• Sun to Part Sun
• Plant size and bloom color are variety specific
• Heat and drought tolerant once established
• Low maintenance
• Reblooming varieties available

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June is Perennial Gardening Month

The Good Earth began as primarily a nursery and growing facility over 48 years ago.  Throughout the past four decades, we have become a full service garden center but that doesn’t mean we have forgotten our roots! We still grow most of the perennials we sell; just look for the maroon pots with our logo. These contain perennials we have grown right here, just for you.

‘Purrsian Blue’ Catmint

With June being Perennial Gardening Month, we thought we would introduce you to a few that are in bloom or about to bloom right now.  The first image (above) is a favorite; it is a catmint called Purrsian Blue (Nepeta faassenii ‘Purrsian Blue’).  This low maintenance perennial is more compact that most other catmints and offers more blooms that are closer together than other varieties. It’s also deer and rabbit resistant, attracts all kinds of pollinators such butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. In addition, catmint has a long bloom season (early summer to early fall). Loves the sun and heat so it take summer in stride. Mature size of this variety is 14-16″ tall and 18-30″ wide.  Purrsian Blue, much like all catmints, has average to low water needs; plant in well-draining soil with a neutral to alkaline pH.

So, what’s the difference in catnip (Nepeta cataria) and catmint (Nepeta faassenii)? Same genus, different species and different effects on cats. A high percentage of cats (around 70%, based on genetics) go wild over catnip and will eat the leaves for the euphoric effects of Nepatalactone in the plants.  In contrast, when stems of the catmint are broken, cats may be attracted to the released scent.

Coneflower is a native flowering perennial in much of the eastern United States.  We carry many nativars of this plant.  A nativar is an improved variety of a native plants.  Bailey Nurseries, a plant breeder, offers these thoughts on nativars:

“Nativars allow us to retain the ecological benefits of native species while making them adaptable and accessible for a modern landscape. Whether that means a more compact size, cleaner foliage, better color, or a tidier appearance, nativars solve problems that can arise” with the genotype.

Since the introduction of nativars, there have been discussions on whether these plants are beneficial for pollinators like thier truly native cousins.  Several studies, including one performed by the University of Delaware, concluded that yes, nativars support insect and bird life.

‘Pow Wow White’ Coneflower

Coneflowers (Echinacea) have long been used for their medicinal qualities. New varieties are released fairly often; one we have grown for years is the Pow Wow series, including ‘Pow Wow White’ (pictured above). We also grow ‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’ (a deep rose, purple color bloom). Both offer prolific blooms, sturdy flower stalks, and a compact growth habit. They love full sun, are tolerant poor soil, heat, humidity and are drought tolerant once established. What more can you ask for in an Arkansas perennial? Oh, they make great cut flowers too and if the spent blooms are left on over winter, the seed heads offer a food source for birds.

We also have ‘Sombrero Adobe Orange’, ‘Cheyenne Spirit’, ‘Mellow Yellows’, and ‘Magnus’ right now (early June 2020).

‘Ruby Spider’ Daylily

We teased you a bit with this flower image and kept it for last, knowing you would keep scrolling… because wowza, is this eye-catching!  Daylilies are starting to bloom around town; you have most likely seen the mild yellow blooms of ‘Happy Returns’ or the gold glow of the ‘Stella de Oro’, both of which are outstanding reblooming varieties.  And yes, we have these available for purchase, as well as ‘South Seas’ (a beautiful color color), ‘Aztec Gold’ (a larger gold rebloomer), and ‘Gentle Shepard’ (which is known for being one of the best white daylilies available and features 5.5″ blooms).

So, about ‘Ruby Spider’… what you can’t tell from this image is the bloom size, which is quite large.  In fact, the blooms on this plant can reach up to 9″ across, offering big visual impact in any garden.  We also grow ‘Primal Scream’, new to us this year, which features up to 7.5″ bright orange flowers.

Good Earth Perennials

Since we grow our own perennials, when we sell out of a crop, it can be awhile before more are available, especially depending on the season.  Plants listed here are available today (June 4, 2020); tomorrow… they may not be! If you are looking for something specific and are coming from a good distance, we always suggest giving us a call to confirm quantities.

Last but not least, this post got long; we had many more perennial to talk about so expect more blog posts about perennials soon. Especially because June is Perennial Gardening Month!  In the meantime, learn more about all kinds of perennials on our Inventory page.  Look in the red bar above the photos and select your sun situation to find ones that might work best for your garden.

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Every year brings opportunities for new plants, and this year is no exception!  I have poured over the catalogs, reviewed plant trials and talked to other growers.  Here is just some of the goodies available this year.

Dianthus ‘Paint the Town Fuchsia’

What a pretty color this is!  There is a bunch of breeding in the Dianthus category, and the options were numerous!  This variety will bloom earlier than other Dianthus varieties. It only grows 6-8” tall.

Yarrow ‘Sassy Summer Sunset’

Last year we had Yarrow ‘Sassy Summer Sangria’ which was gorgeous, and yes, we will have it again for 2020.  This year there is a new color in the series called ‘Sassy Summer Sunset’.  It has a very nice shade of orange, that made me super excited when I saw it. The flowers will fade to yellow, so really you are getting a two-color bonus. Grows 30-36” tall.

Baptisia ‘Vanilla Cream’

You may have the purple or better yet the ‘Lemon Meringue’ variety, but may I introduce you to ‘Vanilla Cream’!  Yep, a cream white flowering Baptisia.  I thought y’all would enjoy this, especially those who may have the other colors.  For those who might be seeing Baptisia for the first time, get one!  Being oh soo pretty and easy to grow, this is a great plant for newbies to the gardening world.  The variety grows 2-3′ tall.

Agastache ‘Blue Boa’

I grew this for you!  I was asked quite often for more of the blue/purple taller Anise Hyssop and here is a great one!  Featured in Fine Gardening magazine last year, it brings up a great point which is if you like Salvia ‘May Night’ then you would love ‘Blue Boa’.  I agree.  The Agastache has a much longer bloom time.  Attracts Pollinators! Grows 30-36” tall.

Agastache ‘Poquito Butter Yellow’

Ok, truth time: this one I grew for me!  It won the “Classic City Award” from the trial gardens at UGA (University of Georgia) last September.  This variety has been applauded by many horticulturists so of course we need this one too! Grows only 13” tall.

Iris ‘Social Graces’

This Iris was given the award of Merit from the American Iris Society.  I think that is one of those colors that would enhance any flower bed.  Fragrant.

Hosta ‘Rainbow’s End’

There is a lot of Hostas out there guys!  It takes a special one for me to turn my head, but sure enough ‘Rainbow’s End’ had me looking and then ordering them for us.  Hard to describe, better seen in person, it is the combination of variegation, saturation of color, and the shiny leaf that sets it apart from other Hostas.  Grows 11” tall.

High Roller Red Hot Poker

Jackpot Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia ‘High Roller’ and ‘Jackpot’  (Red Hot Poker)

We have had Red Hot Poker plants in the past, and we even had them planted on the property.  Entrancing everyone, it is the combination of color and just being uniquely different that makes these plants a nice addition to a flower bed.  These two varieties are brand new and both grow pretty big.  ‘Jackpot’ grows 32-36” tall and ‘High Roller’ grows 36-48” tall.  Deer and rabbit resistant.

Daylily ‘Primal Scream’

Huge 7 ½ to 8 ½” brilliant orange flowers that are classified officially as “unusual form”, this name fits it well!  In the same series is ‘Ruby Red Spider’ daylily which is absolutely amazing!

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Many perennials can be divided, giving you more plants for a small investment of labor!  Dividing perennials encourages new growth, more vigor and usually leads to better flowering.  The key is to do it at the right time and properly.  In this Good Earth Greenhouse segment, Gregg Curtis is talking about dividing daylilies.

Many people wait until fall to divide their perennials; but if you have a large number of perennials, you can do some earlier such as daylilies.  Daylilies are one of the toughest perennials!  Daylilies can also be divided in the spring, when they are just beginning to push new leaves up.  Avoid dividing before they are finished blooming for the season, as dividing could end your bloom season.

Make sure the plants are hydrated before digging up; either divide after a rain or water well the day before you plan to divide them.  Dig them up carefully, getting as much of the root system as you can.  Having a healthy, intact root system is one of the keys for success.

Once you have the clump dug up, look at the top growth of the clump.  If the plants have already gone dormant, you will be able to more clearly see individual fans of foliage. If this is the case, you can loosen the roots and pry individual fans away from the clump; each fan needs to have a healthy root system attached to be successful.

If you are dividing during the growing season, cut the clump in half and check the root system and top growth.  Depending on the size of the clump, you may be able to divide it in half again.  Again, having top growth and roots is key; the larger the remaining clump, the faster it will fill out and establish. If you make the clump too small, it may take a long time to regenerate or if there are not enough roots, it may rot out before establishing.

This is the perfect time to amend your soil with organic compost, or blended soil.  We suggest using Good Earth brand Jump Start at planting; this will help your new plant take up much more nutrients and water than it could otherwise.  This results in faster and better root establishment.

Replant your divided clumps.  Keep in mind that the further apart you plant them, the longer they will take to fill in.  If you know which variety you are working with, consider the mature width of the plant and space appropriately to get the most out of your divisions.

For more information on dividing, please visit this blog post.

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