plant list 7

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Hibiscus (anual)

Common Name: Chinese hibiscus Type: Broadleaf evergreen Family: Malvaceae Native Range: Tropical Asia, China Zone: 9 to 11 Height: 4.00 to 10.00 feet Spread: 5.00 to 8.00 feet Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer Bloom Description: Red to dark red Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Annual, Hedge Flower: Showy Leaf: Evergreen Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies Tolerate: Deer Garden locations Culture Chinese hibiscus is a tropical evergreen shrub that is winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-11 where it is best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants appreciate being sited in locations protected from strong winds. In the St. Louis area, plants may be grown in containers that are overwintered indoors. They also may be grown in sunny rooms (bright light but not full sun) as houseplants. Plants may also be purchased in containers in spring and grown as annuals. Plants appreciate consistent moisture and high humidity. Regular watering, misting and fertilization during the growing season are advisable. Roots should never dry out. Set container in a bed of moist pebbles to increase humidity. Plants are sensitive to changing conditions. During the growing season, moving containers to different locations or changing temperatures or poor light may result in bud drop. Plants should be overwintered in 60 degree F. locations with reduced watering and reduced fertilization. Prune out 1/3 of old wood plus cut back stems by 1/2 in early spring to keep plants healthy and compact. Noteworthy Characteristics Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, commonly called Chinese hibiscus, is a frost tender evergreen that is probably native to tropical Asia. Plants feature glabrous, toothed, shiny green leaves (to 6") and large, funnel-like flowers (to 4-8" diameter) with stamens in a showy central tube. Plants grown outdoors year round typically rise to 10-12' tall, and plants grown in containers that are overwintered indoors are typically trimmed to 5-6' tall. Outdoor plants will flower throughout the year. Plants brought indoors in fall typically flower from spring to late summer. Flowers last for only one day. Indoor plants need regular pruning to maintain good shape. Another common name for plants of this species is rose of China. Genus name is the old Greek and Latin name for mallow. Specific epithet comes from rosa meaning rose and sinensis meaning Chinese. Garden Uses In USDA Zones 10-11, plants are excellent as specimens, hedges or screens. In areas where not winter hardy, plants are excellent in containers that may be brought indoors in fall or grown as houseplants.

Eupatorium purpureum Joe-Pye Weed 'Atropurpureum'

Common Name: Joe Pye weed Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Asteraceae Native Range: Eastern and central North America Zone: 4 to 9 Height: 5.00 to 7.00 feet Spread: 2.00 to 4.00 feet Bloom Time: July to September Bloom Description: Mauve pink Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Water Plant, Naturalize, Rain Garden Flower: Showy, Fragrant Attracts: Butterflies Tolerate: Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil Garden locations Culture Easily grown in average, medium moisture soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile, humusy soils which do not dry out. Cut plants to the ground in late winter. Best propagated by stem cuttings. This species generally grows better in open woodland areas than E. maculatum which generally likes moister soils. Noteworthy Characteristics Eutrochium purpureum, commonly called Joe Pye weed, is a tall Missouri native perennial that occurs in low moist ground, wooded slopes, wet meadows and thickets and stream margins throughout the State (Steyermark). It is an erect, clump-forming perennial which typically grows 4-7' tall and features coarsely-serrated, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 12" long) in whorls of 3-4 on sturdy green stems with purplish leaf nodes. Tiny, vanilla-scented, dull pinkish-purple flowers in large, terminal, domed, compound inflorescences bloom in mid-summer to early fall. Each flower cluster typically has 5-7 florets. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies. Flowers give way to attractive seed heads which persist well into winter. Genus name is derived from the Greek words eu meaning well and troche meaning wheel-like in reference to the whorled leaves. Specific epithet means purple. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Leaves may scorch if soils are allowed to dry out. Powdery mildew and rust may occur. Garden Uses Many people perceive Joe Pye weed to be nothing more than a roadside weed and have never seriously considered its outstanding ornamental attributes. It is a substantial plant which needs space, but when planted in groups or massed can provide spectacular flowering and architectural height. Border rears, cottage gardens, meadows, native plant gardens, wild/naturalized areas or water margins.

Aster novae-angliae New England Aster 'Purple Dome'

Common Name: New England aster Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Asteraceae Native Range: Eastern North America Zone: 4 to 8 Height: 3.00 to 6.00 feet Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Bloom Time: August to September Bloom Description: Deep pink-purple Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden Flower: Showy, Good Cut Attracts: Butterflies Tolerate: Clay Soil Garden locations Culture Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers moist, rich soils. Good air circulation helps reduce incidence of foliar diseases. Pinching back stems several times before mid-July will help control plant height, promote bushiness and perhaps obviate the need for staking. Pinching back will also delay flowering. Easily grown from seed and may self-seed in the garden in optimum growing conditions. Plants may be cut to the ground after flowering to prevent any unwanted self-seeding and/or if foliage has become unsightly. Noteworthy Characteristics Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, commonly called New England aster, is a Missouri native perennial which occurs in moist prairies, meadows, thickets, low valleys and stream banks (Steyermark) throughout the State. It is a stout, leafy plant typically growing 3-6' tall with a robust, upright habit. Features a profuse bloom of daisy-like asters (to 1.5" diameter) with purple rays and yellow centers from late summer to early fall. Rough, hairy, lance-shaped leaves (to 4" long) clasp stiff, hairy stems. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Genus name comes from the Greek symph meaning coming together and trich meaning hair in possible reference to the flower anthers. Specific epithet means of New England, USA. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to powdery mildew. Aster wilt can also be an occasional problem, particularly if plants are grown in poorly-drained clay soils. Taller plants may require staking or other support.

Delphinium elatum hybrids Delphinium/Larkspur

Common Name: delphinium Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Ranunculaceae Native Range: Europe, northern and central Asia Zone: 3 to 7 Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Bloom Time: June to July Bloom Description: Blue Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Annual Flower: Showy, Good Cut Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies Tolerate: Deer Garden locations Culture Winter hardy to USDA Zones 3-7 where this delphinium is best grown in fertile, humus rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Performs well in alkaline soils. Appreciates some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Prefers climates with cool summer temperatures. Plants often struggle in St. Louis summers, and are generally not recommended for growing in hot and humid summer climates south of USDA Zone 7. Plants require protection from strong winds and rain storms via sheltered growing positions and staking. After bloom, promptly cut back spent flower spikes to the basal foliage to encourage an additional late summer and/or fall bloom. Straight species plants may be grown from seed and may self-seed in the garden, Noteworthy Characteristics Delphinium elatum, commonly known as delphinium, is an herbaceous perennial of the buttercup family that is native to clearings, woodland margins, and river valleys from southern and central Europe to Siberia. Species plants have been cultivated since 1578. Spicate flowering stems to 3-5' tall are topped in late spring to early summer with erect, terminal, often spectacular, central flower spikes (racemes) which are densely packed with showy blue florets (25-100 per raceme). Each floret (to 1" across) has 5 blunt, glabrous, petal-like, blue outer sepals (posterior one is spurred) and two pairs of smaller true petals, with the lower two petals being yellow-bearded. The central raceme is surrounded by a number of smaller secondary flowering racemes (sidespikes) which develop from leaf joints below the primary bloom. Palmately lobed green leaves are 5-7 parted near the base. Straight species plants are uncommonly sold in commerce today, however, because they have been largely replaced by a significant number of hybrid cultivars (typically designated as Delphinium x elatum or simply assigned to the Delphinium elatum group) which are generally considered to be of superior flowering quality (taller stems to 7-8', larger and more floriferous flower spikes, and greater variety of flower colors). Genus name comes from the Greek word delphis meaning dolphin in reference to the flower bud shape of some species purportedly resembling a dolphin. Specific epithet comes from the Latin word elatus meaning tall. Common name of bee delphinium is in reference to the configuration of throat petals. Problems Delphiniums require considerable maintenance (staking, pruning, deadheading, disease control) in order to perform well in the garden. Delphiniums are generally susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis blight, leaf spots and crown rot. Plants grown in full sun generally show better resistance to powdery mildew. Water plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage. Crown rot will inevitably develop if plants are grown in poorly drained soils or planted too deep. Slugs and snails can do significant damage. Watch for aphids, leaf miners, stem borers and mites. Taller plants may need staking and appreciate being sited in locations protected from wind. Plants are considered toxic to humans if ingested. Garden Uses Superb in cottage gardens. Back of beds and borders. Best in groupings or massed. Plant against a stockade fence for protection from wind. Excellent cut flower. Deer and rabbits usually do not cause problems.

Malva alcea Hollyhock Mallow

Common Name: mallow Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Malvaceae Zone: 4 to 7 Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet Bloom Time: June to September Bloom Description: Pink Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Naturalize Flower: Showy Attracts: Butterflies Garden locations Culture Best grown in medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates some drought. Remove spent flower spikes to encourage additional flowering. Cut back to basal foliage in fall, or earlier if plant appearance declines. Appreciates a site protected from strong winds. Stems may be cut back in spring if shorter plants are desired. Plants may freely self-seed in the garden if spent flowers are not promptly deadheaded, however some self-seeding is desirable in order to keep this short-lived perennial in the garden. Noteworthy Characteristics Genus name is an ancient Latin name. 'Fastigiata' is the most popular cultivar of the species. It is a clump-forming perennial (generally more narrow and upright than the species) that features pink hollyhock-like flowers (2" diameter) with five conspicuously notched petals. Flowers bloom in the upper leaf axils in summer atop stems typically rising 2-3' (less frequently to 4') tall. Light green stem leaves are deeply lobed into 3-5 palmate segments. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Japanese beetles may feed on the foliage in areas where they range. Susceptible to a number of fungal foliar diseases, particularly in hot and humid summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Garden Uses Borders. Cottage gardens.

Filipendula rubra Queen-of-the-prairie

Common Name: queen of the prairie Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Eastern United States Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 6.00 to 8.00 feet Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet Bloom Time: June to August Bloom Description: Pale pink Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden Flower: Showy, Fragrant Leaf: Fragrant Tolerate: Deer, Clay Soil Garden locations Noteworthy Characteristics Filipendula rubra, commonly called queen of the prairie, is a U.S. native perennial which ranges from Pennsylvania to Georgia and west to Iowa and Missouri. In Missouri, it is only found in several swampy, calcareous meadows in Reynolds County (Steyermark). It is a very tall, upright, clump-forming perennial that typically grows 6-8' tall and features branched, terminal, astilbe-like, 6-9" wide panicles (corymbs) of tiny, fragrant, pale pink flowers in early to mid summer. Deeply cut, compound-pinnate, bright green leaves have 7-9 lance-shaped leaflets each, with an unusually large, 7-9 lobed, terminal leaflet (4-8" long). Leaves are fragrant. A good foliage plant that is valued for both its leaves and its flowers. Genus name comes from the Latin words filum meaning a thread and pendulus meaning hanging for the root tubers in some species that hang together with threads. Specific epithet means red. Problems No serious insect or disease problems. Though quite tall, this sturdy plant usually does not need staking. Garden Uses This is a large plant for large gardens. Can be spectacular, particularly when massed. Borders (rear), cottage gardens, native plant gardens, wild/naturalized areas, wet meadows or moist areas along streams or ponds.