I have a love of unique, plants for the garden.
Sometimes I tire of the same old, same old. I also love looking at plants
that perform at different times of the year, seasons where not much is happening
in the garden. It's so enjoyable to try new plants, and learn different
ways of putting the garden together. Many of these plants can also be used
in container gardening as well.
What's a perennial garden plant that blooms in the winter?
A hellebore! It is an outdoor plant that is shocking to see blooming sometimes
in the snow. There are many varieties. They are perennial which means they come
back year after year. These are best planted in shady areas, but where they will
get sun in the winter, for instance under leafed trees or something of that
nature. What is so unusual about hellebores is that they bloom somewhere between
Dec. and March. There are very few plants that do that! One variety is called
a Christmas Rose. These plants usually must be purchased at a nursery. Check out
your local nursery for this wonderful family of plants.
Another plant you'll surely want to try is called Sweet
Annie. This is actually an annual herb, in the worm wood family. The seed is
very fine and you sow it in direct sunlight in the spring after all danger of
frost is gone. Sweet Annie can get up to 6 feet tall. It's fragrance is
wonderful! My favorite use for Sweet Annie is in the fall to cut it to the
ground and dry it. It can be used as wonderful, fragrant filler for dried
flower arrangements, and it can also be bound with fine wire to form a wreath
base of its own. Simply tuck in other dried flowers here and there around it
and you've got a beautiful dried floral wreath with a fragrance to die for!
Another unusual one is called Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate.
Yes, this really is the name of a plant! It's official name is Polygonum
orientale. It's an old-fashioned annual knotweed used for bold effect. It has
large heart shaped leaves and pendulous clusters of small pink flowers. In rich,
moist soil and full sun it can go to six feet tall. Best to sow the seed in
fall or early spring where it is to grow.
Lastly another unusual plant to try is the Balloon Flower.
These are perennial, meaning they will return year after year. The Latin name
for these are: platycodon grandiflorus. They are very hardy, durable plants and
very beautiful. Balloon flowers are about the size of a ping pong ball and look
like little "balloons". Once they fully open up they split and you can see the
center portion and the bloom then resembles a star. They usually come in shades
of purple, pink and white. Very cute, the plants only get about 2 feet tall. Try
one!
