Visiting Bluestone next week-need your opinions

14 years ago

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are going to be out in Ohio next week, so will take a side trip on the way home to pick up an existing perennial order from Bluestone. We were there several years ago too....and I know they told me I can buy 3/$6 on perennials when we get there in person. I'm not sure if they have to be the same perennial (?) or mix 'n match...

Anyway, here is a list of potential perennials I am considering (have to pare down). I am mainly interested in CUT FLOWERS. If anyone has personal info on which ones NOT to purchase (ie, horribly invasive, hard to grow, not a good bloomer, etc.) would you mind advising me? Thanks so much!

Achillea Terra Cotta

Adenophora Amethyst

Aquilegia skinnerii Tequila Sunrise

Campanula persicifolia New Giant

Campanula Sarastro

Campanula punctata Cherry Bells or Pantaloons (read that they may be invasive or not bloom well?)

Centranthus ruber

Chrysanthemum superburm Wirral Pride

Delphinium (which ones are reliable returners in zone 5 & better for cutting?)

Dianthus barbatus Novena Clown

Dianthus x Itsaul White

Echinacea purpurea Pink Double Delight

Gaillardia Frenzy

Gaillardia Oranges & Lemons

Lobelia cardinalis Ruby Slipper

Lobelia Monet Moment

Lychnis Chalcedonica

Monarda Lambada

Penstemon (Rondo?) or ...........? (I have Red Rocks)

Phlox paniculata Bright Eyes

Phlox paniculata David

Phlox paniculata Starfire

Primula vialii Miracle

Platycodon Mariesii

Veronica Sunny Border Blue (or other?) (I do have Royal Candles)

Also, any recommendations for a salvia that DOESN'T smell like cat urine? I have grown a few from seed, and they are beautiful to look at, but smell just like my cat pee'd on them!

Thanks for all your help!!

:0) Phyl

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Comments (11)

tepelus
14 years ago
Well, I can only give advice on a couple. The campanula punctata Cherry Bells can be invasive. I have it in a bed of mine and I'm going to have to shovel prune most of it out. It spreads all over, unless you don't mind. No personal experience with gaillardia Oranges and Lemons, but I've read on here from others that it acts more like an annual than perennial, though the flowers are beautiful. Someone else I'm sure will come around with their thoughts. Oh, and lobelia like moisture. If you have a spot where water seems to catch, a low lying area, with at least a few hours of full sun, they'd be happy.

Karen
conniemcghee
14 years ago
My oranges and lemons came back from last year. I was thrilled! I tried to move it, though, and it is pouting up a storm. I bought it late in the season last year, and it was one of the last things to stop blooming (maybe in late October/early November).

I have Achillea Terra Cotta too, and this is SUCH a beautiful color! It has more than doubled in size since I put it in last year (from Bluestone, 4" pots). I think I might have to stay on top of keeping it in check.

Also have David Phlox (also from Bluestone, come to think of it). It was wonderful!! Very long bloom period.

I have one little Monarda Lambada seedling that I just planted out yesterday. I'm curious if anyone has anything to report about it re: invasiveness. I planted it in my perennial bed, and hope that wasn't a mistake! :)

Wow, 3 for $6 perennials from Bluestone! What a deal! Have fun shopping!!
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sweet_betsy No AL Z7
14 years ago
Cherry bells campanula is one of the worst thugs that I ever allowed into my garden. It cannot be weeded out easily--it just breaks off and then comes right back. Even a little piece left in the soil sprouts and makes a new plant. Heaven help another plant that gets in its way. Cherry bells just gobbles it up and keeps going.
crunchpa
14 years ago
If you are in the area when the season is further along you should visit Holden arboretum. It is a short distance from there, its a wonderful hike.
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
14 years ago
Actually, there may be a fair amount of stuff to look at at the Holden Arboretum, even now. There have an incredible range of flowering trees and shrubs, and I almost always visit there when I go to visit my mom in northern Ohio. If you are into birds, take your binocs as well. There are some gorgeous wooded hiking trails as well as the more planted/maintained areas.
User
14 years ago
My opinion is.... you should have taken ME with you! Hope I get a chance to go there someday...
mxk3 z5b_MI
14 years ago
I'd nix the Veronica "Sunny Border Blue" - the blooms are stubby and stocky in comparison to other Veronica cultivars, it's the George Costanza of Veronica.

"Blue Charm" has lovely, long graceful blooms, and "Icicle" is a great white cultivar of Veronica - I'd recommend those over "SBB", no question.
christinmk z5b eastern WA
14 years ago
Hi again Phyl! ;-)
Centranthus ruber is a great plant for difficult areas. Itcan reseed a lot, but I don't consider it invasive. A warning though, the flowers STINK. So you might want to reconsider that if you were interested in making arrangements out of them. I also think Chrysanthemums small horribly as well.

Phlox 'David' has to be a favorite of mine- no mildew! It does make a wonderful boquet.
The campanulas you mentioned (Sarastro and Cherry Bells) have been somewhat invasive for me.
CMK
phylrae
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for all your insights! Maybe we'll take a look at the arboretum you mentioned.....
I thought centranthus ruber was supposed to smell GOOD...really? It stinks? Awww.....forget it then. :0(
That's good to know about the campanula....looks so pretty in pictures, but I hate invasive stuff! Maybe in a planter....
I've had my eye on Wirral Pride for several years....shasta daisies smell bad? I have two other kinds-they don't smell to me....
Gaillardia oranges & lemons...maybe I'll nix that one too. I do have quite a few things growing that I winter-sowed....golden marguerites (will keep in a pot)....

Anybody else with opinions?
Thanks! :0) Phyl
sergeantcuff
14 years ago
I would nix the Adenophora - it is the worst thing I ever planted - very aggressive, thru roots and seed and I think scraggly and weedy (I do not have the variety you mentioned though, but I'd be careful!)

For cut flowers, perhaps the regular sweet william would be better than the shorter variety you've listed?

Sounds like a fun trip! Have a great time.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
I ordered the Terra Cotta Achillea from Bluestone a few years ago and loved it the first year, but never after that. The color changed to a pale dusty color, darn it all. I got rid of it all.

Visiting Bluestone next week-need your opinions

Comments (11)

tepelus

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Visiting Bluestone next week-need your opinions

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