Traditionally, GGW Plant Pick of The Month highlights a specific genus or cultivar. I’m going to try something different for October and feature plants with variegated foliage. They function as important accents in my seasonal displays. Note, photos will include companion plant names as well. The term “variegated” calls to mind childhood memories of our [...]
Missouri Botanical garden
GGW Plant Pick of The Month: Sporobolus heterolepis
September 23, 2009 – Posted in: Garden PlantsI just returned home from my first trip to Europe. I was drawn to Grass Days at Kwekerij Oudolf, the home and nursery of influential Dutch garden designer and plantsman, Piet Oudolf and his wife Anja. I won’t elaborate on the Oudolf’s SPECTACULAR private garden in this post. I’ll save that for a later date. [...]
GGW Plant Pick of The Month- Pennisetum
August 11, 2009 – Posted in: Garden PlantsIn search of inspiration I ventured to the Missouri Botanical Garden last week. In the back corner of the Trial Gardens at the Kemper Center I stumbled across a stunning new ornamental millet, Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jade Princess’. This upright, mounded variety with chartreuse leaves and dark maroon, pollen-less seedheads reaches 36-48″H x 18-24″W. It is [...]
GGW Plant Pick of The Month- Zinnia
April 9, 2009 – Posted in: Garden PlantsTwenty-five years ago, as an adolescent, I developed an unexpected friendship with an elderly woman who lived down the street. Mabel Hart Crooks had an elaborate yard, filled with beautiful blooming plants. She was in her mid 90’s and needed some help with maintenance- mowing, weeding, pruning and occasionally planting. I was 13 and wanted [...]
GGW Plant Pick of The Month: Perovskia atriplicifolia
March 10, 2009 – Posted in: Garden PlantsRussian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is one of my favorite plants. It is a staple in my design work. I often use Perovskia in masses to create a rhythm in large scale planting beds. The plant’s upright nature lends to incorporating well with ornamental grasses. Additionally, its coloration is a perfect foil for hot and cool [...]