Comments on: My 10 Must-Have Summer Perennials http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials P. Allen Smith is an award-winning garden expert, author, and television host. Sat, 18 May 2013 14:55:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: P. Allen Smith http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-285 P. Allen Smith Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:51:51 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-285 Diane...yes, it sure will.I grow several varieties and I rally like the big eared nor called 'Helen Von Stein' . Give it a try. I use it in containers too with colorful annuals like Proven Winners supertunia Purple Royal Velvet! Best wishes, Allen Diane…yes, it sure will.I grow several varieties and I rally like the big eared nor called ‘Helen Von Stein’ . Give it a try. I use it in containers too with colorful annuals like Proven Winners supertunia Purple Royal Velvet!
Best wishes,
Allen

]]> By: Diane Morgan http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-283 Diane Morgan Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:19:55 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-283 I just wrote down the one's that do well in my zone.......I am curious about the lamb's ear, that comes back in a cold climate here in the midwest??? I just wrote down the one’s that do well in my zone…….I am curious about the lamb’s ear, that comes back in a cold climate here in the midwest???

]]> By: maureen Baranov http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-276 maureen Baranov Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:01:59 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-276 I too bought hardy cyclamen bulbs. Alas alack the squirrels loved them too- so only one lone bloom has made it! boo hoo! I too bought hardy cyclamen bulbs. Alas alack the squirrels loved them too- so only one lone bloom has made it! boo hoo!

]]> By: P. Allen Smith http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-272 P. Allen Smith Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:46:36 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-272 Love the cardinal flower idea....have you tried the purple ones? I also like variegated solomons seal and Chinese Ginger as good performers for shade. Love the cardinal flower idea….have you tried the purple ones? I also like variegated solomons seal and Chinese Ginger as good performers for shade.

]]> By: velutina 19 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-271 velutina 19 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:41:27 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-271 If you have a bit of moist shade available, Lobelia cardinalis-better known as cardinal flower or redbirds bloom is so red it will knock your socks off when you see it. In addition, hummers find it irresisible! I have hundreds of perennials and it still amazes me. If you have a bit of moist shade available, Lobelia cardinalis-better known as cardinal flower or redbirds bloom is so red it will knock your socks off when you see it. In addition, hummers find it irresisible! I have hundreds of perennials and it still amazes me.

]]> By: Bill http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-270 Bill Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:31:06 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-270 for rabbits, we use a web product called "Rabbit Out" works wonders and smells great - mint and lemon for rabbits, we use a web product called “Rabbit Out” works wonders and smells great – mint and lemon

]]> By: Norena Guerard http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-268 Norena Guerard Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:26:40 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-268 Regarding deer problems, I have had success for the past three years by using old-fashioned Fels Naptha soap. It comes in a large bar that we get at the super market. Just shred the soap off the bar with a knife, a few shreds around each hosta. It does have to be replaced periodically, or after rain, but at $1.00 per bar, it's a pretty cheap solution. Regarding deer problems, I have had success for the past three years by using old-fashioned Fels Naptha soap. It comes in a large bar that we get at the super market. Just shred the soap off the bar with a knife, a few shreds around each hosta. It does have to be replaced periodically, or after rain, but at $1.00 per bar, it’s a pretty cheap solution.

]]> By: Mary Martin http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-267 Mary Martin Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:15:24 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-267 Plant marigold seeds (thickly!) around any plant or flowerbed that you don't want critters eating. Plus, marigolds add color. I've 3 acres and I'm covered with birds and wildlife. I can't fence everything and rabbits will dig under wire/chicken wire - no matter how deep you put it. Last year, I read a great tip about keeping critters out of your gardens/flowerbeds. Easy and it works! Put chicken wire on the ground surrounding your garden/flowerbeds. I put newspaper under that to help keep grass and weeds down. I only lost two cantalopes and I know the very large raccoon that hangs around got them! A roll of chicken wire can be expensive, but you can use it over and over. Good Luck! Plant marigold seeds (thickly!) around any plant or flowerbed that you don’t want critters eating. Plus, marigolds add color. I’ve 3 acres and I’m covered with birds and wildlife. I can’t fence everything and rabbits will dig under wire/chicken wire – no matter how deep you put it. Last year, I read a great tip about keeping critters out of your gardens/flowerbeds. Easy and it works! Put chicken wire on the ground surrounding your garden/flowerbeds. I put newspaper under that to help keep grass and weeds down. I only lost two cantalopes and I know the very large raccoon that hangs around got them! A roll of chicken wire can be expensive, but you can use it over and over. Good Luck!

]]> By: teach 5 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-266 teach 5 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:19:50 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-266 For deer repellent, Liquid Fence, sprayed about once every two weeks, keeps deer away from my many hostas. For a shade plant that stands up to dog traffic, Brunnera,'Jack Frost' is great. Lovely blue flowers and variegated foliage looks great in the shade. For deer repellent, Liquid Fence, sprayed about once every two weeks, keeps deer away from my many hostas. For a shade plant that stands up to dog traffic, Brunnera,’Jack Frost’ is great. Lovely blue flowers and variegated foliage looks great in the shade.

]]> By: Richard Dykstra http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-265 Richard Dykstra Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:01:09 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-265 I set out many new rose plants in the Spring. The entire garden is surrounded by a fence, and each rose bush has it's own fence. But, those pesty rabbits still manage to eat some of my roses! I don't know how they get in? I haven't seen they "flying" yet! Anyone have any suggestions to save my roses? I set out many new rose plants in the Spring. The entire garden is surrounded by a fence, and each rose bush has it’s own fence. But, those pesty rabbits still manage to eat some of my roses! I don’t know how they get in? I haven’t seen they “flying” yet! Anyone have any suggestions to save my roses?

]]> By: Marcella http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-264 Marcella Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:39:59 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-264 I love artemisia, but it does grow very well. When you plant it, you have to be sure it will have plenty of room around it 'cause it's going to get big. I love artemisia, but it does grow very well. When you plant it, you have to be sure it will have plenty of room around it ’cause it’s going to get big.

]]> By: Marcella http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-263 Marcella Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:38:02 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-263 I also recommend astilbe. Not only are the flowers interesting, the foliage is great. It's sort of dainty and fernlike and a lovely contrast to many of the broad leafed shade plants. I also recommend astilbe. Not only are the flowers interesting, the foliage is great. It’s sort of dainty and fernlike and a lovely contrast to many of the broad leafed shade plants.

]]> By: Leon Mlynarski http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-262 Leon Mlynarski Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:41:43 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-262 Nice selection BUT I have deer problems. Wiped out my hostas several years ago. Any body have thoughts? Nice selection BUT I have deer problems. Wiped out my hostas several years ago. Any body have thoughts?

]]> By: Laurie Harrison http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-261 Laurie Harrison Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:33:27 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-261 That's my question as well. I live in Wyoming. Zone 3 at best in our area. It's June 7th and temps dropped to 31 F last night. I need plants that are real hardy to cold temps. That’s my question as well. I live in Wyoming. Zone 3 at best in our area. It’s June 7th and temps dropped to 31 F last night. I need plants that are real hardy to cold temps.

]]> By: Becky http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-260 Becky Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:23:04 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-260 My son got me some purple salvias with bigger blooms. How can I distinguish if they are perennials or annuals? Becky My son got me some purple salvias with bigger blooms. How can I distinguish if they are perennials or annuals? Becky

]]> By: Jeanette http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-259 Jeanette Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:04:24 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-259 I liked your list of perennials, but how about for us in Minnesota, where are zone is 3 and 4. I too love to plant perennials but there seems to be a limitation on new plants for the area. What would be a good source to find different and unusual plants for zone 3 and 4 ? I liked your list of perennials, but how about for us in Minnesota, where are zone is 3 and 4. I too love to plant perennials but there seems to be a limitation on new plants for the area. What would be a good source to find different and unusual plants for zone 3 and 4 ?

]]> By: Brenda Martin http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-258 Brenda Martin Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:34:23 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-258 Allen, Russian sage smells like cat urine and attracts bees. My grandson was stung by these bees when he ventured too close to my neighbors russian sage. Its not a kid friendly plant. I know of a lot better summer perennials than you listed. Allen,

Russian sage smells like cat urine and attracts bees. My grandson was stung by these bees when he ventured too close to my neighbors russian sage. Its not a kid friendly plant. I know of a lot better summer perennials than you listed.

]]> By: Boyd Rick Bingham http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-257 Boyd Rick Bingham Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:20:45 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-257 P.Allen,I have 8 of the 10.Guess I will have to get the Chinese Ginger and Hardy Cyclamen.After meeting you last year in Chicago I have followed my dream of opening up a garden store in my hometown of Burlington Kentucky.Thanks for your inspiration.Boyd Rick Bingham P.Allen,I have 8 of the 10.Guess I will have to get the Chinese Ginger and Hardy Cyclamen.After meeting you last year in Chicago I have followed my dream of opening up a garden store in my hometown of Burlington Kentucky.Thanks for your inspiration.Boyd Rick Bingham

]]> By: sue becker http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-256 sue becker Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:55:35 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-256 I would add "Walker's Low " Catmint to the list. I have it planted as a border in front of my roses and it is great. It is not invasive, it blooms all summer long, the bees and butterflies love the long purple blooms, and the deer and rabbits won't eat it! I would add “Walker’s Low ” Catmint to the list. I have it planted as a border in front of my roses and it is great. It is not invasive, it blooms all summer long, the bees and butterflies love the long purple blooms, and the deer and rabbits won’t eat it!

]]> By: Susan Ann Zoeller http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/garden/my-10-must-have-summer-perennials/comment-page-1#comment-255 Susan Ann Zoeller Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:55:37 +0000 http://www.pallensmith.com/blog/?p=198#comment-255 I like hosta, lilacs, peonies, daylilies,and roses the best. I like hosta, lilacs, peonies, daylilies,and roses the best.

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