The Giddiness of a good find, ‘Miss Ruby’ buddleia x 2010

‘Miss Ruby’ is my new favorite 2010 Proven Winners Color Choice shrub this week. I’m trialing it in my garden and it hasn’t stopped blooming since May. The blooms have been a deep magenta pink that makes me giddy every time I look at it which matches how I’m feeling tonight.

Below is a stock photo from Proven Winners and this is true to color. I think they have this paired with ‘Limelight’ hydrangea but it could be ‘Incrediball’.

Proven Winners sent me this plant in the Spring and I was excited about the color and its butterfly attracting qualities. I had the same idea and originally had it paired with ‘White Dome’ hydrangeas.

I moved the ‘White Dome’ to the back beds because it was just too hot out front for them and replaced them with ‘Incrediball’ hydrangeas also by Proven Winners and I’ve written about them HERE.  You can image the car wrecks that are going to happen when those two beauties collide next summer.

The reason I’m so giddy is cause I found a local herb farm called, Mills Garden Herb Farm.  I’m over the top excited about them cause they offer cooking, crafting, and medicinal herb classes. I told ya’ll I wanted to learn wildcrafting and this certainly is a form of it. My first class is wreath making. If you get a chance. Browse on down the main page and meet Madge and her dogs. You know I’ll go over and do an interview so you can see more!! I promise. You know it makes me giddy. I’m nuts about this sort of thing.

My very good friend Kevin Campbell who owns Campbell Family Nursery is the one who directed me to the herb farm. Kevin knows everything. His nursery has been in his family forever. He’s like me..been around since the early 1700’s. I’m going to interview him for you too. He just bought a whole bunch of land moved the entire nursery and has a grand story to tell. You should read some of the stories he has on his blog! Talk about folklore……..he can really tell it. Finding Plant Treasures

I’ve got one of the pure Campbell bloodline Japanese  maples growing in my backyard! So if I tell you that I like a plant and share it with you—-folks I don’t do it lightly—I do it from my heart and because I know it’s got a good bloodline and I trust who it came from. I trust Proven Winners Plants cause I grow them in my own garden.

From the Proven Winners Site: ‘Miss Ruby’ buddleia x

 

Growing Tips
Prefers well-drained, moist, fertile soils but can tolerate drought once established. Prefers medium moisture. Prune in late fall or early spring. In Northern states, this plant will die back to the ground though the roots are hardy. In the South, cut back as needed. To encourage reblooming, remove old spent blooms. Fertilize in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees and shrubs. Follow the label for recommended rate of application.

Exposure
Full sun

Height
48-60″

Spacing
36-48″

Hardy Temp
-20°F (-29°C)

Uses
Excellent for use in perennial beds, wildlife gardens and mixed borders.

Features
Brilliant rich pink summer blooms unlike any other variety. Prune back in late winter/early spring. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Fragrant. Deer resistant.

Rudbeckia x herta Cherry Brandy and Mexican Sunflower

This is suppose to be Rudbeckia x herta Cherry Brandy. Looks like it’s trying to be? I did google images of it grown by others and a few came out as such. I’ve not grown this before so am wondering if the petals continue to turn more burgundy. I grew it from seed and this is the first bloom from that bunch. I’ll keep you posted. It doesn’t look like the picture from Thompson and Morgan. But it does look like a few on the google internet images.

Since my seed packets got all mixed up in a storm, it’s hard to tell what is what except that it is a rudbeckia.

My Mexican Sunflowers are doing marvelously. Take a look at the Black swallowtail who decided to dine on her today. Botanical Interest Seeds

The swallowtails are just returning to my garden and just in time for the opening of most of my sunflowers.

Gives me even more reasons to sit on the porch and watch.

Osteospermum Sunny Olivia and Friends

Osteospermum Sunny Olivia

I don’t have a thing to say about this except it’s just so beautiful. I’ve never had any success growing these but I sure wish I could. I thought you Osteo lovers would like to see this one.

Pair it with these two and it will make a pretty gathering of hues and tones.

Flaming Orange and Pink Combinations

Orange and hot pinks are popular combinations this year. With all the new heucheras on the market in that color palette, people are looking for ways to use them in containers and the landscape. It is also popular to plant each container in a monochromatic fashion with your other color choice close in proximity.

( I am aware that some links on this page are broken. It has been a long time since I posted these pictures and websites change you know. But you can find them at the Terra Nova link below–for now anyway)

All photos used with permission from Terra Nova Nurseries

Above is Miss Ruby from Proven Winners and the only picture not from Terra Nova

Consider planting some perennials close by in the same color scheme. Below is Coreopsis Strawberry Punch Notice the orange center of the flower–perfect for your orange and hot pink project.

Above, Heuchera Marmalade

Terra Nova Nurseries has developed some of the most beautiful heucheras on the market. They perform well in containers with just about anything. Take a look at some of these! All pictures are from Terra Nova Nurseries with permission.

Heuchera

Heuchera ‘Amber Waves’ Heuchera ‘Amethyst Myst’ Heuchera ‘Berry Smoothie’ Heuchera ‘Black Beauty’ Heuchera ‘Blood Red’ Heuchera ‘Cafe Ole’ Heuchera ‘Cherries Jubilee’ Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’ Heuchera ‘Cinnabar Silver’ Heuchera ‘Electra’ Heuchera ‘Fire Chief’ Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’ Heuchera ‘Ginger Ale’ Heuchera ‘Green Spice’ Heuchera ‘Gypsy Dancer’ Heuchera ‘Hollywood’ Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’ Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ Heuchera ‘Mahogany’ Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ Heuchera ‘Midinight Rose’ Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ Heuchera ‘Paris’ Heuchera ‘Peach Flambe’ Heuchera ‘Peppermint Spice’ Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ Heuchera ‘Plum Royale’ Heuchera ‘Purple Petticoats’ Heuchera ‘Rave On’ Heuchera ‘Sashay’ Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ Heuchera ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ Heuchera ‘Velvet Night’ Heuchera ‘Vesuvius’

Top 10 Heucheras 1. Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ 2. Heuchera ‘Peach Flambe’ 3. Heuchera ‘Electra’ 4. Heucherella ‘Stoplight’ 5. Heuchera ‘Midinight Rose’ 6. Heuchera ‘Lime Rickey’ 7. Heuchera ‘Southern Comfort’ 8. Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ 9. Heuchera ‘Rave On’ 10. Heuchera ‘Sashay’

Dahlia Hybrids From Proven Winners

Happy® Single First Love™
Dahlia hybrid

I must tell you about these Dahlia hybrids from Proven Winners. There are some things that I have grown that scream for me to share and this is one of them. It bloomed all season with each bloom lasting an unusually long time. I was so impressed. You’ll have to dig up the tubers and store them in a dry place for the winter. I normally don’t care for so much maintenance but this is worth it. I had to sell these beauties with my last home and rest assured I’ll be buying more. Please enjoy the show. All pictures are from Proven Winners Plants.

Happy® Single Date™
Dahlia hybrid

Happy® Single Juliet™
Dahlia hybrid

Happy® Single Kiss™
Dahlia hybrid

Happy® Single Party™
Dahlia hybrid

Happy® Single Romeo™
Dahlia hybrid

I do not work for Proven Winners Plants but they do send me a few to trial most every year. I worked for a Proven Winners nursery for 5 years and have grown to love these plants as great performers in my garden. You can search their site for ideas and new cultivars. They are plant propagators and do not sell plants from their site. You will have to find a Proven Winners nursery in your area. Their site will assist you with that search. I live in NC, zone 7. I purchased these plants last year from The Briar Patch Garden Center and Sweet Peas last year. They are located in Winston Salem, NC,

Growing Tips Dahlias form tubers and these tubers can be stored for replanting in the spring. To dig and store tubers follow these directions. First, allow frost to kill the top of the plant then cut back the stems and dig the tubers. Wash off any soil and then allow the tubers to dry. Wrap dry tubers in newspapers or pack them in peat moss. Label each tuber or group of tubers so you know what they are come spring. Store tubers in a dark, cool (35 to 45 F) place. Do not allow tubers to freeze. Deadheading will encourage additional blooming. Exposure Sun or partial sun Height 20-30″ Spacing 18-24″ Hardy Temp 15°F (-9°C) Uses Use in beds and containers Features Decorative dark foliage yields dazzling flowers with a dark center all season Awards Won 2007 – Leader of the Pack Summer -North Carolina State, JC Raultson Arboretum 2007 – Leader of the Pack Late Season -North Carolina State, JC Raultson Arboretum

Legal Details

Happy® Single Romeo™ ‘HS Romeo’ US PPAF; Can. PBR 2956

Copper, Peach, Orange, Golds

How about some shades of orange. All pictures came from Proven Winners Plants. Permission was given from Proven Winners to use the photos. The picture is displayed first and then a list of the plants follows.

Ageratum or Flossflower in Containers

I found some very interesting and attractive Ageratum containers while putting together my ever growing wish list for this summer’s containers. As always, I wanted to share. Permission to use these photos was given by Proven Winners Plants

Strawberry Candy, Scott Crowley, and Mini Pearl Lilies

She is called Strawberry Candy. I think that is appropriate! Linda over at Tradgar has some beautiful lilies.

Scott Crowley

Mini Pearl

Here is a wonderful site that list different types of lilies. North American Lily Society

The photos above are from my LA Reynolds Showcase Nursery catagory.