Plant of the Month 2012 - The Natural Gardener

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The Natural Gardener
Garden Store Ltd.
4376 West 10th Ave.
Vancouver, BC V6R 2H7
Tel: 604-224-2207
Fax: 604-224-2216
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Plant of the Month - 2012

Each month The Natural Gardener will be highlighting one of the many unique and unusual plants here at the nursery.

◊ 2012 | ◊ 2011 Archives | ◊ 2010 Archives | ◊ 2009 Archives

JANUARY: Phlox paniculata 'David's Lavender'

Phlox is one of those old fashioned garden plants that are always in demand and it's understandable why. They are tough, reliable plants that cover themselves in blooms from mid to late summer. The one problem they can have is powdery mildew. However that problem seemed to be rectified by the cultivar 'David'. It is a white flowering phlox with great disease resistance especially to powdery mildew. What's so exciting about 'David's Lavender' is that it is a sport of Phlox 'David' and has maintained the disease resistance and hardiness. The bonus is that it has large heads of lavender flowers. In addition the bright green foliage and its hardiness make it a beautiful plant in the garden even when it is not in bloom. David's Lavender grows well in full sun to part shade and in moist but well drained soil. Once it is established it is also quite drought tolerant. Keep an eye out here at the nursery for Phlox 'David's Lavender'. It should be arriving around April.

Cultural Requirements
Zone: 4
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Height: 3 feet (90cm)
Spread: 2 feet (60cm)

FEBRUARY: Erodium chrysanthum

Erodium chrysanthum is a new plant for The Natural Gardener and we are excited to be carrying such a lovely perennial. This native of Greece and close relative of Geraniums is a small, evergreen perennial with lovely, lemon scented, creamy white flowers and ferny, silvery leaves that give it a very soft appearance. It is an excellent plant for the front of the border or edging a path and it is especially nice in the rock garden. I often get asked what plants will grow under the eaves of houses and if you have a south facing location this is the plant for you. It does best in full sun with very well drained soil and south facing eave locations are ideal for it. Erodium flowers best in leaner soils so no additional fertilizing is needed once it is established. The flowers start appearing in late spring and continue right into the fall. It is fully drought tolerant and will require no additional watering once it has become established which is usually after the first year of planting.

This is a wonderful plant to include with your plantings of salvias, dwarf hebes and small euphorbias. I also think it would be the perfect perennial to plant on the Gulf Islands especially because it is deer resistant.

Cultural Requirements
Zone: 7
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Very well-drained
Height: 6 inches
Spread: 1-1/2 feet