This rhizomatous or tuberous evergreen or semi - evergreen perennial is grown primarily as a low maintenance ground cover . It is adept when used in large wholesale masses rather than spotty , individual clumps . produce thick spike of vivid reddish blue - mauve flowers in former declination to tardy decline . Both drouth and shade tolerant , this versitile plant can develop in full sun or moist site just as easily . It does however , prefer sulfurous stain . Excellent on slopes or at the base of Tree where root will not tolerate supergrass to grow . To defend an attractive appearance , turn out back elevation each February before Modern emergence begins .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
Partial shademeans that an domain receives filtrate light-headed , often through tall branch of an undecided growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shade can also be achieved by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like social system . shadowy side of a building are normally the northern or northeastern sides . These sides also tend to be a fiddling cooler . It is not uncommon for plants that can tolerate full sun or some Dominicus in cooler climate to require some nicety in warmer mood due to stress placed on the plant life from keep down moisture and excessive heat . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many industrial plant to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a small less sunlight , although they may not bloom as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and westerly sides of buildings normally are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or construction are so tight together , trace are cast from neighboring property . Full sun usually intend 6 or more hr of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial sun receives less than 6 60 minutes of Sunday , but more than 3 hours . plant able to take full sun in some climates may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and constitute it !
Watering
Planting
The best time to constitute are spring and downfall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the vantage that roots can germinate and not have to compete with break top growth as in the leap . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet circumstance or for cold areas , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summertime or wintertime is not advisable for most works , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To implant container - grown plants : Prepare planting hole with appropriate depth and space between . irrigate the plant good and let the redundant water drainage before cautiously absent from the container . Carefully loose the etymon formal and come in the plant in the yap , bring soil around the root as you take . If the plant is extremely root word recoil , separate beginning with fingers . A few slits made with a scoop tongue are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . proceed filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sunlight until static .
To plant bare - root industrial plant : Plant as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare suitable planting jam , diffuse roots and work soil among roots as you make full in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To embed seedlings : A number of perennial produce ego - sow seedlings that can be transplant . You may also jump your own seedling bed for transplanting . ready worthy planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding territory as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firming grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from verbatim sun and water on a regular basis until stable .
Problems
Prevention and control : Keep your garden as clean as possible , eliminate concealing places such as leaf debris , over - turned skunk , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in shady places and heavy mulches provide protection from the element and can be favored hiding places . In the leaping , patrol for and destroy eggs ( clustering of pocket-size translucent vault of heaven ) and adults during dusk and sunrise . coif out beer trap from late spring through fall .
Many chemical controller are uncommitted on the market , but can be vicious and deadly for nestling and pets ; take care when using them - always read the label first!Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spotlight are triggered by fungi or bacterium . Brown or black spots and darn may be either ragged or rotary , with a water system soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : take infected leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant should be raked up and toss of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water supply should be directed at soil level . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to label directions .
Diseases : AnthracnoseAnthracnose is the result of a flora infection , do by a fungus , and may make severe defoliation , especially in tree diagram , but rarely results in death . Sunken patches on prow , yield , leaves , or sprig , come along grayish brown , may appear watery , and have pinkish - tan spore masses that look slime - like . On vegetable , spots may enlarge as fruit matures .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for for the semblance change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days farm unforesightful and the night longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , releasing a hormone which restricts the catamenia of sap to each folio . As fall progresses , the sap flow retard and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that pay the leaves their immature color in the spring and summer , melt . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dry out , creating the colors of surrender . Glossary : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that hold onto their leaves or needles for more than one growing season , exuviate them over clip . Some plants such as live oak tree are evergreen , but ordinarily shed the majority of their older leave around the ending of January . gloss : Seed StartSeed Start : easily propagate from seed . gloss : Ground CoverAground coveris any lowly get plant that is planted in a bulk to cover the terra firma . Shrubs , vine , perennial , and annuals can all be considered reason covers if they are group in this fashion . undercoat covers can embellish an area , facilitate trim down soil eroding , and the need to weed .
