Lysimachia Persian Chocolate

I have been in love with Lysimachia 'Creeping Jenny' for years.  Mainly because of its bright yellow color that adds so much to a container -- talk about an awesome "spiller".  But this year I found Lysimachia 'Persian Chocolate', and while its color isn't as exciting as Jenny, it makes up for it in tenacity.  Heat, sun, shade, lack of water -- none of them slowed down its growth or its beauty. 

The rose colored stems and new growth give this plant a bright, lively look. Depending on whether it gets sun or shade -- and it does great in both situations -- the older leaves will take on a dark brown shade (sun) or more green look (shade).  Against the backdrop of the dark green City containers it doesn't stand out as well as it could.  But can you see it against a white pot? 

I also planted some in the ground and have left them there to see how they fair this winter.  They are zone 6-9 so I'm expecting good things.  And since I have some in pots, I'm going to leave those in place along with the winter violas and kales.  I'll update the map when I'm done to let you know where they are.

Speaking of that, we have moved containers all around the town.  Lots more on Main Street this time, so the map will really look different. 

Working hard on getting the winter color change out but it is taking me longer this time because I'm cleaning out the soil debris and amending it with some peat moss in the hopes that it will help retain more moisture.  Remember those grasses we talked about last time...egads, they were monsters to get out of the pots.  Thanks to hubby Tom and his machete -- roots, roots, roots -- no wonder the poor verbena and lantana struggled to survive.  Someone in the trade told me that if lantana doesn't get enough water/nutrients they will think it is time to go "to seed" -- guess that explains why I had more seed than flowers this year. 

Time to play in the dirt and get those pansies settled in.

Great Ferns With Fun Names

My all time favorite perennial fern to use in a container or in the ground is Autumn Fern -- it's evergreen, tough, and adds so much to a finished arrangement.  But I do like to mix it up a little and use something different when I need a "lacy" look and that's when I go to my favorite annual fern Blue Crisp. 

Blue Crisp Fern - Polypodium aureum

Dusty blue fronds reaching 15-20 inches

Zones 10-11
Use as an annual in the garden and containers
Move indoors and provide bright light and even moisture










It is combined with Heucherella Golden Zebra and Lysimachia Persian Chocolate (and out of sight is also a Caladium "Moonlight") in this container on the corner of Main and Washington.   Because of its height it is also providing the linear aspect I needed in this arrangement. 

Blue Crisp is a tough plant and has been handling our minimal watering routine -- it is in a shady location so that helps -- but it does prefer to be kept moist.  I'd like to think that the moisture beads I put in the containers is helping here.  

A new fern for me this year is Kangaroo Fern (Microsorum pustulatum).  Looks very similar to Blue Crisp in leaf shape but it is much darker and shiney where Blue Crisp has a dusty appearance.  I combined it with Dragon Wing Begonia and Caladium "White Queen" in the container on Main and Washington near Ye Olde Colonnial.  It is still living but you would have to dig into the center of the pot to find it since it could not keep up with the aggressive begonia.  Another one is planted in the Welcome Center garden and doing very well by itself.  I'll use this fern again but be mindful to pair it with either smaller plants or slower growers. 

Kangaroo Fern can grow to be at least 2 feet by 3 feet but I'm not seeing that much growth in either the pot or in the ground and they are getting regular fertilizer.  This one would definitely make a great indoor plant and I'll give them a try this year to see if I can overwinter them.  Maybe with some size on them I'll be able to use them in containers where they are the star. 

I have not seen Kanagroo Fern readily available at nurseries but Blue Crisp does show up early in the season.  But because it is so unique it is quickly bought up by eager customers so if you are interested in using it next year, get there early.  It would also be a good idea to take the botanical name with you because I'm not sure that the nursery staff will recognize it by its common name.   Since most nurseries plan their buying way in advance of the season it might not be a bad idea to tell them now that you are interested.  

   

Hot, Hot, Hot

Record breaking temperatures do not make for happy plants.  It was even too hot to water the poor things.  The regular Monday/Wednesday/Friday waterings -- along with the moisture beads in the soil -- were not enough for a few of them.  I'm happy to say though that most of the containers did okay with the 107+ days.  Those in the shade naturally did even better.  But, the Sunpatiens and coleus looked liked wet rags on Saturday, June 30.  An emergency water run was called for just to get the near death plants back to life.  It was with welcome relief on Sunday morning to see that they had all revived with minimal damage. 

This is the recovered white Sunpatiens Sunday morning.  It had a few burned leaves and shriveled flowers but did come back after a big drink of water. 


One amazing plant that truly looked like it was a goner but bounced back in mere minutes is the Lysimachia 'Persian Chocolate'.  The ones around the Welcome Center garden were flat, gray and curled up -- but a few minutes with a hose and they bounced right back.  These will be used in more places next season. 

The true color is definitely more "chocolate" than this photo reveals, but you get the idea.  It is a great ground cover and an even better spiller for a container.

But let me tell you which plant didn't miss a beat in this heat -- the Lilac Wave Petunia.  It almost seemed to thrive on the duress.  Just take a look at this pretty little gal.

This is paired with a deep pink Cora vinca and Victoria Blue salvia.  The vinca and salvia drooped in protest to the heat but the trio recovered quickly.

Hopefully, that was the worst they have to go through -- and me too -- that wasn't much fun checking on 42 "children".  But it was rewarding to see them still standing proud.  I'll feature the caladiums next time around.  There are some great looking ones in the containers and the Welcome Center garden....check 'em out.