Focus on plants - Spring 2013

 Focus on plants

                                Goldflame Spirea (for sunny spots)

                The Goldflame Spirea or - Spiraea x bumalda 'Goldflame', is one of my favorite spring shrubs for bright foliage color. The leaves of the Goldflame Spirea start out as a bright orange – bronze, and then they mature to a yellow green color. In the summer time, small pink flowers add additional interest. The fall color is a red tint. The shrub looks best if pruned back (by - ¼ - 1/3 )  in late fall or early spring before the leaves emerge. This is a low maintenance shrub that will get approximately 3’ high by 4’ wide.

 

 

 

 

Bleeding Heart  (for shady spots)

                The Common Bleeding Heart or - Dicentra spectabilis, is an old fashion woodland garden perennial that adds flower colors and foliage texture to the shade garden.  The tropical looking foliage adds a lush feeling to the garden while the specular blooms add color and interest. The flower, which resembles a bleeding heart- hence the name – will bloom in early spring and will spread slowly to a large clump around 2’-3’ high and wide.