{"title":"Perennials","description":"\u003cdiv title=\"Shop Perennial Plants\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExplore the full world of perennials—plants that return year after year with color, fragrance, and form to build a lasting garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"perennial-shasta-daisy-real-sunbeam","title":"Real Sunbeam Shasta Daisy","description":"\u003cp\u003eCheerful blooms abound with 'Real Sunbeam' Shasta Daisy. With blooms 3-4 inches across, this perennial is a summer garden essential, flowering from early summer into fall. Deadhead spent flowers to keep more blooms coming, and enjoy some in summer bouquets, too. Happy in full sun to part sun and not fussy, it will thrive in average, well-draining soil, and is drought tolerant once established. At 18-20 inches tall and 18-20 inches wide, 'Real Sunbeam' mixes into a perennial bed where its lush yellow will lift the pinks, purples, and blues of garden favorites such as Delphinium, Echinacea, Penstemon, and Coreopsis. Leucanthemum superbum can be toxic to dogs and cats and may cause skin and eye irritation. USPPP\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472243511535,"sku":"AM019696","price":13.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/leucanthemum-real-sunbeam-close-up.jpg?v=1761078661"},{"product_id":"perennial-trillium-painted","title":"Painted Trillium","description":"\u003cstrong\u003ePainted Trillium\u003c\/strong\u003e is the only bi-colored beauty in the group, with snow white petals and dramatic red markings radiating from its center.  This trillium is one that demands heavily acid soils, so it is a growing companion of pink lady's slippers, and is often found in every green woods, growing up through the carpet of fallen pine needles. \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe Trillium Tribe, and why its so famous.\u003c\/strong\u003e The classic 4-inch thick botanical reference work, Hortus Third, tells us that there are about 30 species of Trillium worldwide, but the majority of the species are native to North America.  A very few originate in Japan and Korea, none in Europe.  This is one reason that our colonists were so taken with these woodland beauties when they arrived. They had simply never seen anything like them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrilliums, as the name implies have everything in 3s--three leaves, three petals, etc.  And compared to the other spring flowers that bloom when winter is finally over in our cold climates, the Trilliums are the ones with large look-at-me flowers.  They were famous with the Indians before colonization, and instantly the stars of spring bloom with the colonists. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemember, when the colonists arrived, they arrived on our east coast which was totally wooded--big, primeval old growth forest, right down to the beaches.  And under these cathedral-like trees were the woodland native flowers--almost all species the Europeans had never seen.  Also, this is why almost all the native flowers of our east coast are woodland plants, not meadow wildflowers.  Of this famous original group of woodland wildflowers, which includes the Lady Slippers, Mayflower, Hepatica and many more, the Trilliums reigned supreme.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor centuries the flowers were picked heavily, which is unfortunate since a picked trillium is a dead trillium.  But it was the clearing of the forests for farming, a necessity for the colonists, that really devastated the woodland wildflowers.  We like to wring our hands about paving for interstates and new condominium projects today, but we needn't.  The damage was done long ago when our ancestors cleared the eastern forests for farming.  Of course, there are relatively small habitats left, and in recent years, our forested area has been enlarging, and woodland wildflower habitat has been restored in many places.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn any case, this elegant class of flowers, the Trilliums, are now recognized as precious and special, although they are not officially endangered.  In many areas, Trilliums are still very common. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWildflower gardeners love them, and it is true that most of them are not difficult to grow or transplant, and if conditions are good, they thrive.  However, it does help to know the facts.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeres how they are propagated. \u003c\/strong\u003e Trilliums such as The Great White spread very slowly by underground root stocks, and the seed produced creates new plants even more slowly.  From a planted seed, it takes approximately five to nine years for a Trillium grandiflorum plant (the Great White Trillium) to bloom.  So when you see a massive drift of these in spring, you know you're looking at a bunch of plants that are at least a decade old, probably much older.  These plants are not daisies!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd how do they propagate themselves?  Well, \u003cem\u003eT. grandiflorum\u003c\/em\u003e is one of the wildflowers whose seeds are distributed by ants.  Yes, ants--not birds or bees, or the wind, but ants.  This is why the species creates large close drifts over the years.  Plants are never very far apart, since ants don't travel far.  So each clump of \u003cem\u003eT. grandiflorum\u003c\/em\u003e you see was planted where you see it by an ant. (They carry the seeds away when they fall from the plant because the ants enjoy the sticky covering each seed case has when it falls to the ground.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat brings us to the basic rarity of the Trilliums.  A big factor is that each flower produces only one seed case when it fades. (Everybody knows that most flowers--a daisy, for example, produces hundreds of loose seeds from each flower.) So even if the ants find the sticky seed case, and take it underground where the several seeds inside can grow, there simply arent huge numbers of white trillium seeds being planted each year.  Other trillium species have various propagation strategies, but all take years and years. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow you have some idea of the value of these beautiful plants.  They are an important part of American botanical history, and deserve a place of honor in every American wildflower garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eHere are the best known species,\u003c\/strong\u003e with a little info on each: \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrillium grandiflorum, \u003c\/em\u003eGreat White Trillium.\u003c\/strong\u003e  The provincial flower of Ontario, and quite common there and around the Great Lakes. Also the official wildflower of Ohio, T. grandiflorum is native over most of the east, from Canada to Georgia, especially in neutral or non-acid soils. Large white flowers fade to pink; plants form large drifts. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrillium erectum, \u003c\/em\u003eRed Trillium. \u003c\/strong\u003eAlso called Wake Robin and Stinking Benjamin, the second because of the flowers unpleasant odor, said to be similar to rotting meat.  Propagated by flies.  Red to purple flowers; plants solitary in acid or alkaline woods. Native to the eastern forests from Canada to Georgia. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrillium undulatum, \u003c\/em\u003ePainted Trillium. \u003c\/strong\u003eSmaller than the Great White or Red, but with one of the most beautiful flowers--white with purplish\/red centers. Must have highly acidic soil; common in pine woods.  Native to forests from Canada to Georgia.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrillium Catesbaei, \u003c\/em\u003e Rosy Trillium or Catesby Trillium.\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the first Trilliums discovered and named for Mark Catesby, the famous early British plant explorer and artist. The Rosy Trillium has somewhat smallish blooms which nod below the leaves.  It is native to the Southeast, where Catesby visited. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrillium viride var luteum, \u003c\/em\u003eYellow Trillium.\u003c\/strong\u003e This unusual trillium has mottled leaves and lemon yellow blooms that hold their petals high and never really open. It is often said to have a lemon scent, and is native from Kentucky south to Florida.  \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrillium ovatum, \u003c\/em\u003eCoast Trillium.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a famous western trillium, much like T. grandiflorum in the east. Flowers are white, fading to pink. It is native from British Columbia through coastal forests all the way to central California.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472243871983,"sku":"AM014184","price":17.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/painted-trillium-trillium-undulatum-close-up-flower_1.jpg?v=1761078662"},{"product_id":"perennial-maidenhair-fern","title":"Northern Maidenhair Fern","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost gardeners would agree that if there were a beauty contest for ferns, then Northern Maidenhair Fern would be the clear winner. A beautiful, delicate but tough native of woods all the way from Canada to Georgia.  In early spring, burgundy fiddleheads reach high, and then suddenly unfurl into flat tray-like hands of delicate fronds, clear green with striking black stems, arrayed in a perfect circle.  All Maidenhair asks is a shady spot, some fertility in the soil, and to be kept moist throughout the growing season. It's magnificent with Trillium and other early spring flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472244166895,"sku":"AM014175","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/maidenhair-fern-1.jpg?v=1761078663"},{"product_id":"perennial-phlox-nicky","title":"Nicky Phlox","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Phlox should be the backbone of your garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e  They're beautiful.  They're easy. And no matter what else you grow, you cant beat their display. In fact, probably no group of plants adds more color to American perennial gardens than phlox.  They just happen to be the perfect plant--tall enough to show the flowers over the others, heavy bloomers at the right time with big colorful flower heads, and best of all--a nice long season of bloom. Most every good perennial garden has an extra measure of phlox plants. In yours, plant a few and then notice which do the best, and then get more of those.  Repeated color groups in the garden assure the great colorful display everyone wants. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe one problem: Mildew. Be ready.\u003c\/strong\u003e There's no escaping it. All Tall Garden Phlox (except the famously mildew-resistant David) are usually attacked by powdery mildew.  Its a sort of gray dust-like blight you'll start noticing on the leaves, just as the plants have grown up and are getting ready to bloom.  The minute you see it, go directly to the garden center and buy a container of fungicide for phlox mildew. I know it sounds like trouble, but its really not, and believe me, its worth it.  If you ignore the mildew, your beautiful phlox plants will be an ugly shriveled mess in just a couple of weeks. It doesn't kill the plants, it just ruins them for the year.  Some say good air circulation prevents it, but don't you believe it.  Phlox simply get mildew, and you need to spray, probably just once...then your plants will go right on and bloom all summer for you with beautiful leaves and flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThey're great for cutting, too.\u003c\/strong\u003e Need a big bouquet?  Just of few of these multi-flowered stems will do the trick, with lovely fragrance and fabulous color. Add a few lilies, and you have a knock-out arrangement anyone can do.  So be sure to grow enough phlox for cutting, too.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter bloom, simply cut down the flower stems about halfway,  (Its not botanically correct, but lots of gardeners snap them; the strong stiff stems snap off easily) and your tough, hardy plants will be ready to light up for you again next year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYes, they're North American Natives.\u003c\/strong\u003e Very few American gardeners know it, but almost all phlox species are North American wildflowers, as native as our goldenrods and black-eyed susans.  But since we ignored them for years, European hybridizers (mostly German) took the wild versions back to Europe and created the fantastic hybrids we all enjoy today. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472244461807,"sku":"AM014173","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/phlox-paniculata-garden-phlox-purple-nicky-garden.jpg?v=1761078663"},{"product_id":"perennial-astilbe-montgomery","title":"Montgomery Astilbe","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Astilbes:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Easy to grow, tough and hardy, Astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens.  In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with Astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilities of moist, shaded American gardens.  They are companions of ferns and our favorite annuals, impatiens--one of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, that's why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing Sedums, Phlox, Campanulas....and his first love, Astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different Astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e These plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, Astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long.  They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472244822255,"sku":"AM014157","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/astilbe-montgomery-red-blooms.jpg?v=1761078664"},{"product_id":"perennial-aster-frikartii-monch","title":"Monch Frikart's Aster","description":"\u003cp\u003e24-36\" tall x 18-24\" wide. Aster ‘Frikartii Monch’, also known as Frikart’s Aster and Wonder of Staffa is one of the earliest-blooming asters to be found. A standout in border plantings and in the cottage garden, this light lavender-blue variety attracts a flurry of pollinator activity to its nectar-rich blooms. Healthy, deep-green foliage is quick-growing and resistant to disease, lending a sense of fullness to beds. Covered in flowers for much of the season, Frikartii Monch prefers full sun and average soil but will settle for part shade and a moister site. Winter hardy to zone 5.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472245149935,"sku":"AM014156","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/aster-frikartii-monch-with-grass_2.jpg?v=1761078665"},{"product_id":"perennial-aquilegia-columbine-mckana-giants-mix","title":"McKana Giant Columbine Mix","description":"These are \u003cem\u003ethe\u003c\/em\u003e garden columbines.  Like the Russell Lupines and other definitive groups of perennials, the McKana Columbines have never been surpassed.  With clear, bright-colored flowers, these are sizable plants, growing up to 32\" or more.  Their show in the garden can be truly spectacular.  These famous flowers were bred by combining both the North American native columbines with others from abroad. The McKanas include the famous all-red Crimson Star, a major hummingbird plant, and some of the unique fully-double hybrids.\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Wild Columbines\u003c\/strong\u003e  Many people think columbines are the loveliest flowers of all, and they are certainly important in the wildflower world.  Many important species are North American natives.  Everyone in the Northeast loves the Wild Eastern Columbine, the beautiful smallish red one, \u003cem\u003eAquilegia canadensis\u003c\/em\u003e, and of course, everyone in the Rockies loves the State Flower of Colorado, the large, blue Colorado Columbine, \u003cem\u003eA. caerulea\u003c\/em\u003e.  There are important species native to Europe and Japan as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn All-America Selections Winner\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46827445453039,"sku":"AM014147","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/aquilegia-mckana-giant-mix-columbine.jpg?v=1761078666"},{"product_id":"perennial-mayflower-trailing-arbutus","title":"Mayflower","description":"6\" tall x 3-6\" wide. This is the famous state flower of Massachusetts, but it is native to most of the East from Canada all the way to North Florida, and loved by all woodland wildgardeners. Also called Mayflower after the famous Pilgrim ship, this sweet-scented, pastel pink beauty blooms along running stems of shiny evergreen leaves, creating the ultimate groundcover for woodland gardens. Creeping stems grow to about 16, and the when content, the plant forms lush clumps, which are a spectacle on the forest floor in spring. This wildflower is not easy to grow or rapidly spreading, but when established, it is always the pride of any woodland garden. Needs acidic woodsy soil, so its best planted under pines or oaks.\u003cp\u003eTrailing Arbutus is credited with making a very dramatic impression on early settlers in North America, especially the famous Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, MA in 1620.  Used to the exhausted fields and largely cut woodland areas of Europe, they were stunned by North Americas primeval forests, which created heavily wooded habitat, right down to the Atlantic beaches. In spring, these magnificent old growth forests burst into bloom with our now-famous host of Spring Woodland Wildflowers, unknown in Europe.  The queen of all the spring woodland flowers, at least to the Pilgrims, was this lovely ground-running vine with its delicate shell-pink flowers. For this reason, the common name of Mayflower was given the newly discovered plant, and it will always hold an important place in American history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472245838063,"sku":"AM014146","price":21.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/epigaea-repens-mayflower-hero.jpg?v=1761078666"},{"product_id":"perennial-marginal-woodfern","title":"Marginal Woodfern","description":"\u003cp\u003eMarginal woodfern creates a particularly elegant effect in the landscape with fronds rising like a bouquet from a small exposed rootstock, forming a graceful and dramatic vase-shaped specimen. Evergreen fronds with a rich blue-green color have ample substance to help them last right through frosts. Marginal woodfern prefers shady spots with evenly moist, slightly acidic soils. The most drought-tolerant of all the wood ferns. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472246165743,"sku":"AM014141","price":23.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/dryopteris-marginalis-marginal-woodfern-visi.jpg?v=1761078667"},{"product_id":"perennial-salvia-marcus","title":"Marcus® Meadow Sage","description":"\u003cp\u003eSalvia, also known as Meadow Sage, is an extremely easy-to-grow perennial, boasting colorful flower spikes that add both texture and color to the spring and summer garden. Salvia is also loved by gardeners for being drought tolerant, long-blooming and deer resistant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472246558959,"sku":"AM014139","price":9.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/salvia-marcus-1.jpg?v=1761078668"},{"product_id":"perennial-russian-sage-little-spire","title":"Little Spire Russian Sage","description":"\u003cp\u003eRussian Sage is a must have in any garden. The true-blue blooms are one of the most rare colors in flowers and this variety does not disappoint. Lovely, bright blue spikes continue for weeks on large plants, making them a versatile component of almost any garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472246984943,"sku":"AM014133","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/russian-sage-little-spire.jpg?v=1761078668"},{"product_id":"perennial-hydrangea-limelight","title":"Limelight Hydrangea","description":"Limelight brings luscious lime green to a large arching shrub that will add beauty all through summer and fall.  Like all hydrangeas, the plant is tough and carefree. \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout Hydrangeas:\u003c\/strong\u003e These popular shrubs, also called Hortensia, all have rounded flower clusters that persist through summer and fall.  There are several types, since there are several species of the plant the hybridizers work with:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eH. macrophylla\u003c\/em\u003e or French Hydrangeas. \u003c\/strong\u003e These, the most popular, form non-rangy, attractive shrubs about 6 to 8 ft. tall, and are famed for their big, colorful ball-like flowers, usually blue or pink.  The popular group here is called Mophead hydrangeas.  Artificially shortened versions are sold in pots on Easter and Mothers Day, and the blooms are florists favorites, always popular for wedding decorations. In addition to the mopheads (solid ball of flowers), there are also lacecap versions of these hydrangeas. (H. macrophylla is native to the Far East.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eH. arborescens,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e a US native, includes the widely-planted, Annabelle.  Much like the Mopheads, Annabelle is a shorter hydrangea with huge rounded flower clusters in pure white. This is the one famous for flowers so large they often weigh down the branches, needing special support.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eH. paniculata,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is a larger species, much taller than the Mopheads.  The flower clusters are more cone-shaped, rather than round. The plant in this group is more rangy than the shorter types, but can be controlled by pruning. The famous Pee Gee hydrangea, often grown as a small tree is in this group, and was imported from Japan in the late 19th century. There are also newer H. paniculata hybrids, including the beautiful greenish-flowered one called Limelight. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Other Types:\u003c\/strong\u003e There are several other important hydrangeas.  The tall native Oakleaf hydrangea (sometimes considered a small tree) is also a variety of the species, \u003cem\u003eH. paniculata.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere is a great website all about Hydrangeas\u003c\/strong\u003e called Hydrangeas! Hydrangeas! \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com\"\u003e Click here to visit.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 4\" Pot","offer_id":46472247476463,"sku":"AM014131","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/hydrangea-limelight_1.jpg?v=1761078669"},{"product_id":"perennial-russian-sage-lacey-blue","title":"Lacey Blue Russian Sage","description":"\u003cp\u003eDwarf Russian Sage only grows to be about 12-18\" in height and boasts blooms larger than most! This deer-resistant beauty brings extended color to the sun or partial shade garden, blooming from mid-summer until early fall. A must-have in most zones!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472248393967,"sku":"AM014113","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/perovskia-atriplicifolia-russian-sage-lacey-blue-pot-container.jpg?v=1761078669"},{"product_id":"perennial-peony-karl-rosenfield","title":"Karl Rosenfield Peony","description":"\u003cp\u003e24-36\" tall x 24-36\" wide. An old-fashioned hybrid with everlasting appeal, ‘Karl Rosenfield’ produces a dizzying display of vibrant blooms each year. The double flowers open to reveal bright yellow centers for eye-catching contrast. Sturdy stems are excellent for cutting and the fragrant flowers have a long vase life. The buoyant blooms atop broad, deep cut leaves make a stunning early-season accent in mixed borders. After flowering, lush, dark green foliage and a rounded habit provide an architectural backdrop and season-long structure. Foliage often turns a deep burgundy red in autumn. Peonies are robust, cold-hardy plants with low maintenance requirements. Plant them in a sunny location for best flowering and remove spent blooms as they fade. Cut plants back after the foliage dies down in autumn. Peonies are long-lived and do not require dividing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  If you live where peonies grow, its the same every year in late spring. Certain homes have them in beds, borders, along drives--and anywhere they grow, they create probably the most beautiful clump of flowering of the whole season. Big, usually fluffy flowers in glossy green foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerennial peonies are what experienced gardeners call investment plants. They're some of the most permanent landscaping you can buy.  In fact, many continue blooming beautifully for over 100 years. Once they're established, they're as hardy and dependable as oaks, creating a fantastic season of bloom in your yard year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e Adding peonies to your garden is not difficult.  All you need is full sun and good soil.  (In even partial shade, the bloom will be scant or non-existent--keep them out in the sun!)  As most gardeners know, the roots look like a bunch of carrots--thick long tapering tuber-like masses that increase every year. Feed them, water them, and the clumps will expand rapidly, and more and more blooms will result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypes of peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  The standard perennial peony species is \u003cem\u003ePaeonia lactiflora\u003c\/em\u003e but within the species, there are thousands of hybrids old and new.  And there are several flower types:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the huge, wide-open ones with just one row of overlapping petals. Like huge poppies, they create dinnerplate-size beauty that's really unmatched in the garden.  The singles are less frequently seen in American gardens because of our passion for petals-people just prefer the doubles. One of the most famous singles is the breathtaking Krinkled White, an old classic and still a big favorite. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e, not to be confused with Tree Peonies which often come from Japan, is a flower form somewhat similar to the singles, but with a more elaborate center.  A great example is the big favorite,  stunning Bowl of Beauty, with glistening cherry red petals petals plus fluffy yellow center, creating spectacular color contrast.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSemi-double Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are just that. They have the basic bottom row of large petals seen on the singles (often called the guard petals), but on top, there are more shorter petals, developing from the center.  A great example is the beautiful red Edulis Superba.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBomb Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the ones with the guard petals flat and large, with a pile of petaling sitting upon them-sort of like a fluffly snowball sitting on a plate. Some of the most-loved and dramatic peonies are bombs including the magnificent Laura Dessert and the dramatic Raspberry Sundae  As these two illustrate, there are bombs of various shapes and sizes.  With Raspberry Sundae, the large bomb not only adds size and height, it gives the overall bloom a stunning palette of three colors-white guard petals, a collar of yellow, and then pastel pink making up the center.  In Laura Dessert, the coloring is all white, with a hint of lemon yellow in the bomb. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDouble Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are probably the most popular, and the most widely planted.  Excellent examples are the famous Victorian introduction, Festiva Maxima with its snowy white flowers with red flecks, and Sarah Bernhardt, the all-time popular double pink with huge flowers and great fragrance. Other popular doubles are the red Karl Rosenfield and white Shirley Temple. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's really no end to a gardeners pleasure with peonies.  They're all good for cutting.  The foliage stays glossy and green all summer long, and they attract almost no pests. (Don't confuse the standard perennial peony with the Tree Peony, a separate group. Tree Peonies are more shrub like, and don't die down completely each winter.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is important, since once a peony is established, the heavy flowers are often too heavy for its stems. You don't have to stake them, but if you don't, you're going to have big beautiful flowers nodding down in the mud. So once you have a healthy clump, use peony rings to keep them upright. The rings are simply wheel-like wire arrangements that stand up over the peony like a little wire table as the plant sprouts in the spring.  With upright supports, the peony ring is placed so the shoots will grow up through the round wire bale.  Of course, the foliage quickly hides the ring, and you have a beautifully-supported clump well before the flowers open. Where to find Peony Rings? GardenersSupply.com has great ones which I've used, and I recommend them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472248787183,"sku":"AM014110","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/paeonia-karl-rosenfield-peony-visi34378-cropped.jpg?v=1761078670"},{"product_id":"perennial-jack-in-the-pulpit","title":"Jack in the Pulpit","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of our best-known native plants, and always a favorite with children, Jack-In-The-Pulpit is quite common in rich woodland. The plants are often solitary, large, and quite striking in the spring woods. The elegant hood curves forward over the Jack, an upright spike inside, creating the preacher in the canopied pulpit design. These treasured plants grow from a bulb, and can do very well in partially shaded perennial borders, growing tall if fertilized, and adding an exotic touch amid otherwise more traditional flower displays. Both the unique bloom and then the bright red berries that follow add a bit of mystery and woodland lore to any garden, and if undisturbed, the plants return faithfully each spring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472249147631,"sku":"AM014107","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/jack-in-the-pulpit-woodland.jpg?v=1761078671"},{"product_id":"perennial-hydrangea-incrediball","title":"Incrediball® Snowball Hydrangea","description":"Hydrangea Annabelle has always been the most popular in this group.  But this new entry is gaining.  Incredi-Ball is well named.  The flower heads are huge--up to a full foot across.  They open lime green, then turn snow white, and are on the shrub for months.  But the big news here is the stems--they're strong, so the huge flowers don't weigh down the branches as Annabelle's do.  A great new hybrid. \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout Hydrangeas:\u003c\/strong\u003e These popular shrubs, also called Hortensia, all have rounded flower clusters that persist through summer and fall.  There are several types, since there are several species of the plant the hybridizers work with:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eH. macrophylla\u003c\/em\u003e or French Hydrangeas. \u003c\/strong\u003e These, the most popular, form non-rangy, attractive shrubs about 4 to 5 ft. tall, and are famed for their big, colorful ball-like flowers, usually blue or pink.  The popular group here is called Mophead hydrangeas.  Artificially shortened versions are sold in pots on Easter and Mothers Day, and the blooms are florists favorites, always popular for wedding decorations. In addition to the mopheads (solid ball of flowers), there are also lacecap versions of these hydrangeas. (H. macrophylla is native to the Far East.)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eH. arborescens,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e a US native, includes the widely-planted, Annabelle.  Much like the Mopheads, Annabelle is a shorter hydrangea with huge rounded flower clusters in pure white. This is the one famous for flowers so large they often weigh down the branches, needing special support.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eH. paniculata,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is a larger species, much taller than the Mopheads.  The flower clusters are more cone-shaped, rather than round. The plant in this group is more rangy than the shorter types, but can be controlled by pruning. The famous Pee Gee hydrangea, often grown as a small tree is in this group, and was imported from Japan in the late 19th century. There are also newer H. paniculata hybrids, including the beautiful greenish-flowered one called Limelight. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Other Types:\u003c\/strong\u003e There are several other important hydrangeas.  The tall native Oakleaf hydrangea (sometimes considered a small tree) is also a variety of the species, \u003cem\u003eH. paniculata.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere is a great website all about Hydrangeas\u003c\/strong\u003e called Hydrangeas! Hydrangeas! \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com\"\u003e Click here to visit.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 4\" Pot","offer_id":46472249508079,"sku":"AM014106","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/hydrangea-incrediball_1.jpg?v=1761078672"},{"product_id":"perennial-geranium-new-hampshire-purple","title":"New Hampshire Purple Geranium","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout The Hardy Geraniums. \u003c\/strong\u003e These fantastic perennials were not very well-known in North America until recent years, but have always been a favorite group in Europe. Now, American gardeners have really embraced them, and cant get enough.  Far different from windowbox geraniums, which are in a totally different botanical group, the hardy geraniums are tough perennials that bring to gardens what every gardener wants: compact plants with beautiful flowers and a long season of bloom.  Some bloom longer than others, but basically, long bloom is one big advantage of the hardy geraniums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA common name across all the species is Cranes Bill which refers to the sharp-pointed seed pod after flowering.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOur wild species:\u003c\/strong\u003e There are about 20 species worldwide, and two magenta-flowered ones are well-known in the US as native plants.  Our Wild Geranium, or Wild Cranes Bill, \u003cem\u003eG. maculatum,\u003c\/em\u003e plus another with the curious name of Herb Robert are found over most of the east as treasured wildflowers, but their short season of bloom makes them non-competitors with the hybrids for garden space. Most of the garden favorites are crosses between species from Europe and Asia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Blue:\u003c\/strong\u003e  The basic coloring of The Lilac Geranium from the Himalayas, for example, gives us many of the great blue selections. Most popular from this group is Johnsons Blue, a world favorite with large (1 1\/2 to 2) true blue flowers. Another from similar parentage is Brookside with even deeper blue flowers. And then theres the newer, spectacular blue-splashed white one called Splish Splash. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePurple\/Magenta\/White: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeranium sanguineum\u003c\/em\u003e, is a species native to northern Europe and Asia, and known as Bloody Cranes Bill due to its magenta flowers. It has become famous itself  (the wild form) and is now the most popular hardy geranium in the US.  One of the reasons is that it blooms almost all summer and fall.  A cultivar named  Maxfrei is a dwarf version, and a newer one, Elke has striking bi-colored flowers in magenta and white. Then theres the fantastic dwarf white one with pink veins in large white petals, called \u003cem\u003eGeranium sanguineum var striatum\u003c\/em\u003e, to me, the best-looking of them all.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePink:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Patricia is a favorite deep pink and is also one of the larger plants, up to 36.  Another sensational pink one thats only about 12 high  is Ballerina, from the \u003cem\u003eG. cinereum\u003c\/em\u003e species with large striped pink petals and dark centers, almost like a bicolored petunia. And more recently, Purple Pillow from this group gives us really red flowers with a purple sheen. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou cant have too many hardy geraniums. They are wonderful as edging in the front of a border, and equally impressive as mounded specimen plants anywhere.  If theyre sheared after bloom, many will do a complete repeat performance for you before fall.  If you dont have them in your garden, start your collection now.  Youll love them all.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472249999599,"sku":"AM014068","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/geraniumnewhampshirepurple1_2.jpg?v=1761078673"},{"product_id":"perennial-coral-bells-heuchera-georgia-peach","title":"Georgia Peach Coral Bells","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA whole new group for your garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e Coral Bells, or the \u003cem\u003eHeuchera\u003c\/em\u003e are a group of small perennials commonly found as native plants in North American woodlands, and they've been ignored until recently.  During the 1990s, some  enterprising US nurserymen realized the Coral Bells were diamonds in the rough, and went to work. Their efforts have created a mini-sensation in the world of perennials, as more and more gardeners discover these great plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Some of the natives are alpines from the Rockies, others are dwellers in lowland southeastern forests. But all have several wonderful things in common.  They have beautiful foliage, with large leaves in several colors that remind many of grape leaves, and the foliage lasts through the winter.  With hybridization, some of the foliage colors have become truly spectacular, with rich shades and fascinating bi-colors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow there are new \u003cem\u003eHeuchera\u003c\/em\u003e hybrids almost every year, and the group gains popularity all the time.  They take full sun or partial shade.  And while most of these are grown for their handsome foliage, many also have lovely flowers, some spectacular.  Best of all, the plants bloom for weeks and weeks. The flowers rise from a clump of leaves on elegant, thin stems which are lined with the small bell-like blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472250392815,"sku":"AM014066","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/heuchera-georgia-peach-coral-bells-brer03445_1.jpg?v=1761078674"},{"product_id":"perennial-daylily-frans-hals","title":"Frans Hals Daylily","description":"Frans Hals was the old Dutch painter whose most famous masterpiece was The Laughing Cavalier.  Can this be why Frans Hals was honored by the hybridizer with this Daylily? I think so.  This super-bright bi-color seems to laugh in the garden. Big clearly bi-colored flowers flaunt rich reddish orange petals alternated with pure golden ones. This is a true classic Daylily that belongs in every garden.\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Daylilies, the most popular perennials: \u003c\/strong\u003e It all started with the original wild orange Daylily.  Many Americans think the tough old orange Daylily they see in old gardens and along roadsides is a wildflower, but it really isn't.  No Daylily is native to North America; most hail from Asia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon't confuse them with the true lilies: \u003c\/strong\u003e Daylilies are not really lilies.  In fact, they are quite different.  As you know, true lilies grow on tall stems with flowers at the top.  Daylily flower stems (called scapes) are generally much shorter, and grow from a fountain of grass-like foliage at ground level. Daylilies are members of the genus, \u003cem\u003eHemerocallis, \u003c\/em\u003enot \u003cem\u003eLilium, \u003c\/em\u003ewhich is the genus name of true lilies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDaylily Roots, not bulbs\u003c\/strong\u003e  As all good gardeners know, Daylilies don't grow from bulbs like true lilies.  Daylilies form a mass of thickened, fleshy roots. These unique root systems hold so much moisture and nutrients, the plants can survive out of the ground for weeks.  This survival system, making them tough, and really easy to handle, is one of the reasons they're so popular today. They're also dependably hardy, so once you have them, you have them for years.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypes of Daylilies for today's gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The famous old orange Daylily and the well-known old Lemon Lily are not the only wild Daylilies,  just the most famous. There are 20 Daylily species, worldwide. Today from those 20 plants, more than 20,000 hybrids have been created, to satisfy gardeners who love Daylilies, and just cant get enough. Hybridizing Daylilies for various colors and styles is not new.  Famous old reliable hybrids like Catherine Woodbury--the lovely lavender and yellow bi-color--have been around for decades. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe re-bloomers for twice the bloom.\u003c\/strong\u003e Today's craze for re-blooming Daylilies all began with Stella D'Oro, the now-famous yellow dwarf Daylily that blooms once during late spring (the regular Daylily blooming season), and then again in late August and into fall.  Today, there are hundreds of re-bloomers, from dwarfs to full-size beauties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe latest and greatest:\u003c\/strong\u003e In any group of highly popular hybrids, there is always something newer and better.  Some real break-through successes of new types for their times are Daylilies like Victoria's Secret and Big Smile, with elaborately ruffled petals and clear contrasts of magnificent colors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472250753263,"sku":"AM014063","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/hemerocallis-daylily-orange-yellow-frans-hals.jpg?v=1761078675"},{"product_id":"perennial-delosperma-fire-spinner","title":"Fire Spinner® Ice Plant","description":"\u003cp class=\"richp\"\u003eFire Spinner ignites the summer garden with hot, neon colors on drought-resistant plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"richp\"\u003eIce Plant is the bright-flowered groundcover so common and loved on the West Coast, but hardly known at all in the east. Its a succulent, a lot like a short Sedum, but the flowers are the big thing--look at those sizzling hot pink daisies. Everybody loves them, and the plant spreads rapidly with trailing runners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are these plants so popular out west?\u003c\/strong\u003e Visit the Pacific coast, all the way from San Diego up to Seattle, and you'll see these little bright daisies everywhere--edging walks, filling planters, and adding great color under foundation plantings. Why don't we see them more in the east? See the story below, and get some going in your garden! Pick a site with full sun and gritty, sharp-draining soil, and add them to your garden. You'll be amazed at the big show!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e The Ice Plant story. \u003c\/strong\u003eGarden expert Todd Boland, a horticulturalist at The College of the North Atlantic, in Newfoundland, explains it all in one of his articles at DavesGarden.com.  It seems a famous garden expert named Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanical Garden is almost single-handedly responsible for introducing these beauties to the US. They are from South Africa, and Mr. Kelaidis traveled there to find new plants suitable for growing in the dry, gritty soils of our western states. The Delospermas he introduced are now great favorites, especially in California. But as Mr. Boland points out, there's no reason eastern and mid-western gardeners cant enjoy Ice Plants. Mr. Boland actually brings \u003cem\u003eD. cooperi\u003c\/em\u003e, one of the most cold-hardy, through his wet cold winters in Newfoundland, so don't worry about the plants hardiness!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe name?\u003c\/strong\u003e They're called Ice Plants because the succulent leaves produce clear crystals that glint in the sun and sometimes seem to appear as frost.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472251244783,"sku":"AM014060","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/delosperma_fire_spinnercc_39786_web_3.jpg?v=1761078676"},{"product_id":"perennial-peony-festiva-maxima","title":"Festiva Maxima Peony","description":"\u003cp\u003e34-36\" tall x 24-36\" wide. This world-famous peony was introduced in 1851 and has charmed gardeners ever since. ‘Festiva Maxima’ explodes each summer with an abundance of silky, pure-white petals accented with flecks of crimson. Young flower buds are laced in red and perfect for cutting just as they begin to crack open. After flowering, the deep-cut foliage makes a beautiful backdrop for subsequent blooms. Plant ‘Festiva Maxima’ in display and cutting gardens or anywhere you can enjoy their delightful fragrance. Peonies enjoy spring rains but are also drought tolerant once established. Dependable and long-lived, peonies require little care and experience few pest problems. Peonies thrive in abundant sunshine and rich, well-drained soils. Plants benefit from staking with rings after planting to hold bloom-laden stems upright. ‘Festiva Maxima’ is a dependable double peony for southern gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  If you live where peonies grow, its the same every year in late spring. Certain homes have them in beds, borders, along drives--and anywhere they grow, they create probably the most beautiful clump of flowering of the whole season. Big, usually fluffy flowers in glossy green foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerennial peonies are what experienced gardeners call investment plants. They're some of the most permanent landscaping you can buy.  In fact, many continue blooming beautifully for over 100 years. Once they're established, they're as hardy and dependable as oaks, creating a fantastic season of bloom in your yard year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e Adding peonies to your garden is not difficult.  All you need is full sun and good soil.  (In even partial shade, the bloom will be scant or non-existent--keep them out in the sun!)  As most gardeners know, the roots look like a bunch of carrots--thick long tapering tuber-like masses that increase every year. Feed them, water them, and the clumps will expand rapidly, and more and more blooms will result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypes of peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  The standard perennial peony species is \u003cem\u003ePaeonia lactiflora\u003c\/em\u003e but within the species, there are thousands of hybrids old and new.  And there are several flower types:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the huge, wide-open ones with just one row of overlapping petals. Like huge poppies, they create dinnerplate-size beauty that's really unmatched in the garden.  The singles are less frequently seen in American gardens because of our passion for petals-people just prefer the doubles. One of the most famous singles is the breathtaking Krinkled White, an old classic and still a big favorite. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e, not to be confused with Tree Peonies which often come from Japan, is a flower form somewhat similar to the singles, but with a more elaborate center.  A great example is the big favorite,  stunning Bowl of Beauty, with glistening cherry red petals petals plus fluffy yellow center, creating spectacular color contrast.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSemi-double Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are just that. They have the basic bottom row of large petals seen on the singles (often called the guard petals), but on top, there are more shorter petals, developing from the center.  A great example is the beautiful red Edulis Superba.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBomb Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the ones with the guard petals flat and large, with a pile of petaling sitting upon them-sort of like a fluffly snowball sitting on a plate. Some of the most-loved and dramatic peonies are bombs including the magnificent Laura Dessert and the dramatic Raspberry Sundae  As these two illustrate, there are bombs of various shapes and sizes.  With Raspberry Sundae, the large bomb not only adds size and height, it gives the overall bloom a stunning palette of three colors-white guard petals, a collar of yellow, and then pastel pink making up the center.  In Laura Dessert, the coloring is all white, with a hint of lemon yellow in the bomb. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDouble Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are probably the most popular, and the most widely planted.  Excellent examples are the famous Victorian introduction, Festiva Maxima with its snowy white flowers with red flecks, and Sarah Bernhardt, the all-time popular double pink with huge flowers and great fragrance. Other popular doubles are the red Karl Rosenfield and white Shirley Temple. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's really no end to a gardeners pleasure with peonies.  They're all good for cutting.  The foliage stays glossy and green all summer long, and they attract almost no pests. (Don't confuse the standard perennial peony with the Tree Peony, a separate group. Tree Peonies are more shrub like, and don't die down completely each winter.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is important, since once a peony is established, the heavy flowers are often too heavy for its stems. You don't have to stake them, but if you don't, you're going to have big beautiful flowers nodding down in the mud. So once you have a healthy clump, use peony rings to keep them upright. The rings are simply wheel-like wire arrangements that stand up over the peony like a little wire table as the plant sprouts in the spring.  With upright supports, the peony ring is placed so the shoots will grow up through the round wire bale.  Of course, the foliage quickly hides the ring, and you have a beautifully-supported clump well before the flowers open. Where to find Peony Rings? GardenersSupply.com has great ones which I've used, and I recommend them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472251539695,"sku":"AM014054","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/paeonia-peony-festiva-maxima-close-up_1.jpg?v=1761078677"},{"product_id":"perennial-violet-etain","title":"Etain Violet","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome gardeners have a strong love-hate relationship with violets, due to their tendency to spread and naturalize, but it all depends on where they are planted! Of course, everybody loves the flowers. Use them anywhere that you want a drift of blooms, expanding year after year, to delight and surprise you! We particularly love them along a woodland edge, or tucked throughout our shadier areas of lawn. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472252031215,"sku":"AM014052","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/violaetain1_2.jpg?v=1761078677"},{"product_id":"perennial-echinacea-white-swan","title":"White Swan Echinacea","description":"This is the white version of our famous plains native called Purple Coneflower, but better known today by its botanical name: \u003cem\u003eEchinacea.\u003c\/em\u003e  \u003cp\u003eFor years before it was a favorite of the herbal medicine industry, it was always one of the loveliest wildflowers on the plains. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis large pink-to-purple daisy is a mainstay of all well-grown wildflower meadows, and is also a major colormaker in perennial borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can easily grow the standard version of this great native plant from our seed (See our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/white-coneflower-wildflower-seeds-alba\"\u003eWildflower Seed Department\u003c\/a\u003e) but to save a year or more, and enjoy the hybrid forms,  its really easy to plug in these plants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472252391663,"sku":"AM014046","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/echinacea-white-swan-coneflower-garden.jpg?v=1761078678"},{"product_id":"perennial-echinacea-hot-coral","title":"Sombrero Poco™ Hot Coral Echinacea","description":"\u003cp\u003eSombrero Poco™ Hot Coral Echinacea is a sturdy, compact coneflower that makes a bold statement with an abundance of bright, non-fading blooms. Beautiful in the garden and as a cut flower. Its' compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for the front of a border, in containers, or tucked into small spaces throughout your garden. Echinacea is known to be bee friendly, butterfly attracting, and to have attractive seed heads that add winter interest and provide food for migrating birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSombrero Poco™ Hot Coral was featured as a top performer in a \u003ca tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/mtcubacenter.org\/research\/trial-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMt Cuba Center Trial Garden\u003c\/a\u003e Research Report. These reports evaluate native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value, highlighting the ecosystem services they provide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472252784879,"sku":"AM014045","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/sombrero-poco-hot-coral-echinacea-mtcuba-1.jpg?v=1761078679"},{"product_id":"perennial-delphinium-larkspur","title":"Dwarf Larkspur","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith all the glamour of tall garden delphiniums, this shorter Wild Larkspur requires no special care and is a real beauty in the wildflower garden. Only growing to 18”, it will create a stunning look in a border or container garden. Wild Larkspur is a favorite for wildflower gardens and is extremely easy to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472253210863,"sku":"AM014043","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/delphinium-tricorne-purple-dwarf-larkspur.jpg?v=1761078679"},{"product_id":"perennial-iris-dwarf-crested","title":"Dwarf Crested Iris","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis hardy little plant is often hard to find in garden centers, but it isn’t difficult to grow – making it a uniquely easy accent for a sunny or partly-shaded spot.  Strappy foliage rises to approximately six inches, then upward-facing blossoms open wide in shades of lilac-blue with a white and gold patch on the outer three petals. Like most iris, they should be planted with some of the rhizome visible above the soil in a well-draining spot.  Dwarf Crested Iris is an early spring bloomer, and thus makes a wonderful companion for primroses, or ephemeral beauties such as trout lilies and trillium. It’s a vigorous spreader, and can be used very successfully as a ground cover, particularly in woodland gardens where the dagger-like foliage will not be burned by the sun. This classic, often hard-to-find North American plant is great for wild gardens. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472253571311,"sku":"AM014042","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/iris-cristata-dwarf-crested-iris_3.jpg?v=1763572618"},{"product_id":"perennial-bleeding-heart-dutchmans-breeches","title":"Dutchman's Breeches","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the wild version of Bleeding Heart with white to rosy flowers arrayed along a stem, each one looking like a pair of pants, hung out to dry.  Its a small plant, usually under one foot, much smaller than our garden variety Bleeding Hearts.  Always a favorite with children and naturalists.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472253931759,"sku":"AM014041","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/dutchmans-breeches-woodland-wildflower.jpg?v=1761078680"},{"product_id":"perennial-astilbe-deutschland","title":"Deutschland Astilbe","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout Astilbes:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Easy to grow, tough and hardy, Astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens.  In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with Astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilities of moist, shaded American gardens.  They are companions of ferns and our favorite annuals, impatiens--one of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, that's why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing Sedums, Phlox, Campanulas....and his first love, Astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different Astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e These plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, Astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long.  They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472254292207,"sku":"AM014038","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/astilbe-japonica-false-spirea-white-deutschland.jpg?v=1761078681"},{"product_id":"perennial-daylily-prairie-blue-eyes","title":"Prairie Blue Eyes Daylily","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Daylilies, the most popular perennials: \u003c\/strong\u003e It all started with the original wild orange Daylily.  Many Americans think the tough old orange Daylily they see in old gardens and along roadsides is a wildflower, but it really isn't.  No Daylily is native to North America; most hail from Asia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon't confuse them with the true lilies: \u003c\/strong\u003e Daylilies are not really lilies.  In fact, they are quite different.  As you know, true lilies grow on tall stems with flowers at the top.  Daylily flower stems (called scapes) are generally much shorter, and grow from a fountain of grass-like foliage at ground level. Daylilies are members of the genus, \u003cem\u003eHemerocallis, \u003c\/em\u003enot \u003cem\u003eLilium, \u003c\/em\u003ewhich is the genus name of true lilies. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDaylily Roots, not bulbs\u003c\/strong\u003e  As all good gardeners know, Daylilies don't grow from bulbs like true lilies.  Daylilies form a mass of thickened, fleshy roots. These unique root systems hold so much moisture and nutrients, the plants can survive out of the ground for weeks.  This survival system, making them tough, and really easy to handle, is one of the reasons they're so popular today. They're also dependably hardy, so once you have them, you have them for years.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypes of Daylilies for today's gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The famous old orange Daylily and the well-known old Lemon Lily are not the only wild Daylilies,  just the most famous. There are 20 Daylily species, worldwide. Today from those 20 plants, more than 20,000 hybrids have been created, to satisfy gardeners who love Daylilies, and just cant get enough. Hybridizing Daylilies for various colors and styles is not new.  Famous old reliable hybrids like Catherine Woodbury--the lovely lavender and yellow bi-color--have been around for decades. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe re-bloomers for twice the bloom.\u003c\/strong\u003e Today's craze for re-blooming Daylilies all began with Stella D'Oro, the now-famous yellow dwarf Daylily that blooms once during late spring (the regular Daylily blooming season), and then again in late August and into fall.  Today, there are hundreds of re-bloomers, from dwarfs to full-size beauties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe latest and greatest:\u003c\/strong\u003e In any group of highly popular hybrids, there is always something newer and better.  Some real break-through successes of new types for their times are Daylilies like Victoria's Secret and Big Smile, with elaborately ruffled petals and clear contrasts of magnificent colors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472254587119,"sku":"AM014027","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/daylily-prairie-blue-eyes-hemerocallis_1.jpg?v=1761078682"},{"product_id":"perennial-celandine-poppy","title":"Celandine Poppy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Calendine Poppy brings cheer to the Woodland garden in the summertime, boasting full, sunny-yellow blooms and blue-green foliage. This plant is native to the United States and naturalizes easily, making it the perfect choice for most gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":49588511375599,"sku":"AM013992","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/stylophorum-diphyllum-celandine-poppy-woods.jpg?v=1761078683"},{"product_id":"perennial-cardinal-flower-red","title":"Cardinal Flower","description":"The stunning Cardinal Flower is one of our most famous native plants, and usually called Americas most vivid native flower.  Each summer, brilliant red Cardinal Flower lights up the August woods all over the east, and new generations of hikers are always thrilled when they come across it in our forests.  Of course, the fact that it does not bloom in spring, but adds color later, makes it of huge value in a wild garden.\u003cp\u003eThis famous plant is native all the way from Quebec and Minnesota south to Florida and Texas. It is so beautiful it is over picked and now quite rare in some areas.  However, if conditions are right (wet, mostly) it will grow easily, even in full sun, but is usually found as a woodland beauty along streambanks or near ponds where the soil is always moist.  It is even happy growing right in the shallow water of small creeks and brooks. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tells you that you must supply constant moisture for Cardinal Flower, and if you do, the rewards are spectacular.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Lobelia cardinalis\u003c\/strong\u003e  Allen Armitage, the famous perennial expert writes in his Armitages Native Plants that Cardinal Flower is a short lived perennial but if...(conditions are good)... it will return many years.  This is correct.  It is not difficult to grow at all; it is simply difficult to maintain a clump of plants over the years, unless you are attentive.  Armitage tells us he believes the plants do best in full sun.  I found the opposite growing them in Vermont.  But sun or shade, the most important item is the moisture.  The roots should never really dry out.  We had many growing along a small brook in the middle of a wooded garden (See photo above).  All went well, and the plants performed with bigger and bigger flower spikes each year, until.....we had a spring flood one year. The brook raged out of its banks, and the rushing water uprooted all the plants and swept them away.  So that year, we had to start over with new plants.  They have very shallow roots, and come out of the mud easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wild beauty is one that you must watch, and you'll learn to love it.  It grows quickly and easily, but it has two very powerful enemies--people who love to pick it, destroying the display, and either too little or too much (rushing) water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472255308015,"sku":"AM013990","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/cardinal-flower-lobelia-cardinalis-flowers.jpg?v=1761078684"},{"product_id":"perennial-salvia-caradonna","title":"Caradonna Meadow Sage","description":"Caradonna adds drama to the Salvia group. Its stems are dark purple, appearing jet black in some light, and adding great contrast with the blue flowers. This plant is a head-turner.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472255733999,"sku":"AM013989","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/salvia-caradonna-sage-purple.jpg?v=1761078684"},{"product_id":"perennial-butterfly-bush-hot-raspberry","title":"Buzz® Hot Raspberry Butterfly Bush","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Magic: How the Butterfly Bush works: \u003c\/strong\u003e Buddleia or Butterfly Bush has been a sensation in American gardens for years, and no wonder.  This plant is easy to grow, blooms profusely, and has that magical quality:  Butterflies can’t resist it.   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's why: It’s not just the pretty flowers that attract the butterflies, like any bright flower.  Buddleias emit a special honey-scented fragrance that lures butterflies like a moth to a light, and then once there, they find the flowers super-rich in nectar.  \u003c\/p\u003e\nA butterfly bush in the garden will often be seen with a mass of butterflies on the flowers, especially during hot sunny afternoons.  Buddleias attract other insects too, like moths, and the reddish ones strongly attract hummingbirds.  So it’s more than a name; it’s actually a botanical phenomenon.","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472256159983,"sku":"AM013983","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/butterfly-bush-buzz-hot-raspberry_phen00252_800x800_1.jpg?v=1761078685"},{"product_id":"perennial-phlox-bright-eyes","title":"Bright Eyes Phlox","description":"\u003cp\u003eLets be honest.  Some of the more unusually colored hybrids seem to come and go, over the years..  But never this one. This time-tested two-tone is permanent, once you get it growing.  And it continues to grow in popularity.  It spreads as easily and vigorously as the solid white or any other tall phlox.  Bright Eyes is a must-have cultivar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Phlox should be the backbone of your garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e  Theyre beautiful.  Theyre easy. And no matter what else you grow, you cant beat their display. In fact, probably no group of plants adds more color to American perennial gardens than phlox.  They just happen to be the perfect plant--tall enough to show the flowers over the others, heavy bloomers at the right time with big colorful flowerheads, and best of all--a nice long season of bloom. Most every good perennial garden has an extra measure of phlox plants. In yours, plant a few and then notice which do the best, and then get more of those.  Repeated color groups in the garden assure the great colorful display everyone wants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe one problem: Mildew. Be ready.\u003c\/strong\u003e Theres no escaping it. All Tall Garden Phlox (except the famously mildew-resistant David) are usually attacked by powdery mildew.  Its a sort of grey dust-like blight youll start noticing on the leaves, just as the plants have grown up and are getting ready to bloom.  The minute you see it, go directly to the garden center and buy a container of fungicide for phlox mildew. I know it sounds like trouble, but its really not, and believe me, its worth it.  If you ignore the mildew, your beautiful phlox plants will be an ugly shriveled mess in just a couple of weeks. It doesnt kill the plants, it just ruins them for the year.  Some say good air circulation prevents it, but dont you believe it.  Phlox simply get mildew, and you need to spray, probably just once...then your plants will go right on and bloom all summer for you with beautiful leaves and flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheyre great for cutting, too.\u003c\/strong\u003e Need a big bouquet?  Just of few of these multi-flowered stems will do the trick, with lovely fragrance and fabulous color. Add a few lilies, and you have a knock-out arrangement anyone can do.  So be sure to grow enough phlox for cutting, too.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eAfter bloom, simply cut down the flower stems about halfway,  (Its not botanically correct, but lots of gardeners snap them; the strong stiff stems snap off easily) and your tough, hardy plants will be ready to light up for you again next year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYes, theyre North American Natives.\u003c\/strong\u003e Very few American gardeners know it, but almost all phlox species are North American wildflowers, as native as our goldenrods and black-eyed susans.  But since we ignored them for years, European hybridizers (mostly German) took the wild versions back to Europe and created the fantastic hybrids we all enjoy today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472256520431,"sku":"AM013978","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/phlox_paniculata_bright_eyes.jpg?v=1761078686"},{"product_id":"perennial-peony-bowl-of-beauty","title":"Bowl of Beauty Peony","description":"\u003cp\u003e24-36\" tall x 24-36\" wide. 'Bowl of Beauty' is a single-flowered peony instantly recognizable by its bright pink outer petals and frilly yellow centers. This deer-resistant, long-lived, easy-care perennial is excellent for foundation plantings, landscape beds, and perennial gardens. Plant once and leave it alone to flourish! Huge blooms open in late spring to be 7-10 inches across. Cut flowers before they open to enjoy indoors for up to two weeks. When flowering is finished, simply cut back the bloom stalks to the ground and enjoy the foliage for the rest of the summer. Leaves stay green all season and make a nice backdrop for other, later-flowering plants. Grow 'Bowl of Beauty' peonies in full sun in well-drained soil. Barely cover the eyes when planting. If they're too deep, they won’t flower. Like other garden peonies, Bowl of Beauty plants are deer resistant, so perfect for adding spring color for areas where deer are a problem.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  If you live where peonies grow, its the same every year in late spring. Certain homes have them in beds, borders, along drives--and anywhere they grow, they create probably the most beautiful clump of flowering of the whole season. Big, usually fluffy flowers in glossy green foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerennial peonies are what experienced gardeners call investment plants. They're some of the most permanent landscaping you can buy.  In fact, many continue blooming beautifully for over 100 years. Once they're established, they're as hardy and dependable as oaks, creating a fantastic season of bloom in your yard year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e Adding peonies to your garden is not difficult.  All you need is full sun and good soil.  (In even partial shade, the bloom will be scant or non-existent--keep them out in the sun!)  As most gardeners know, the roots look like a bunch of carrots--thick long tapering tuber-like masses that increase every year. Feed them, water them, and the clumps will expand rapidly, and more and more blooms will result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypes of peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  The standard perennial peony species is \u003cem\u003ePaeonia lactiflora\u003c\/em\u003e but within the species, there are thousands of hybrids old and new.  And there are several flower types:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the huge, wide-open ones with just one row of overlapping petals. Like huge poppies, they create dinnerplate-size beauty that's really unmatched in the garden.  The singles are less frequently seen in American gardens because of our passion for petals-people just prefer the doubles. One of the most famous singles is the breathtaking Krinkled White, an old classic and still a big favorite. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e, not to be confused with Tree Peonies which often come from Japan, is a flower form somewhat similar to the singles, but with a more elaborate center.  A great example is the big favorite,  stunning Bowl of Beauty, with glistening cherry red petals petals plus fluffy yellow center, creating spectacular color contrast.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSemi-double Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are just that. They have the basic bottom row of large petals seen on the singles (often called the guard petals), but on top, there are more shorter petals, developing from the center.  A great example is the beautiful red Edulis Superba.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBomb Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the ones with the guard petals flat and large, with a pile of petaling sitting upon them-sort of like a fluffly snowball sitting on a plate. Some of the most-loved and dramatic peonies are bombs including the magnificent Laura Dessert and the dramatic Raspberry Sundae  As these two illustrate, there are bombs of various shapes and sizes.  With Raspberry Sundae, the large bomb not only adds size and height, it gives the overall bloom a stunning palette of three colors-white guard petals, a collar of yellow, and then pastel pink making up the center.  In Laura Dessert, the coloring is all white, with a hint of lemon yellow in the bomb. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDouble Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are probably the most popular, and the most widely planted.  Excellent examples are the famous Victorian introduction, Festiva Maxima with its snowy white flowers with red flecks, and Sarah Bernhardt, the all-time popular double pink with huge flowers and great fragrance. Other popular doubles are the red Karl Rosenfield and white Shirley Temple. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's really no end to a gardeners pleasure with peonies.  They're all good for cutting.  The foliage stays glossy and green all summer long, and they attract almost no pests. (Don't confuse the standard perennial peony with the Tree Peony, a separate group. Tree Peonies are more shrub like, and don't die down completely each winter.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is important, since once a peony is established, the heavy flowers are often too heavy for its stems. You don't have to stake them, but if you don't, you're going to have big beautiful flowers nodding down in the mud. So once you have a healthy clump, use peony rings to keep them upright. The rings are simply wheel-like wire arrangements that stand up over the peony like a little wire table as the plant sprouts in the spring.  With upright supports, the peony ring is placed so the shoots will grow up through the round wire bale.  Of course, the foliage quickly hides the ring, and you have a beautifully-supported clump well before the flowers open. Where to find Peony Rings? GardenersSupply.com has great ones which I've used, and I recommend them. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472256848111,"sku":"AM013977","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/paeonia-lactiflora-bowl-of-beauty-flower_1.jpg?v=1761078686"},{"product_id":"perennial-salvia-blue-hill","title":"Blue Hill Meadow Sage","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue Hill is a shorter Salvia, blooming a lilac blue color and wonderfully fragrant.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472257274095,"sku":"AM013973","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/salvia-hummingbird.jpg?v=1761078687"},{"product_id":"perennial-butterfly-bush-black-knight","title":"Black Knight Butterfly Bush","description":"\u003cp\u003eMany gardeners plant several butterfly bushes together, so they grow into a shrub-like clump with blooms in all the colors--purple, pink and white. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Butterfly Bush is a shrub-like plant that looks sort of like a compact lilac, grows quickly and blooms in mid-summer.  But the name tells you all about it: Butterflies just can’t resist the flowers, and flock to the plants when they're in bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Magic: How the Butterfly Bush works: \u003c\/strong\u003e Buddleia or Butterfly Bush has been a sensation in American gardens for years, and no wonder.  This plant is easy to grow, blooms profusely, and has that magical quality:  Butterflies can’t resist it.   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere's why: It’s not just the pretty flowers that attract the butterflies, like any bright flower.  Buddleias emit a special honey-scented fragrance that lures butterflies like a moth to a light, and then once there, they find the flowers super-rich in nectar. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e A butterfly bush in the garden will often be seen with a mass of butterflies on the flowers, especially during hot sunny afternoons.  Buddleias attract other insects too, like moths, and the reddish ones strongly attract hummingbirds.  So it’s more than a name; it’s actually a botanical phenomenon. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472257601775,"sku":"AM013970","price":13.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/butterfly-bush-buddleja-black-knight-purple.jpg?v=1761078688"},{"product_id":"perennial-black-cohosh","title":"Black Cohosh","description":"Also called American Bugbane, Fairy Candles, and sometimes Black Snakeroot, this wild perennial is more popular with gardeners all the time. Up to 8 ft tall, it's great in the woodland border garden, where it's towers of flowers will light up the woods.  \u003cp\u003eBlack Cohosh likes wet woods, thickets, and is native all the way from Eastern Canada into Georgia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the way, this is one native that has recently been reclassified.  Most still call it Cimicifuga racemosa, but the official botanical name is now \u003cem\u003eActaea racemosa.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472258027759,"sku":"AM013969","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/black-cohosh-white-blooms.jpg?v=1761078689"},{"product_id":"perennial-joe-pye-weed-baby-joe","title":"Baby Joe Joe Pye Weed","description":"Rising 2-3 ft. tall, 'Baby Joe' Dwarf Joe Pye Weed blooms with big hydrangea-like lavender blooms on the top of every stem in late summer and fall. \u003cp\u003eYou see Joe Pye Weed over most of the east in roadside ditches, since it seeks sunny wet spots.  It usually blooms with the goldenrods.  There are now several hybrids offered for perennial gardens, but most wild gardeners think the wild version is best.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472258322671,"sku":"AM013965","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/eupatorium-joe-pye-weed-baby-joe_3.jpg?v=1761078690"},{"product_id":"perennial-sedum-autumn-joy","title":"Autumn Joy Sedum","description":"\u003cp\u003eSedums, like Hostas and have become staples in American perennial gardens in recent years.  And this one, Autumn Joy, is the one responsible.  This incredible plant is now at or near the top of everyone's list of the best perennial flowers of them all. Nothing beats it for late color in the border. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Sedums add color from midsummer through early fall, when most other flowers are waning.  And Autumn Joy, particularly, lights up with bright pink to orangey flowerheads giving any garden a needed lift for a long period.   Like other valuable mainstays of perennial display, the bloom lasts for weeks and weeks.   \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472258781423,"sku":"AM013964","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/sedum_autumn_joy_1_1.jpg?v=1761078690"},{"product_id":"perennial-astilbe-younique-silvery-pink","title":"Silvery Pink Astilbe","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Astilbes:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Easy to grow, tough and hardy, Astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens.  In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with Astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilities of moist, shaded American gardens.  They are companions of ferns and our favorite annuals, impatiens--one of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, that's why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing Sedums, Phlox, Campanulas....and his first love, Astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different Astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e These plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, Astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long.  They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472259141871,"sku":"AM013961","price":16.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/astilbe_younique_silvery_pink.jpg?v=1761078691"},{"product_id":"perennial-astilbe-key-west","title":"Key West Astilbe","description":"Named after the famous Key West pink (bright, bright pink) that derives from the beautiful hue on the inside of the Queen Conch shell, this plant literally lights up any shady area. (The Queen Conch is the symbol of Floridas Southernmost island city.)  \u003cp\u003eEasy to grow, tough and hardy, astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens.  In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilites of moist, shaded American gardens.  Astilbes are companions of ferns and impatiens--some of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, thats why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing sedums, phlox, campanulas....and his first love, astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long.  They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472259535087,"sku":"AM013960","price":16.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/astilbekeywest_4.jpg?v=1761078691"},{"product_id":"perennial-astilbe-peach-blossom","title":"Peach Blossom Astilbe","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is really the Astilbe that started it all.  Introduced way back in 1903, Peach Blossom is still one of the top choices for American gardens. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout Astilbes:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Easy to grow, tough and hardy, Astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens.  In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with Astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilities of moist, shaded American gardens.  They are companions of ferns and our favorite annuals, impatiens--one of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, that's why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing Sedums, Phlox, Campanulas....and his first love, Astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different Astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e These plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, Astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long.  They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472260059375,"sku":"AM013958","price":16.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/astilbepeachblossom_1.jpg?v=1761078692"},{"product_id":"perennial-hydrangea-annabelle","title":"Annabelle Snowball Hydrangea","description":"\u003cp\u003eA heavy bloomer with mass appeal, ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea illuminates the shade garden. Plants bloom for up to two months in June and July, with flower heads remaining attractive all summer and into the fall. Some gardeners even enjoy a small repeat bloom in autumn. ‘Annabelle’ flowers are excellent for fresh-cut or dried arrangements. Large, dark green foliage accents the bright blooms in the garden. Plants flower on the current season’s growth, also called new wood. Pruning stems back to the ground in late winter encourages growth of strong new stems. ‘Annabelle’ grows in a rounded mound, making a shapely accent in the woodland garden. Also great for massing in mixed beds and perennial borders, or naturalizing in native plantings. ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea has no serious insect or disease problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Annabelle' was featured as an honorable mention in a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mtcubacenter.org\/research\/trial-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMt Cuba Center Trial Garden\u003c\/a\u003e Research Report. These reports evaluate native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value, highlighting the ecosystem services they provide. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3.5\" Pot","offer_id":49588503544047,"sku":"AM013942","price":13.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/hydrangea_annabelle__4__800x800_rgb.jpg?v=1761078693"},{"product_id":"perennial-astilbe-amethyst","title":"Amethyst Astilbe","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout Astilbes:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Easy to grow, tough and hardy, Astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens.  In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with Astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilities of moist, shaded American gardens.  They are companions of ferns and our favorite annuals, impatiens--one of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.  \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, that's why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing Sedums, Phlox, Campanulas....and his first love, Astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different Astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e These plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, Astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long.  They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472260747503,"sku":"AM013938","price":17.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/astilbe-arendsii-false-spirea-purple-amethyst.jpg?v=1761078694"},{"product_id":"perennial-hydrangea-all-summer-beauty","title":"All Summer Beauty Mophead Hydrangea","description":"\u003cp\u003e36-48” tall x 36-60” wide. Like other hydrangeas, ‘All Summer Beauty’, puts on a big show in early summer, but doesn’t stop there. Sporadic blooms emerge throughout the summer with a stunning encore late in the season. Flowers are long lasting and hold their color, gradually fading as they dry. The blooms are perfect for fresh and dry bouquets, or can be left on the plant for continued interest through fall and winter. A backdrop of lush green foliage forms a large mound on this deciduous shrub. With season-long color, ‘All Summer Beauty’ makes an ideal specimen or accent plant. Try planting in containers on the patio or massing for big impact in the shrub border. Plants benefit from a shady location in southern gardens, but tolerate more sun farther north. Prune to shape plants after early summer flowering. No serious insect or disease problems. \u003c\/p\u003e \n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Hydrangeas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHydrangea shrubs are native to the US and Asia and produce showy flowers throughout the summer season. There are many varieties available, each showcasing differing bloom colors, flower shapes, overall heights\/spreads, levels of winter hardiness, and abilities to be grown in containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"Blooms on old\/new wood\" mean and what does that have to do with winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome hydrangeas produce buds that will turn into flowers on old wood (also called \"last year's growth\"), while others produce blooms on new wood (aka \"this year's growth\") and still others will flower on both old and new wood. This detail is especially valuable for cold-climate gardeners who may be apt to lose some of their hydrangea branches to breakage from heavy snow and ice, or who may see developing buds killed off by late spring frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor these gardeners, losing old growth branches and young buds could mean missing out on hydrangea flowers the following summer. Choosing a variety that blooms on new wood (or both types of growth) is extra insurance; it means that regardless of your winter and late-spring weather, you can still count on your shrub to produce flowers come summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLikewise, warm-climate gardeners who choose varieties that only bloom on new wood, will have to make it a point to prune their hydrangea shrubs in order to encourage new buds to form. A simple task for sure, but one that needs to be remembered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"Bloom color depends on soil type\" mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe color of most hydrangea blooms are directly tied to the mineral make up of your soil and its overall pH. To really see bold colors, you'll have the best results when planting in containers, which will allow you to create your preferred soil conditions at planting time. Although soil pH can be changed directly in the garden bed, it often takes more than one season to see results. \u003cem\u003eThe color of native Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) cannot be changed.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcid soils\u003c\/strong\u003e (with a pH below 7) produce purple-to-blue blooms, with the brightest blue blooms resulting from the most-acidic soils. To coax your hydrangeas into producing blue blooms, you can amend your soil with sulfur, or mulch your plants with a pine and\/or cedar needle mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkaline soils\u003c\/strong\u003e (with a pH above 7) produce pink blooms. The more alakaline (or sweet) your soil is, the deeper pink your blooms will be. This can be achieved by adding lime around your planting area. It is, however, more difficult to turn hydrangea blooms pink because as a general rule, most plants struggle to be healthy in soils with a pH above 7.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHydrangea Types\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany hydrangeas today are available in a range of heights and bloom cycles, regardless of their overall type. For example, you can find Mopheads that bloom on new growth and Panicles that are container-friendly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMopheads:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Hydrangea macrophylla)\u003c\/em\u003e The most well-known (yet least cold hardy) hydrangea, Mopheads are known for their oversized blooms that come in two flower types - Lacecaps and Pom-poms. Also known as \"Bigleaf\" hydrangeas, the foliage on Mopheads is quite enormous and delivers a lot of greenery to the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePanicle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Hydrangea paniculata)\u003c\/em\u003e Huge, cone-shaped blooms and excellent cold hardiness are the hallmarks of the Panicle hydrangea. Their arching branches and plentiful blooms also tolerate more sun than other varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmooth\/ Snowball:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Hydrangea arborescens)\u003c\/em\u003e Also known as \"Wild\" Hydrangeas, these shrubs are native to the eastern US - and while their color cannot be altered by changing soil pH, their blooms tend to turn a pale green as fall approaches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMountain:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Hydrangea serrata)\u003c\/em\u003e More compact than Mopheads and presenting dainty lacecap blooms and smaller leaves, these hydrangeas are native to the mountains of Korea and Japan where they're known as 'Tea of Heaven'. They're known for a slightly weeping shape and a long season of blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOakleafs:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Hydrangea quercifolia)\u003c\/em\u003e Native to the eastern\/southeastern US, Oakleafs have deeply-lobed foliage that changes color dramatically in autumn. Very cold hardy with showy, elongated blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/perennials\/how-to-choose-the-best-hydrangea\"\u003eHow to Choose the Right Hydrangeas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3.5\" Pot","offer_id":49588501315823,"sku":"AM013934","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/hydrangea-garden-blue-flowers.jpg?v=1761078695"},{"product_id":"perennial-aster-alert","title":"Alert Aster","description":"\u003cp\u003e'Alert' Aster is a member of the famous dwarf aster group. Growing a dwarf aster is one of the very best ways you can assure some fall blooms for your meadow or garden.  They are simple to handle and hardy as oaks. 'Alert' Aster stays short, and will fill it's space with a neat, low green tuft that bursts into bloom in late summer with deep purple to crimson, starry flowers. After about two years, you can dig up two or three plants, and divide them into twenty...and then replant yourself a huge patch, or have yards of edging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dwarf \u003cem\u003eAster dumosis\u003c\/em\u003e (now Symphyotrichum dumosum) hybrids resulted from a cross between wild \u003cem\u003eAster nova novi-belgii,\u003c\/em\u003e the much taller New York Aster,  with another wild aster from the Pacific northwest.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Plant - 3\" Pot","offer_id":46472262222063,"sku":"AM013933","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/aster-alert-purple-garden-flowers.jpg?v=1761078695"},{"product_id":"perennial-red-hot-poker-alcazar","title":"Red Hot Poker Alcazar","description":"\u003cp\u003e40-48\" tall x 24-36\" wide, brilliant 'Alcazar' grows up to 4 feet tall, displaying its signature bright red and yellow flower-spikes. Known as Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily, its flowers are red when freshly-opened and fade to yellow as they age, recalling a candle flame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Alcazar' is an excellent choice for creating focal points at the back of the border or in the center of island beds, where their showy blooms will draw in butterflies and hummingbirds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Tip: \u003c\/strong\u003e An easy to grow plant, Red Hot Poker is from South Africa and requires full sun and sharp-draining soil. While its used to rocky and poor soils, it  won't tolerate wet, mushy sites with standing water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 3","offer_id":46472262648047,"sku":"AM013932","price":18.65,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/kniphofia-red-hot-poker-hummingbird.jpg?v=1761078696"},{"product_id":"perennial-peony-moon-river","title":"Moon River Peony","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  If you live where peonies grow, its the same every year in late spring. Certain homes have them in beds, borders, along drives--and anywhere they grow, they create probably the most beautiful clump of flowering of the whole season. Big, usually fluffy flowers in glossy green foliage.\u003cp\u003ePerennial peonies are what experienced gardeners call investment plants. They're some of the most permanent landscaping you can buy.  In fact, many continue blooming beautifully for over 100 years. Once they're established, they're as hardy and dependable as oaks, creating a fantastic season of bloom in your yard year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e Adding peonies to your garden is not difficult.  All you need is full sun and good soil.  (In even partial shade, the bloom will be scant or non-existent--keep them out in the sun!)  As most gardeners know, the roots look like a bunch of carrots--thick long tapering tuber-like masses that increase every year. Feed them, water them, and the clumps will expand rapidly, and more and more blooms will result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypes of peonies:\u003c\/strong\u003e  The standard perennial peony species is \u003cem\u003ePaeonia lactiflora\u003c\/em\u003e but within the species, there are thousands of hybrids old and new.  And there are several flower types:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSingle Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the huge, wide-open ones with just one row of overlapping petals. Like huge poppies, they create dinnerplate-size beauty that's really unmatched in the garden.  The singles are less frequently seen in American gardens because of our passion for petals-people just prefer the doubles. One of the most famous singles is the breathtaking Krinkled White, an old classic and still a big favorite. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e, not to be confused with Tree Peonies which often come from Japan, is a flower form somewhat similar to the singles, but with a more elaborate center.  A great example is the big favorite,  stunning Bowl of Beauty, with glistening cherry red petals petals plus fluffy yellow center, creating spectacular color contrast.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSemi-double Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are just that. They have the basic bottom row of large petals seen on the singles (often called the guard petals), but on top, there are more shorter petals, developing from the center.  A great example is the beautiful red Edulis Superba.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBomb Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are the ones with the guard petals flat and large, with a pile of petaling sitting upon them-sort of like a fluffly snowball sitting on a plate. Some of the most-loved and dramatic peonies are bombs including the magnificent Laura Dessert and the dramatic Raspberry Sundae  As these two illustrate, there are bombs of various shapes and sizes.  With Raspberry Sundae, the large bomb not only adds size and height, it gives the overall bloom a stunning palette of three colors-white guard petals, a collar of yellow, and then pastel pink making up the center.  In Laura Dessert, the coloring is all white, with a hint of lemon yellow in the bomb. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDouble Peonies\u003c\/strong\u003e are probably the most popular, and the most widely planted.  Excellent examples are the famous Victorian introduction, Festiva Maxima with its snowy white flowers with red flecks, and Sarah Bernhardt, the all-time popular double pink with huge flowers and great fragrance. Other popular doubles are the red Karl Rosenfield and white Shirley Temple. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's really no end to a gardeners pleasure with peonies.  They're all good for cutting.  The foliage stays glossy and green all summer long, and they attract almost no pests. (Don't confuse the standard perennial peony with the Tree Peony, a separate group. Tree Peonies are more shrub like, and don't die down completely each winter.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is important, since once a peony is established, the heavy flowers are often too heavy for its stems. You don't have to stake them, but if you don't, you're going to have big beautiful flowers nodding down in the mud. So once you have a healthy clump, use peony rings to keep them upright. The rings are simply wheel-like wire arrangements that stand up over the peony like a little wire table as the plant sprouts in the spring.  With upright supports, the peony ring is placed so the shoots will grow up through the round wire bale.  Of course, the foliage quickly hides the ring, and you have a beautifully-supported clump well before the flowers open.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472263008495,"sku":"AM014984","price":25.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/peony_paeonia_lactiflora_moon_river.jpg?v=1773865705"},{"product_id":"perennial-itoh-peony-canary-brilliance","title":"Canary Brilliants Itoh Peony","description":"\u003cp\u003eIntersectional Peonies are hybrids between woody Tree Peonies and herbaceous Garden peonies. These hybrids are relatively new creations, with the first successful intersectional crosses being made in 1948. These hybrids are called “Itoh peonies” after Mr. Toichi Itoh, a Japanese hybridizer who created the first intersectional Peony. the result is a disease resistant plant with a longer blooming season, due to their ability to produce preliminary and secondary buds once the plant is established. Its lower compact habit and sturdier stems allows it to support up to 30 flowers per well-established plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntersection, or “Itoh” Peonies are very easy to grow in full sun in well-drained soil. Make sure the crowns are planted 1 to 2 inches deep and no deeper. If peonies are planted too deep, they may not bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AMI Production","offers":[{"title":"Bag of 1","offer_id":46472263467247,"sku":"AM014981","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/files\/peony-canary-brillants-paeonia_visi61362_800x800_color-change.jpg?v=1761078698"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/9535\/6399\/collections\/daydream-perennial-darwin-tulip_haka.jpg?v=1774898883","url":"https:\/\/www.americanmeadows.com\/collections\/perennial-plants.oembed?page=12","provider":"American Meadows","version":"1.0","type":"link"}