Fun, Funky Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden plants. Here's one to try. It's called Sea Holly, and it's actually in the thistle family. Sea Holly is a perennial garden plant, which means you plant it once and it comes up year after year, somewhat depending on your climate.

This plant never did fail to bring attention And comments from people seeing my garden. It grows About 3-4 feet high, very branchy and the branches are A brilliant electric blue color. It's stunning!

The only drawback to this lovely plant, in the fall you must cut it to the ground and burn or compost the plant. Do not let it go longer than that, or it will be casting seeds and you'll soon discover it's family trait o fbeing a thistle, if you know what I mean. The following spring, it'll come back again to it's beauty.

It is an easy plant to grow and does best with full sun, or as much sun as is available to you. I live in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A. so we get a lot of rain And fairly mild summers and yet it seems to be enough For this plant. You can search for Sea Holly seeds in seed catalogs or sometimes you can find it in some nurserys. An internet search would surely find you a source for this lovely plant.

I thought I'd let you know about one of the coolest, funky plants for outdoors I've ever run across. It's called Evening Scented Stock, it is NOT the common stock, however.

This is an annual plant, that needs to be sown early spring, directly into the soil where it is to bloom and grow. I recommend planting it nearby windows and doors, porches, etc. This plant really doesn't look like much in and of itself, it's not a pretty plant per se..but when about 5:00 PM rolls around watch it do its stuff! This plant has a VERY powerful fragrance similar to hyacinths or lilacs. At the gentlest breeze it sends a waft of fragrance to die for. This is why it's so excellent to plant near a window, door or pathway. When you open up your screen in the evening, this will scent your entire house.

One place that I have found the seeds for this rare plant is at Fragrant Path, PO Box 328, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023

Here's another one to try. This one is called Autumn Crocus.In this case you can tell a lot by it's name. You generally purchase it as a bulb, which are usually quite large. It does return year after year without needing to re-plant it.

In the spring it shoots up a lot of foliage, this is preparing the plant for it's autumn blooms, be sure to just leave this alone. Come about mid June or so, this foliage starts looking like it's dying, again just leave it be. In late August/early September, when most of the flowers are past their prime and the garden is starting to look sparse, out comes the Autumn Crocus, with their beautiful lilac colored blooms. They bloom for quite a long time when few things are blooming. A fun plant, give it a try!

This one is an annual (only lives 1 growing season) plant called Love Lies Bleeding. It's as strange as it's name. It is very easy to grow. You just simply direct seed it in the soil (full sun preferably) where it is to grow in the spring. It's height seems to vary greatly. I've seen it be as small as about 2 feet high, and reach up to 6 or7 feet high. It's "flowers" are long, burgandy colored ropes that hang. It is simply stunning. Always gets attention! It will usually re-seed itself so you'll get new plants the following year without doing anything. It's best to try to find this seed in an unusual type seed catalog. It is in the amaranth family.

Here's the last one. Ever tried the hellebore family? 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, like 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. It's quite striking to see flowers in the midst sometimes of snow.

These plants usually must be purchased at a nursery. Check out your local nursery for this wonderful family of plants.

By Valerie Garner, mom and proud grandma, and owner of Joyful Designs in Soy (Candles) at: http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com Valerie enjoys writing on a variety of topics in a warm and engaging style.

---

Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points

A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More

Patio Design ? Expanding Your Home Outdoors

A patio can be... Read More

About Window Ledge Gardening

The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges... Read More

Maintaining Oxygen Levels in Fish and KOI Ponds

Severe environmental stressors are the most frequent causes of sudden... Read More

Xeriscaping is Waterwise Gardening

What is xeriscaping? You may have heard of xeriscaping as... Read More

Colorado Blue Spruce And Lush Red Roses

Set in a broad expanse of lush green lawn a... Read More

Care of Dendrobium Orchids

DendrobiumsThis month I am focusing our attention to the care... Read More

Garden Makeover On A Budget

There's been a huge increase in the popularity of garden... Read More

A Teak Chair - Create a Livable Outdoor Space with One

When creating a comfortable, usable outdoor space, nothing could me... Read More

Orchid Myths -The Truth

Here are some of the popular orchid myths#1 Orchids are... Read More

How to Grow Hydrangeas

Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,,... Read More

Roses - Creating Beautiful Cut Roses

Many gardeners like to enjoy their roses twice - first... Read More

Developing the Perfect Landscaping Idea

Using landscaping ideas can be an effective way to attract... Read More

Easy Care Of Phalaenopsis

Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More

Popular Adirondack Chairs - Everything You Need To Know

Adirondack chairs were invented during the early 1900's by a... Read More

Park Benches - Making the Right Choice

When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More

Closing Up Your Container Garden

All good things eventually come to an end and so... Read More

Introduction to Aquaponics

Hydroponics and aquaponics are very similar in every way except... Read More

Lawn Care Business Owners - Dont Buy Yourself A Job

Most businesses consist of the owner only or the owner... Read More

Catch a Leprechaun in Your Garden

There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns... Read More

Plant Hardiness Zones

When selecting plants for the landscape, is important to select... Read More

Everyone Loves Flowers

Flowers Truly Reach Your Soul.Flowers are a heartfelt, natural way... Read More

The Swallowtail -- A Beautiful Butterfly

Swallowtail butterflies are some of the most beautiful butterflies found... Read More

Choosing Pond Plants

A pond without plants is like cake without icing. Pond... Read More

Hummingbirds ? Attracting Those Little Flying Powerhouses

It's early in May a beautiful fairly warm day so... Read More

The Basics of Growing Roses

So you want to grow roses? They are a beautiful... Read More

Paving Stones

Imagine a beautiful pattern of paving stones as the central... Read More

Nontoxic Pest Control for Your Home and Garden

Pesticides are toxic and, while often effective against pests, can... Read More

Bare Root Roses, What To Look For When Buying

The first thing to look for is the plant's grade.... Read More

Cannibals on the Porch

No, ghosts of the Donner Party have not started haunting... Read More

Rose - The Flower of Love and Romance

What is the flower that everyone visualizes and associates with... Read More

Teak Furniture - The Proper Way to Care For & Clean It

Teak furniture is tropical hardwood that has a rich, golden... Read More

Lawn Care Information

Recent lawn care information reports that a lot of us... Read More