Your Ecosystem Benefits from Having Garden Snakes

Blue Hydrangea

Blue Hydrangea: Hydrangea Macrophylla Blue Hydrangea has vibrant dinnerplate blooms, lush foliage, and versatility, making it famous for gardens, parks, and residential landscapes. Scientifically known as macrophylla, it is a captivating flowering shrub celebrated for its enchanting beauty and the tranquil ambiance of gardens and landscapes. Revered for its vibrant azure blossoms, it is a botanical masterpiece that has charmed horticulturists and nature enthusiasts for generations.  With a profusion of attractively hued blooms, it makes beautiful additions to any garden. The flowers appear in clusters or cones up to eight inches wide. The foliage is generally deep green with a matte or waxy surface, but leaf shapes vary significantly between varieties. Some plants produce oblong or heart-shaped leaves between four and eight inches long, while others are adorned with serrated, deeply veined, or lobed leaves of similar size. One unique fact about it is it's the most eye-catching parts of the plant aren't made up of petals, as is the case with most other flowering plants. Instead, showy, colorful blooms are comprised of petal-like structures called sepals. Sepals are sturdier than regular flower petals and protect the tiny flowers hidden behind or below them. Their bloom clusters vary from faint sky-blue to deep purple, with most shades in between. The color of the flowers it produces is based on the plant's variety and the content of certain minerals in the surrounding soil. Get Blue Hydrangea Dies Back In Winter They go dormant in the cooler months. As warmer weather returns, the plants start putting on new foliage, and new flowers begin forming in mid-to late spring. They will burst into full bloom in the early summer, with the flowers generally reaching their prime during June, July, August, and September. Some varieties only bloom once per growing season, while others rebloom continuously throughout the summer. Creating Height and Depth With Blue Hydrangea Blue Hydrangea can grow six feet or more with a six-foot branch span. These standard varieties are suitable for creating a border, a flowering green wall, or a divider between lawn areas. If space is a consideration, smaller varieties that are great for raising pots or planters are also available. These varieties will reach just two to three feet with a similar branch-spread diameter. Some plants also act like vines and can scale trees and fences to heights of 50 feet or more.

Jacobs Ladder

Jacobs Ladder - Polemonium Jacob's Ladder is a charming, easy-growing perennial for shaded garden beds. Its soft ladder-shaped leaves and bell-shaped flowers add elegance and seasonality with minimal upkeep. Simple Planting and Care of The Jacobs Ladder Perennial Plant Jacob's Ladder is so easy to plant that it's a favorite with advanced and novice gardeners alike. It prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial or full shade. Once established, this easy-care perennial will require water now and again but likes to stay moist by incorporating a few inches of mulch, especially when conditions are drying out. Jacobs Ladder Bloom Time and Seasonal Appeal Jacob's Ladder flowers in late spring to early summer, producing spikes of bell-shaped blooms that are pale blue, lavender, or white. These small flowers contrast beautifully with the deep green fern foliage, which might turn golden as the seasons progress, providing additional interest throughout the year. Shape, Foliage, and Life Cycle  The perennial grows in a mounded manner, often ranging between 12 and 24 inches tall. This makes it ideal for woodland gardens, borders, or pathways. Even without the blooms, the ladderlike structure of its pinnate leaves creates a lush, textured background. Available from TN Nursery as a robust perennial, Jacob's Ladder will show up year after year, ensuring steady color in your landscape. Long-Lasting Beauty  Jacob's Ladder is an excellent garden plant with low maintenance requirements, a long flowering season, and lush foliage. It is especially great for shaded spaces and adds a natural, soothing element to your outdoor area year after year. Try adding Jacob's Ladder to your garden for a basic and sophisticated perennial that requires little effort.