Plant of the Month-April 09

From In the Garden

There are so many good plants in bloom this month that I had to narrow my choice down to one single question:

What is a show stopper in the garden right now?

The answer to that question has to be the Japanese Rose, aka Kerria japonica. My particular cultivar is 'Plenifora'; which is a double kerria that grows to about 6 feet tall and spreads slowly by suckers. It is growing in a spot where it only gets afternoon sun and it is doing great! I planted this shrub last spring and rarely watered it last summer. Despite neglect it bloomed off an on all summer and fall. And just look at it now! I think a showstopper indeed. Especially more so since it is sited under mature oak trees.

According to this website the kerria is hardy to Zone 5. Yeah for northern gardeners! This plant is a must have in all gardens. I like the green stems in the winter and I like its ease of care and long period of bloom. On my recent trip to McMinnville with my friends Judie and Phil, I insisted they should also get a kerria, and they did. You see, kerrias are poisonous and are listed as rarely damaged plants when deer maraud your garden. A good thing for gardeners with deer problems like my friends Judie and Phil. So far I do not have a deer issue here, and my dogs do not eat my plants so I do not worry about the kerria being poisonous. If you have plant eating children or pets take care when planting the kerria.

I also wanted to show you some other plants in the running for the coveted title of Plant of the Month in my garden. Last April's Plant of the was pulmonaria, a stellar performer even this year but not quite the showstopper like the kerria.

Grape hyacinths are a real stunner this year. I love the blue of them.

Camellias are still blooming strong. This particular one is a Camellia japonica. It is one of only two japonicas I grow and only because it was a markdown plant.

The 'Perfecta' bergenias I recently planted are trying to bloom.

Pieris is an outstanding shrub in the garden. I posted on this plant this time last year.

The tulips look pretty good. I enjoy them each year though hybrids are not my favorite. A post will come concerning the differences between species tulips and hybrid tulips at some point. Stay tuned.

Candytuft, aka Iberis sempervirens is hard to beat no matter the month of the year. I love this perennial very much!

Hyacinths are wonderful this year. I planted several hundred bulbs last fall. These were all marked down to cents at Rural King and I think I bought them out. The results show. And the bonus of hyacinths is that they will return each year.

Sorry about the other plant pictures, but I thought I'd use these as part of my bloom day post too and I also thought some of you might have these plants growing in your garden. I bet one of them could be your choice for your 'Plant of the Month'-so do let us know which one it is or if it is one not pictured....

in the garden....

Pieris-Not Piers of Celebrity Apprentice!

Pieris japonica, aka pieris or 'Lily of the Valley' and sometimes known as 'Andromeda' shrub is a great shrub in my garden. Granted, I have only been growing this one for one year, but I really like it. Note the tulips emerging behind and to the right of the pieris-I am looking forward to these blooming this year.


Pieris is related to azaleas and rhododendrons-not to be confused with the Piers of Celebrity Apprentice; he is quite the character and fun to watch! Like rhododendrons and azaleas, pieris likes moist acid soil, dappled shade and protection from the hot sun and drying winds. I planted this one under a mature Pitch Pine. It has done well over the past year and recently put out its flower tassels, though the flowers have not yet opened. The flower buds are those little white ball shapes attached to the tassel. When they open, they will look like lily of the valley flowers and will be fragrant.

Pieris will bloom for about two months, during which time it will start putting out new growth. New growth is really the reason to plant this shrub. A mature shrub looks more like a kaleidoscope of a mass of different shrubs because new growth is so colorful.

My friend Dianne has the most beautiful pieris in her front yard. I was enamoured when I saw it last spring. Her shrub is about 8 feet tall and wide, and is located in a prominent spot in front of her home near her driveway. It was stunning. The foliage is a shiny evergreen and the new growth displayed colors of reds, maroons, pinks, and all shades of greens all at once.

Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants says pieris is hardy from Zone 4b (with protection) to Zone 7. Perfect for our climate here in Tennessee. It can tolerate some sun, but make sure it is not the hot afternoon sun. This shrub grows slowly and will grow to 4-6' in 5-8 years. (Dirr 1975)

Pieris are very easy to find in stores at this time of year. If you want a hardier shrub to replace azaleas and rhododendrons, you might want to pick one up the next time you are out shopping.

in the garden....