Unsung plants for your garden

Margaret Roach, the woman behind the "A Way to Garden" blog and one of the best garden bloggers out there, recently posted a wonderfully opinionated interview with the legendary Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC, on "plants that need a good PR person." Take a look at the the full interview here and see if there are some you should be adding to your garden:

http://awaytogarden.com/plants-that-need-a-g...

22 Comments

Ellen H Cullman, AL

Thanks. I saved it so I can read it at my leisure. I have been a big Plant Delights fan since before they put pictures in their catalog. I actually ordered plants by the sometimes zany and always enthusiastic descriptions.

on Sep 13, 2012 · Like 0
Tammy Milton, FL

I have found a "redneck lupine" in my yard several years ago,when clearing for a pergola. It's yellow and I thought at first it was a weed. But, once I saw bloom, I decided,"what the heck." and through the year of the hurricanes, trampling grandkids, down to my dogs way of gardening, by laying on the flowers. The plant has endured. Now, I'm getting married under a newly built pavillian, which is where the pergola once was. The plant used to be live in high shade, prehurricane year. ...»
Since then it has become to live in mostly sun with a wee bit of shade. Over the years, we have gone through droughts and now 12" of rain above normal. This plant still thrives. I love it. I have never known the name of the plant, until now. Thanks for posting. I have only been on Hometalk for about two weeks, but I'm really getting alot of useful info. Another plant I think has been overlooked is the true Florida azalea IMHO.

on Sep 14, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Thanks for sharing your experience, Tammy. I'd never heard of Baptisia called "redneck lupine" until I read that interview, but it was one of my favorite plants in New York and I'm glad to know there's a chance I could grow it here in Florida, although you're much farther north than I am. And you're right about the Florida azalea, as well, although I have entirely the wrong soil for them. Sounds like you're going to have a beautiful place to get married. Congratulations, and welcome to Hometalk.

on Sep 14, 2012 · Like 1
Donna Dixson Buford, GA

Thanks Douglas, as if I don't have enough 'gotta have' as it is!

on Sep 14, 2012 · Like 0
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Great article! Lots of plants I've never seen or heard of! I have something that looks like that red velvet elvis but I think it's a daylilly, not an iris. I think I'll be adding that Japanese Woodland fern to my backyard though! I love ferns!

on Sep 14, 2012 · Like 1
Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL

Loved the article Douglas. Loved the ferns and the Allium. Thanks for posting. Post it again come spring, please.

on Sep 15, 2012 · Like 1
Ellen H Cullman, AL

I finally found time to read the article. I shared it on our Master Gardener facebook page. Thanks.

on Sep 15, 2012 · Like 1
Tammy Milton, FL

Thanks for the welcome Doug. I love where I live. To me it's the best place on earth.

on Sep 15, 2012 · Like 0
Sharron W Memphis, TN

Doug that article was great, but using te links to go to Tony's pages...Hysterical! My favorite....(possibly because it's also a pet peeve of mine), was crepe murder....LOL yeah he definately has a way with words....I loved that maidenhair fern and the phlox from mississippi...LOL

on Sep 15, 2012 · Like 0
Kris S Minneapolis, MN

Thanks for sharing! It helps so much to hear about others' experiences with different species of plants. Here in the northern midwest, I try to only plant perennials any more. Annuals I save for pots, hanging baskets. Too much work to replant every year.

on Sep 16, 2012 · Like 1
Conniece J Clarksville, TN

I really, really like wildflowers, the favorite to grow is flowering spurge,Euphorbia corollata. Because of the long flowering time, still blooming mid-September from July!

on Sep 16, 2012 · Like 0
Deborah Anderson

Do you think the 'redneck lupine' would grow up here in Yankee land - Rhode Island?

on Sep 16, 2012 · Like 0
Kathi Sturma-Chance

My daughter planted me a garden this year for Mothers Day, I am 57 and it is my very first garden, as she is mentally challenged she did a fantastic job, was the best mothers day gift ever, a gift certificate would be a great gift to give her to continue the garden

on Sep 16, 2012 · Like 2
Linda Harbin

Love the article and info! Love the humor too! I'm relearning gardening - I'm now retired and living in central Florida.

on Sep 16, 2012 · Like 1
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

@Kathi: I can't think of a better gift for a mother to get.
@Deborah: I grew Baptisia, or the "redneck lupine," in the Hudson Valley, so I'm sure it would grow in Rhode Island.

on Sep 16, 2012 · Like 1
Tammy Milton, FL

@Kathi That is awesome what the two of continue to do for each other. Gardening gives a sense of wonder for me.

on Sep 17, 2012 · Like 1
Karin P Houston, TX

I always loved Margaret Roach's book as well!

on Sep 20, 2012 · Like 1
Patty Bellingham, WA

I loved "A Way To Garden.com" signed up for my emails from them as well. Loved all the fun plants. Living in the PNW I adore my ferns and my Baptisia but also love different grasses as well. Dryopteris pycnopteroides or Japanese Wood Fern I would love to have and will look for it :-) My new loves are all the Hellebores as when I see their flowers popping up I know Spring is just around the corner. Tks Douglas for the great web site

on Sep 20, 2012 · Like 1
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

I share your love of hellebores, Patty. I thought I would have to say goodbye to them when I moved to Florida, but I am trying Helleborus lividus, which is native to Majorca, and recently spotted my first bloom, which made me very happy.

on Jan 09, 2013 · Like 1
Lumen Castaneda Jersey City, NJ

I have this japanese wood Fern and it's only now that i know the name. I have had it for 4 years in my fern garden but did not know its name. I have seven more ferns in there but this is the only one I do not know the name. thanks for the info.

7 days ago · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Happy to help you solve a mystery, Lumen.

6 days ago · Like 0
Tammy Milton, FL

It always seems that Douglas Hunt has the answers to the mysteries of the garden. May he continue to do well in our plights of the garden along the way.

Yesterday · Like 0