Ok, I have a tough one for you guys! I am looking for a perennial that has the following attributes:
1) Needs to be hardy in 7b
2) Needs to have blueish-purple or purplish-blue blooms
3) Can perform well in an area that is 4-5 hours of afternoon sun
4) Can only be up to 12-14 inches max in mature height
5) Will bloom continuously spring until frost (at least April through October here in Atlanta)
Does anyone know a perennial that meets these criteria? I was thinking Walker's Low Catmint, but from the various sources I have read, it actually gets to be taller than the above specs I am looking for. Little Trudy Catmint doesn't bloom as long as Walker's Low, right?
Thank you!
Need help finding a perennial...Here's a Tough One (I think)
That is a tough one, mainly because of the length of bloom. You are right---Walker's Low Catmint will bloom for that entire time---but it will be too tall for you.
My purple plants that meet your height requirement and bloom for the same duration as my Walker's low are my scabiosa. If you deadhead/cut back they will bloom all summer for you.
Another option is Jacob's ladder. If you shear it back, it will bloom again and go for much of the summer.....not quite as long as scabiosa in my experience. I do not have a pic of my Jacob's ladder.
Although an annual (though sometimes I get 2 years out of mine) a verbena would work nicely too---so many purple colors available.
I really love my Veronica 'Crater Lake Blue'---perfect height---but only blooms spring and first half of the summer.
Another choice is Salvia nemerosa 'Blue Hill'. However, probably won't start blooming as early as April.
I am unable to take advantage of the uploading of more than 2 images due to size of my files.
First pic is my scabiosa. Second pic is slope with my Walker's Low Catmint (shows how huge it gets).
Next pic is Veronica 'Crater Lake Blue'
Pic after that is Salvia nemerosa 'Blue Hill' with rudbeckia. Nice and compact. Color very similar to Catmint.
Here is the link to the DG scabiosa I have. All of the reviews remark how it blooms Spring through fall for everyone, and year round for some. So it definitely fits the bloom period you desire.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31644/
Hi... got a few ideas for you. Catanche caulea 14-18"(cupids dart), Delphinium grandiflora, Gentian, Dracocephalum imberbe or moldavicum ( the annual variety blooms the whole season and lightly reseeds), Campanula percisifolia or glomerata (might be some others in the genus of campanulas),, Osteospurmum..both annuals and perrens., Linarea purpurea, Veronica spicata ( is a bit lighter in color than crater lake), Penstemon Shadow Mountain, Lavendula angusstifolia Munsted
pix: campanula percisifolia
pix: veronica spicata
pix: centaurea montana, 14-18"
pix: Geranium rozzane, allsummer blooming perenn. (might also be some others in the perenn varieties), humulus (golden hops) and centranthus
pix: Salvia nemerosa
This message was edited Feb 25, 2012 12:56 AM
This message was edited Feb 25, 2012 12:58 AM
This message was edited Feb 25, 2012 12:59 AM
What about geranium (cranesbill) Rozanne? By itself it blooms its head off all season with gorgeous blue-purple flowers, but it could also be planted with something else, salvia or Veronica maybe. It loves to clamber through and add its beauty to others, and would pick up any slack in blooms during the season.
Pam
Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I really appreciate the options and feedback!!!
Walker's Low Catmint is really your only choice, but like you said too big. I do realize this is more on the "exotic" side but this is one of my favorites and will bloom spring-fall. EXTREMELY SHOWY AND BEAUTIFUL. Spiderwort "Sweet Kate" Tradescantia.
here's a link just to show you.
http://www.pazgrowers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=51
Sorry, didn't notice Rozanne in the previous post!
I've had lots of experience with tradescantia, in many colors. It is a blooming machine, non-stop all summer, and tough as nails in my zone. Good suggestion, Paz.
Pam
Is it deer resistant ? I can look (and will) but would like other's experience since sometimes the net info not correct
Here's a new one for me. Little Titch catmint. Should bloom almost all year.
http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/989/little-titch-catmint.php