 2-9. Butterflies and honeybees enjoy the nectar from its blooms which flower from June through August and the plant will reach a height of 36" to 60". The blooms can range from pink, lavender and white. It is classified as a weed so be careful of its parameters in a garden setting which requires light shade.

Phyla nodiflora-Turkey Tangle Fogfruit

2010-04-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

Propagating Phyla or Turkey Tangle Fogfruit is done easily in the spring by cutting off the stolons and replanting. It prefers a well draining soil and is sometimes used as a lawn in warmer climates since it is evergreen, however there seems to be a disagreement as to what zones it is hardy, some say 9-10 and others say 6-10, so I will presume it is deciduous in colder zones. In warmer zones it will bloom year round but as the zones become cooler the bloom period varies from spring through summer to just spring. The flowers are both male and female. The color of the bloom varies as well from white to light pink. It reaches a height of 2"-4" and will take foot traffic and it’s flowers will attract honeybees and butterflies, is deer resistant, and drought tolerant after becoming established.

Woodwardia fimbriata-Giant Chain Fern

2010-04-13T06:25:00.001-07:00

Woodwardia is native to the Pacific Northwest and best time to propagate is in the spring by separating the spreading rhizomes. This plant can grow up to 9' given the proper growing conditions which is a moist fertile soil in partial shade, best near a spring, and should be given lots of room to grow and is not tolerant of frost so the area must be well protected otherwise it is evergreen and like most ferns it is deer resistant.

Rumohra adiantiformis-Leather Fern

2010-04-08T06:19:00.001-07:00

Leather fern is divided in the spring by breaking off a rhizome but it does not take kindly to division. It will do well in either partial or full shade and it used often in bouquets because its freshness will last a long time. It will reach a height of 12"-27" depending on its happiness with its soil and exposure. It is hardy only in Zones 8-10 but can be planted in containers in the north and removed inside in the fall but it requires a moist soil and misting.

Polygala chamaebuxus “Multicolor”-Evergreen Milkvetch

2010-04-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

There are different varieties and flower colors for Polygala chamaebuxus but Multicolor blooms are yellow and pink that flower in late spring. Propagating Polygala can either be done in early summer or fall with fall being the preference especially if it is planted in full sun but okay if planted in partial shade. It’s flowers are either pea or orchid shaped and is hardy in Zones 6-9, however it requires a low pH just like azalea and rhododendron and the soil must be well draining and contain lots of humus or compost. It reaches a height of 4"-6" but cannot handle foot traffic, is drought tolerant and like its common name is evergreen.

Myosotidium hortensia- Chatham Island Forget-me-not

2010-03-25T10:22:00.001-07:00

Propagating Chatham Island Forget-me-not can be done in the fall because it blooms in late spring to early summer so if it is done in the spring you may have to wait until the following year for it too bloom. It prefers the same habitat as Primulas, which is partial shade and a rich moist but well draining soil. It is evergreen and will reach a height of 18"-24" and it flowers are a light blue. It is a native to New Zealand so is only hardy in Zone 8-9 and prefers cool summers and it is best fertilized with seaweed.

Fargesia robusta-Green Screen Bamboo

2010-03-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

Since Green Screen is trademarked so propagating and selling it as such is illegal but any bamboo can be divided as long as the culms contain enough rhizome to allow it to re-root. This is a non-invasive but fast growing clumping bamboo that will reach a height of 16' and can be used as a great screen or specimen planting, is deer resistant and hardy in Zone 5 and up. It is native to China and needs good drainage which can be accomplished by adding organic soil, compost or manure when planting.

Ipomopsis rubra-Standing Cypress

2010-03-17T08:03:00.000-07:00

Propagating Standing Cypress can only be accomplished by seeding in the fall by lightly covering the seeds since it is an annual. Hummingbirds love its nectar since they bloom profusely from May-July and the flowering spikes that can reach upwards of 6' and can be pruned back after the rosettes die and it will send up another spike. It is native to the S.E. and it requires full sun, is drought tolerant and varieties come in either red, orange and yellow. It is in the phlox family.

Callicarpa americana-American Beautyberry

2010-03-15T06:43:00.001-07:00

Propagating Beautyberry by division can be frustrating since it has a tap root but it can be done only if the plant is mature enough which can be accomplished by pruning the plant down to 12" in the fall and patiently wait for the crown to at least double in size, divide in the spring, otherwise you may have to employee either root or soft tip cuttings. It’s fall berries are amazingly beautiful and the photo I took was on my lot north of Raleigh, NC, and is first growth after bulldozing the lot otherwise I never would have noticed it although it does have pink flowers in summer. It is native from Zones 7 and up usually in moist to low rich bottomlands and mine is growing in full sun. Unfortunately deer enjoy the leaves but birds and butterflies enjoy the flower nectar, the seeds for birds, and average height is 3'-6' and sometimes to 9' tall. A plant to enjoy in the drab months of winter.

Spring is coming!

2010-03-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

Someone gave me a Amazon gift card for my birthday so I ordered some vegey seeds and although I hestitated, Hirt's Gardens had tomato plants which I ordered and recieved this week. I was wondering if they would come alive and they did because they were packaged great. They have more varities available then big box stores and I am hoping that I will be able to plant them. This is their web link: http://hirts-gardens.amazonwebstore.com/category/22698119901/1/Vegetable-Plants-Tomato.htm

Seed catalogs

2010-01-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year that gardeners are looking through seed catalogs plotting their stradegy for the upcoming growing season. For those who grow organically I came upon this catalog that offers organic vegetable seeds so I thought I put in their link. http://www.gardensalive.com/catalog_request_qas.asp?bhcd2=1263049138

Malvastrum lateritium-Creeping Mallow

2009-10-20T09:00:00.001-07:00

Propagating Malvastrum or Creeping Mallow is as simple as propagating strawberry plants because aerial roots shoot out from the center of the parent plant so just cut a shoot and plant along with bone meal. Creeping Mallow blooms from July to September and the color is an apricot-pink with a yellow center. The plant is evergreen in mild winters, Zones 6-10, its flowers attract butterflies, the plant reaches 6"-8" in height and prefers full sun, but is not drought tolerant.

Farfugium japonicum-Leopard Plant

2009-10-06T07:33:00.001-07:00

Propagating Farfugium or Leopard Plant is best done in the spring by locating well rooted rhizomes that spread out from the parent plant. It is only hardy down to Zone 8 but evergreen. It is native to Japan and Korea. It does best in partial shade with no afternoon sun and prefers a moist but not soggy soil and mulch but not too heavily. It is mainly a foliage plant with dark green leaves offset with yellow polka dots although it has yellow daisy like blooms in the fall.

Hepatica acutiloba- Sharp-leaf Hepatica

2009-10-01T07:39:00.001-07:00

Propagating Hepatica is done in the fall by digging up the plant and dividing the rooted crowns, it doesn’t like being disturbed so don’t dabble, into equal transplants. This is one perennial that will bloom along with your bulbs in the spring, even in Chicago, and is evergreen in warmer climates. Daisy type blooms range from pink, lilac, white or a mix of all three and they are deer resistant. Some use the leaves as an herbal remedy but they can also be poisonous so do your homework beforehand. The plant is a native to the Northeast and prefers a moist shady location.

Teucrium chamaedrys-Creeping Germander

2009-09-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

Propagating Teucrium or Germander can be accomplished in the spring or fall by locating well rooted rhizomes that spread out underground from the parent plant. The plant reaches a height of 6"-8" and blooms in the summer, July-August, and its flowers are pink. The blooms attract butterflies but not deer, are evergreen in warmer zones, and are drought tolerant once established. Since the plant remains compact there is very little trimming necessary and could be considered a woody plant.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi-Bearberry or Kinnikinnick

2009-08-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

Propagating Arctostaphylos or Bearberry which is considered a woody plant versus a true perennial should be done in the spring by pruning off the well rooted stems that spread out from the parent plant and transplant. Bearberry is evergreen, its leaves turn a bronze-red in winter and birds enjoy its red berries after flowering. Hummingbirds also enjoy the pinkish blooms nectar in the spring. It will take light foot traffic and is a great plant to use for soil erosion because it is drought resistant and will take full sun or light shade, not clay soils. It is also deer resistant and grows to a height of 4"-6".

Francoa sonchifolia-Chilean Bridal Wreath

2009-08-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

Propagating Francoa or Bridal Wreath, which is hardy down to 20 degrees, is done by digging up the clump in the spring and dividing the crown into well rooted transplants. It is native to Chile and will take either full sun or partial shade, but performs best in cool settings, so no afternoon sun and is a slow grower. It is evergreen and deer resistant. It will bloom from June through to September, comes in either white or pink, and will eventually reach 24" in height.

Rosmarinus officinalis-Trailing Rosemary

2009-08-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

Propagating Rosmarinus or Trailing Rosemary can either be accomplished by layering or by digging up the parent plant and dividing the crown. Different varieties of Rosemary have varying shades of blue flowers in spring and are generally evergreen in Zones 8-9. The plant attracts butterflies, is fragrant, prefers full sun, is drought resistant and reaches a height of 4"-6".

Ophiopogon planiscapus “Nigrescens”-Black Mondo Grass

2009-08-18T07:00:00.001-07:00

Propagating Ophiopogon or Black Mondo Grass is similar to Liriope, but smaller leaved, which is cutting off the rhizomes extending out from the parent plant or by digging up the parent plant and dividing the roots into equally rooted transplants in the spring. Black Mondo Grass has pinkish blooms in mid summer, is deer resistant, evergreen down to Zone 6, grows to 4"-6" in height and prefers full sun but will take partial shade. Since it is expensive at big box stores, purportedly “rare,” the best option for homeowners is to purchase maybe a half a dozen and in five years they could have a goodly amount if divided every spring.

Helianthemum-Rock Rose or Sun Rose

2009-08-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

Propagating Helianthemum or Rock Rose should be done every 4-5 years because the plant becomes woody so in the spring dig up the plant and divide the root crown and discard the woody part and transplant the siblings. The are a number of varieties that come in yellow, pink, white or orange. They generally bloom in April to June and reach a height of 6"-12" and are deer resistant. They will grow in Zones 5-7/8 and are normally drought resistant and do not appreciate wet feet in winter so plant in a sandy well draining soil. They are evergreen and are native to the Mediterranean. Cut back after flowering to induce new flower buds.

Arenaria montana-Mountain Sandwort

2009-08-11T07:23:00.000-07:00

Propagating Arenaria or Mountain Sandwort is done either in the spring or preferably in the fall by transplanting the well rooted rhizomes that spread out from the parent plant or if happy it is a great self seeder. It grows to a height of 2"-4" and will take light foot traffic so it is a plant that can be placed between flagstones. It blooms May through June and the basic color is white but there is also a pink variety. It is well suited for alpine gardens and prefers a sandy well draining soil in full sun and is drought resistant when established, deer resistant and also evergreen.

Caltha palustris-Marsh Marigold

2009-08-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

Propagating Caltha or Marsh Marigold is preferred in the spring after it blooms because you can view the plants but it can be done in the fall but they must be marked because they will be dormant. Divide the rootstock. Marsh Marigold is the harbinger of spring in northern zones and its blooms will surface shortly thereafter in either the standard yellow or a white variety. It is found in wet settings as the name suggests and should not be allowed to dry out when dormant, summer through fall. It is a good self-seeder, is deer resistant, grows to a height of 6"-12" and prefers shade but will also do well in moist full sun area.

Verbascum-Mullein

2009-08-04T05:48:00.001-07:00

Propagating Verbascum or Mullein is done in the spring by digging up the parent plant and dividing the crown into several well rooted stock. Mullein was a weed until it was hybridized since it was found in well drianed gravely soils in full sun. It is a short lived perennial, 2-3 years, that blooms most of the year, although it does go dormant in mid summer but comes back in late summer and blooms until fall, but deadheading will make the flowers flourish. The blooms attract butterflies but deer stay away. Colors range from yellow, to lavender to peach and the plant will grow to a height of 36".

Ranunculus ficaria-Celandine Buttercup or Lesser Celandine

2009-07-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Propagating Ranunculus or buttercup Celandine is best divided in the fall when dormant, mark the spot to locate, because it grows by underground tubers and can be invasive if left to its own devices. They are deer resistant and tolerates summer heat but is not drought resistant. Blooms occur in March through June and varieties come in yellow, white or orange and the plant reaches a height of 2"-6" but will not take foot traffic. Normally the small blooms do not open before 9 A.M. and close after 5 P.M. and during rain showers. The plants leaves are purple-black and are a good contrasting plant to have along borders and are native to Europe and Asia.

Achillea-Yarrow

2009-07-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

Propagating Achillea or Yarrow is one of the easiest plants to divide either in the spring or fall. It spreads by rhizomes. It prefers hot dry and sunny locations and too much fertilizer will make it leggy and reaches a height of 18"-24". It blooms from May to frost and colors can vary from yellow, white, pink and red. It is one of the perennials when dried that will retain its true color. It blooms are fragrant and butterflies enjoy their nectar and deer do not. Deadhead spent blooms for more color and Yarrow is native to Europe and Asia.

Alyssum serpyllifolium-Alpine Alyssum or Madwort

2009-07-23T08:59:00.001-07:00

Couldn’t find much on Alpine Alyssum for propagating but since it grows in a mound shape and will self seed if the soil is well drained, I believe digging it up in the fall and splitting the crown with a sharpe knife and then transplanting you should be safe. Also you can collect the seeds after the seed heads dry. It has thyme like leaves, silver, and it blooms are yellow, flowering in May/June and prefers a gravely soil that is well drained. It reaches a height of 2"-4", is said to be deer resistant, prefers full sun, is drought resistant when established, is evergreen and is native of the Iberian peninsula.

Cardiocrinum giganteum-Giant Himalayan Lily

2009-07-21T07:06:00.001-07:00

Propagating Cardiocrinum or Himalayan Lily is done after it flowers, the plant dies, which takes place three years after planting the bulb or seven years after planting the seed, if they germinate, by digging up the parent bulb and separating the side bulbs from the dead parent and transplant so that the nose of the new bulb is planted sticking above the surface. It is important that after the flower dies that the seed heads are cut off so energy is given to the side bulbs. It is important when planting to dig a cubic yard of soil out and fill it back in with compost and manure because it needs a moist shaded woodland effect. It blooms in June/July and it has fragrant trumpet flowers, similar to the Easter Lily, that can rise as tall as 10'. Obviously it is from the Himalayas and one must be careful of slugs which raise havoc. This is a perennial that needs care initially giving it plenty of organic fertilizer but if you cannot wait three years for it to bloom don’t bother.

Stevia rebaudiana-Sweetleaf

2009-07-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

Propagating Stevia or Sweetleaf by seed is slow, cutting are generally faster and dividing in the spring can be a challenge since the plant must be dug up and the roots divided with a sharp knife, its roots are surface shallow like azaleas, if there are ample stems and could possibly self seed. Sweetleaf is a herb that is only a perennial is Zone 9-11, it is an annual if the temperature goes below 32 degrees. It is a native of Paraguay and prefers a sandy acidic soil in full sun but needs moisture. The leaves should be harvested in the fall and dried like oregano. They say Stevia is 300 times sweeter then sugar but it was banned in the U.S. in the 1990's unless labeled as a supplement. It has white flowers.

Paeonia-Peony

2009-07-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

Propagating Paeonia or Peony can be difficult because the crown or eyes are almost woody and brittle like so a person needs a sharp instrument to cut the crown in the fall. Transplanting the eye should be planted no deeper then two inches otherwise it will not bloom. It is a native to China and as many know they come in single and double blooms which are fragrant and the plant itself is deer resistant. It is deciduous and upwards of 1500 varieties and for those who are interested there is the American Peony Society. Peony’s bloom late spring to early summer and come in colors ranging from white, pink, red, yellow and orange, there are no blue varieties and plants can reach upwards of 5'. They need to be planted in full sun but are not drought resistant and the dead leaves need to be cleaned up in the fall to prevent disease.

Heliotropium arborsecens-Heliotrope, Cherry Pie

2009-07-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

For those living in Zones 9-11, lucky you, propagating Heliotrope can be done either by layering or by soft tip cuttings in the spring. Heliotrope is a evergreen soft wooded sub-shrub, or a sturdy perennial that is great as a container plant, without afternoon sun exposure. It needs moisture, it will not withstand drought. There are many varieties of heliotrope but this variety comes in white, violet or purple and blooms midsummer, July through to frost. It is fragrant, the scent of cherry pie, butterflies love the nectar, it reaches a height of 12"18," and is a native of Peru. If you have room for winter storage this is a great container plant for colder zones.

Rosa Caramba-Groundcover Rose

2009-07-07T04:28:00.000-07:00

Since Rosa Caramba or Groundcover Rose is a patented hybrid tea woody plant so for home use layering or cuttings would be the best avenue. Cuttings in the fall are best. Plants prefer full sun and grow to a height of upwards of 24". The blooms are salmon-orange with yellow centers, are fragrant and prefer full sun. They will bloom from June through to frost and because they flower on new growth pruning will stimulate blossoms.

Androsace sarmentosa-Rock Jasmine

2009-07-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

Propagating Androsace or Rock Jasmine can be done either in the spring or fall by digging up the rooted rhizomes that trail away from the parent and transplanting into a sandy/gritty composted well draining soil. It fills in the crevices in rock walls just fine. It’s blooms are fragrant and various species come in white, pink or lilac and this variety flowers in May-June. It is evergreen, deer may munch, it reaches a height of 4"5", and is semi-drought tolerant in full sun or partial shade, but in warmer zones no afternoon sun.

Aurinia saxatilis-Perennial Alyssum, Basket of Gold

2009-06-30T08:15:00.001-07:00

Propagating Aurinia or Perennial Alyssum is difficult because of its tight clump but if you’d like to try its best to be done in the spring, spread seed directly in the ground in the fall or it can be a good self seeder or attempt hardwood cuttings after bloom. The term saxatilis means “growing among rocks,” so it prefers a gritty or a sandy well draining soil. It blooms among the spring bulbs, April to June, and the basic color is yellow but some cultivars can be obtained in white or gold. It is evergreen, deer resistant, blooms are fragrant, and is drought tolerant. It reaches a height of 8"-12", takes full sun, and is native to Asia and S. E. Europe.

Calamintha grandiflora-Large-flowered Calamint

2009-06-25T07:13:00.001-07:00

Propagating Calamintha or Calamint is done either in the spring or fall by locating well rooted rhizomes to transplant or if in a great location is does self seed. A native to the northern temperate regions of Europe, Asia and America. It is considered drought resistant after being established but it needs a well draining soil. It blooms appear along the stem while it leaves can be mottled and blooms through most of the summer reaching a height of 12"-18". It is deciduous and attracts butterflies and honeybees and is also deer resistant. Colors can range from pink, to purple to blue to white and could stand either full sun or partial shade and belongs to the mint family so when the leaves are bruised it gives off a mint fragrance.

Caryopteris x clandonensis-Bluebeard

2009-06-23T06:30:00.001-07:00

Propagating this woody plant can only be done by softwood cuttings or layering but its varieties are patent protected. This is one plant that blooms from August through to frost and is deciduous and should be pruned back to six inches in the spring. Its blooms are deep blue to purple, are fragrant, and deer resistant. It is native to China and Japan and it attracts butterflies. Once established it is drought resistant and needs a well draining soil, full sun, and grows to a height of 2'-3'.

Cyclamen hederifolium-Hardy Fall Cyclamen

2009-06-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

It’s stated that Cyclamen can only be propagated by seed, it is a profuse self seeder, but it forms a tuber from a corm and I have known examples when people have broken tubers apart and were successful in transplanting, but they were either lucky or more knowledgeable then most. When the seed capsule splits that’s the time to sow the seed in a composted damp mixture in the shade or allow the birds to do the work for you. Hederifolium is the hardiest of cyclamens, it is native to the Northern Mediterranean, blooms from August until frost, and flowers appear before the leaves. This cyclamen is pink but there are white, purple and red varieties as well, hardy to Zone 5, and deciduous in the colder zones. The blooms are fragrant, deer resistant and this is one perennial that will grow under large deciduous trees, i.e., maple, oak, and still bloom. It doesn’t mind dry soil in the summer or wet soil in winter. It reaches a height of 4"-6".

Tanacetum niveum-Snow Daisy

2009-06-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

Propagating the relatively unknown Tanacetum or Snow Daisy is accomplished in the spring by digging up the plant and separating the crown into good rooted transplants or allow the plant to self seed since it is a short lived but profusely blooming perennial which will flower from June until frost. It’s petals are white with a yellow center similar to mums/daisies and reaches a height of 12"-18", it also attracts butterflies, is deer resistant, deciduous, does not like wet feet and once established is drought resistant.

Actinidia kolomikta-Kiwi

2009-06-12T08:43:00.001-07:00

Propagating Actinidia or Kiwi is sometimes propagated from store bought fruit but the problem is in the second year it must be grafted so I presume cuttings might be the best alternative as is buying stock from a nursery. Surprisingly it is winter hardy down to Zone 4 although a native to Asia. The blooms are fragrant and white in late spring or early summer and it will take 3-4 years before the woody vine bears fruit. It’s growth habit is similar to grape but is much faster, shallow rooted so it needs protection from drying out because it does best with a southern exposure in a well draining soil, and one plant can produce up to 200 pounds of fruit that ripens in the fall. Pruning is done either in the spring or fall and needs a sturdy trellis to support the vine.

Allium neapolitanum-Naples Flowering Onion

2009-06-10T05:31:00.000-07:00

Propagating Allium or Naples Flowering Onion can be accomplished by allowing the plant to prosper then dig up the parent plant and separate the bulbils from the parent bulb or allow it to self seed on its own, however be aware it can become invasive in the Zones it thrives in, which are 7-10. This is one plant that does not like moisture except when transplanting bulbils so it does not like clay soils. It prefers full to partial sun. Its characteristics remind me of the wild onion that seem to sprout up in my lawn even after I assumed I eradicated all the bulbs, however the blooms are white and fragrant and attract butterflies. It is deer resistant. The leaves die back in summer after reaching a height of 12"-16" and is native to the Mediterranean.

Echinops tienschanicum-Giant Globe Thistle

2009-06-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Propagating Echinops or Giant Globe Thistle should be done in the spring, wearing gloves and a long sleeve shirt, by digging up the parent plant and dividing into good rooted transplants and should be done at least every 3-4 years. Since they can grow upwards of 6', including the flower head, the plant may need staking in windy locations. Some prefer leaving the dry plants through the winter for its effect but others prefer cutting them back to the ground in the fall. Their light blue blooms flower in August/September, are deer resistant, however its flowers attract butterflies, they do not like wet feet in the winter, and prefers full sun.

Pycnanthemum virginicum-Virginia Mountain Mint

2009-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Propagating Pycnanthemum or Virginia Mountain Mint is done in the spring by digging up the parent plant and dividing into good rooted transplants or will self seed in the right environment. The plant prefers rich loamy soil, wouldn’t all plants prefer loam, and must remain moist either in sun or partial shade. The plant exudes a minty fragrance and butterflies and honey bees enjoy it flowers which are pink to white and bloom August-September. Its height can vary from 12"-36" I’ll presume depending on the richness of the soil, is deer resistant, deciduous, and native to North America.

Smilacina racemosa-False Solomon’s Seal

2009-06-03T06:28:00.001-07:00

Propagating Smilacina or False Solomon’s Seal can either be transplanted in the spring or fall by locating well rooted rhizome leaders that spread out from the parent plant. It blooms are white and make a show in June/July which are also fragrant. The plant is deer resistant and prefers a moist well drained woodland environment, partial to full shade. Red berries appear in the summer and stay until fall and reaches a height of 24"-36", is a native of North America, and is deciduous.

If you live in or near a major city search craigslist.org for cheap plants

2009-06-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

I check craigslist.org every now, farm+garden, and then for sales on perennials and plants. This weekend someone advertised 3 2.5 quart containers of perennials for $5.00 in suburbia. I bought lavender, verbena, soapwort and primrose and repotted into 5 gallon because a 2.5 pot is a bit smaller then a 1 gallon. Early in the spring I bought specific colored azaleas, foster holly, gardenia and repotted into 5 gallon and a 5 gallon Candy Stripe phlox subulata for $5.00 and took cuttings of the plant and planted 4-1 gallons. There are sometimes great deals instead of waiting for close-outs at big box stores. Also in the free people sometimes give away iris and daylilies if you dig. It is a wonderful place to find the plants to increase the color of your garden beds.

Agave virginica-Aloe

2009-05-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Propagating Agave virginica or Aloe can be propagated either in the spring or fall depending on the process used because the plant spreads by rhizomes and produces “pups” or the flower stalk produces bulbils that can be planted in the ground after flowering. It completely dies back to the ground in winter, hardy down to Zone 6, prefers an alkaline sandy/rocky moist soil and drought/heat tolerant. Its flower spikes are fragrant in June/July and can reach a height of 48" but the plant itself reaches a height of 12"-15" and the bloom color is yellow or green, but other varieties offer variegated or spotted leaves and a different bloom range such as the Blue Agave which is used to make Tequila.

Hierochloe odorata-Sweet Grass

2009-05-27T07:10:00.001-07:00

Propagating Hierochloe odorata or Sweet Grass can be done in the spring either by locating new stolon growth or digging up the parent plant and dividing. This plant is widely used in Native American ceremonies and prefers a moist but sunny location and in some areas it is labeled as invasive, but is used to stabilize banks. Its blooms are insignificant but it leaves serve many purposes one of which when dried it is used as incense or another when soaked in water it can be used to treat windburn or chapping and when sown together with the stitches treated with flax it becomes water resistant. The leaves give off a scent of fresh mown hay or vanilla, reach a height of 10"-20" and is deer resistant.

Centaurea hypoleuca-Cornflower

2009-05-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Propagating Centaurea hypoleuca or Cornflower is done in the fall after the plant finishing blooming by digging up and separating into how many viable transplants you believe will take root and spread by stolons so be on the look out for plants that crop up at a distance Cornflower is a member of the Aster family so it blooms from early summer to early fall in colors that are pink to mauve/lilac, needs full sun and depending on the location may need staking as they reach a height of 20"-24". The plant is deciduous, deer resistant, do not like wet feet, and its blooms tend to be fragrant and are excellent for cutting.

Teucrium hircanicum-Iranian Wood Sage

2009-05-22T05:50:00.001-07:00

Propagation of Teucrium or Iranian Wood Sage is accomplished in the early spring by digging up the root ball and dividing. Iranian Wood Sage leaves are fragrant and smell like Sage and it blooms from late summer to early fall, either pink or reddish purple in color, which attract butterflies and honeybees, but not deer. It grows to a height of 18"-24", is deciduous, hardy down to Zone 5 and does best in full sun, except for new transplants.

Sporobolus heterolepis-Prairie Dropseed

2009-05-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Propagating Sporobolus or Prairie Dropseed is difficult and should be done after cutting back the grass in the spring. It’s tough to propagate because of its deep fibrous root system and you should at least break off a clump that is more then 2" in diameter and if you are successful it will take up to 5 years to mature however it will not flatten under heavy snow cover like most other grasses which is why it is preferred by some for winter effect. It prefers a sandy soil and is drought resistant when mature, white flowers in August/September, the fragrant scent can be compared to cilantro or burnt popcorn and reaches a height of 30". Its fine leaves have an orange glow in the fall, age to copper or tan in the winter and is deer resistant.

Lilium-Trumpet Lily

2009-05-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

Propagating Trumpet Lilies takes patience, but should be divided every 3-4 years by digging up the clump in the fall, because bulblets form after a growing season. If you notice grass growing next to the stem in the spring that is an indication bulblets are forming so make a mental note to divide in the fall. After digging up the clump do not remove the bulblets from the stem, but cut the stem down to ground level and transplant. It will take two years for the new transplants to have more then one bloom per stem. They bloom in July and come in a range of colors from white, yellow, orange, red, purple, and pink. The fragrant flower heads can reach a height of upwards of 70" so make certain they are planted in a protected area in either full sun or partial shade, attract hummingbirds and is deciduous.

Euphorbia nicaeensis-Honey-flowered Spurge

2009-05-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

Propagating Euphorbia nicaeensis or Honey-flowered Spurge is done in the spring by digging up the clump and dividing the crown then transplanting, but give it some shade then move to the sun after it becomes established in the fall. There are many varieties of Euphorbia but this one prefers a hot sunny location, others prefer moisture. Its leaves are tinted blue and its blooms are fragrant, bloom late summer to early fall, reach a height of 18"-23," and are good as cut flowers. This variety is evergreen, deer resistant, and is hardy to Zone 6. Trim back the plant in the spring to freshen up the plant.

Myrrhis odorata-Sweet Cicely

2009-05-13T07:20:00.001-07:00

Propagating Myrrhis or Sweet Cicely should be attempted in the spring or fall by digging up the clump and dividing the into transplants with ample root systems. Sweet Cicely gets its name because its fernlike leaves give off a strong aroma that smalls like sweet licorice and blooms in May/June with large umbels of white flowers. It prefers a moist soil in either full sun or partial shade, is deer resistant, reaches a height of 36"-48" and is deciduous.

Melissa officinalis-Lemon Balm

2009-05-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

Propagating Melissa officinalis or Lemon Balm is done in the spring by digging up the plant and dividing the crown or it is a good self seeder.. The blooms are insignificant in the summer, but are lilac in color however the plants gives off a lemony scent but can be used as insect repellant by rubbing the leaves on your body. The plants by mid summer can become raged so prune back to induce new growth and is an evergreen in warmer climates. Lemon Balm is deer resistant however it should not be planted where it gets the force of the afternoon sun because the plant will become scorched and it reaches a height of 12"-24". Honeybees will enjoy the nectar.

Heucherella-Foamy Bells

2009-05-08T06:48:00.001-07:00

Propagating the hybrid Heucherella or Foamy Bells is done by division in either the spring or fall or by digging up the plantlets that shoot out from the parent plant. This is a plant that will not take hot humid weather and needs deep winter mulching in colder zones. It is a cross between Coral Bells and Foam Flower and isn’t as hardy as it two parent plants, however it does have the striking leaf colors of Coral Bells and the bloom of the Foam Flower. Make certain that you plant it in a deep compost rich soil in the shade or else an area that gets morning sun otherwise it will burn. It is evergreen in warmer zones, flowers in the spring, and varieties come in either white or pink blooms. It is deer resistant and needs feeding in the spring and mid summer with bone meal. It is a good companion for Hosta, Fern, Astilbes and Coral Bells, needs to be cleaned up in the spring by removing dried leaves and reaches a height of 12"-18".