Serenity in the Garden

In 2013 the  Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)  announced its " Plant of the Centenary" - the best plant introduced at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK in the last hundred years (1913 - 2013). Top horticulturalists helped to nominate the 10-plant shortlist and the public voted and decided that Geranium Rozanne is the best overall plant.  Right now, in August, you can see why they chose this plant - it is a sturdy perennial that requires little attention and is covered with beautiful, violet-blue flowers growing atop mounds of deeply cut, green foliage. Geranium Rozanne, Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' and Blue Annual Salvia at NYBG  - photo by Jan Johnsen  It flowers in profusion from June to frost. Midsummer heat does not deter the flowers and the plants are spreading but not sprawling. It is mounding and can be planted above rocks and walls to great effect. The blue color of the flowers deepens as the weather gets cooler. This is the true peren

Time to try some luscious flowers in a pot or in the garden....here are some for your consideration: PEONY 'SORBET' ( Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sorbet’) The unusual pink and white 5-7" double blooms of this hybrid are  delectable! The fragrant flowers look amazing in early summer and the handsome foliage turns red in autumn. These bushy plants grow up to 4' tall and require little care. Suitable for any climate and soil type. Space 36-48" apart. Zones:  3-8     Light:  Full Sun to Partial Shade Deer tend to avoid. LOLLIPOP HELENIUM    Helenium puberoleum Round, chocolate-brown flower heads with rustic yellow and bronze highlights provide a bright display that blooms summer and lasts well into autumn. Globe-shaped blooms make a pretty contrast to vertical blades of Iris. Loves sun. Zones:  4-9     Deer Resistant  'BLUSHING SUMMER VALENTINE'  DAYLILY   Bloom Period June-July Sun Exposure Sun Soil Type Any with care Height 24 in.

Fire Marshall Bee Balm General Beebalm  ( Monarda)   is a favorite perennial flower with a striking display of richly-colored flowers through the summer months.   The variety, Monarda 'Fire Marshall',  is a hummingbird magnet and has excellent tolerance to mildew.   A hybrid between U.S. natives  Monarda  'Marshall's Delight' &  M.  'Jacob Cline', it is more compact than 'Jacob Cline'. Its bright red, over-sized flowers add a vibrant pop to the landscape throughout the summer.  'Fire Mar shall' Bee Balm grows 24 to 36 inches tall, with bright red, shaggy  flowers.  The flowers are a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds, growing above the foliage in the mid to late summer.  Good clump forming habit.  The leaves have a nice fragrance and are  significantly more resistant to powdery mildew than most older varieties.     Deer and rabbits largely leave it alone. A great cut flower. Add this new version of a classic