Yes you will with the picture....it is a bleeding heart.  We had Gardeners of North Iowa here last night.  28 of us and we had a good time.  We served a meal, and I had a program after the meeting....so it was very good.  I am tired today with all of the days of heat and humidity and then getting ready for the gardeners. 
    So we have white bleeding hearts, old fashioned pink, and the valenine varieties here.  They would look really good in your garden.  Here the information about them.
Bleeding Heart Flower Care – How To Grow Bleeding Hearts  By Becca Badgett
 (Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden
 
Blooms of the bleeding heart plant (Dicentra spectabilis) appear in early spring adorning the garden with attention getting, heart shaped flowers borne on arching stems. Attractive bluish green foliage emerges first as the plant wakes from dormancy and flowers of the bleeding heart may be pink and white or solid white as with the bleeding heart cultivar ‘Alba’.
How to Grow Bleeding Hearts
Care for bleeding heart includes keeping the soil consistently moist by regular watering. The bleeding heart plant likes to be planted in organic soil in a shady or part shade area.
 
Work compost into the area before planting the bleeding heart plant in fall or spring.
Organic mulch  breaks down over time to supply nutrients and helps retain moisture. Growing bleeding hearts need a cool, shady area for optimum bloom in warmer southern zones, but farther north this specimen may bloom in a full sun location.
 
An herbaceous perennial, the bleeding heart plant dies back to the ground as the heat of summer arrives. As the bleeding heart plant begins to yellow and wither away, foliage may be cut back to the ground as a part of care for bleeding heart. Do not remove the foliage before it turns yellow or brown; this is the time when your bleeding heart plant is storing food reserves for next year’s growing bleeding hearts.
 
Bleeding heart flower care includes regular fertilization of the growing bleeding heart. When foliage emerges in spring, time release plant food may be worked into the soil around the plant, as may additional compost. This is an important step in growing bleeding heart, as it encourages more and longer lasting blooms.
 
Many are surprised that growing bleeding hearts is so simple. Once you are aware of how to grow bleeding hearts, you may want to use them to brighten dark and shady areas.
 
Seeds of the growing bleeding heart may add more plants to the garden, but the surest method of propagation is to divide clumps every few years. Carefully dig up the roots of the bleeding heart, remove roots that are dried up and divide the rest. Plant these into other areas of the garden for an early spring show.
taken from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bleeding-heart/bleeding-heart-care
till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net


    

     SO on to the D's perennials....dianthus, sweet wiliam, pinks all of these names.. We have short varieties, we have tall varieties, and they all look nice in your garden not mine.
It’s easy to get confused when shopping for dianthus plants for the garden, as the genus encompasses plants that behave as annuals, perennials, and biennials. While each of these has their place in the flower garden, if you’re looking for the heirloom pinks your grandmother grew, you should make room in your landscape for the perennial dianthus flower.
Get to Know Dianthus
Dianthus barbatus is a biennial type of dianthus, while D. plumarius, D. superbus, and D. deltoides are perennials in the garden.
 
If you’re puzzled by the common name “pinks” when you look at the variety of dianthus colors on the market, examine the fringed edges of the petals closely. A pair of pinking shears would give you a similarly ragged edge on a piece of cloth, hence the nickname. The name “cheddar” refers to the Cheddar Gorge in England where pinks have naturalized. In addition to Cheddar pinks, dianthus also goes by the common names of clove pinks, gillyflower, and sweet William (which most often refers to the biennial dianthus).
 
Kate Middleton did not corner the market on choosing clever flowers for her bridal bouquet when she added the blooms of Sweet William to her arrangement. The name doesn’t derive from the prince, or any other man named William; rather, it is a derivative of the French word that means “little eye.”
 
Dianthus Attributes
Many Dianthus plants feature handsome bluish-grey foliage that is showy in its own right when the plants are not in bloom. The foliage is narrow, even grass-like. Plants may exhibit a mounded shape, an erect habit, or a trailing habit. Blooms are heaviest in the spring, with some rebloom into fall possible.
 
Dianthus blooms may be single or double (think little carnations), but all have the same jagged-edged petals. Flower colors include white, lilac, red (but never a hint of orange), and all shades of pink. Plant heights vary from five inches to three feet tall.
 
Dianthus Planting Tips
Dianthus flowers may be perennials in zones 3-9, although hardiness varies between varieties. Full sun is important for thriving plants, so choose a location that gets at least six hours each day.
 
Stem rot can be a problem in dianthus plants if the soil doesn’t drain well. If your soil is heavy clay, consider containers or raised beds for your plants. Dianthus plants like neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH. If your soil pH is below 7.0, correct the acidity with an application of dolomitic limestone. Fireplace ashes can also increase the soil alkalinity. Mulch is fine to keep weeds under control, but to avoid rot don’t let the mulch crowd around the crowns of dianthus.
 
Dianthus Care
Deadhead dianthus after flowering to promote rebloom. Dianthus plants are light feeders, and a shovelful of compost worked into the soil once a year is enough to nourish the plants. Even the perennial dianthus varieties are short-lived in the garden.
 
Garden Design With Dianthus
The mounding shape of dianthus plants and long blooming time makes them welcome additions to the container garden. Place dianthus plants at the front of your garden beds and borders where you can appreciate the pleasant clove fragrance. Add some dianthus plants to your butterfly and hummingbird gardens, as the flowers attract both with their nectar.
 
Include dianthus plants in your alpine or rock garden. The plants thrive in the quickly draining soil of these landscapes. Choose heirloom varieties of dianthus for your cottage garden. Try the ‘Pheasant’s Eye,’ variety from the 17th century. Dianthus is a safe bet for gardens bothered by deer, as it is a deer-resistant plant.
Unfortunately, the same doesn’t hold true for rabbits. Plant some dianthus in your cutting garden. They add fragrance to petite arrangements like nosegays and tussy-mussies.
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/perennial-dianthus-flower
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
beckmall@netins.net

     Continuing with C's in perennials....had 3 boys here yesterday helping and we had a good time.  They were good workers for being 6th grader, 4th grader, and a 2nd grader....get them young RIGHT.....
Coreopsis verticillata SIZZLE & SPICE™ ‘Hot ...
Threadleaf Coreopsis
USDA Zone: 5-9
Threadleaf Coreopsis forms a spreading clump of very delicate, ferny foliage. This selection, part of the Sizzle & Spice™ series, bears loads of starry, dark red flowers with gold centres, early summer into the fall. Clipping off faded flowers will encourage buds to form all season. Excellent for cutting and mass planting. Great for edging in the sunny border, or planting in mixed containers. Tolerates heat and humidity. Easily divided in early spring. Good drainage is necessary. USPP#28522: unlicensed propagation prohibited.
 Optimal Growing Conditions
 Sun Exposure
  Full Sun
Appearance and Characteristics
 Flower Colour
  Gold
  Red
Blooming Time
  Early Summer
  Mid Summer
  Late Summer
  Early Fall
  Mid Fall
Foliage Color
  Deep Green
Plant Uses & Characteristics
  Accent: Good Texture/Form
  Attracts Butterflies
  Border
  Containers
  Cut Flower
  Deer Resistant
  Drought Tolerant
  Rabbit Resistant
  Massed
Flower Head Size
  Small
Height
   35-45 cm
   14-18 inches
Spread
   55-65 cm
   21-25 inches
Foot Traffic
   None
Growth Rate
   Fast
taken from http://www.perennials.com/plants/coreopsis-verticillata-sizzle-spice-hot-paprika.html
 
 
 
Golden yellow flowers with bronze red centers are produced over a tidy, mounded habit.
long Blooming
attracts: Bees Butterflies Resists:Deer
Characteristics
 Duration:  Perennial
  Height Category:  Short
  Garden Height:  12 - 14 Inches
  Spacing:  12 - 14 Inches
  Spread:  12 - 14 Inches
  Flower Colors:  Red
 Yellow
  Flower Shade:  Golden yellow with bronze red centers
  Foliage Colors:  Green
  Foliage Shade:  Green
  Habit:  Mounded
  Container Role:  Filler
 Plant Needs
 Light Requirement:  Sun
 Maintenance Category:  Easy
 Bloom Time:  Early Summer , Mid Summer , Late Summer
 Hardiness Zones:  4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
 Water Category:  Average
Soil PH Category:  Acidic Soil
 Neutral Soil
 uses:  Border Plant
 Container
 Cut Flower
 Landscape
 Mass Planting
 Maintenance Notes: 
Coreopsis is native to North America. It is easy to grow, thriving in any well-drained soil with average moisture and full sun. This species requires deadheading to promote continuous blooming.
taken from https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/coreopsis/uptick-gold-bronze-tickseed-coreopsis-hybrid
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

purple star clematis

snow queen clematis

sunset clematis

     Here is another c perennial.....clematis.
Purple Star  4-5" vivid violet flowers with a distinctive white stripe center, gives a star effect to Clematis Venosa Violacea. Blooms in July to September.
Gracefully meandering over fences, trellises or through shrubbery, Clematis supply vertical interest. Every perennial garden should have at least one of these incredible
Type:
Vines, Perennials 
Height:
Vine 8-9' 
Spacing:
Plant 4' apart 
Bloom Time:
Mid-Summer to Early Fall 
Sun-Shade:
Full Sun to Mostly Sunny 
Zones:  4-10  
Soil Condition:  Normal 
Flower:  Purple 
Accent:  White 
Features to Note   Beneficial for Pollinators
 Attracts Butterflies
 Blooms for 4 Weeks or More
Clematis General Information
Clematis are prized for their incredible flowers, most as large as your hand. "Queen of the Climbers" will train onto trellises, fences or arch over doorways. Stunning when used alone or when several colors are mixed. Grower's tip: Truest colors require full sun, as any shade will introduce purple tones. Flower color and bloom size may vary while the plant is establishing.  They don't tell you to make sure that the roots stay cool when you plant clematis.  They go in the full sun, but put mulch, or another plant around it's feet to keep the roots cooler.  Rule of thumb with pruning is interesting. 
 
Clematis Plant Care
Pruning Type 3 - This group blooms later and from new growth. These should be pruned in February or March as new leaf buds begin to show low on the plant. Also remove all dead material above the buds and clean out any old or mildewed foliage at this time. If intertwining Clematis, pruning will be easier if you select varieties with the same pruning type.
This is article taken from https://www.bluestoneperennials.com/CLVV.html
Snow Queen
Common Name: clematis    
Type: Vine
Family: Ranunculaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 7.00 to 10.00 feet
Spread: 3.00 to 6.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: White/mauve with red anthers
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Deer, Black Walnut
Garden locations
Culture
 
Grow in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Vining hybrids are best sited in locations where the flowering parts of the vine are in sun to part shade but the roots are shaded. Some light afternoon shade is usually beneficial in hot and humid summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Clematis vines need a trellis or other support on which to grow. Roots should be kept cool, shaded and uniformly moist. Root areas may be shaded with perennials, annuals or small shrubs. A thick root mulch is appreciated. Do not allow soils to dry out.
 
'Snow Queen' is pruned as Group 2. See pruning instructions below.
 
 
Noteworthy Characteristics
 
Clematis is a genus of over 250 species, most of which are woody to semi-woody deciduous vines climbing by twining leaf stalks or in some cases trailing over support, but in a few cases grow as freestanding or sprawling herbaceous perennials and small deciduous or evergreen shrubs. Most have flat, cupped or bell-shaped flowers. Some plants feature ornamental fluffy seed heads in autumn. Plants bear opposite, simple to compound leaves which are usually deciduous but sometimes evergreen. Compound leaves range from lobed to trifoliate to biternate to pinnate to bipinnate. Clematis is native to both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres including Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australasia, North America and Central America.
 
Plants are often divided into three groups based on pruning needs.
 
Group 1 – Flowers only on old wood (previous year). Prune after spring flowering.
Group 2 – Flowers on both old and new wood. Typically, little pruning should be done for woody-stemmed members of this Group. If cut to the ground or pruned in fall or spring, flowering will be reduced or delayed but not prevented.
Group 3 – Flowers only on new wood. Can be cut to the ground in fall or spring.
 
Genus name comes from the Greek word klematis which is an old name applied to climbing plants.
 
'Snow Queen' features profuse, showy, overlapping, 6-7" diameter, white-sepaled flowers with pink-flushed margins and deep red anthers cover this vine in summer. Bloom on this cultivar comes primarily from the previous year's stems in late spring to early summer, but also occurs in a second flush later in the summer on the new (current year's) growth.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to wilt/stem rot (can be fatal), powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust and viruses. Potential insect pests include aphids, vine weevils, slugs/snails, scale and earwigs. Watch for spider mites.
Garden Uses
Clematis can be trained to climb a wall, trellis, fence, arbor, porch, lamppost or other stationary structure. They provides good architectural height and framework for small gardens. They can also be planted to sprawl over and through shrubs, scramble over old stumps or simply as a ground cover in conjunction with other flowering perennials. Containers.
taken from
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails
picture is from this site also
 
Sunset is a delightful clematis to grow containered on your patio or deck. The compact plant produces a profusion of blooms in shades of soft red, accented by a buttery center. Grow ‘Sunset’ with clematis Reiman and Sano-no-Murasaki for a combination that makes you think of glistening gemstones. HEIGHT | 6-8 FT. SPACING | 24-36
Interesting to put into a container if it grows only 6 feet....might have to try that. 
taken from http://clematis.com/?s=sunset
till next time this is  Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net

     So what is special about these mums....they are perennial good in zone 4.  You have been asking for them, and here they are.  Just don't know the color as they are mixed colors...
Chrysanthemum × morifolium ‘Autumn Glory’ mix  Garden Mum
USDA Zone: 4-9   Here is what is special about these.  Perennial mums this spring.....comes back next year.
Garden Mums or Fall Mums are extremely popular plants for a splash of colour in late summer right through the fall. This seed strain produces naturally cushion-shaped, compact plants with double and semi-double flowers in a whole range of rich jewel tones. Best in a sunny area, with regular watering through the season. Divide every 2 to 3 years in the spring, to maintain vigorous, healthy plants. A great choice for the garden, or in tubs and mixed containers. Pinching plants in June should not really be necessary, but will result in a much greater number of flowers. This variety is no longer being actively produced by Heritage Perennials.
 
Appearance and Characteristics
 Flower Colour
  Creamy Yellow
  Deep Pink
  Gold
  Light Pink
  Mixed
  Orange
  Red
  White
  Yellow
Blooming Time
  Late Summer
  Early Fall
  Mid Fall
Flower Head Size
  Medium
Height
   20-30 cm
   8-12 inches
Spread
   45-60 cm
   18-23 inches
Foot Traffic
   None
 
Growth Rate
   Medium
taken from http://www.perennials.com/plants/chrysanthemum-morifolium-autumn-glory-mix.html
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
beckmall@netins.net

     Centranthus is often seen spilling over borders, in photos of English gardens. Like yarrow, Centranthus prefers dry, lean soil, but it blooms longer in cooler climates. In the intense heat, it will bloom in spring and again as it feels up to it, throughout the summer. Centranthus rarely grows true from seed and is best propagated by cuttings. To be certain of what color you are getting, buy the plant while it is in flower. The plants don't live longer than about 5 years, and they resent being divided or even relocated.
■ USDA Hardiness Zones 3 - 9
■ Bloom Span: 3-4 Months
 
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/long-blooming-perennial-flowers
 
Common Name: red valerian    
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Native Range: Europe and northern Africa to Asia Minor
Zone: 5 to 8   So wondering about this one for us to grow.  Anyone here in Iowa grows this one in their perennial bed?????
Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Description: Pale to crimson red
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Leaf: Fragrant
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion
Garden locations
Culture
Easily grown in average to sandy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers slightly alkaline soils in full sun. Limestone may be added to acidic soils. Tolerates dry soils. Does well in poor, infertile soils where it usually grows in a more compact form. Freely self-seeds in optimum growing conditions to the point of being somewhat invasive and weedy. Promptly remove (shear if large planting) spent flower stems to encourage additional bloom and to prevent seeds from forming. Plants are generally less vigorous in the hot and humid summers of the Southeastern U.S. than in cool summer climates.
 
Noteworthy Characteristics
Centranthus ruber, commonly called red valerian or Jupiter’s beard, is a well-branched, bushy, clump-forming, woody-based perennial which is valued for its ability to produce, often in poor soils, a showy bloom of star-shaped crimson, pink or white flowers from spring to frost. Although native to the Mediterranean, this plant has escaped gardens and naturalized in certain parts of the United States, particularly along the west coast. Flowers (each to 1/2") appear in dense terminal clusters (cymes) atop upright to relaxed stems rising above the foliage to 1.5-3' tall. Flowers are fragrant. If not deadheaded, flowers give way to dandelion-like seed heads which are typically disbursed around the landscape by wind. Fleshy, sessile, oval to lanceolate leaves (to 4" long) are gray-green.
Genus name comes from the Greek words kentron meaning a spur and anthos meaning a flower for the spurred flower.
Specific epithet means red in reference to flower color of species plants.
 
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Mealy bugs and aphids are occasional visitors. Crown rot may develop in overly moist soils. Invasive spread can be troublesome in some areas.
 
 
Garden Uses
 
Cottage gardens. Naturalized areas. Stone walls. Slope or bank cover to help combat erosion. Borders, particularly as specimens or in small groups where planting can be more easily managed. Effective ground cover.
taken from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net
 

     I can't believe this morning temperature and it is chilly.  HATE to say that with what is coming later in the week.  But it is overcast, windy, damp and only 65 degrees.  West of us is the front of rain, but seems to be just sitting there and not moving.  So don't know if we will get rain this morning, but it is predicted for this evening.  Over 5 inches in Mason City and Charles City Iowa so we have had enough.  We are at the 3 inches mark....
 
In talking about the buddleia or the butterfly bush we have several varieties.  Black Knight, Humdinger Little Nugget, Monarch Prince Charming....give these a try.  You will be reward with butterflies. 
 
Butterfly bush is a magnet for swallowtails, monarchs, and other butterflies. It also has attractive flowers. So why is growing it controversial? Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of this plant before deciding whether or not to grow it.
 
Taxonomy, Traits of Butterfly Bush Plants
Plant taxonomy classifies butterfly bush as Buddleia davidii. It is often treated by gardeners as a perennial flower, but, botanically speaking, it is considered a shrub.
There are many cultivars of butterfly bush, and exact plant characteristics will vary from cultivar to cultivar. Growing conditions will also have an impact on the plant's mature size. The species plant will grow to be 6 to 12 feet tall and have a spread of 4 to 15 feet, but the cultivars generally stay smaller than that.
 
Blooms on these shrubs develop in clusters on floppy panicles and can be purple, pink, white, or red, and they often have an orange throat in the center. The shrubs will bloom throughout the summer if deadheaded. Leaves are lance-shaped and grayish-green on their undersides. They are fast-growing shrubs with arching branches.
The climate is most favorable for growing this specimen in USDA planting zones 5 to 10. It is native to China, and it is with this fact that the story of the plant's controversial status begins.   USDA has put our local area into zone 5, but it is really hard to keep this plant here over the winter.  It is such a good plant for the insects, that you can plant it every year as an annual.  It is worth the price. 
 
That's because butterfly bush is considered invasive in many areas of the United States.
Butterfly bush is particularly adept at attracting tiger swallowtails and monarchs. But this nectar plant also attracts hummingbirds. The shrub will also attract the bees that will pollinate other plants in your garden. Fortunately, it is rabbit-proof and a deer-resistant shrub.
 
Care, Growing Conditions, Uses for Butterfly Bush Plants
Apply garden mulch around your plants in the fall, then prune them back to the ground in late winter.  New shoots will emerge from the roots in spring. Butterfly bushes flower on new wood. Pruning tends to improve blooming, giving you incentive to prune them. What you sacrifice in height you will make up for in flowers.
This is a plant for full sun, and it needs a well-drained soil. It is a relatively drought-tolerant shrub.
Even those who don't care about attracting wildlife often use butterfly bush plant for aesthetic purposes. As a tall plant, it is a good choice for the back row of a perennial border. To achieve maximum visual appeal, mass plantings of butterfly bush together. The natural unruliness of the plant lends itself to use in cottage gardens.
 
Controversy: The Question of the Invasive Nature of Butterfly Bush Plants
The fact that butterfly bush can be invasive is a serious point that demands clear-headed, dispassionate, rational debate.
We must not throw every possible argument in the book against it, hoping that they all stick. This will not make our case stronger. On the contrary, intermingling weaker arguments with the strongest argument only diminishes the cogency of the latter by muddying the waters. So let's state the case logically:
■ The strongest argument to be made against growing butterfly bush is that the species plant is definitely invasive in some regions. In addition, it may possibly become invasive even in other regions in the future. Furthermore, allegedly non-invasive sterile cultivars such as Blue Chip butterfly bush may not turn out to be the solution to the problem, since other plants touted as "safe" sterile cultivars in the past have turned out to be disappointing in this regard.
■ A weaker argument that has become popular is, "While it's a good source of nectar for butterflies, caterpillars don't feed on its leaves, so it's not a legitimate food plant." This may be true, as far as it goes, but it's an excessively narrow perspective. The crux of the matter is still the invasive nature of the plant. If it were to turn out that the Blue Chip cultivar is truly non-invasive, there would be no reason why you shouldn't grow it, as long as you also grow "legitimate" food plants such as common milkweed  (Asclepias syriaca). You can, after all, grow both.
■ You will also hear an argument built on #2 that runs something like this: "Because caterpillars don't eat the leaves, it does nothing for the ecosystem, so it's useless, basically just a guilty pleasure." But life would not be worth living without guilty pleasures such as a love for beautiful paintings, poetry, gourmet food, and, yes, plants that serve no function other than to delight your senses. Ascetic arguments of this sort only serve to turn off many of us.
It would be convenient if everyone found the native alternatives just as beautiful as butterfly bush, but let's not kid ourselves. We're faced with an inconvenient truth: Everyone's tastes are different, and some people will not find the native alternatives to be as beautiful as what they would replace. We can ask them to avoid growing butterfly bush and, instead, grow the native plants, anyway. But we shouldn't be arrogant about it and smugly pretend that we're not asking gardeners to settle for what are, in their own minds, poor substitutes. It's important to be honest, rather than glossing over reality.
 
Native Alternatives, Other Types
Plants native to eastern North America that are host plants for caterpillars to eat include:
■ Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
■ New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
■ Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Don't confuse butterfly bush plants (Buddleia davidii) with butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Butterfly weed is a type of milkweed and serves as a host for the caterpillars of monarch butterflies. Adult tiger swallowtails and black swallowtails enjoy its nectar. Both plants are sometimes referred to simply as "the butterfly plant." They are, however, unrelated.
 
Buddleia davidii Black Knight is one of the most popular cultivars of butterfly bush. Its deep purple blooms are so dark as to be almost black flowers.
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/butterfly-bush-plants-magnet-for-swallowtails-controversy-
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
beckmall@netins.net

     So here is the last of the A's that we have here in perennials...astilbe which the variety we have is Glow( red) new in 2017.
 
All About Growin Astilbe Plants
Astilbe plants have long-blooming, plume-like flowers in soft shades of white, pink and red. The flowers are held on tall, stiff stalks, above the airy foliage. Astilbes are one of the easiest perennial flowers to grow, but they give a high return. Virtually pest free, they can light up the shade garden or soften a sunny spot. And they are very low maintenance.
■ Leaves: Astilbe foliage tends to be basal, with deeply toothed leaflets of alternately compound leaves.
 
■ Flowers: Feathery plumes of flower clusters are born on tall stalks above the foliage. Astilbe flowers come in shades of creamy white, pink, lavender, and red, and stay in bloom several week, slowly fading in color as they dry.
 
There are several species and cultivars within the Astilbe genus, with variety in the flower plumes; some spikier or fluffier than other. Most of the popularly sold Asitlbes are hybrids resulting from crosses between the species.
 
Common Names 
False Spiraea, False Goat's beard, Meadowsweet
 
Hardiness Zones
Astilbe plants are widely adaptable and are hardy from USDA Zones 4 - 8. In hot, dry climates, they need to be planted in the shade and/or given plenty of water.
 
Sun Exposure
Full Sun / Partial Shade. Astilbe will bloom in shade, but the plants prefer some sunlight to achieve their full size. However, in hot weather and dry soils, their foliage will burn and partial shade, plus plenty of water, is preferable.
 
Mature Size of Astilbe Plants
 
The size of mature plants will depend on the variety being grown, as well as the growing conditions. You can find tall Astilbe as well as dwarf plants, ranging in size from 1 - 4 ft. (h) x 1--3 ft. (w).
 
Bloom Period
Different varieties will bloom anywhere from mid-spring to late summer.
If you plant different types of Astilbe, you can prolong the bloom almost all season. The plumes remain in flower for several weeks and continue to look good as they fade and dry on the plant. No deadheading is needed, since they will not bloom again..
 
Design Ideas for Using Astilbe in Your Garden
Astilbe is valued for bringing great long-lasting color to partly sunny borders, where tall colorful flowers are few. In addition, Astilbe provides a nice textural contrast to plants with large, broad leaves like Heuchera, Hosta, and Ligularia. Astilbe can also be grown in containers.
 
Astilbe Growing Tips
Soil: Astilbe plants prefer a slightly rich, moist soil. The warmer the weather, the more moisture they need, especially in full sun. They also prefer a slightly acidic soil pH of around 6.0.
Planting: Astilbe seed is available, but it can be difficult to germinate. It's easiest to start with a plant or division. Even a small plant will quickly fill out and perform well in its first year. You can plant in either spring or fall, but try and avoid planting in the hottest part of summer. If you must plant then, keep the plant well watered, until you see new growth emerging.
 
Caring for Your Astilbe Plants
Extremely little maintenance is required of Astilbe plants. No staking or deadheading is necessary. The flower heads will dry on the plant and remain attractive for many months.
The flowers can be cut whenever they start to look ragged or left up, for winter interest, and cut back in the spring.
The biggest need Astilbe plants have is some relief from hot, dry weather. Either provide afternoon shade or extra water. They do not handle prolonged periods of drought well; the leaves will brown and dry and if left dry too long, the plants will die.
Divide every 4-5 years, to keep the plants healthy. Astilbe plants can grow quickly, if they are given ideal conditions. More frequent division may be necessary. Keep the plants well watered after replanting and they will re-establish themselves quickly.
 
Pests & Problems of Astilbe Plants
Astilbes are virtually trouble free, bothered by few diseases or insects. The tender, new growth may be nibbled on by groundhogs or rabbits, but once the plants have filled out, the plants were no longer bothered.
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/growing-astible-plants-
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa
beckmall@netins.net
 

     Since midnight we have had 3 1/4" of rain....pretty wet out.  Lightning was involved and a large crack of thunder and lightning hit the cell tower which is right out our north door. Hit the tornado siren which went off....now this afternoon the sun is out, birds are singing and we are pumping water....Good day to work in the greenhouse.  I am working on displays and working on miniature gardens which is the fun part for me.  See what happens tonight and more rain tomorrow.
Now here is the next perennial in ABC order butterfly weed, butterfly plant, butterfly milk weed, many names for this plant.  It does produce orange, white, pink flowers and then little milk weed pods.  But not too invasive....I promise you as the farmers would not like them near their crops. 
Growing Butterfly Weed Plants: Tips On Butterfly Weed Care
What is a butterfly weed? Butterfly weed plants (Asclepias tuberosa) are trouble-free North American natives that produce umbels of bright orange, yellow or red blooms all summer long. Butterfly weed is appropriately named, as the nectar- and pollen-rich flowers attract hummingbirds and hordes of butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects throughout the blooming season. Do you want to know more about how to grow butterfly weed? Read on.
 
Butterfly Weed Characteristics
Butterfly weed plants are milkweed cousins with tall, clumping perennials that reach heights of 12 to 36 inches. The blooms appear atop fuzzy, green stems, which are adorned by attractive, lance-shaped leaves. Butterfly weed plants spread by way of seeds, which are released from large pods in early autumn.
Butterfly weed grows wild in a variety of environments, including open woods, prairies, dry fields, meadows, and along roadsides. In the garden, butterfly weed looks great in wildflower meadows, borders, rock gardens, or mass plantings.
 
How to Grow Butterfly Weed
Growing butterfly weed requires very little effort. The plant, suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, thrives in bright sunlight and poor, dry, sandy or gravelly soil with a slightly acidic or neutral pH.
Butterfly weed plants are easy to grow by seed, but may not produce blooms for two or three years. Once established, butterfly weed is drought tolerant and blooms dependably from year to year. Also, keep in mind that butterfly weed has long, sturdy roots that make transplantation very difficult, so locate the plant in its permanent place in the garden.
 
Butterfly Weed Care
Keep the soil moist until the plant is established and showing new growth. Thereafter, water only occasionally, as butterfly weed plants prefer dry soil. Trim old growth every spring to keep them neat and healthy.
No fertilizer is required, and may even harm the plant.
Mealybugs and aphids  may cause problems during the blooming season, but both are easily controlled by regular applications of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
taken from Gardening Know How - https://www.gardeningknowhow.com 
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
beckmall@netins.net