Northern Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium ( Northern Sea Oats )
A fast growing, sturdy, upright, clump forming perennial grass, reaching up to 6 x 5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to eastern North America where it grows in open woodlands, stream banks and even on sand dunes ( most commonly on wooded floodplains under hickory and oak ). It is endangered at the northernmost extent of its range in Michigan and Pennsylvania, is more common further south to the Gulf Coast.
The bamboo-like foliage ranges from bright green in full sun to deep green in shade.
The leaves are up to 9 x 1 inches. The foliage turns to golden-yellow during mid autumn, then drying to coppery-tan color after the first freeze remaining attractive well into the winter.
The attractive, drooping flowers are borne during summer. They are followed by seed heads that remain attractive well into winter ( many people cut these off to prevent self seeding ).
Hardy zones 2 to 8. It is heat tolerant if grown on fertile moist soil. Thrives in part shade and can tolerate sun though foliage is a deeper green in the shade.
Resistant to deer, drought, salt and wind. Cut back to close to groundlevel during early spring to make room for new growth.
Local seed source usually grows better locally.
Propagation from seed is easy and on some sites it may self seed prolifically.
* photo of unknown internet source

* photos taken on June 15 2011 in Columbia, MD


* photo taken on July 31 2011 in Hyde Park, NY



* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

River Mist
Arching and spreading in habit, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, with green foliage that is boldly striped white. Great for brightening a shady corner. Also a great choice for containers.
The oat-like dangling seeds are pale purple.

* photo taken on May 17 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on July 17 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

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Park ing Day 2010

PARK(ing) Day is a annual open-source global event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public places. The project began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco. Since 2005, PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals (operating independently of Rebar but following an established set of guidelines) creating new forms of temporary public space in urban contexts around the world.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!

This years Park(ing) Day was held on September 17 and featured over 700 parks in over 21 countries.  Check out photos from the event.

For more information about Park(ing), visit the official website: http://parkingday.org/

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Minimalist Brooklyn Garden Makeover

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Thelypteris Ferns

Thelypteris
A genus of rhizome spreading Ferns that generally prefer moist acidic soil.
Deer resistant.

* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photo of unknown internet source


Thelypteris acuminata
A very attractive groundcover Fern native to Sichuan Province in China, that can reach as much as 20 inches x 6 feet in just 5 years, eventually exceeding 10 feet across. Great for naturalizing in a woodland garden.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Thelypteris beddomei ( Korean Maiden Fern )
A handsome, rhizomatous groundcover Fern, reaching as much as 1.5 x 6 feet in 4 years, eventually wider spreading. This Korean native makes an excellent woodland groundcover.
The lacy, upright fronds, up to 18 x 3 inches, are bright green.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in partial shade.

Thelypteris decursive-pinnata ( Japanese Beech Fern )
Also called Phegopteris decursive-pinnata. A handsome, deciduous to semi-evergreen groundcover Fern, native to China, Korea & Japan, that spreads underground to form large vigorous colonies reaching a maximum size of 2 x 5 feet.
The attractive, stiffly erect, triangular fronds, up to 24 x 6 inches, remains luxuriant bright green until very late in autumn. It is an excellent Fern for use as groundcover in shaded gardens.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in partial to full shade on slightly acidic, moist fertile soil. It is easy to grow, even tolerating dry shade and wet sites.


* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD

* photo taken on Aug 29 2013 in Clarksville, MD

Thelypteris hexagonoptera ( Broad Beech Fern )
Also called Phegopteris hexagonoptera. A rapid rhizome spreading, deciduous Fern forming a clump up to 2.5 x 2 feet, that eventially can form broad colonies. This very attractive rhizome spreading Fern is native to moist woods of eastern North America from Minnesota to Quebec; south to eastern Texas and the northern Florida panhandle.
The broad triangular fronds, up to 24 x 12 inches, with deeply cut pinnae are mid green. The foliage turns yellow then later to bronze during autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full shade on acidic to neutral soil. Tolerates some sun and drought.

* photos taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Thelypteris kunthii ( Southern River Fern )
Also called Thelypteris normalis and Southern Shield Fern. A fast growing, spectacular, spreading, deciduous Fern reaching a maximum height of 5 feet, that is native from eastern Texas to South Carolina, south in the the Caribbean and also Mexico to northern Brazil. In ideal conditions, it can form extensive colonies, reaching up to 5 feet across in 5 years, eventually more.
The large, triangular fronds, up to 48 x 12 ( rarely over 24 x 6 ) inches, are glossy deep green, turning to bronze during autumn.
The new fronds continue to appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 ( 6 on protected sites with winter mulch ) preferring a good, fertile moist soil though can tolerate relatively dry soil in the shade. It is tolerant of sun on wet sites and can also tolerate up to 9 months of drought when it is dormant.

Thelypteris nevadensis ( Sierra Water Fern )
A deciduous Fern native from southwestern British Columbia, south to northern California and Nevada. The pinnate fronds, up to 48 inches in length, are composed of pinnae up to 4 x 1 inches in size.
* photo of unknown internet source


Thelypteris noveboracensis ( New York Fern )
A very fast spreading, deciduous Fern, forming a clump or colony reaching a maximum size of 4 x 10 feet, that is native to North America from Michigan to Newfoundland; south to Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia ( endangered in Illinois ). This very strong growing Fern can spread very aggressively by long creeping rhizomes but is good for use as a woodland groundcover where room permits. The roots of this Fern release a natural herbicide into the soil that supresses some of its competition, Prunus serotina -Black Cherry is expecially vulnerable can easily die from this chemical.
In swampy woodlands with soil PH under 4; this often becomes a dominent groundcover plant covering extensive areas.
The narrow fronds, up to 36 x 7 inches, are yellowish-green.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial shade on moist, well drained soil. Tolerates sun if soil is moist and also tolerates very wet soil.
* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Thelypteris palustris ( Marsh Fern )
A rapid growing, wide spreading Fern, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet, that is native to marshes and swampy woods in North America from Manitoba to Newfoundland and south. It is fast to very invasive spreading ( spreads up to 3.5 feet per year ) due to its spreading rhizomes. Marsh Fern can easily spread to form a clump up to 5+ feet across in just 5 years, sometimes eventually much more. Looks great planted next to ponds.
The fronds, up to 48 x 6 inches, are blue-green.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, well drained soil. Tolerates swampy conditions and some sun if on wet soil.

Thelypteris patens
A huge tropical version of the Thelypteris Ferns, with fronds reaching up to 7 x 2 feet each. It is native to southern Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico south into northern Argentina.
Hardy zones 10 to 12

Thelypteris phegopteris ( Northern Beech Fern )
Also called Phegopteris connectilis. A low growing, deciduous Fern forming a clump up to 2 feet x 20 inches, that is excellent for use as groundcover though may be invasive on some sites. It is a widespread native to boreal forests of northern North America and Eurasia.
The flimsy, graceful, triangular fronds, up to 20 x 6 inches, are bright green.
The new fronds continue to appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 2 to 8

Thelypteris puberula

* photo of unknown internet source


Thelypteris serrata
A huge tropical version of the Thelypteris Ferns, with fronds reaching up to 8 feet x 2 inches each. It is native to swamps in central and southern Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico south into northern Argentina.
Hardy zones 9 to 12

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Mallows

Lavatera ( Tree Mallow )

* photos of unknown internet source



Lavatera olbia
An upright, bushy shrub, reaching up to 4 feet, that is native to Portugal and Spain.
The rounded leaves are rich green.
The purplish-pink flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne in masses, mid-summer to late autumn.
Lavateras are best planted outdoors during spring after any chance of frost has passed in order to have a long time to establish before the next winter. Where frost occurs, a winter mulch is recommended to prevent frost heaving. Propagation is from seed collected upon ripening and turning black. They are then placed in an envelope and stored in a dark, cool, dry place such as a garage where they wont freeze. Lavateras prefer hot summers and may suffer fungal wilt where summers are cool. They can be sown indoors in early spring in a sunny window or outdoors once there is no more chance of any frost.

Lavatera thuringiaca

Barnsley
A woody-based perennial, reaching a maximum height of 10 x 8 feet, bearing white ( with red center ) flowers, up to 2 inches across, from early summer to mid autumn.
The gray-green, palmately-lobed leaves are up to 5 inches in length.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil. Cut back hard to a height of 6 inches, during early spring. Propagation is easily done from cuttings.

Burgundy Wine
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 feet, with deep red flowers borne all summer long.
The foliage is gray-green.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Kew Rose
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 13 ( rarely over 10 ) feet, with purple stems bearing deep pink flowers.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Sense
A vigorous, compact perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 feet.
The flowers are pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( protected site with deep winter mulch in 5 ) in full sun on just about any well drained soil.

Malva ( Rose Mallows )

Malva alcea Fastigiata ( Hollyhock Mallow )
An upright form of a very vigorous common perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, that is native to southern Europe. Older clumps can produce as many as 40 stalks.
The toothed, deeply-lobed, Maple-like leaves, up to 6 inches across, are bright green.
The abundant, rosy-pink, bowl-shaped flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne on up to 40 upright stalks from early summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.
Heat and drought tolerant, it is very easy to grow. Cut back to the basal leaves after flowering. It is rarely bothered by pests or disease.
Propagation is from seed or stem cuttings.

Malva moschata ( Musk Mallow )
A fast spreading to invasive, upright, rounded bushy perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 4.5 + feet, that is native to Europe. It makes a good container plant if not overwatered.
The deeply-cut leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are mid-green.
The musky-scented, pink ( less often lavender ), bowl-shaped flowers, up to 2.3 inches across, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. Cut back after first flush of blooms to encourage rebloom. It is rarely bothered by pests or disease. Propagation is from seed or stem cuttings.
Cut back during late summer as they can sometimes spend excessive energy on seed production leading to death of the plant.

Alba
White flowers, otherwise identical.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

Rosea
Pink flowers.

Malva sylvestris

Brave
A perennial, reaching up to 5 feet in height.
It bears rosy-pink ( with purple veins ) flowers, up to 2 inches wide, from early summer to fall frosts.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun on just about any well drained soil. It is both tolerant of drought and hot humid summers.

var. mauritaniana
An impressive, upright perennial, reaching up to 4 x 2.5 feet, that is native to northern Africa.
The large, intense red-purple, single, hollyhock-like flowers, up to 1 inch across, are borne mid summer into late autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 ( tolerating as low as -40 F ) in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil.
Cut back during late summer as they can sometimes spend excessive energy on seed production leading to death of the plant and in fact it sometimes does grow as an annual or biennial.

* photos taken on July 14 2013 in Harford Co., MD

Malva sylvestris Zebrina
Reaching up to 3 feet in height, its sturdy upright stems bears bright pink ( boldly-veined deep red ) flowers from mid-summer until autumn frost.
The palmate foliage resembling that of Maples is glossy green.

Sphaeralcea

Sphaeralcea coccinea
Also called Malvastrum coccineum. A shrubby perennial, reaching up to 1 x 1.5 feet, that is native from southern Canada to Arizona.
The pinnate leaves are gray-green.
The red flowers are borne on short racemes during summer.
The stems are grayish-white felted.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun.

* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Sphaeralcea munroana ( Munro Globe Mallow )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 3 feet, that is native to the western U.S.
The deeply-toothed and 5-lobed leaves are hairy and green.
The scarlet-red, saucer-shaped flowers are borne during mid-summer.
The stems are gray.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun. Very drought tolerant due to its deep taproot. Clay tolerant.
Cut back to near ground during early spring. Deer resistant.

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