This spring I planted five Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) because the hummingbirds love them. Yes, they’re water hogs, but I mulched heavily with shredded leaves to keep the soil cool and moist and installed a soaker hose for more efficient watering. Then to soothe my conscience, I planted lots of drought-resistant native plants—Aster (of unknown parentage), Salvia ‘Victoria Blue’ (Salvia farinacea), Beard-tongue (Penstemon ‘Husker Red’), Dwarf Russian Sage (Perovskia ‘Little Spire’), Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii), Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis), Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata), Stonecrop ‘Autumn Joy’ (Sedum 'Herbstfreude'), Meadow-rue (Thalictrum), Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’), and a gorgeous Ninebark ‘Summer Wine’ (Physocarpus opulifolious). The bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are as happy with my garden as I am. Actually, we’re more than happy—we’re thrilled!
Wondering why I included the Latin names of my plants? It’s essential information if you want to know the exact identification of a plant. (Remember that Aster I mentioned? There are so many different Aster species, varieties, cultivars and hybryds--if I wanted another one, it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack because I don’t know its full name.)
The Latin name is standard, precise and used worldwide. The common name can vary and is not used in all regions. To muddy the waters, the same common name may be used for several different plants. And the same plant may have two or three common names. On top of that, there are so many varieties, cultivars and hybrids that you really need the full name to accurately ID a plant.
So when you want to be sure you and your friend (or the local gardening center staff) are referring to the same plant, use the Latin name--or you may be in for a big surprise when the plant doesn’t do what you expect it to do. How would you feel if you planted an expensive plant in an established bed and found out after it grows and blooms that it's the wrong size, wrong shape, wrong color, and looks miserably out of place with the rest of your landscape? (kind of like gold and pink together—yuk!)
In my next blog entry, I'll explain genus, species and common names so you'll be able to read those plant tags like a pro.
UPCOMING DELAWARE COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
July 14, 2007: Smedley Gardens Tour
August 11, 2007: Vegetable & Fruit Sculpting
Registration required. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website at http://delaware.extension.psu.edu/MG/MGcalendar.html.
Do you have a gardening question? Call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
