Paeonia (pay-own-ee-uh) or peony is a favorite flower of many northern gardens.  The sweet-scented flowers are large and range in colors of pink, red, white and pale yellow with attractive stems of pink to red.  The foliage remains interesting in the garden all season.  Peonies make an excellent border or small hedge but may need the support of a low wire cage to prevent flopping.  They are low maintenance when established but need soil preparation and well-drained soil.  Let the leaves fade before trimming to allow for the feeding of the roots that fix next years blooms.  

Peonies are native to China but are suited to northern United States. They need a winter chill and do not thrive in the American south where temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees F.  Plant them correctly in full sun, a minimum of six hours a day, in rich soil. A layer of composted manure in the bottom of the hole will get the plant off to a good start.  If planted to deep, flower buds will turn brown.  Plant the eyes just below the soil surface 1 ½”-2”.  The plant may not bloom the first year as it is still developing a root system. 

Peonies are not native to North America but have an interesting connection to Minnesota.  For many years Faribault, Minnesota, was the peony capital of the world, due to the work of O.F. Brand family.  O.F. Brand began planting peonies in 1868 from seed, sometimes waiting ten years for the plants to bloom.  He sold bare root plants through a mail-order catalog.  By 1920, Brand Peonies were the best in the country.  The city of Faribault celebrated the fame with a community peony festival that featured a parade and peony queen.  The depression ended the festival but Brand Peonies, later known as Tischler Peonies, continued until 1980.

For many gardeners the easy maintenance, and fragrant cutting flower make peonies a favorite garden plant.

Sources for this article

Schier, Mary Lahr. The Northern Gardener:  from apples to zinnias, 150 years of garden wisdom.  2017:  Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Heger, Mike and John Whitman.  Growing Perennials in Cold Climates.  1998:  John Whitman Contemporary Books, Lincolnwood, Illinois. 

Hostas, astible are some of the more common perennials avaiblle for shade. If you are looking for something new to add to your shady area consider pulmonaria or brunnera.

Pulmonaria

Pulmonaria or lungwort is a fine early-spring blooming plant. The tiny flowers range from blue, pink, white or red. Although small, the flowers attract hummingbirds and bees. The long slender spotted foliage is attractive after blooming. Lungwort’s are easy to grow, require no maintenance, and are rarely affected by disease or insects. The plant spreads evenly into a round mound. They can be planted as a ground cover in shady area or along a wooded border.

Pulmonaria thrive in light shade but will grow in full sun, provided the plant is well watered during the growing season. If not properly watered the leaves will turn brown and wither. Ideal locations include the edge of woods where they can spread and shaded foundation areas. The plant spreads slowly from crowns and if spaced 12-18 inches apart, it will become a beautiful ground cover.

Pulmonaria’s flowers are small but add a magical touch to the spring time garden.

Brunnera

Brunnera “Jack Frost” is commonly referred to as Siberian Bugloss. Primarily grown in shade areas for the attractive heart-shaped, white frost leaves with dark green edges. Small, blue forget-me-not-flowers with white centers bloom on delicate 18” stems in the spring. The heart shaped leaves remain attractive all season.

Plants prefer shade and cool areas and will not do well in heat. Mounds of the Brunnera “Jack Frost” spread slowly by creeping rhizomes to become a thick ground cover. The slow spread may cause new plants to have a leaf variation. Jack Frost is a colorful, low maintenance perennial. It is also rabbit resistant.

This is an interesting perennial to tuck in and around evergreen borders.

Author: Carole Dunn, Master Gardener

Dahlias are gorgeous, colorful flowers that bloom from midsummer through fall.  The Dahlia is a genus of tuberous plants that grow from tubers planted in the spring. They come in a rainbow of colors and range in size from 2-inch to giant 15-inch “dinner plate” blooms.

 In Minnesota, dahlias are treated like annuals. Dedicated dahlia growers will dig up the tubers and store in a cool dry place over the winter.  Dahlias need moist soil and large varieties should be staked as they grow. Dahlias are heavy feeders, so when you prepare to plant, loosen the soil to a depth of 8 -10 inches, work in manure or compost and fertilize with 5-10–-15 fertilizer. They need 5 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

For more information on growing dahlias please visit UMN Extension.

Sometimes referred to as narcissus, daffodils nodding yellow, white, or variegated heads, are true harbingers of spring. Daffodils are a colorful addition to your garden with few basic steps.

How do daffodils grow?

Daffodils are a spring-flowering plant that grows from a bulb planted in the fall. In spring the bulbs send up leaves that form buds, each of which develops into a flower or two depending on the variety. The outside of the flower is known as the perianth. This can be a different color than the inside trumpet or corona. Beneath the ground the bulb absorbs nutrients manufactured by the leaves after flowering, which can go on for 7 weeks or longer. The leaves fade, drop to the ground, and the plant goes dormant. Cut the leaves off only after they have fallen to the ground and are brown.

Where can daffodils be planted for success?

Daffodils do best in full sun, although they can tolerate some shade. If planting under a tree, consider removing lower branches to allow for light. Daffodils require well-drained soil. Rocks or clay soil should be removed and replaced with a mix of quality soil, which should be 1 part peat moss and 2 parts soil. Dig up an area to the depth of 12 inches.

Using a shovel loosen soil at the bottom of the trench or hole. Mix new soil into the bottom to create a bed of loose soil for the bulb roots to form. Fill the opening to 8 inches and arrange the bulbs 3-4 inches apart with the wide end of the bulb down and gently press into the soil. Gently cover with soil and water. A 10-10-10 commercial fertilizer or organic fertilizer such as bone meal, blood meal or cow manure can be added.

Where can I buy daffodil bulbs?

Garden centers, online retailers, and mail order garden catalogs are the usual sources. Bulbs that have a soft base, dark brown or black coloring should not be purchased. Look at the mail order bulbs carefully and return any that are bad. Plant the bulbs as soon as you purchase them or receive them in the mail. Bulbs are alive so heat and humidity can cause damage. Reputable dealers will have the bulbs in a cool well- ventilated area. Mail order catalogs will ship during your areas best planting period, which is mid August thru September. Bulbs need 10-12 weeks to from roots so early October is the latest time to plant.

How do I care for daffodils?

Water newly planted bulbs frequently during the fall. Gardeners frequently forget to water, which is needed for root development. If spring rains are not adequate, begin watering.

Cut back on watering as the foliage fades. Buds begin developing on the bulbs; so begin watering in late summer and continue through the fall. Mulch prevents weeds from growing around the bulbs but if the bulbs are naturalized, mulch is not practical. Fertilize in the spring before new growth appears. Avoid touching new growth with fertilizer and water immediately after the application to wash the fertilizer down to the roots.

Daffodils do not need staking but deadheading will result in a more attractive bed. Daffodils are generally insect and disease free.

Daffodils make a colorful early spring bouquet. Some are sweet scented. Harvest the flowers just as the bud begins to open and place immediately in water. Do not mix daffodils with other flowers since daffodils release a slime that is toxic. For long lasting bouquets add 5 drops of bleach to the water.

With a minimum of garden preparation and plant maintenance, daffodils will reward the gardener with colorful spring joy.