One of the perpetual horticultural quests is for repeat bloomers. We extol hybrid tea, shrub, and floribunda roses for their floriferous status in this regard, but there are other plants that exhibit this capacity as well.
For example, there are many varieties of remontant or reblooming, bearded irises. At brecks.com, you will find 40 of them. In addition to flowering in the spring, they bloom again in the fall. Many daylilies are reblooming but the most notable of these is Stella de Oro, a yellow-orange variety that blooms uninterruptedly from spring to fall. Stella de Oro also bears the distinction of being evergreen in warm winter climates such as our own.
Although ice plants are nearly always late winter or early spring bloomers, purple ice plant (Lampranthus productus) flowers on and off throughout the year, even if Its vibrant blooms are most plentiful in spring, presenting a display of flowers that brings to onlookers repeated rushes of adrenalin and gasps of delight. A relative of purple ice plant, although it does not bloom throughout the year, is worthy of mention here. Known simply as pink ice plant (Lampranthus/Oscularia deltoides), its fleshy leaves, reflecting the species name, which means “little mouths,” have the appearance of open mouths, including teeth. These leaves are an attractive blue-green and triangular in shape, contrasting wonderfully with wine red stems. Pinkish lavender flowers are a bonus in spring and early summer, but the foliage alone makes this plant worth growing, especially in containers. It is also more tolerant of shade than any other ice plant.
Two California natives that you may not think of as repeat bloomers will perform that way if planted in mild summer areas along the coast or, if located inland, given occasional water during spring and summer. Coral bells (Heuchera species), one such native for partial shade locationg, is highly sensitive to too much water, but where the soil is well drained and it receives an occasional drink, a flower show in both spring and fall is possible. And I have seen California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) rebloom in the fall in Santa Clarita where they grew in partial sun and were regularly watered.
In my own San Fernando Valley backyard, I have a California poppy that has been flowering without interruption for more than six months. It currently has 100 flowers and shows no signs of slowing down. I do think that a number of factors have contributed to its non-stop flower show. First, it’s a volunteer. When a seed sprouts in a particular spot without being planted there by you or me, it is telling the world that it has found the right niche for reaching its full potential as a mature plant. Second, my poppy received the benefit of being watered a few minutes every other day throughout a summer which, in any case, was cooler than normal. Third, my plant has spread out like a mat, covering the ground so that roots are constantly shaded and cool. Fourth, the seed sprouted a few inches from a fence so its major roots have grown underneath woody planks, benefitting from the protection that they afford.
Even though my California poppy receives half or more of the day’s sun, its roots are perpetually in the shade. It’s an inviolable rule of growth that a plant with its feet (roots) in the shade and its head (shoots) in the sun will thrive. Roots can be shaded by a hardscape feature, as when they grow under a fence, a wall, or a pathway of stone or concrete, or by the generous foliar growth of the plant itself, but positive results when roots are shaded are virtually guaranteed. That’s an argument, by the way, for close plant spacing since the cheek-by-jowl intimacy of one plant with another shades roots and is conducive to lush growth.
Pincushion flower (Scabiosa columbaria), with flowers shaped to match its name, is a perennial generally seen with mauve blooms, but may also appear in pink or burgundy. It blooms on and off continuously. We typically think of geraniums in various reds and pinks or even purples, but there are bluish-lavender perennial geraniums that bloom in all four seasons as well.
Threadleaf coreopsis Moonbeam (Coreopsis verticillata) is a ground cover with captivating pale yellow flowers most of the year. Finally, butterfly bush offers continuous bloom from late spring to fall as long as spent flowers are quickly removed, allowing side branches bearing plentiful flowers to take their place. With all of the above heavy bloomers, it is recommended that faded flowers be immediately clipped along with their stalks. The exception would be California poppy which, in my backyard at least, has kept blooming despite no dead heading, as faded flowers have been granted the freedom to turn into seed capsules.
When it comes to growing gardenias, Laguna is the place to be. Two correspondents from that locale recently emailed about their gardenias, which have proven to be decidedly unfussy. Joe Rachel, who gardens in Laguna Hills, wrote as follows: “I have two gardenia plants and my favorite is the First Love variety. It blooms for 2-3 months this time of year. I never water it and only fertilize it with BioAdvanced Rose and Flower Care. We love our gardenias and always bring cut blooms into the house for the fragrance.”
And then Carol Moore, who gardens in Laguna Woods, told the following story, a testimony to how a changing microclimate can affect the health of a plant: “Years ago, I planted a gardenia next to my driveway. The location was extremely poor. The soil was poor, the water supply was inadequate, and there was far too much sun. However, although the plant struggled, it continued to grow. The amount of sun gradually decreased because a nearby tree grew and began to provide afternoon shade. Over time I clipped the front of the plant to prevent it encroaching on the driveway and so it grew up and to the side, which was perfect for it. At one point, I noticed yellow leaves and looked up some information and learned it needed iron. A couple of times I had some rust particles from a container in my guest bath so I dumped them around the base and the plant responded over time. I also began to pour my coffee grounds around its base. Years later, it is taller than me, and I continue to provide space for it to spread wider.This spring the plant was loaded with blossoms and so delightful to smell.” Ultimately, she concluded, “I truly respect a plant that doesn’t give up and meets me more than half way.”
California native of the week: Van Houtte’s or serpentine columbine (Aquilegia eximia) has a most distinctive look. Its flowers appear as perfectly shaped orange crowns, each hanging over a clutch of golden pistils and stamens. It’s a perennial that can grow as tall as five feet and it can handle a variety of soil types, but is best given partial shade in hot summer climates and watered regularly, especially when young. Serpentine columbine attracts all manner of pollinators and butterflies and will reliably self-sow in average garden soil.
If anyone has had experience with a repeat bloomer that they would like to share, please send it along to Joshua@perfectplants.com. Your questions and comments, along with any gardening conundrums or successes, are always welcome.
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