Ruby's Tuesday Carnations

I have planted an Award Winning Devon Cottage (TM) Ruby's Tuesday Carnation (Dianthus hybrid) in a large terra cotta pot in full sun.  These carnations grow upright and bloom bright red flowers during Spring and Summer that attract butterflies and are excellent cut flowers (above, my Ruby's Tuesday in May 2010).

Growing Tips: Ruby's Tuesday Carnations prefer full to partial sun, regular watering.  Fertilizing is recommended for best results but I have never fertilized my carnations and they come back every year.  Grows 10" - 14" tall, space 18" apart.

Perennial Tips: Trim back flower stems in Fall for new blooms next year.  Cover exposed soil with hazelnut shell mulch during the winter. Note: This is an annual except in zones 7 - 11.

Pink Vinca

Vinca have large pink flowers on heat-tolerant plants.  Vinca are known for their dark green, rubber like leaves and bright delicate flowers.  Use in beds, borders and window boxes.  I planted my Pink Vinca into a medium-sized terra cotta pot in full sun (above, my Pink Vinca in early May 2010).

Growing Tips:  Plant in full sun, 10" apart, water when top inch of soil is dry.  Grows 5" - 7" tall.

Medium Red Salvia

Medium Red Salvia's are fiery-red flower spikes most often used in borders, beds or pots. I planted my Salvia among Marigolds in a cedar wood planter box in full sun (Above, My Medium Red Salvia in May 2010). 

Growing Tips: Plant in sun or partial sun, spaced 12" apart.  Grows 14" - 18" inches tall.

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) are perennials with striking flowers, usually in pink but can also be white that attract hummingbirds and are very pretty cut.  Bleeding Hearts prefer cool, moist soil which helps prevent summer dormancy. (above) My Bleeding Heart in May 2010.

Growing Tips:  Plant in partial sun or shade in zones 2 through 9.  Blooms midspring to summer and grows to 30" tall.  Space a minimum of 36" apart.  Adapts well to dry or moist conditions but keep watering to a regular schedule.

Perennial Tips: If your bleeding heart is in a place it really likes, it will almost double in size annually so be sure to leave plenty of room when deciding what to plant around it.  I put mine in a large tin washbucket and it LOVES it.  Pick off dead flowers to encourage new blooms all summer.

Pink Astilbe

Astilbe's are long blooming flowers held above airy foliage.  Astilbes are perennials that are one of the earliest plants to grow and love the shade, perfect for bringing color into darker areas of your garden.  My astilbe is actually planted under a large, shady tree where mostly moss finds its way, yet my pink astilbe loves it there and comes back twice its size every year before it.  Typically starts flowering in late May/early June and will bloom through Fall.  (right, my pink astilbe in June 2009)

Astilbes prefer partial shade but can grow in full sun if given plenty of water.  These plants are vitually pest free and will return yearly with little to no maintenance.  No deadheading is necessary but may be cut back in spring if desired.  Divide every 4 - 5 years.