y, Fun Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden plants. Here's one to try. It's called Sea Holly, and it's actually in the thistle family.

Sea Holly is a perennial garden plant, which means you plant it once and it comes up year after year, somewhat depending on your climate.

This plant never did fail to bring attention and comments from people seeing my garden. It grows about 3-4 feet high, very branchy and the branches are a brilliant electric blue color. It's stunning!

The only drawback to this lovely plant, in the fall you must cut it to the ground and burn or compost the plant. Do not let it go longer than that, casting it seeds or you'll soon discover it's family trait of being in the thistle family, if you know what I mean. The following spring, it'll come back again to it's beauty.

It is an easy plant to grow and does best with full sun, or as much sun as is available to you. I live in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A. so we get a lot of rain and fairly mild summers and yet it seems to be enough for this plant.

You can search for Sea Holly seeds in seed catalogs or sometimes you can find it in some nurserys. An internet search would surely find you a source for this lovely plant.

I thought I'd let you know about one of the coolest, funky plants for outdoors I've ever run across. It's called Evening Scented Stock, it is NOT the common stock, however.

This is an annual plant, that needs to be sown early spring, directly into the soil where it is to bloom and grow. I recommend planting it nearby windows and doors, porches, etc. This plant really doesn't look like much in and of itself, it's not a pretty plant per se..but when about 5:00 PM rolls around watch it do its stuff! This plant has a VERY powerful fragrance similar to hyacynths or lilacs. At the gentlest breeze it sends a waft of fragrance to die for. This is why it's so excellent to plant near a window, door or pathway. When you open up your screen in the evening, this will scent your entire house.

One place that I have found the seeds for this rare plant is at Fragrant Path, PO Box 328, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023 They were about $1. a packet but the price may have gone up. Please write and ask them. Enjoy!

Here's another one to try. This one is called Autumn Crocus.

In this case you can tell a lot by it's name. You generally purchase it as a bulb, which are usually quite large. It does return year after year without needing to re-plant it.

In the spring it shoots up a lot of foliage, this is preparing the plant for it's autumn blooms, be sure to just leave this alone. Come about June or so, this foliage starts looking like it's dying, again just leave it be.

In late August/early September, when most of the flowers are past their prime and the garden is starting to look sparse, out comes the Autumn Crocus, with their beautiful lilac colored blooms. They bloom for quite a long time when few things are blooming. A fun plant, give it a try!

This one is an annual (only lives 1 growing season) plant called Love Lies Bleeding. It's as strange as it's name.

It is very easy to grow. You just simply direct seed it in the soil (full sun preferably) where it is to grow in the spring. It's height seems to vary greatly. I've seen it be as small as about 2 feet high, and reach up to 6 or 7 feet high. It's "flowers" are long, burgandy colored ropes that hang. It is simply stunning. Always gets attention! It will usually re-seed itself so you'll get new plants the following year without doing anything.

It's best to try to find this seed in an unusual type seed catalog. It is in the amaranth family.

Here's the last one. Ever tried the hellebore family? There are many varieties. They are perennial which means they come back year after year. These are best planted in shady areas, but where they will get sun in the winter, like under leafed trees or something of that nature.

What is so unusual about hellebores is that they bloom somewhere between Dec. and March. There are very few plants that do that! One variety is called a Christmas Rose. It's quite striking to see flowers in the midst sometimes of snow.

These plants usually must be puchased at a nursery. Check out your local nursery for this wonderful family of plants.

About The Author

Valerie Garner - Get a series of no cost traffic builders that work to get traffic to your website, plus a few ideas for earning income too. Many unique resources you'll love! Mailto:Moredetails@quicktell.com

---

Grey Water- Not Drinking Water- For Your Garden

The average home can reduce their water consumption by around... Read More

Store Your Outdoor Furnishings to Make Them Last

In many parts of North America, the end of "porch... Read More

Hot-Weather Fish Feeding Facts

Summertime provides the best time of the year to water... Read More

Starting Seedlings Indoors

Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like... Read More

Selecting Outdoor Benches

Outdoor benches are an excellent way to enhance a garden,... Read More

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar

HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR RECIPEWe love hummingbirds and love to watch them... Read More

Early Spring Garden Guide: What To Do In The Yard And Garden Now

Can't wait to get back to the garden? Use this... Read More

Five Tips For Garden Sanctuaries

The design of your garden has an amazing affect on... Read More

Why Teak Coffee Tables Are Essential For Your Outdoor Space

One of the best ways to bring together the many... Read More

A Couple of Good Places to Buy Lawnmowers

After much searching and deliberation, I finally bought a lawnmower... Read More

Science Cant Explain Everything!

You will know that if you have spent at least... Read More

Preparing Successful Seedlings

Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more... Read More

How to Grow Apples

The first thing you need to grow apples is a... Read More

Fun, Funky Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden... Read More

Care of Dendrobium Orchids

DendrobiumsThis month I am focusing our attention to the care... Read More

Basil: The King of Herbs

One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly... Read More

To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond

The important question of whether or not to add salt... Read More

Aluminium And Wooden Greenhouses

An important addition to any British back garden, greenhouses are... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Landscaping Schemes - Do They Add Value-Is It The Chicken Or The Egg?

Have you noticed how everything looks great at the moment... Read More

Lawn Care Information

Recent lawn care information reports that a lot of us... Read More

How to Control Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is found throughout southern Canada and most of... Read More

Tips For Successful Backyard Grape Growing

Growing grapes in the backyard or garden can be a... Read More

Greenhouse Calamities ? Thoughts from a Novice Gardener

Greenhouses are a great addition to anyone's garden. They come... Read More

Ultra Violet Pond Filter

Having an ultra violet pond filter will give you a... Read More

The Home Garden

The garden should be near the house and away from... Read More

Lady Bugs Are Your #1 Natural Pest Control

First, this bug has many names. Some of it's names... Read More

How To Prevent Damping Off

Damping off is the single term used to describe underground,... Read More

The Exotic Rose of Sharon

Perhaps you were browsing the pages of a catalog and... Read More

The Advantages of Silk Flowers

The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples... Read More

Grow Herbs in your Garden for Pleasure and Profit

Herbs can add a touch of magic to your garden... Read More

Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Come to My Garden

Ladybugs, also called lady beetles or ladybirds, can be a... Read More

Gardening During Hard Times or Emergencies - You Can Feed Yourself!

Do you ever worry about always having to rely on... Read More

How to Find and Work With a Porch Swing Contractor To Install the Porch Swing of Your Dreams

You've found a great Porch Swing and you know exactly... Read More