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Ajuga, Bugle Flower, Carpet Bugle
Common Foxglove
Japanese Fatsia
Flanders Poppy
Japanese Fatsia
Montebretia
Ajuga, Bugle Flower, Carpet Bugle

Common name:Ajuga, Bugle Flower, Carpet Bugle
Botanical name:Ajuga reptans

This colorful groundcover will grow in shade or sun with slightly moist soil. It is an evergreen with purplish rosettes that spread quickly on upright, slightly hairy stems. Blue bloom spikes cover these plants in April and May, and are 6-8" when blooming. This versatile groundcover can also be used in shady wildflower beds. -Holland Wildflower Farm

Common Foxglove

Common name:Common Foxglove
Botanical name:Digitalis purpurea

This biennial Foxglove will reach 3'-4' tall when blooming in the early summer. The large spire of huge, bell-shaped flowers ranges from purple to pink to cream with purple specks. Large, textured leaves form an attractive rosette until bloom time. This plant likes a moist, filtered-sun area similar to the Lobelias and Columbines. -Holland Wildflower Farm

Japanese Fatsia

Common name:Japanese Fatsia
Botanical name:Fatsia japonica

This evergreen shrub has large, glossy, fan-like leaves that grow to 16" wide. It has a moderate growth rate to a size of 5'-8' that can be kept lower with occasional pruning. It has a very lush, tropical appearance, and grows well in partial shade.

Flanders Poppy

Common name:Flanders Poppy
Botanical name:Papaver rhoeas 'Flanders Field'

This beautiful annual has bright red single flowers, each petal often marked at its base with a large black blotch. Sow seeds in spring. Flanders Poppy is attractive near entries, walkways, and in containers. It can reach 3' tall and prefers full sun in well draining, rich soil. It may re-sow.

Japanese Fatsia

Common name:Japanese Fatsia
Botanical name:Fatsia japonica

This evergreen shrub has large, glossy, fan-like leaves that grow to 16" wide. It has a moderate growth rate to a size of 5'-8' that can be kept lower with occasional pruning. It has a very lush, tropical appearance, and grows well in partial shade.

Montebretia

Common name:Montebretia
Botanical name:Crocosmia X crocosmiiflora

Montebretia is a bulb, closely resembling gladiolus. Vertical, strap like leaves grow to 3' tall. Brilliant red, coral/apricot, red, red-orange, or bright yellow flowers sit on top of arching stalks during the summer. Plants may wither in winter but come back in spring. It requires sun to part shade. Once this plant is established, it requires little or no summer watering. This plant performs well in containers as it is considered invasive in some areas.

Designer:

Packed Plant Island

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.

Water Saving Tip:

In general, lawns only need to be watered once every three days.

Check your irrigation controller and reduce watering times if necessary.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.