By ianhemingway on May 10, 2012
Northern Starflower (Trientalis borealis)
Northern Starflower (Trientalis borealis) flowering in May. Photo by: Ian S. Hemingway
- Type: Native Herbaceous Perennial. Threatened or endangered in several U.S. States.
- Hardiness: Zones 3-7.
- Uses: A low perennial ground cover for woodland plantings, shaded natural settings, and native shade gardens. Adds a delicate, subtle beauty especially when growing alongside Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum), Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), and Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) in the dappled shadow of Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia).
- Size: 4″ to 8″ tall, spreading indefinitely where necessary growing conditions exist.
- Growth rate: Slow. Reproduces by seed and underground rhizomes. Forms colonies.
- Light: Bright or dappled shade.
- Soil: Moist, acid soil.
- Flower: White, star shaped, 3/8 inch diameter. usually with seven petals. Blooms in May and June. Pollinated by native bees.
- Fruit: Capsule, bearing seed, ripens in late summer. Seed is distributed by small mammals, birds, and insects. Seed will germinate late the following year after exposure to cold.
- Leaf: Medium to dark green, 1″ to 2″ long and 1/2″ wide, whorled, born on short stems, usually seven leaves to a whorl. In dry years, the plant may go dormant in the summer, becoming leafless.
- Bark: n/a
- Cultivars: n/a
Posted in Conserving Natural Resources, Food for Birds and other Wildlife, Forest trees, Native plants, New England Landscapes, Plant identification, Shade trees
By ianhemingway on April 13, 2012
Myrtle (Vinca minor) aka Creeping Myrtle, Common Periwinkle.
Myrtle (Vinca minor 'Bowles') blooming in early April. Photo by: Ian S. Hemingway
- Type: Evergreen ground cover, flowering vine. Native to Europe, Western Asia.
- Hardiness: Zones 4-8.
- Uses: Ground cover, early color, containers, erosion control. Not generally effective as a climbing vine.
- Size: 6″ to 8″ high, spreading indefinitely.
- Growth rate: Slow to moderate. Perhaps fast in southern regions.
- Light: Full sun to shade. May yellow or burn when exposed to winter sun in the north. Snow cover is helpful.
- Soil: Moist, well drained, organic, slightly acid soil is best. Will “just sit there”, failing to spread, or languish in dry soil. Overly fertile soil, or over use of quick release liquid fertilizer will encourage fungal issues (Phomopsis).
Bowles Myrtle (Vinca minor 'Bowles') Blooming in April. Photo by: Ian S. Hemingway
- Flower: Blooms abundantly in early to mid spring, then sporadically until frost. One inch diameter, five petaled flowers are deep blue to purplish, pale blue or white, depending on the selection.
- Fruit: Ornamentally insignificant.
- Leaf: Opposite, dark green, elliptical, 1″ to 1.25″ long by 1/2″ wide, evergreen. Some cultivars are variegated.
- Bark: Oranmentally insignificant.
- Cultivars: ‘Bowles’- Popular large blue flowered, clumping selection. ‘Alba’- White flowers. ‘Sterling Silver’-Creamy variegation on leaf margin, pale blue flowers. Lest vigorous than green leaved varieties. ‘Illumination’- Popular, new, vigorous form with golden leaf variegation, and purplish-blue flowers. Great for containers. Use with discretion in the landscape as large masses may appear garish.
- Design tip: Groundcovers, like Myrtle, out-compete weeds, conserve soil moisture, cool the ground, and reduce the need for expensive and time consuming mulching. Ground covers can provide a low maintenance ”floor” for your landscape in areas where turf will not grow.
Posted in Great plants, New England Landscapes, Plant identification
