In celebration of October, and our San Francisco Giants, I have decided to write this week’s column on a handful of shrubs and perennials that will bloom the color orange.
Let’s begin with the semi-evergreen shrub called Leonotis leonurus. This shrub is hands down one of the most striking orange blooming bushes that one could install into their Claycord garden or landscape. Growing Leonotis is easy. It likes to be planted in full sun, isn’t picky about the condition of the soil, and is very water-wise. Leonotis can reach heights from 3-5’ tall and 2-4’ wide. Leonotis is commonly called Lion’s Tail. It is very useful planted against a fence or on a hill. Leonotis begins to bloom with the heat in August and flowers through October, and sometimes longer. The flowers are two-lipped shaped and born on whirls that top the sturdy stems of the Leonotis. The whirls of orange flowers line the stems in a row, five to seven whirls tall. This shrub is a great source of nectar for hummingbirds. During cold winters the Leonotis is prone to dropping many of its leaves, therefore it is considered semi-evergreen. Just as soon as the leaves fall, new ones emerge. In early spring cut back the last years-flowering stems far down towards the base of the plant. We want to encourage totally new stems. Cut this shrub by hand, don’t be tempted to use your electric or gas hedgers, you will lose its natural appeal and expose too much wood.
Alstromeria Princess Series Isabella is a wonderful orange flowering perennial with azalea shaped flowers. All of the Princess Series of Alstromeria plants are fantastic in a garden bed, or container. Princess Series is a group of dwarf Alstromeria. You can expect 16-20” of height from these plants, and they’ll grow wider with age. Isabella has a bright orange flower with streaks of gold in the throat. Alstromeria has needs. It likes regular water and fertilizer. The bloom is so rewarding that it is worth the extra work. Also, all Alstromeria make long-lasting cut flowers. Install in full to at least 6 hours of sun for best flowering.
Gaillardia Goblin is a daisy shaped perennial with deep orange petals that have golden tips. This perennial was once the perennial of the year and thrives in our Claycord climate. Mounds of green leaves reach 12” tall and wide, while dozens of daisy shaped flowers bloom spring throughout fall. This perennial is extrondianary. It will tolerate full sun and in very water-wise. Use in a landscape to accent evergreens, borders and containers.
Several Daylilies bloom orange. There are too many to really mention. Daylilies as a whole are great in our Claycord landscapes and gardens. They are long blooming , sun tolerant and water-wise. For those that grow Daylilies already, now is the time to divide your clumps. As Daylily plants age they grow tight in the ground and your amount of blooms will suffer. During October you should dig up your entire Daylily clump and separate the rhizomes and replant. This will make for a happier plant next year.
Other orange blooming perennials to check out are Yarrow, Diascia, Echinacea and arctotis.
The color orange is very useful in most landscapes and gardens. Many plant lovers have their share of purple blooming plants. Orange is a hot color, and it will add some spice to the cool colors lavender and purple.
Happy Gardening. Go Giants!
Nicole Hackett is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio and Gardens, located at 6780 Marsh Creek Road in Clayton, 925-672-0207.
Nicole writes for the Clayton Pioneer Newspaper, and Claycord.com. She is also the Clayton Valley Garden Club 2012 President.
Email your questions to thegardengirl@claycord.com