News Release Distributed 05/04/10

WEST MONROE, La. – Perennials are flowers and shrubs that live for two years or longer and are hardy enough to survive winter, non-woody and able to tolerate heat, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill told the Louisiana Master Gardeners at their state conference April 30.

In Louisiana, they must be able to tolerate five months of daytime temperatures in the 90s and nights in the 70s, high humidity and occasional drought, Gill explained.

Don’t let familiarity breed contempt, Gill told the gardeners.

“When you see something everywhere, it is because it is reliable,” he said. “If you want to stay on the cutting edge and grow what no one else is growing, be prepared for failure. Don’t look down on a plant because it is grown everywhere.”

Gill said he treasures true blue-colored flowers, mentioning lily of the Nile. “It is nicest planted in clumps or drifts,” he said.

Plumbago is also a true blue flower. “It can get cold enough to kill plumbago,” he warned.

Blue flowers can psychologically cool people in the summertime, he said.

Gill spoke complimentarily of Philippine lily. “We should all have this in our gardens,” he said. August is the prime time for bloom.

“It is taller than I am,” the horticulturist said of the plant. “They frequently need to be staked.”

Gill also mentioned Harlequin glorybower.

“It will not get cold enough in Shreveport, Ruston or Monroe to kill this,” Gill said. “The flowers are rich and amazing with fragrance. Plant one of these by a patio and you’ll be glad you did. Butterflies adore them.”

He said the foliage smells like peanut butter, and children love the plant.

Gill showed slides of numerous perennials that should live for three or more years and commented on them. –

The list and his comments follow:

–Texas star hibiscus – tolerant of wet, boggy conditions.

–Goldsturm black-eyed Susan – needs sunny, well-drained area. He called this plant foolproof. “It is great for you to cut your teeth on.”

–Purple fountain grass – this plant is not going to be hardy in north Louisiana.

–Amaryllis – spectacular flowering perennial.

–Cannas – they love Louisiana, the heat, rain and soil and are adaptive to aquatic situations.

–Butterfly weed – cut it back in the spring to keep it bushy and full.

–Elephant ears – they love moist circumstances and shade.

–Jewels of Opar – jewel-like seedpods “dance” above the foliage.

–Ground orchid – not as widely grown as it should be because it is not often found in nurseries. Do not plant it in deep shade.

–Catlin’s giant ajuga – usually spreads flower spikes 6 inches tall. Plant it in well-drained shade.

–Lapeirousia – if you can find a friend who has these, beg some.

–Cardinal flower – brilliant red; attractive to hummingbirds.

–Blue walking iris – enormous, showy flowers. Keep some in a container as well as in the ground in north Louisiana.

Caladium varieties he mentioned are Moonlight (white), Lance Wharton (resilient), Pink Gem (lance-leaved, lower-growing, bushy) and Florida Calypso (colorful).

Gill said in another year or two, the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station will have research-based recommendations on hostas.