Speedwell

Speedwell belongs to the genus Veronica which contains colorful perennials that are both upright and creeping. Both the upright and the creeping plant have “terminals” with flower clusters. The upright have long, tall spike like terminals while the creeping have smaller, trailing spikes. Colors may be white, pink, rose, purple or blue depending on the species.

Speedwell needs full sun but will tolerate some shade. The soil should be average to rich, well draining. Divide plants in the spring or fall to control the spread. Speedwell can be as low as 3 to 8 inches (V. prostrata) or as tall as 2 to 6 feet tall (V.virginica). Depending on the species it is hardy in zones 3 to 8.

Celosia

Celosia is a colorful annual that has feathery plumes instead of the usual flower petals. Depending on the species it will grow from 6 to 36 inches tall and may be yellow, white, orange, red, purple, or light pink. It does best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. In the picture above Celosia is shown with hens and chicks and is used as a boarder along the driveway.

Old fashion celosia is not difficult to start form seed in the garden. However the newer hybrids are best started from transplants as they are fussy about moisture and temperature. In either case make sure not to set out the transplants or seed the garden before the soil has warmed sufficiently about 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost. Give transplants plenty of room to branch and be sure to water properly. If celosia is too cold or too dry they will not bloom well once they mature. If you want the plant to become “full” pinch the center bloom which will encourage many smaller plumes.

Be sure to visit your local garden center and ask for celosia. It is a reliable source of long lasting, heat tolerant, color from summer to fall!

Snapdragon

When fall begins many gardeners head to the local garden center to purchase pansies and violas for their fall/winter bedding plants. Many overlook the lovely Snapdragon or "Snap" as some prefer to call
this cool weather flowering plant. In the south the Snapdragon will bloom right along with the pansies you have planted in your garden and will add some height for interest. When spring comes the Snaps will continue a little longer than the pansies.
Snaps are classified by how tall they grow. They can be as low as 6 inches or less or as tall as 3 feet. The blooms can be  double, bell-shaped or azalea-shaped and are white, yellow, purple, pink , lavender or red. The shades of color may be vivid or pastel.
As said Snaps like cool weather. They enjoy night temps of 40 degrees and day temp of 70 degrees. They like full sun but will tolerate a little shade. In the winter they need regular watering. Once they are hardened off they can withstand periods of sub-freezing weather. So it is important to get your transplants out in mid-October in the south to give them a chance to  get established before the very cool weather comes.
If growing the tall snaps a few helpful hints to keep them blooming: when the first spike of flowers fade cut it off at the base of the spike to prevent it from going to seed. This act will also encourage the plant to grow more spikes. These secondary spikes will be smaller but continue to produce flowers. Continue to pinch off old blooms because  if the plant goes to seed it will stop producing flowers.
Snaps are annuals but may self seed in your garden if conditions are right.  So when shopping for colorful fall bedding plants don't forget to pick up some Snapdragons and give them a try.

Vinca (Periwinkle)

Fall garden Vinca Periwinkle

I would like to begin with a clarification of this plant's name. It is well know as Vinca but in actuality it is Madagascar Periwinkle or Periwinkle. Its scientific name is Catharunthus roseus. It originated on the island of Madagascar and that is why it is sometimes referred to by the name of Madagascar Periwinkle.
Its common mane of "vinca" can be confused with the perennial vines vinca major and vinca minor which will be explored under a new blog.
I must say that although I seem to be tired of this plant it does not tire of being wonderful in the garden as a colorful boarder. It prefers full sun but does fine with at least three hours of sunlight. It is moderately drought tolerant and is not the first choice of rabbits and deer. No dead heading is necessary. It can be grown almost anywhere in the US as there are so many cultivators available. Any well-drained soil is fine. It doesn't like to be too wet so regular watering is fine but lightly. Height is 6 - 24 inches and spread is generally equal to the height. BTW it may self seed and show up in next years garden but it remains an annual.
I must confess as my vegetables and other plants give way to the fall process it is very nice to look out my kitchen window and see these white Vinca (Periwinkle) winking at me, almost saying "See, we are worth it!"

Zinnia, Star White

Zinnia angustifolia,'White Star'

It is mid October and my garden is looking thin but this little Zinnia continues to shine! I don't believe I ever planted this particular Zinnia before but once again I am in love! It starts to bloom in late spring and has continuous blooms until frost. Butterflies and bees enjoy this plant also. It is drought tolerant, heat tolerant and mildew resistant. It grows between 8 to 14 inches tall and is spreading in form. It is a gentle, graceful plant with star shaped flowers. This Zinnia likes full sun, well draining soil and light water. I also have Star Gold which I planted in a container with a white Mum. This annual is a little keeper for me!

Confederate Jasmine



Confederate Jasmine at the well.



 Confederate Jasmine is also know as star jasmine. It grows in zones 7 - 10. I may be a Yankee but I love my confederate jasmine! I have researched it on the Internet and do not agree with everything I read, so this is what I know to be true about this wonderful vine.

  It is hardy in Raleigh, NC, zone 7 on the "map ". It is evergreen and has wonderful, fragrant, white flowers in early spring. It seems to be very drought tolerant once established and likes sun or part sun.

We had a very cold winter last and it did brown a bit but not so much that it bothered the plant or myself. What you see in the picture is actually two plants, one planted on each  side of the "well". The plant on the left was a lot slower to get going than the one on the right but they are both doing just fine now. The plants are 4 or 5 years old. I consider it a moderate grower. The Carolina Jasmine is much more aggressive. I have that on my back fence.

Confederate jasmine does need to be pruned once or twice in the summer growing season and it does have a sticky milky substance that oozes out when you cut it. Other than that it is fairly maintenance free.

I love that it is evergreen and the leaves are thick, dark green. Definitely a gardeners keeper in my book!



 

Fall garden

Tivo Le enjoying the fall sun!

 It is fall and Tivo has the right idea, take in a few "rays" in a bed of fallen oak leaves. The sun is lower in the sky these days and my veggie garden no longer gets the amount of sun it needs to be fruitful. So it is time to clean it up and put it to bed for the fall.

I did grow some annuals in my garden that are still showing color. The white vinca, yellow marigolds and a few garden mums, yellow and white. I planted a few pansies very early and now it is time to add to the few I have. I will plant some light blue, white, and yellow as they will show off their color as the days get cooler. They will take the place of the vinca after the frost comes.


The fall garden



This is the time of year I begin to think about what I want to do different next year. This is only the second season I have had a garden in this location. It has done well as I made raised beds and fenced it in to protect my plants from Tivo and the rabbits. Some of my veggies did not do well here this year though and I think the competition for water and light from my very large Oak tree made it difficult. The tree drip line is now just about the middle of the garden. I will keep the garden here as it was too much work to put up the fence but will rethink what I will plant. I am thinking I will place some perennial and a lot of annuals next season with some lettuce for the early spring.

One of the wonderful things about gardening is that you can rework and move things around. Now I don't mean large trees and mature bushes but I do mean perennials and even small bushes. I have moved azaleas, and other small shrubs successfully. I like to be able to mix it up! and "Mother Earth" is happy to let me do it!



Ornamental kale and cabbage

Ornamental kale and cabbage are both cool weather plants that flourish in cool weather. Because they are grown for the use as an ornamental plant it is probably best not to eat any part of the pant as they are probably treated with pesticides or other harmful chemicals. As the weather cools and a frost sets in the colors of the plant should deepen. They are a good choice in the fall/winter garden for interest and color along with pansies. Kale and cabbage are closely related, one forming a head the other not. They will both flower at the end of the season. I recommend them as a fun species to add to the winter garden. Check with your local garden center as to the variety that is available in your area.

Muhly grass



Muhly Grass - Atlantic Ave Orchid  and Garden

This is a picture of Muhlenbergia (myoo-len-BER-jee-ah) capillaris (kap-pill-LAIR-riss), a close cousin to purple muhly (muhlenbergia filipes). According to my research the above is  called hairy awn muhly or purple muhly. No matter they are both very similar differing mainly by muhlenbergia filipes' stouter flowering culms, and a latter blooming time.
They are both clumping, warm weather grasses. They show the beautiful color in the fall as the plant starts to go dormant for the winter. They are deciduous, meaning the top growth will die in the winter, however the leaves will remain for winter interest. Muhlenbergia capillaris (above)grows to about 3 feet by 3 feet, with the culms, (stems) rising another 2 or 3 feet.
This grass does best in full sun and well drained soil. It tolerates drought and wind but like all of us, will take a drink of water when there is a prolonged drought. It's fall flowers add a stunning touch to fresh or dried flower arrangements. Muhlenbergia capillaris is native to Florida. It growes well in zones 7-11.

Hens and Chicks

Hens and chicks are succulents that belong to the Crassulaceae plant family. They are also known by the name of "houseleeks". Hens and chicks are native to Europe and North Africa but can easily be grown in zones  3 to  11. They like full sun but will tolerate some shade especially in the south's hot afternoon sun. They do not like to be consistently moist and will begin to rot from the outside in if given that  condition to live in. They are therefor very drought tolerant and make a good ground cover for a dry sunny location or rock  garden. 
Hens and chicks come in several different colors, lime green, burgundy and purple. Their leaves can be thin and spiky or  thick and rounded with a pointed tip. They are as small as 1cm (.39 inches) or as large as 20cm  (7.87 inches). "Cobweb Houseleek" has fine spider like web  filaments that grow from leaf edge to leaf edge, forming a  white cover on the  top of the plant.
The "mother" hen is a single  rosette  with small chicks or offsets growing from her edges. To propagate simply remove one of the offsets,  and place it in the soil making sure it makes good soil contact. That easy!
The mother hen will reach maturity at 3 or 4 years old. At that time a single stalk will  grow from the center and form a head. The stalk will be about 2 to 10 inches tall and the head will  consist of a cluster of star shaped  flower buds. It will flower for several weeks and will be dark  pink to yellow. Yep you guessed it, it will die after that. But it will have left many "chicks" to keep the family name going!

Grasses, General

When I think of  "grasses"  I think of the large ornamental specimen placed near the edge of the yard's property line or by the driveway to the house.  Many people probably immediately think of the green stuff in their front yard. We are both right from our own perspective but when shopping for "grass" it is good to refer to the grass in your yard as "turf" and the decorative grass as "ornamental grass".
The term "ornamental grass" refers to what is both true grasses, close relatives and grass like plants. As I am not interested in complex botany I will use the term "ornamental grass" to  share about grasses that are used chiefly for ornamental purpose in the garden setting;  true grass and grass like plants.
Briefly ornamental grasses are either classified as warm season or cool season grasses.  Warm season grasses liking of course warm weather, just like me! These grasses thrive in temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees. They grow vigorously, until the fall when they flower and begin a period of dormancy. Like the trees of fall the grass will turn color, the color depending on the particular plant, as it continues on to dormancy. With complete dormancy in the winter the grass will turn tan, wheat, or white and become dry. The foliage will usually stay throughout the winter adding interest to the garden. In spring new growth begins and the cycle continues.
Cool season grasses like temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees and require more moisture than warm season grasses. They begin new growth in the fall or very early spring. The leaves of the cool season grass generally are evergreen and may be red, plum or purple in the winter. These colors will fade as the warm weather takes over. New growths begins again in the fall and the cycle continues.

Brussels sprouts

From my point of view the Brussels sprout plant is unique in looks compared to other garden veggies. The sprouts we eat are of course the future flowers, then seeds, of the plant. I have not grown Brussels sprouts but have read about a technique to help keep your plant producing.
The sprouts start to form on the bottom of the stalk where a leaf grows out. When you see the tiny sprouts begin to form, break off the branches starting at the bottom and continuing up 6 to 8 inches. This technique helps to stimulate growth in the plant so it will grow taller and continue to produce sprouts and it also gives more energy for the sprouts to grow faster. If you continue to strip the branches after you harvest the lower sprouts the plant (should) continue to grow taller and produce more sprouts.
Brussels sprouts are a cool weather plant and some people won't plant them in the spring as they believe they will be bitter in the heat. But if you pick the sprouts when they are very young in the summer they are said to be tender and good to eat. And remember that if the sprouts send out seed stalks the plant is no longer "tasty"!
For fall planting, plant seedlings 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost date.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a cool weather crop. Plant early in the spring, 3 or 4 weeks before the last spring frost date. Plant again 6 to 8 weeks before the first average fall frost date. To harvest broccoli cut the center head when the "buds" are lose but before they open. Rub your thumb across the head if the buds are tight let it continue to grow. As soon as they feel lose cut the head even if it seems small for once the head flowers it will go to seed and stop producing. Depending on the broccoli you planted it should continue to produce "side shoots' on the stem which will  develop  small heads. It will continue to produce until the head goes to seed. If you check and collect every other day you should have broccoli for a good while.

Fall Veggies

As the heat of the summer fades into the early sunsets the avid gardener is beginning the fall vegetable garden. Not only is it cooler to work the garden in the fall but there are less pests to bother you and the plants! Here is a helpful little chart to help you plan your fall planting. Keep in mind  you need to know the first fall frost date in your area. In Raleigh, NC we can expect a frost between the end of October and the first week of November. This chart is for sowing seeds directly in the garden:

1.  Broccoli   10 - 12 weeks before the first fall frost
2.  Brussels sprouts  12 - 16 weeks
3.  Cabbage  and  cauliflower 10 - 12 weeks before
4.  Chinese cabbage  8 - 10 weeks before
5.  Kohlrabi   6 -  8 weeks before

For transplants: on average 4 weeks later than above.

1. Broccoli       6 - 8 weeks before
2. Brussels sprouts  10 - 12 weeks
3. Cabbage, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage   6 - 8 weeks

As is the case with so many plants, the timing may be different in your area or even in your backyard!
 

Dahlia

 Dahlia. This is the first time I have ever planted dahlias. I selected the bedding size plants for my first go around. I don't know if it is just by the luck of the draw but this is also the first time I have had a serious whitefly problem. The only plants infested are the dahlias. The good

news is the flowers are doing just fine, the leaves are affected but I guess not serious enough to cause much harm at this time. I did spray with a home-made soap and oil concoction.

The colors of the dahlia are vibrant and my photos do not do them justice. You can find dahlias in red, orange, yellow, pink, burgundy, purple and white. The plant likes full sun and enjoys the coolness of early fall. The tall selection (they can be up to 6 feet) need staking which should be placed in the ground when you plant as not to harm the tubers. If you fertilize use a low nitrogen formula such as 6-12-12. Too  much nitrogen will make the stems weak. Note the larger selections are planted from tubers that are packaged like bulbs. They are specific about how they are planted and directions should come with the purchase of the tubers. Dahlias are considered perennial in zones 4 to 10 but care needs to be given to the tubers during the cold. You could probably save your bedding size plant tubers but that would seem a lot of trouble for the price of new plants. I will choose new if I plant them again.

Garden Helper

 Meet Tivo Le my garden helper!

Tivo is a mixed breed, rescued "sweety"! We met five years ago when she was only 8 weeks old and I was volunteering at the local SPCA.

She loves to be outside in what I refer to as her "Queendom". She is not big on riding in the car or taking a walk but she does love it out back. As you can see in the above picture on the left, she pitches in to help with the empty plant bucket. When I do some digging she is right there to help. I step aside and let her go at it. She loves to put her nose in the hole and give a good whiff and then dig like crazy.  When she is finished I still need to do a little more digging but her help is always appreciated and it is worth a good laugh.

Tivo loves to give the squirrels a good chase and I must add she is excellent at it. She doesn't go "willie-nillie" about it but rather stalks them. It is a good show to watch.
Tivo is a wonderful companion and yes dogs and gardens don't always go well together but there is always a way to make it work. I do need to fence in some of my garden area where I have tender plants but the fence keeps the rabbits out also so it is a good investment of time and money. Our relationship, Tivo's and mine, is enhanced by the time we spend together in our "Queendom".

Vocabulary stuff

When shopping for plants it is good to have some basic understanding of the vocabulary used in regards to plants. Here are some of the most common terms that many people find confusing.

1. annual - living and growing for only one year or season
2. perennial - having a life span of more than 2 years
3. biennial - the life cycle of this plant is complete in 2 seasons
4. deciduous- shedding or losing foliage at the end of the growing season
5. herbaceous -  green and leaf like in appearance and texture as distinguished from a woody plant
6. evergreen - the plant does not go dormant, remaining attractive throughout the year

The terms annual and perennial, are used "openly" when you are looking for the small plant for your garden or front yard. You go out and look at the annuals and perennials your local garden center has on display. But these terms also apply to trees, shrubs, grasses and herbs so it is good to have an idea of what each means on your next shopping adventure!

Pampas Grass

Pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana, is native to southern South America. If you have a good spot for one in your yard I recommend it as it will reward you with beautiful feathery plumes that sway in the breeze and catch the light of the sun. I love to watch the sparrows sit on the top of the plumes eating the seeds,seeming to enjoy the swaying as much as the good meal!

Pampas grass is a tough plant. It is drought tolerant once established and needs very little care. I do prune mine each spring but it isn't really necessary. The plumes make a great addition to a flower arrangement and the plant itself remains of interest all year long as it is evergreen. The leaves are very sharp and one needs to take care when pruning!

The plant can be very longed lived and can grow to heights of 9 plus feet and a diameter twice that! It is not a good idea to plant it at the entrance to a driveway or walkway. It is generally a perennial in zones 7-11. It is considered an invasive weed in some places such as CA.

Spinach Vine

Red Malabar Spinach, Basella alba "Rubra" also know as spinach vine is not truly spinach but a plant that has a taste similar to that of spinach. It is easy to grow  in the ground or in a pot on the deck. It does require full to part sun and something to climb on as it will grow from 8 to 12 feet tall. I have read that it is a perennial in  zones 7b to 11 but I also read that it re-seeds very easily and that it is only truly perennial in the tropics.  The leaves are eaten raw in salads or on a sandwich. They are also used in soups  to help thicken the broth or in stir-fries with garlic and chili peppers. I am sure the uses are up to the individual cook. The leaves are high in  vitamins A and C and have a good amount of iron and calcium.

I have yet to try any of the leaves on my plant, I was/am so fascinated by the plant itself! I do think a stir-fry is on the menu very soon! One other note, this plant can be invasive in very warm climates. For more information go to http://www.bbg.org/ (the Brooklyn Botanic Garden).

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum (Mum) is a large family of Daisy like flowers. The Mum comes in a variety of colors with some blooming quite early helping to stretch the season from midsummer to late fall.
The Mum needs full sun with well draining soil. To encourage a well rounded plant  pinch the plant back when the plant has developed 6 to 8 leaves. As the pant continues to grow pinch off any side shoots. You may need to pinch the entire plant once again but you should stop all pinching by July 1.

All Mums are easy to grow from cuttings. You can take the cutting in late spring or early summer. You can keep your Mums healthy by dividing the clumps every one or two years. The Mum is a perennial in zones 5 to 9. Because there are so many selections your local garden center should be able to tell you what grows best in your area. Something to remember: because Mums are grown in a greenhouse to bloom at a particular time the Mum you purchase may not bloom at the same time in your garden the next season.

Otto Luyken, English Laurel

Otto Luyken English Laurel is an evergreen shrub that is suitable for zones  6 to 9. It requires full to partial sun. In extreen heat it needs watering weekly as do many other plants. It grows to about 3 feet tall with a 6 foot spread. In the spring it produces white fragrant flowers followed by small black fruit in the summer. It makes an excellent screen. To learn more you can go to http://www.monrovia.com/ and search the plant title. 

Loropetalum, Ever Red

Loropetalum, Ever Red is a beautiful dark burgundy, compact, mounding evergreen bush. It blooms in late winter - early spring with vivid red blooms. It is disease resistant, drought tolerant and mildew resistant. It requires full sun or part shade and is suited for zones 7 to 9. It can get large, 6 feet high by 6 feet wide.

You can learn more about this beautiful plant at http://www.gardenersconfidence.com/.

Small evergreen tree

Berchman's Golden Arborvitae (Platycladus orientallis 'Aurea Nana')

I planted my "little guy" in 2002. It was in a one gallon bucket. Today , Sept. 2011 it is about 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It is very drought tolerant and is very well formed. An excellent speciment in my eye. As the card said it is a "neat, compact, rounded evergreen shrub".

Whitefly

As you walk through your garden or pick a flower have you ever noticed a flurry of little white specs floating in the air? Perhaps you thought, there are those darn eye floaters again or you said to yourself "Look at the albino mosquitoes!" Well darling you probably have whiteflies on your plant. If you squint real hard you may see the whitefly in the right hand corner of the baggie in the above pictures.
The whitefly is a common garden pest. It is moth like and is only about an 1/8 of an inch long. It lives on the underside of the plant leaf and sucks out the sap leaving yellowed and spotted foliage behind. If the infestation is serious enough it can weaken the plant to the point it may die.

Spraying the plant is the only option as it is impossible, I believe, to try to pick these little guys off. I am using the spray I recommended 2 posts ago, the oil, soap and water.
The whiteflies are on my Dahlia plants and although the leaves are very spotted I do have flowers. I believe this is the first time I have had a problem with whiteflies, however I have had a lot of eye floaters in the past....hmmm. So have you had a whitefly problem and if so how did you solve it?

Controlling some garden pests

White flies, aphids, mites and mealybugs oh my! Yes these are some of the common pests that like to visit our gardens. No description of these little guys here today, but they will each have there turn for notoriety soon enough.
If your go to your local nursery about these pests they will probably suggest one of two types of horticultural oils. Dormant oil, for dormant plants as the name suggest, is a heavy petroleum based oil that you spray on. Summer oil, (superior or supreme oil) which is a lighter petroleum based oil that you spray on when the air temperature is below 85 degrees.
A green solution for the summer oil is;
1 tablespoon of plain vegetable oil and
1/4 teaspoon of liquid soap per quart of water.
Shake vigorously and spray being sure to get the underside of the plant leafs.

The "green solution" is never as lethal as chemical based products but with some patience and the willingness to be happy with less than the picture perfect plant you will be making a healthy choice for the environment which inevitably is healthier for all of us!

Jalapeno Peppers

What to do when your freezer is already full with jalapeno peppers from the garden and you just picked a pound or two more? Pickle them! This is a simple recipe to do just that.
1 pound of jalapeno peppers
1/2 pound sliced carrots
1 garlic clove chopped
1 tablespoon pickling salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups white vinegar
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Bring vinegar to a boil, add sliced carrots and boil for 10 min., add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 min. Pour contents into jar, (be sure they have been sanitized) let cool, and refrigerate! How easy is that! I am eating mine after 2 days in the refrigerator and liking them. They are not as hot as when I first picked them, but that is fine as they were really hot! I did not add any hot sauce. The texture is soft. I would do this recipe again.

Bluebirds

I find the Bluebird a beautiful bird. The blue of the male bird is something to behold. I am also attracted to the Bluebird because of the patience they project as they sit and watch for their next meal. Since I moved to North Carolina 10 years ago I have seen the Bluebird in my neighborhood but never in my backyard. Three years ago I started to add more mulch around my very large, old Oak tree to help keep the moisture in the ground for this beautiful specimen. To my surprise the Bluebirds showed up to sit on my back porch railings to look for food in this newly mulched area. I immediately built and put up a nesting box as it was spring and wanted the chance to have them nest in my yard. As I watched the activity over the next week many different birds were attracted to the new box. Afraid that the Bluebirds would lose out I put up a second box! That spring I was rewarded with baby Bluebirds not only in the first box but the second also! That was as I said three years ago. This last year the Bluebirds used the nest box once again and had one successful hatch. After June I did not see any Bluebirds until today, Sept 19th when 5! showed up at the nest boxes! There were 4 adult males and 1 adult female. I couldn't help but think that they returned "home" to have a look see for the spring nesting.

Although I love the Bluebirds I don't do any thing I consider unnatural to attract them. I believe nature must take its course. Having said that I do make my yard very bird friendly. I have a variety of nest boxes, 5 in all, and give a source of fresh water year round. I plant a variety of bushes, perennials and annuals that invite bugs for the birds and also provide berries and seeds.

In the very cold of the winter I will also put a little seed out for all and any bird that happens by.

Gardening is all about bringing all of nature together. We reap the reward of viewing nature in our own backyard!

Candytuff (Iberis sempervirens)

Candytuff is a very popular perennial in the Raleigh area. Now it might be in other areas also but this is where I live and notice the popularity. It is perennial in zones 3 to 9 and does well in full sun to partial shade. It is evergreen with white spring blooms. Its need for water is low and it is an excellent plant for edgings or rock gardens. You should never plant it in poorly drained soil as the roots will rot in winter, in fact rot is the worst enemy of candytuff as it is not prone to diseases nor insect problems.
Candytuff blooms in early spring and last several weeks. Trim the plants after blooming to help keep the plant compact. If you want to divide your candytuff do so in the fall.
I have a new bed in the yard and think I will plant candytuff at the front. I like the fact that it is evergreen and the need for water is low.

Fennel

Fennel is a perennial in zones 5-10. It can grow to 3 to 4 feet tall and likes full sun. If you love butterflies you need to consider adding this plant to your garden.

When planting you need to remember that it can cross pollinate with dill, bean and tomatoes. So it should be planted a distance away from any of these as the cross pollination will distort the taste to something "ugly".

The entire plant is edible. The stalk is eaten like celery, the root is boiled and eaten as a vegetable (I guess) and the seeds are used to flavor stews, meats and fish. The taste is licorice or anise. I don't care for the taste but planted for my friends, the caterpillars which will become the Blue or black swallowtail butterfly!

CANNA

I have not had much luck with Cannas. As I received one yesterday I thought I would look it up once more and see if I can't have a bit more success. Cannas are tropical looking and can range in size from 1' to 8'. They like full sun and rich, well drained but moist soil. They do not mind wet conditions. They are cold hardy through zone 7.
I dug up the ones in my yard this last spring and found that the rhizomes did not look healthy so I tossed them. That may be why I have not been successful. The other reason I may not have had much success is that I do not water as much as I probably should. I will plant this one near my rain barrel to be sure to give it the water it will need now and next summer!
Note; Cannas are prone to leaf rollers, a caterpillar that rolls itself in the new leaves and enjoys a good meal! You can spray or I prefer to pick the little guys off and toss out for the birds to have a good meal.

Pansy (Viola)

Pansy - an annual liking the sun and cool weather. The pansy may suffer from a very cold day but should bounce back when the sun shines. I left my pansies until July last year. Yes they became a bit leggy but I loved the blue in my garden. I just planted my first pansies of the new season last week, Sept 5,2011 and they are doing very well.