Seedlings start flowering same year after sowing, in their fourth month. The growth of delphiniums halts, when seeds ripen, so inflorescences are best removed after the flowering is over. Delphiniums may flower repeatedly in autumn, if the spent blooms have been removed. Bear in mind that this wears the plant down, as it does not have time to set new buds, which may result in less than spectacular flowering next year.
Delphiniums are among the most spectacular tall perennials. They are low-maintenance plants, and their flowers are well worth your efforts. Their Latin name Delphinium derives from the shape of their flowers, resembling those of grey dolphins, which live near the coast of Greece.
Clematis do not need a lot of space. They associate well with other plants. Low-growing early-flowering perennials, such as creeping phloxes or rock cress, make perfect companion plants for clematis. They are already in flower, when clematis breaks into growth in spring. In summer they make a green carpeting ground cover around clematis, which helps to preserve moisture. Pergolas and trellises, planted with clematis, mask dying foliage of tulips and daffodils well, while looking unobtrusive during April and May, when these bulbs are in flower. Exuberant growth of clematis soon hides their unsightly dying leaves.
If you have a vast lawn, you should try pairing clematis with tall sturdy perennials, but vigorous deep-rooted plants are best avoided. Feeding roots of these plants and clematis will mingle to an extent, where transplanting will be impossible without damaging the roots.
The Latin name for rock cress Arabis derives from the word Arabia. This is a plant for sandy, stony and infertile places, which thrives planted in rock gardens and stone walls. The genus consists of some 100 species, 4 of which are native to Lithuania. They are sand rock cress (Arabis arenosa), Arabis gerardii, tower rock cress (Arabis glabra) and hairy rock cress (Arabis hirsuta).
Lysichitons are commonly known as skunk cabbages – are the most beautiful and impressive plants for wet locations. Large sails in yellow or white shine from afar on black expanse of soil. Dark green, large, often wavy or pleated leaves unfurl later in the season, and adorn the plant until autumn. Sometimes leaves appear along with the flowers, but they do not grow so fast as to obstruct the showy blooms.
Is your garden overshadowed by a tall fence, old trees, or neighbouring buildings? Does it enjoy only a couple of hours of sunshine at most? If so, then maybe it is time for you to consider growing hostas (Hosta). Hostas have been grown in Lithuania from time immemorial. Medleys of at least 2-3 varieties of green or glaucous leaved plants flourish in most countryside gardens, including an obligatory green white-edged plant.
