Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine

*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK. TUPELO or BLACK GUM - (Nyssa sylvatica). The tupelo or black gum is a large tree reaching heights up to 50', and is an excellent specimen tree because of its consistent fall color. It grows best in a moist, well drained, acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. The tree however, is very tolerant of less than desirable growing conditions, and is hardy to zone 3. The habit is somewhat pyramidal when young, and seems to mature into an upright-oval look. The foliage is dark green during the summer; changing to a very showy bright orange to scarlet color in autumn. The tree produces a bluish black drupe type fruit about 1/2" long, that is attractive to birds. Although the tree is difficult to transplant because of an extensive taproot, the industry does have several growers that are successfully producing this tree.

*PERENNIAL OF THE WEEK. GAILLARDIA or BLANKETFLOWER - (Galardia xgrandiflora.). This genus of perennials is another group where extensive breeding has brought them back into popularity in recent years. Plants tend to grow around 3-4' tall with about a 2' spread. They begin to bloom in July and last well into August and longer if deadheaded. They are a great full sun plant, but must have good drainage as they won't survive in wet winter clay soils. The daisy-shaped flower colors are red, yellow, burgundy, and a blend; some of the newer cultivars have bright orange flowers. One of the most interesting recent introduction is 'Fanfare' with orange and yellow fluted flowers; it grows 12-14" tall. 'Summer's Kiss' with salmon, apricot, gold, and yellow flowers growing 18" tall and 'Tokavar' with brick red flowers on 18" plants are both newer cultivars that also make great cut flowers. Some varieties only last 2-4 years in a typical garden.Photo: cd0011-229

*ANNUAL OF THE WEEK. CLEOME or SPIDER FLOWER - (Cleome spp.). Large flowers bloom prolifically atop long stems on this well-known annual. Known as the spider flower because of the "spidery-like" flowers, the cleome is an excellent plant for cottage or Victorian gardens or fillers in the perennial bed or in large containers. Many cultivars of this plant are started by simply scattering seed in the garden. Many will also continue to self-seed throughout the years. Plants grow to around 3-4' tall and about 1-2' wide. Flower colors are usually pink, lavender, and white depending upon the variety, and the blooms continue all summer without deadheading. Numerous cultivars have been recently introduced to compliment the old-fashioned varieties. 'Sparkler' flowers grow atop 4' stems and are great when used in the middle of a pot of petunias (looking like a sparkler shooting out of the container!). One cultivar that has caught a lot of attention lately is 'Senoria Rosalita'. The plant is a bit more compact than most and grows to around 2-3' tall with purple flowers on top that last from the early season until frost. The best feature, however, is that the foliage remains on the plant all season whereas many other varieties have bare legs with blooms on top.