| White Wagon Farm Perennial Favorites |
Passiflora 'Incense' - Incense passionflower is a cross between two kinds of
passionflowers, the maypop, Passiflora incarnata, and the hardy Passiflora cinnicata. It is
hardy to zone 7. Vines will die back when temperatures fall below 32F but will regrow from
the roots.
This easy-to-grow, very fast growing vine can reach 10-20ft. It flowers beginning in Spring
and will flower on and off for most of the Spring and Summer. The flowers attract birds
(including hummingbirds) and bees. The flowers are self-sterile, so without pollinators, they
should be hand-pollinated to obtain fruit which is yellow, 1-3" with little pulp. Fruits are edible.
Grow in full sun or part shade and keep watered throughout the growing season.
passionflowers, the maypop, Passiflora incarnata, and the hardy Passiflora cinnicata. It is
hardy to zone 7. Vines will die back when temperatures fall below 32F but will regrow from
the roots.
This easy-to-grow, very fast growing vine can reach 10-20ft. It flowers beginning in Spring
and will flower on and off for most of the Spring and Summer. The flowers attract birds
(including hummingbirds) and bees. The flowers are self-sterile, so without pollinators, they
should be hand-pollinated to obtain fruit which is yellow, 1-3" with little pulp. Fruits are edible.
Grow in full sun or part shade and keep watered throughout the growing season.
Wood Betony 'Pow Wow' - Stachys coccinea 'Pow Wow' is a relative of Lambs Ears, the
fuzzy sun-loving ground cover. Pow Wow isn't fuzzy, but qualifies as easy-to-grow and
sun-loving.
In addition, its bright brick-red/coral blossoms provide weeks of brilliance as they bounce
among the dark green leaf rosettes.
It has been used medicinally for curing many maladies, including "elf sickness" (being turned
into a statue by an irritated elf) for which there are few cures.
Plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny spot, and enjoy the 12" tall blooms throughout the late
spring and early summer. It works well in containers, massed in garden beds, or as
interesting additions to the cutting garden.
fuzzy sun-loving ground cover. Pow Wow isn't fuzzy, but qualifies as easy-to-grow and
sun-loving.
In addition, its bright brick-red/coral blossoms provide weeks of brilliance as they bounce
among the dark green leaf rosettes.
It has been used medicinally for curing many maladies, including "elf sickness" (being turned
into a statue by an irritated elf) for which there are few cures.
Plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny spot, and enjoy the 12" tall blooms throughout the late
spring and early summer. It works well in containers, massed in garden beds, or as
interesting additions to the cutting garden.
Hardy Hibiscus Hybrids - When John Bartram, the English botanist, visited America he
was quite taken with the native swamp hibiscus. But it took over two hundred years before
hybridizers took a good look at these native plants and began crossing them to create what
we now call "Hardy Hibiscus".
Common in the perennial border, the huge-flowered, hardy hibiscus developed in the
mid-20th century are known for its dinner-plate sized blooms. Tall, and often rangy, these
monsters supply weeks of summer bloom.
Newer hybrids are shorter, more compact, and have more interesting foliage. Look for our
'Cranberry Crush' with dark red blooms and foliage with a purple cast and our 'Turn of the
Century' with its two-tone pink blooms that resemble a pin-wheel.
was quite taken with the native swamp hibiscus. But it took over two hundred years before
hybridizers took a good look at these native plants and began crossing them to create what
we now call "Hardy Hibiscus".
Common in the perennial border, the huge-flowered, hardy hibiscus developed in the
mid-20th century are known for its dinner-plate sized blooms. Tall, and often rangy, these
monsters supply weeks of summer bloom.
Newer hybrids are shorter, more compact, and have more interesting foliage. Look for our
'Cranberry Crush' with dark red blooms and foliage with a purple cast and our 'Turn of the
Century' with its two-tone pink blooms that resemble a pin-wheel.
Butterfly Ginger (Hedychium 'Tahitian Flame') -- Many of us are blessed with white
butterfly ginger in our gardens -- that tall, stately plant with the heavenly scented white
blooms in late summer and autumn.
Tahitian Flame ginger, developed by Terra Nova Nurseries, provides a splash of Hawaii to
your summer garden. Plants reach 5 feet (or more with their blooms), adding stately
verticals to your perennial garden. Best grown in part shade in the South, the heady
perfume, apricot blooms and striking variegated foliage will make you the envy of your
neighborhood.
See Doug Green's wonderful garden blog for more information about this tropical wonder
that we can luckily grow (unless our winter temps get below 5 degrees.) Moisture tolerant
and incredibly fragrant. You will love this plant.
butterfly ginger in our gardens -- that tall, stately plant with the heavenly scented white
blooms in late summer and autumn.
Tahitian Flame ginger, developed by Terra Nova Nurseries, provides a splash of Hawaii to
your summer garden. Plants reach 5 feet (or more with their blooms), adding stately
verticals to your perennial garden. Best grown in part shade in the South, the heady
perfume, apricot blooms and striking variegated foliage will make you the envy of your
neighborhood.
See Doug Green's wonderful garden blog for more information about this tropical wonder
that we can luckily grow (unless our winter temps get below 5 degrees.) Moisture tolerant
and incredibly fragrant. You will love this plant.
Hosta -- Hostas are an extremely versatile plant, useful for covering up the foliage of dying
bulbs, filling in an empty spot, covering an ugly stump or utility, or simply adding texture to a
shade garden. Extremely cold hardy, hostas begin sticking up their new little fingers as soon
as the ground begins to warm. In our climate, afternoon shade will keep them from sun
burning. Choose some of the newer varieties with heavy substance to their leaves to help
deter slugs.
Their colors range from blues to chartreuses, with variegation, puckering, and leaves shaped
like swords, cups, or hearts. They range in size from very small edgers like 'Lemon Lime' to
very large landscape statements like 'Empress Wu.'
'Empress Wu', named for the only woman ruler of China, is a huge plant, growing to 4 feet
high, 6 feet wide, with 5 foot flower scapes holding lavender flowers. Individual leaves can be
18 inches long and wide. For more about 'Empress Wu', click here and here.
bulbs, filling in an empty spot, covering an ugly stump or utility, or simply adding texture to a
shade garden. Extremely cold hardy, hostas begin sticking up their new little fingers as soon
as the ground begins to warm. In our climate, afternoon shade will keep them from sun
burning. Choose some of the newer varieties with heavy substance to their leaves to help
deter slugs.
Their colors range from blues to chartreuses, with variegation, puckering, and leaves shaped
like swords, cups, or hearts. They range in size from very small edgers like 'Lemon Lime' to
very large landscape statements like 'Empress Wu.'
'Empress Wu', named for the only woman ruler of China, is a huge plant, growing to 4 feet
high, 6 feet wide, with 5 foot flower scapes holding lavender flowers. Individual leaves can be
18 inches long and wide. For more about 'Empress Wu', click here and here.
Hellebores -- For a tough, evergreen, shade tolerant, early blooming ground cover, you
cannot beat Lenten Roses.
I love their long bloom period, their ability to take winter sun and summer shade, and the
wonderful new colors the hybridizers are creating. White Wagon Farm is bringing in some of
the new hybrids from Sunshine Farm this winter. The vibrant colors of these Sunshine
Selections are shown to the left. For more information, click here.
cannot beat Lenten Roses.
I love their long bloom period, their ability to take winter sun and summer shade, and the
wonderful new colors the hybridizers are creating. White Wagon Farm is bringing in some of
the new hybrids from Sunshine Farm this winter. The vibrant colors of these Sunshine
Selections are shown to the left. For more information, click here.
Ranunculus ficaria 'Brazen Hussy'--Dark chocolate heart-shaped leaves topped with neon
yellow buttercups held about 3" about the foliage. What's not to love? This spring
ephemeral appears in December, begins blooming in February, then disappears into
dormancy in May. But when it's blooming in a spring garden, it never fails to generate
questions and praise.
Brazen Hussy is easy to care for -- just divide in late fall or early winter. Really the only
problem we sometimes have is remembering where it is when it's dormant.
The table below from http://perennials.com provides conditions and descriptions:
yellow buttercups held about 3" about the foliage. What's not to love? This spring
ephemeral appears in December, begins blooming in February, then disappears into
dormancy in May. But when it's blooming in a spring garden, it never fails to generate
questions and praise.
Brazen Hussy is easy to care for -- just divide in late fall or early winter. Really the only
problem we sometimes have is remembering where it is when it's dormant.
The table below from http://perennials.com provides conditions and descriptions:
Phigelius rectus x -- Cape Fuchsia. This perennial from South America is not a true
fuchsia, but provides fuchsia-like blossoms on a plant more suited to a hot Arkansas
summer (zones 6-10).
Growing from 18"-30" tall by 24"-30" wide, it is covered in blooms from late spring until mid
fall.
Deer resistant and hummingbird attractive, it is a lovely addition to the perennial garden.
'Passionate' has pink blooms over maroon foliage while 'Lemon Frost' has pale yellow
blooms over blue green heart-shaped leaves.
fuchsia, but provides fuchsia-like blossoms on a plant more suited to a hot Arkansas
summer (zones 6-10).
Growing from 18"-30" tall by 24"-30" wide, it is covered in blooms from late spring until mid
fall.
Deer resistant and hummingbird attractive, it is a lovely addition to the perennial garden.
'Passionate' has pink blooms over maroon foliage while 'Lemon Frost' has pale yellow
blooms over blue green heart-shaped leaves.
Huechera -- Coral Bells or Alum Root. Heuchera (pronounced hew' kerr-a) is a native
American plant that thrives in dry shady spots. Recent hybridizations from crossing many
native species have created plants with colors from nearly black, through purples, reds,
ambers, and lime greens. Some varieties have been developed for bloom, from the
namesake coral bells to small white blooms that rise on stalks above the foliage.
Hybrids from the southern native, heuchera villosa (hairy alum root) are particularly good for
our area since they thrive on heat and humidity. And as a non-invasive evergreen clumping
groundcover, it's a tough act to beat. Just make sure they have good drainage and
afternoon shade.
American plant that thrives in dry shady spots. Recent hybridizations from crossing many
native species have created plants with colors from nearly black, through purples, reds,
ambers, and lime greens. Some varieties have been developed for bloom, from the
namesake coral bells to small white blooms that rise on stalks above the foliage.
Hybrids from the southern native, heuchera villosa (hairy alum root) are particularly good for
our area since they thrive on heat and humidity. And as a non-invasive evergreen clumping
groundcover, it's a tough act to beat. Just make sure they have good drainage and
afternoon shade.
Sedum -- Sedums (stonecrops) make up a large genus of flowering succulents with
water-storing leaves and are found throughout North America. Ranging in size from small
groundcovers to large shrub-sized perennials, sedums provide garden interest for at least
three seasons. Many are winter hardy; most prefer sun to shade, but shade lovers and
summer haters are also found.
With names like Voodoo, Angelina, Thundercloud, and Autumn Joy, new hybrids sporting
brightly colored foliage have become very popular. Because of their drought tolerance and
shallow root systems, they can be planted as living walls or green roofs.
They are also all edible, and have been used as salad herbs in Europe and as host plants for
several species of butterflies.
water-storing leaves and are found throughout North America. Ranging in size from small
groundcovers to large shrub-sized perennials, sedums provide garden interest for at least
three seasons. Many are winter hardy; most prefer sun to shade, but shade lovers and
summer haters are also found.
With names like Voodoo, Angelina, Thundercloud, and Autumn Joy, new hybrids sporting
brightly colored foliage have become very popular. Because of their drought tolerance and
shallow root systems, they can be planted as living walls or green roofs.
They are also all edible, and have been used as salad herbs in Europe and as host plants for
several species of butterflies.
Brugmansia – Angel Trumpet -- The show-stopping Angel Trumpet in full bloom is a sight to
behold. The one in our garden has held seventy glorious 6-inch pendulous blooms at once
on its 6-foot high stems! Its light sweet fragrance seems at odds with the spectacular
blooms, but together they bring new interest to the late summer garden. Particularly if you
combine pink, yellow, apricot and white blooms.
Although not top-hardy below zone 9, we have had our specimen reliably return each year,
even after near-zero weather. Planted in the ground, cut back and mulched after flowering, it
has returned each September with blooms to spare. As a potted plant, kept from freezing
over winter, it will bloom earlier and longer, but no more spectacularly.
Poison in all it’s parts, it should not be planted where children or pets may ingest it. It is
closely related to another poisonous beauty, Datura, whose up-facing blooms are similar in
size.
behold. The one in our garden has held seventy glorious 6-inch pendulous blooms at once
on its 6-foot high stems! Its light sweet fragrance seems at odds with the spectacular
blooms, but together they bring new interest to the late summer garden. Particularly if you
combine pink, yellow, apricot and white blooms.
Although not top-hardy below zone 9, we have had our specimen reliably return each year,
even after near-zero weather. Planted in the ground, cut back and mulched after flowering, it
has returned each September with blooms to spare. As a potted plant, kept from freezing
over winter, it will bloom earlier and longer, but no more spectacularly.
Poison in all it’s parts, it should not be planted where children or pets may ingest it. It is
closely related to another poisonous beauty, Datura, whose up-facing blooms are similar in
size.
Clematis – Nobody ever disagrees about the beauty of the clematis -- it's white, purple, pink
or red blooms always turn heads and delight viewers. The big disagreement seems to be in
the pronunciation of the name: is it clem-AT-us or CLEM-a-tus? PoTAYto or poTAHto?
Regardless of your pronunciation, you should consider the heavily floriferous yet delicately
stemmed climbers for your garden. Let them climb through climbing roses, crape myrtles, or
other shrubs and double the interest. And although the size of the flowers would indicate a
monstrous vine capable of sucking all nutrients from the host plant in true vampire/parasite
mode, they are not strangler vines and do little to no damage to their support structure.
Favorites include giant purple-flowered Jackmanii, giant white-flowered Henryii, pink striped
Nelly Moser, and periwinkle-colored Ramona.
or red blooms always turn heads and delight viewers. The big disagreement seems to be in
the pronunciation of the name: is it clem-AT-us or CLEM-a-tus? PoTAYto or poTAHto?
Regardless of your pronunciation, you should consider the heavily floriferous yet delicately
stemmed climbers for your garden. Let them climb through climbing roses, crape myrtles, or
other shrubs and double the interest. And although the size of the flowers would indicate a
monstrous vine capable of sucking all nutrients from the host plant in true vampire/parasite
mode, they are not strangler vines and do little to no damage to their support structure.
Favorites include giant purple-flowered Jackmanii, giant white-flowered Henryii, pink striped
Nelly Moser, and periwinkle-colored Ramona.
