Page 18 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2023_WEB

CULTIVATING COMMUNICATION (Continued) with bare ground.

• Slow growers like Rhodea japonica provide structure • Ferns – can’t go wrong with any of them. Tall ferns
winter through fall. provide structure, while the more delicate ferns are best

• Tiarella and Polemomium are wonderful additions for kept close to the pathway.
spring bloom. Pop them into a pocket here or there. • Tricyrtis sp. – Toad Lilies are the perfect announcement

• Hosta – I tend to use these in moderation, allowing the that fall is near. The orchid-like flowers in shades of
unusual foliage colors and textures to pop. From my white, purple, and yellow are showstoppers when
personal design perspective, too many Hostas in one observed up close. I like to plant these near a path as
garden can be distracting. well, to gain the most enjoyment from them. Beautiful
arching foliage is reliable year after year.
• Dogtooth Violets and Mayapples (and other spring
ephemerals) – these tend to be the coveted shade Shade provides us with many opportunities in the
plants. While they don’t show their face for very long landscape - gardens with textural interest and seasonal
each year, they bring a lot of excitement with unusual color pops. The takeaway is that gardens change and
flower forms and colors. Once established they are grow, what was full sun one year might not be full sun in 3
very tough competitors, just keep in mind that you will years. Use this fact to educate your customers, encourage
need a companion for later. These ephemerals will go them to experience these changes, and allow them to
dormant in the heat of the summer, and you will be left “grow” with their garden. A

Pachysandra procumbens -
beautiful mottled foliage.

Dogtooth Violets in spring.

Wendy Brister
Marketing Director
Cavano’s Perennials, Inc.
Kingsville MD
410-592-8077
wendy@cavanos.com

18 WINTER 2023 • Free State News