Cool Plants

Spring Color Editon

Primula
Primroses provide you with early spring blooms in almost every color of the rainbow. They prefer cool temperatures, a rich humus soil (lots of compost and leaf mold) and partial shade. They appreciate full sun in the spring, but must have semi shade as the temperatures warm. They are quite tolerant of being transplanted, even when they are in bloom.

Primroses may be grown indoors if you are able to provide them with cool night temperatures of 50-60 degrees F., high humidity, filtered sun and moist soil. Daytime temperatures must remain below 80 degrees. When they have finished blooming in the house it is best to plant them directly into the garden, or summer them outdoors in their pots and moved back to the house at the end of the season.

Vaccinium angustifolium 'Brunswick'

Lowbush Wild Blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium 'Brunswick' has clusters of bell-shaped, white flowers tinged with red bloom in spring. Flowers are followed by tasty blue berries, which ripen in summer. The fruit is a favorite among humans as well as birds, small mammals and box turtles. Lowbush blueberry has lustrous blue-green leaves that turn bronze, scarlet and crimson in fall. It grows well in dry, acid, nutrient poor soil.

Blueberry bushes are one of those ornamental fruiting shrubs that can serve a dual purpose in the landscape. Blueberries are usually planted for their fruit crop, but with the increasing interest in "edible landscapes", they have increased their popularity in mixed borders and gardens. Most vaccinium species, even hybridized cultivars, have beautiful fall foliage making them a valid choice for a colorful autumn garden. Gardeners may choose to leave the fruit on the bush to encourage song birds and other wildlife in the garden. Fall foliage on blueberry plants will usually be a bright orange or red color. Blueberry shrubs need acidic, moist soil and do well planted with Camellias or Azaleas as they share similar soil requirements.

Bellis perennis

English Daisies have long been popular for spring bedding, particularly in mild winter regions. Plants are biennial, usually lasting through one season, but self-seeding to provide future generations. This strain features loads of cute little button-like flowers, the tiny petals making perfect little domes in shades of red, pink or white. Removing faded flowers regularly will keep plants blooming well into the summer. Often used to underplant tulips in large public landscapes, these are excellent anywhere in the garden, as well as in containers or tubs.

English Daisies

Lewisia

Lewisia
When not in flower, lewisias could almost be mistaken for succulents. Their thick, waxy leaves look much like those of the popular hens-and-chicks. In bloom, though, they are quite different from any other plant. The waxy-textured blooms come in bright pink, pink, apricot, white, or red. They bloom in late spring. Their leaves are either evergreen or deciduous, depending on the species.

Grow in full sun in well-drained, deep soil. The soil mix should contain at least 50 percent sharp sand for perfect drainage. Surround the base of the plant with rock chips to prevent rot; Lewisias prefer sites with abundant spring moisture followed by a dry, cool summer.

Aquilegia 'Leprechaun Gold' variegated foliage
A columbine to brighten shady areas, Leprechaun Gold has attractive gold and green marbled leaves that make a perfect backdrop for large violet blooms which are held high above the foliage. Growig to 24 inches, this variety is hardy to zone 4 and enjoys part shade and moist, well drained soil.

Aquilegia 'Leprechaun Gold' variegated foliage

Tri-Colored Hebe'

Hebe speciosa ( Tricolor Hebe )

is a rounded shrub with erect shoots, has gray-green leaves to 2 inches long with white edges. Until maturity, and in the winter, leaves are a dark purple. Medium violet-purple flowers bloom on 3 inch spikes in the summer months. These are suitable for rock gardens, mixed or shrub border and are also good container plants. Most hebes need little of no pruning.

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