MIDWEST GROUNDCOVERS Display Gardens & Plant Trials: Chicagoland Grows

Showing posts with label Chicagoland Grows. Show all posts

Friday, May 4, 2012

Hello again, and happy May!

I decided to peruse the more shady areas of the landscape this week. To my delight, there were many things looking great.

Osmunda cinnamomea with Hyacinthoides hispanica

This was an unintentional combination that occured because of the Hyacinthoides naturalizing in the landscape. The color contrast of the light green fronds of the cinnamon fern with the dark strap-like leaves of Hyacinthoides is great. But what you can only slightly see in the picture is how they contrast so well with the Heuchera 'Blackout' behind it. The three plants together make for an attractive combination.

Carex pensylvanica with Hyacinthoides hispanica
This is where the original plantings of Hyacinthoides began. Most of the year, the Carex fills this spot out and looks great. But this time of year, the bulbs are the best. A lawn-like area is transformed into a bloom festival. There are concerns in some parts of the country where Spanish Bluebells have become aggressive. I could see that happening over time. In an area that is maintained, I think it's worth planting.

Polygonatum 'Prince Charming'
This is a plant being introduced by Chicagoland Grows, but it was bred by Brent Horvath at Intrinsic Perennials in Hebron, IL. I've had it in the landscape for a good amount of time now, and it has thrived in two spots. Both with a lot of shade, like you see in this picture and with partial sun. The blue-green leaves are stunning all growing season, and now are decorated by white flowers that look like hanging earrings.

Heuchera 'Palace Purple' with Hosta 'Halcyon'

Classic combination of the week here. Purple and blue look so good together in the shade. I may have posted this before, but I'm recycling thoughts. I used to scoff at those who used 'Palace Purple' over some of the other Heuchera. There is a reason so many Heuchera have come and gone, and this one remains. It is the best in all my trials. It always comes back strong, and can even perform in some sun. Hosta 'Halcyon' is another favorite of mine. For the smaller sized blue Hosta there is no better in my opinion. One step further, it is the parent to some of my other favorite Hosta like 'June' and 'First Frost'. Classic plants can look amazing together, and knowing they are classic can also help you to know that they are qualified performers in even the toughest situations.

Thanks again for taking the time at the blog. I hope you have enjoyed, and until next time, have a great day,

Friday, November 11, 2011

Fleeting Fall Colors

Hello again,
Colors are starting to disappear from the landscape and change to various browns, grays, and yesterday, whites. After a brief snowfall though, some colors have persisted and are quite beautiful yet. Here are some of the highlights from our landscape.

Cotinus 'Golden Spirit'
This can be seen from quite a distance. The summertime golden leaves turn a fiery red on this smokebush. I personally love how the veins turn last giving it a multi-colored effect. Golden Spirit continues to surprise me every year. In addition to the fiery red fall color, it actually produced smoke this year as well. It was the first year since planting that I've seen flowering on it. I just assumed it wasn't going to happen. My previous experiences with Cotinus in general is that you can cut the plant back to the ground each year for bigger, more beautiful foliage but then you lose the flowers. I hadn't been doing that intentionally, but there has been some dieback. This year, we got the best of both worlds.

Physocarpus Coppertina™
Coppertina™ is quite a beautiful plant all year 'round. Dark purple foliage with copper highlights in the summer and brilliant red in fall. During the winter time, this plant has interesting exfoliating bark which adds to its four season appeal. For Midwest Groundcovers, Coppertina™ has replaced the more well known 'Diabolo' based on it's better resistance to powdery mildew. It grows 6-8' tall and wide. In our garden, it contrasts well with the Forsythia Show Off™.

Fothergilla 'Beaver Creek'
Beaver Creek Fothergilla has always been one of my favorite fall coloring shrubs. Growing 3-4' tall with creamy bottle brush-like flowers in spring, this is a great plant for the shady border. Here in fall, its orange-red fall color is nothing to scoff at. Another multi-dimensional shrub, I have this growing close to where deer are always browsing, and they have yet to attack it. Today the white frost on the orange-red foliage contrasted very nicely.

Cotoneaster 'Hessei'
Looking like red raindrops cascading to the ground, this plant really caught my attention today. The gray stems contrasting with the red leaves really does add interest to this already interesting plant. Summer and fall red fruit are typically what I love this plant for, but these days in late fall, show off a delicate beauty. A Chicagoland Grows introduction from many years ago, this plant really merits use in the area. Great job Morton Arboretum for promoting this plant in the program!

Callicarpa hybrid
More kudos to The Morton Arboretum for this gem. While yet to be named, the fruit on this particular beautyberry are quite their namesake. We received two varieties a few years back and this one has remained a favorite of mine. The fruit are sometimes so heavy that the branches look like they are weeping. Here's hoping that Chicagoland Grows picks it up and starts marketing them. I think there are great applications for the landscape for these.

Thanks again for reading the blog. I hope you enjoyed. I'll be keeping my eyes out for the more subtle beauty of winter for the next couple months, so keep checking the blog. Until next time, have a great day!