Dear Master Gardener : I need some height in my shade garden. What do you suggest? Answer : Sometimes when designing a shade garden, we can get too caught up in all the woodland beauties and forget that a design plan needs some substance and/or height to it. Following is a list of five plants that will add a vertical element to the shade garden: Dear Master Gardener : I bought some gorgeous blooming Ranunculus in the garden center.
Do they bloom all summer long? ADVERTISEMENT Answer : You often find Ranunculus plants for sale in the spring because they are a cool season plant. Although they are a cool climate plant, they should not be placed outside if there is a possibility that temperatures will fall below freezing. Ranunculus should be grown in full sun, with rich, well-draining soil.
They are often added to a cutting garden as they have a long vase life of up to 10 days. Unfortunately, these gorgeous plants are not the easiest to grow and do not like heat. Once temperatures go above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the plants will stop producing new buds and go dormant.
Dear Master Gardener : Can perennials be used in container gardening designs? Answer : Absolutely! Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia) is a popular perennial to use as a trailing plant in a container design. It’s hardy to zone 3. Other zone 3 perennials to consider are coral bells (Heuchera), Hostas, ferns, and ornamental grasses, which are often incorporated into container designs.
Toward the end of the season, but early.
