Dig It - Early Scout Peony

No guesswork here- Early Scout peony (Auten 1952) is so named because it is one of the earliest peony plants to pop out of the ground after a long winter's nap and also one of the first to come into bloom. This dwarf peony variety with its fern like foliage is compact by nature and the peony grows to a height of 18-24" making it ideal next to a walkway or as an addition to a rock garden.


Some of our New Jersey Peony lovers are surprised when told this hardy little plant with the small red flowers and brilliant yellow centers is even in the peony family. When these cheerful little blossoms have faded, snipping them off will leave a plant that resembles a Japanese maple. Folks often ask us what variety maples we are growing when they see these peonies out of bloom. Having perennials that look good even without their flowers is always a plus for any gardener.
Happy Gardening!
John

Dig It - Rose Queen Japanese Iris

Even though John and I had grown Bearded, Siberian, and Pseudocorus irises in our gardens throughout our married life, (and believe me, that's a looooooooooong time!!!) it wasn't until just a few years ago that we began growing Japanese irises. We soon discovered just what we were missing all that time.

Since they bloom after the Tall Bearded and since some Japanese irises bloom well into August, they are an iris lover's dream for extending the season.

Those of you who are fortunate enough to be growing Japanese iris already most likely have those with the beautiful, larger flowers. Rose Queen is quite unlike them with its stately, compact, pink blossom held regally above its grass like foliage. I have delighted in having Japanese irises as permanent additions to our landscape, but have developed a special fondness for this beauty.

Dig It-Shaker's Prayer

When someone mentions Siberian Iris, usually what comes to mind is Caesar's Brother, the most commonly found in garden centers and big box stores. Although quite hardy and attractive in its own right, there is much more to the Siberian world than this deep blue variety.

One that we are highlighting today is award winning Shaker's Prayer. This 36" iris is one of the first Siberians to make its appearance in spring. The heavily veined violet-blue blossoms have an almost wildflower look as they tower above their foliage, making one think of a meadow in bloom. The plant itself is quite hardy with the slender, attractive stems and foliage that Siberians are known for as opposed to the heavier stems and leaves of their bearded cousins. You won't have to get down on your knees and pray for flowers since Shaker's Prayer is one of the most prolifically blooming Siberian irises.

Heavenly Helleborus

Those of you who have already discovered the Helleborus, known also as Christmas or Lenten Rose, will attest to the joy of having it in your garden. This is a mostly evergreen, winter-spring flowering perennial that is easily grown, tolerates drought after it's established, and is available in a variety of colors--yellow, pink, lavender, white, etc. Not only are the blooms of the Hellebores very lovely, the leaves are attractive and diverse in appearance.


John and I were cleaning up more of our flower beds and came across our Hellebores which are ready to bloom (hence, Lenten Rose). Here are some tips for those of you who have them in your garden. Make sure you don't head out to your garden with a leaf rake ready to tackle leftover winter debris. Get down on those hands and knees and gently remove that debris by hand around your Hellebores and trim back any old foliage. Nestled inside you will likely find buds which certainly would be disturbed by rake action. You'll be glad you showed them some gentle care once you are rewarded with some of the first blossoms of spring!

Dig It-Iris Pallida Variegata

Pallida Variegata

As lovely as bearded iris are when in bloom, many people are put off by the very less attractive foliage. The dull green spears are not very exciting to view in the garden, especially when the flowers are gone and green begins to fade to brown. This is why John and I have made Iris Pallida Variegata a major player in our perennial beds.

The bluish-green striped leaves are outstanding in the garden, both prior to and after the blooming period. The light, lavender blue flowers are among the longest lasting of the bearded iris. Available in green and white as pallida alba, or green and yellow, pallida aurea, these 34" iris are considered one of the most reliable, disease resistant, and easy to care for of the Tall Bearded Irises.
Pallida Variegata Aurea

The flowers have a pleasant fragrance, and in addition, the rhizome is also used as a base in the perfume industry where it is known as orris root. Orris root can also be found in the production of natural toothpaste and as an ingredient in gin, specifically Bombay Sapphire, which at least one member of our family (who shall not be named) should find quite interesting!

Pallida Variegata Alba

Also known as Sweet Iris and by some as Dalmation, Iris Pallida Variegata should fill the bill for folks like me who have a love for the variegated form of just about any plant whether it is an iris, geranium, or boxwood.

Dig It - Banquet Tree Peony

Banquet Tree Peony
I just finished planting the last of our tree peonies for the year. All of the buds on our display and potted tree peonies are really beginning to swell and you can expect to see blooms on tree peonies before their herbaceous relatives begin to flower. Although their bloom time is short lived, they retain their attractiveness throughout the summer due to their interesting foliage.

What fabulous plants to have in your garden. They last for years and get better with age with larger and more abundant flowers. (My wife tells me she is getting better with age---who knows???). Once planted a tree peony often will out live you (something else the wife is planning to do!).

Banquet tree peony is one of the first generation hybrid seedlings from Saunders in 1941. Any plant that is still around that long deserves a place of honor in your garden! Large semi-double flowers of a strawberry red with touches of gold on the undersides of the petals and cut-leaved foliage make this a landscape standout.

Tree peonies are grafted on herbaceous peony roots and need to form their own roots. Therefore, make sure you plant your tree peony deep enough so it will begin to form roots from the top graph.

Centuries ago the Chinese dubbed the tree peony the "King of Flowers" and once you establish one in your garden, I'm certain you will agree.

Dwarf Iris-Sarah Taylor

Being "vertically challenged" myself, I have a natural affinity for the petite. My sons will attest to the fact that while watching some of my favorite movies I get most excited at the appearance of the Munchkins, Ewoks, or R2D2. The appearance of our dwarf iris in early spring brings similar excitement.

Sweet Sarah Taylor is this week's feature and rightly so. This pale yellow , blue-bearded little iris mimics its tall-bearded cousins, but pops up in the garden well before them which will extend any iris lover's season. Dwarf iris are easily grown under the same conditions as taller varieties, but due to their height are suited to even more locations. Consider placing them in borders or in rock gardens, naturally in full sun in well-drained soil.

Sarah Taylor and our other dwarf (also known as miniature or lilliput) iris generally are in bloom here in central NJ in mid to late April and usually are done blooming before their taller counterparts make their appearance.


Do yourself and your garden a favor by inviting little Sarah Taylor and her family into your life. They will surely bring you pleasure for many years to come.