Featured plants in the Lou!
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July Perennial of the Month-Blazing star
Surely, Dr. Suess was inspired by our native Liatris species, commonly called blazing star or gayfeather. The purple flowerheads are comprised of multiple flowers called florets, crammed together on one stem, each resembling…
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June Tree of the Month-Weeping Willow
I consider the weeping willow (Salix babylonica and Salix × pendulina) Mother Nature’s friendliest tree. Those slender, graceful limbs invite you to come inside and share the willow’s personal space. What better way to spend a…
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June Shrub of the Month-New Jersey Tea
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is one of those plants that seems to be overlooked. I’m not sure why it’s not more common in the trade since most of its traits seem to…
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June Perennial of the Month-Lily
I cannot picture summer without true lilies. (Lilium spp.) True lilies, not to be confused with daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.), are bulbs. And for most gardeners, bulbs=easy. Honestly, you plant them in the ground…
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May Tree of the Month-Catalpa
A plant-geek typically has to venture into the city or older suburban neighborhoods and parks to witness the grandeur and beauty of a mature catalpa (Catalpa speciosa and C. bignonioides) in full bloom.…
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May Shrub of the Month-Ninebark
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) gets its common name from the fascinating peeling bark of its mature stems. The leaves hide this feature during the growing season but come fall and winter, it’s an excellent trait…
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May Perennial of the Month-Purple poppy mallow
“Plays well with others, always friendly, positive, and tolerant.” Thus, would read the report card for purple poppy mallow If garden beds were kindergarten classes. Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is also called…
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April Tree of the Month-Japanese flowering cherry/Kwanzan cherry
A tour around the Japanese Garden (Siewa-en) at Missouri Botanical Garden during spring is a feast for the senses. Azaleas, peonies, and, of course, the Yoshino cherry trees. But one tree that sparks…
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April Shrub of the Month-Lilac
Growing up, we had an old-fashioned lilac bush along our chain-link fence. It was over 8′ tall with a vase-like shape and branches that arched over the fence into our neighbor Mary’s yard.…
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April Perennial of the Month-Siberian bugloss/Brunnera
Few perennials bloom in spring as long as Siberian bugloss or Brunnera. (Brunnera spp. & cvs.) The charming blue flowers are as blue as one can get in the garden, especially in the…
