Mum-Chrysanthemum

Propagating Chrysanthemum should be attempted in the spring by dividing and separating the clump, although there may be individual sprouts that shoot up from the parent plant. Cuttings can be made in June, before pinching back. You should always pinch the stems of Mums back starting in April and do it every month but not after July 4th. Pinching the plant back makes them bushier and also slows the bud formation, don’t want them blooming in July. Also start adding phosphorus to the soil in June to develop the bloom. As most know Mums come in many colors besides different varieties such as football, spider, Fiji, doubles, and dwarfs. Mums are deciduous and deer resistant and prefer full sun in a well draining soil and mulch heavily in colder zones and remove in spring.

Miscanthus-Maiden Grass

Propagating Miscanthus or Maiden Grass should be done in the spring by digging up the rhizomes that grow out from the parent clump. What is interesting about Maiden grass is that it is being researched as biofuel that produces 2 ½ times more fuel per acre, because it stays greener longer, then corn and it accumulates more carbon from the atmosphere then soybeans. However because planting acres with rhizomes, it is sterile, is an intensive process, in Europe they were able to hand plant 13 acres in a day but have manufactured machinery that will do 50 acres in a day. This plant could be one big solution to answering the alternative energy problem since they are a perennial, not annual like corn. It grows up to 6' in height, is deciduous, blooms in late fall with white flowers that birds love, but deer do not. It will thrive in either a sandy or clay soil as long as there is moisture in full sun and has winter interest in snow zones because the leaves turn brown and should be cut back in early spring to 10" above soil level before new shoots surface.

Lysimachia-Gooseneck, Loosestrife

Propagating Lysimachia or Gooseneck or Loosestrife can be done either in the spring or fall by digging up the rhizomes which can become a problem if not shown their boundaries especially if they like where they are planted which could be clay or any well draining soil, but is not tolerant of humidity, but will take wet feet. The plant will reach a height of 24"-36" and flowers in June -July
and can be either white or pink or rose-violet, but one thing you can count on is that the blooms will all face the same direction so it will look like a gaggle of geese flying. It will take full sun or partial shade. An extra benefit of this perennial is its fall color, yellow to red leaves. Lysimachia attracts butterflies and is deer resistant.

Lychnis chalcedonia-Maltese Cross, Scarlet Lightning

Propagating Lychnis or Maltese Cross or Scarlet Lightning can be done either in the spring or fall by digging up the plant and diving the root ball and it should be done every 3-5 years and throw away the older plant. Normally if Lychnis is planted in poor draining soil it is short lived and should be fertilized once a month and deadheaded after blooming for re-bloom and if seed heads are not cut off the plant can become a self-seeding problem in the garden bed. It will take either full sun or partial shade, is drought resistant, grows upwards of 3', and does not like humidity. It blooms in May-July and colors can range from an orange-red, pink, white and it also comes in double varieties. The flowers attract hummingbirds and the plant is deer resistant.

Lithodora

Propagating Lithodora clumps should be done in the fall because it flowers from March until July but only in Zone 6 and up. It is an evergreen groundcover that reaches a height of 6" and its blooms are blue or white. It prefers full sun and acidic soils, no wet feet, and should be trimmed back after blooming to freshen the plant. It is deer resistant. Great plant for erosion control. Rule of thumb for plants that bloom in the spring, transplanting in the fall is best and for plants that bloom in the summer or later, spring transplanting is best, unless noted otherwise.

Ligularia-Golden Groundsel, Leopard Plant

Ligularia or Leopard Plant is propagated in the spring or fall by dividing the roots preferably with a spade unless you are rugged. It is in the Chrysanthemum family and the plant reaches a height of 3'-4' and should be planted in an area that gets afternoon shade and moisture, however it will tolerate full sun but it is not hardy below Zone 4. It is evergreen and it blooms can be either yellow, orange, or vermillion and will bloom all summer until fall. It is happiest in a bog setting and is deer resistant.

Lamiastrum galeobdolon-Yellow Archangel

Propagating Lamiastrum or Yellow Archangel should be attempted in the fall by dividing the crown, however it can be very invasive if left alone because of its underground stolon growth habit. It is in the mint family. It yellow blooms can be seen in April through May with variegated leaves especially noticeable in shade gardens. It is a groundcover that loves moisture so it will tolerate humidity and clay soil, but will also do well in full sun. It reaches a height of 2", is deer resistant, and semi-evergreen.

The birth of a Hummingbird

Taken years ago by someone named Maggie over a 24 day period. Amazing, look at the picture to the right of the nest.

http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/

Knautia

Propagating Knautia is done by digging up the well rooted rhizomes that spread out from the parent plant in the spring. It can be invasive in some gardens, it prefers sunny chalky well draining soil, avoid wet feet, and it is a loosely branching perennial that has a tendency to roam. Knautia blooms are red, flowers in June through August, honeybees and butterflies enjoy the nectar. It is deciduous, deer enjoy munching, and reaches a height of 24".

Heliopsis-False Sunflower, Heliopsis

Propagating Heliopsis or False Sunflower is accomplished in the spring by digging up and then dividing the clump. Heliopsis is in the Aster family and there are single as well as double versions of the bright yellow blooms. Butterflies are drawn to their nectar and they are deer resistant. Heliopsis grows naturally in prairies across much of the Eastern USA because it prefers a moist well draining soil in full sun and may need staking in windy or partially sunny locations because it reaches a height of 4'-6', blooms from June to August, is deciduous, and birds enjoy the seeds in winter, if the plant is not deadheaded for more blooms.

Kniphofia-Tritoma, Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily

Propagating Kniphofia or Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily should be done in the spring in the 2nd or 3rd year by taking up the plant growth surrounding the clump and transplanting to a new location. Red Hot Poker comes in a variety of colors, from white, yellow, red, apricot and orange and bloom from May through July and can reach a height of 4'-6', but there are shorter varieties avaiable. Hummingbirds and honeybees love the nectar, but it is deer resistant. Red Hot Poker is somewhat drought resistant and prefers a sandy well draining soil versus clay in full to partial sunny locations. It is deciduous.

Linaria-Toadflax, Spurred snapdragon, Butter and Eggs

Linaria or Butter and Eggs or Toadflax can be propagated in the spring either by dividing the clump or by digging up the stolons, but make certain the transplants have plenty of roots before re-planting or repot and wait for them to establish a good root system. It is also a prolific self seeder, sometimes invasive so be careful where you plant it. It’s blooms are similar to snapdragons, it is semi-evergreen in warmer zones, it prefers a cool climate for bloom, and heights can vary depending upon variety from 1'-3', the taller ones will need staking because of weak stems. Colors generally are two tone ranging from white, blue, pink, yellow, and red and prefers a dry sunny well draining soil. It will bloom from July through September, is deer resistant and the plant attracts honeybees, hummingbirds and butterflies.

Helictotrichon(hel-ik-toh-TREE-kon) sempervirens-Blue Oak Grass

Propagating Helictotrichon or Blue Oat Grass is accomplished in the spring by dividing the crown or clump after digging it up. Blue Oat Grass is similar to Blue Fescue but it is taller, 24"-36", and its leaves are studier. Blue Oat Grass prefers a sunny location that is moist and well draining, wet feet in winter will rot the crown, and it is evergreen in warmer locations and should be cut back in colder zones in winter because it becomes ratty. It flowers in June/July with a yellow/tan bloom and is deer resistant.

Kalimeris-Orphanage Plant, Japanese Aster

Propagating Kalimeris or Orphanage Plant should be done every 3 years and that is accomplished by digging up then dividing the clump in either spring or fall. It prefers a moist well drained soil with morning sun and afternoon shade, is deer resistant and butterflies enjoy its nectar. Depending on the variety its blooms can be white, blue or lavender and reaches a height of 2'-3'. Normally it is a warm zone perennial, but with protection could survive in Zone 5 and blooms May through August. It is evergreen and the old plant should be cut back in the spring to induce new growth.

Hypericum-St. John’s Wort, Aaron’s Beard

Propagating Hypericum or St. John’s Wort should be done in the spring by digging up the underground runner/stolon, with roots, that shoot out from the woody parent plant. Hypericum is associated with St. John the Baptist, it blooms around his birthday, June 24, and bleeds red oil on its yellow blooms, around the time he was beheaded. Honeybees enjoy the nectar, in Canada it is considered an invasive plant and it is deciduous in winter. It grows in average to poor soil in either sun or partial shade, is deer resistant, tolerates heat, and reaches a height of 12".

Hakonechloa-Golden Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass

Propagating Hakonechloa or Japanese Forest Grass is simple, just divide the plant in the spring by breaking off clumps from the parent plant, after new growth appears, with a spade and replanting the new plant and it is a grass that prefers shade, actually it colors up better then if planted in the sun. It is also a good specimen for a container on a shaded patio or deck. The leaves turn a pinkish brown in the fall and prefers a well draining moist soil in the growing season but not over winter. Varieties have either white or gold variegation and as you can see from the photo on the right Hakoneachloa tends to have a a graceful weeping habit. It grows upward of 18" in height and is deciduous and although its bloom is inconspicuous it does so from July through August but is generally not self seeding.

Helenium-Helen’s Flower, Sneezewood

Propagating Helenium or Sneezwood should only be done in the spring because the plants will not be healthy enough to survive the winter if done in the fall, by digging up the rhizome that have grown out from the parent plant, however the parent plant should be discarded after the second growing season, because it will deteriorate fast. Colors are either yellow or red and bloom from July until frost and is deciduous and deer resistant, however butterflies love its nectar. Helenium reaches a height of 30" and prefers sun to light shade in a moist well draining soil and will tolerate clay. Deadheading extends the bloom period and in the spring snipping back the new growth tips will give the plant a bushier appearance.

Geum

Propagating Geum is simple because it spreads by rhizomes, so digging up the off-shoots and replanting where you want to spice up some color in the garden bed in either spring or fall, but they also self seed, but dividing the plants every three to four years is a necessity to increase blooms. Colors come in yellow, red, and orange or a mixture of two colors and will bloom from late spring until fall on plants that grow up to 36" in height, but deadheading spent blooms, will flower for up to four weeks, will prolong the color. In warmer zones it is evergreen, colder semi or deciduous. The plant tends to deteriorate in hot dry summers so instead of planting in full sun in warmer zones, instead plant in partial shade in well draining soil, but dislikes wet feet in winter. Geum is deer resistant.

Gaura-Whirling Butterflies, Wild Honeysuckle

Another plant that dislikes transplanting is Gaura or Whirling Butterflies or Wild Honeysuckle because of their deep tap roots but propagating by division is done either in the spring or fall, that’s where a sharp shooter as your digging shovel comes into play, however since it is a good self sower that may be the best way to add this free bloomer to your garden bed because it will bloom from April until frost in either pick or white. The plant will thrive in high humidity areas and can withstand drought conditions and prefers a mostly sunny well draining location. It is best to cut back the plant in the spring in its second year to obtain a fuller plant and it is deciduous which butterflies enjoy and there are differences of opinions on whether it is deer resistant, I guess depending how much food is available in the immediate area.

Eupatorium-White Snakeroot, Joe-Pye Weed, Wild Ageratum

Propagating Eupatorium or Joe-Pye Weed or Wild Ageratum is accomplished by digging up the runners or rhizomes that spread out from the parent plant in either the spring or the fall. The purple blooms flourish from July through to September and the plant reaches a height of 3'-5' so do not plant in a windy location. It is deciduous but butterflies like them but deer do not. They prefer a moist shade but will do well in the sun if the soil is well draining and moist, clay, but it will not tolerate humidity.

Gentiana-Crested Gentian

Propagating Gentiana or Crested Gentian can prove be to a tough venture because it doesn’t take kindly to transplanting but it should be done every three years because their roots become congested so digging up the plant and separating the crowns should be accomplished in the spring for this deciduous perennial. It is a wildflower that grows in woodlands in an acidic well drained leaf moldy soil and flowers in late summer to frost in either a vivid blue or yellow, depending upon variety. It can grow up to 4' in height and will tolerate drought conditions and a dappled sunny environment and although butterflies find their nectar enticing deer tend to resist the plant.