The Garden Gossip

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1011 N. Woodlawn

Kirkwood, Missouri

63122

314-965-3070

fcs@aol.com

Avante Gardening

WELCOME to another year at Sugar Creek Gardens.  Our goal is to offer you the the finest plants from around the world.  This year we are offering over 2,000 different varieties.  Here are just a few of the new gems:

‘Clementine Red’ Columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris.  A spectacular new generation of Columbine with flowers that resemble a double clematis.  The fuchsia red , spurless, upward facing blossoms are long lasting in fresh bouquets.  Grows 12-18”. 

‘Blue Sunrise’ Perennial Geranium.  The foliage is as pretty as the flowers.  Young foliage starts out orange, transforms to yellow,  then matures to a luscious green.  The long blooming silver–blue flowers appear until frost.  Compact grower to 16”.

‘Die Schone’ Rodger’s Flower, Rodgersia.  A very vigorous and strong plant that makes a stunning addition to the shade garden.  Large, fluffy, rose pink flower plumes are held above the mammoth red tinged foliage.  Huge, coarse leaves are palmate (looks like fingers on a hand, horse chestnut-like) giving the garden a tropical look.  Grows to 40”.  Prefers shade, a good garden soil, and consistent moisture.  Thrives and is long-lived if growing conditions are met. 

‘Sunshine Superman’, Star Tickseed, Coreopsis pubescens.  A fantastic American native species and the perfect answer for those who want something that blooms all season.  Gold flowers with an orange center are produced above the low mounds of green, lance-shaped leaves. 10” tall. Sun lover.

 for drifts of sweet perfume grow

Irresistible Phlox

          To fill your garden and your home with enchanting fragrance grow plants from the spectacular family of Phlox.  Your reward will be armloads of cut flowers that will delight your nose as well as your eyes. 

          The luscious Phlox group has something for everyone.  Plants of many intense colors that can be ground hugging or as tall as 5-6’.  There are cultivars for many different growing conditions and light requirements.  And best of all, if chosen wisely, you can have Phlox blooming from early spring all the way through fall.

          The first Phlox to amuse us are the early spring blooming Creeping Phlox, or Moss Phlox.  They are an excellent evergreen, groundcover that only grows 6” tall.  A popular variety is ‘Candystripe’.  Multitudes of pink and white striped flowers completely cover the spreading mounds.  They prefer full sun to part shade. 

          Next to bloom in spring are the Phlox for the woodland garden, Wild Sweet William, Phlox divaricata.  These charming Missouri natives are semi-evergreen spreaders with open clusters of fragrant blue flowers.  They prefer part shade, and are wonderful companions to Hosta and other large leaved shade plants.

          Hybrids have been developed from the native species that have interesting characteristics.  ‘Plum Perfect’ is a vigorous, disease resistant variety with fragrant, deep purple flowers with dark eyes.  To lighten up a dark corner plant ’White Perfume’.  Its delicate, pristine white flowers pack a powerful scent that will entice all who walk by.  ‘Montrose Tricolor’ has smokey blue-lavender flowers and colorful variegated foliage in pink, white and green.  All of these varieties are easy to grow in shaded locations.     

          Another interesting hybrid is ’Ping Pong’, Phlox arendsii.  This plant is a cross between P. divaricta, where is inherited its short stature, and P. paniculata, Tall Garden Phlox, where it received its showy flower heads.    You won't be able to take your eyes off of the soft rose flowers with dark rose eyes.  It has a wonderful sweet fragrance.  Plants are mildew resistant and tolerant of drought.  Grows to 18”.

          In summer the Tall Garden Phlox, P. paniculata, come into all their glory.  These are the crown jewels of the Phlox family.  Magnificent dense clusters of colorful blooms top plants for months.  Colors can be magenta,red, purple, pink or white.  Others are two-toned with distinctive eyes.

          ‘David’s Lavender’ Tall Garden Phlox, P. paniculata is one of the most talked about plants of the year. A dazzling sport (off-spring) of the fantastic pristine white, 2002 Perennial Plant of the Year ‘David’.  Rich lavender, velvet blooms repeat on and on all summer.  The 4’ stately plant has the same great disease resistant as their parent.  Absolutely superb in the garden and the vase. 

          A long-time favorite red is ‘Red Riding Hood’.   Bright cherry red flowers top 22” tall plants.

          Considered by many as one of the best is ‘Little Boy’.  Its amazing flowers are lilac with a bright white eye.  It is very fragrant and blooms heavily and longer than other P. paniculatas.  It only grows to 15:”

          Phlox paniculatas have gotten a bad name for their finicky behavior.  It is best to only grow disease resistant varieties.  To fight off attacks keep your plants healthy.  They are heavy feeders and need constant moisture throughout the summer.  We use Bayer All-in-One Rose & Flower Care on all of our Tall Garden Phlox.  One application lasts for 6 weeks, takes care of diseases and bugs, and fertilizes at the same time.  We love it for our roses too, as no spraying is needed.  The tremendous rewards of Phlox are worth the extra efforts as they are truly unsurpassed in the garden.

 NO MORE SPRAYING!

 All-in-One Rose & 

Flower Food

 No spraying!  Lasts for 6 weeks.  3 Systemic products in one.  

· Fertilizer - Feeds and Renews

· Insect Control

· Disease Control

· Protects Against Insects and Diseases for Up to 6 Week, No spraying!  Just Mix in a Bucket or Sprinkling Can and Pour

Take the Guess Work Out of

Plant Selection

This repellent really works! From Sweden comes a 100% natural, non toxic—not harmful to animals—repellent. One application lasts for 6 months.   Learn more here. 

At The Perennial Garden Shop at Sugar Creek Gardens you will discover supplies for the serious gardener and nature lover, along with fun and unique items for your home and garden.  Click here to see What's New.