Daylily, Peonies, Dahlias, Liatris, Autumn Fern
by Dayna Carter
Peonies – Topping the list are these delicate beauties. They will continue to bloom long after you have sold your house or your property. They are real showstoppers in the garden especially since they are the first to bloom in the spring. They do tend to be expensive but worth every penny because they are so hardy and gorgeous.
Growing Tip: When tubers are planted the crown should be even with the ground. You can mulch on top of it but don’t cover it with soil. Keep an eye on the newly formed buds because any type of fungus will either prevent them from opening or the blooms will be deformed. Catching and treating those problems will make all the difference.
Dahlias – These flowers come in a variety of shapes and colors. After the first season simply dig them up either after the first hard frost or early spring. The tuber originally planted will have developed 5 or more new tubers. By dividing and planting those new tubers you now have 5x the plants. The other advantage is the various sizes of dahlias. From tiny pocket dahlias (a few inches tall) to dinner plate dahlias that can grow to 6 ft tall.
Liatris – Commonly known as Blazing Star, will produce tall spikes that come in either purple or white. They will bloom all summer and will add vertical interest to your garden. Give them a permanent sunny place to be and they will reward you all summer.
Lilies – Daylilies may only last a day, but they are workhorses. The bulbs are inexpensive and readily available. The hybrids and Asian allies are sturdier and last longer but are more expensive. Regardless of what type you choose, these are easy to grow. They can be featured alone in a flower bed.
Autumn Fern – This fern can take some sunshine and does well in zone 7A and 7B. Interesting foliage that starts off as burnt orange and eventually becomes green. This fern gets very large both in width & height in a few short years.
Gardener Dayna Carter, volunteers with GC Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more info, 501-623-6841 or adykes@uaex.edu.
