Dramatic Plants for the Northern Prairie Landscape

Paeonia  (Peony)

 

Native to Asia and Central Europe, peonies have been around for over a thousand years and have left an historical imprint in art, literature and medicine particularly in China and Japan.  In attractive shades of pink, red, white and yellow this long lived prairie hardy perennial provides beauty and grace in the garden year after year.

Although most of the peonies we grow on the prairies are herbaceous, some gardeners have enjoyed success with the tree peony if they have a protected sight.   Herbaceous peonies include the hybrids, itohs, lactifloras and species and are sun loving, clump forming plants that range in height from 35 cm -100cm and width from 30 cm -100cm.  The flowers can be single, semi double or double.   The foliage on hybrid and lactiflora peonies is usually a glossy dark green while the foliage on itoh peonies is fern like or deeply lobed.  Some peonies will need to be staked due to the size of the flowers and /or stems.

Peonies have so many characteristics that speak to their continuing popularity in prairie gardens.  Aside from being winter hardy, they require minimal care if planted in full sun with good soil preparation and where they do not have to compete with grass for water and nutrients.  Some varieties have beautiful fall foliage, while others are sweet scented, perfuming the whole garden.  You cannot help but admire these garden lovelies when they are in bloom, some of which sport dinner plate size flowers.  Peonies do well as an accent or specimen plant and can be used as informal hedges.

If grown properly they are rarely bothered by insects or disease (itoh peonies in particular), although some varieties are more susceptible to botrytis than others.  Divide in early spring or late fall to add more plants to your garden.

 Ligularia    (ray flower, leopard plant, golden ray, elephant ears)

Are you looking for a big impact plant that’s relatively easy to grow?  If you have lots of room in a partially shaded, sheltered spot in your garden, you might consider this popular summer blooming perennial. Planted at the back of your garden bed or perhaps in front of a fence, this perennial has none of the characteristics of a ‘wall flower’. Growing anywhere between 90 cm to 3 m tall and 50cm to 120 cm wide this tall, clump forming beauty with yellow/ orange flowers is sure to attract lots of attention . 

Native to Japan and China these tropical looking plants prefer consistently moist soil. Low lying areas or wet areas like those found around ponds are ideal locations for ray flowers.   Some people do plant Ligularia in the sun but keep the plants moist.  The sun will cause the flowers to wilt but they do rejuvenate when it cools down.  Regardless of where you plant your ray flower it is important not to let it dry out.

Ligularia ‘The Rocket’ is a popular choice in prairie gardens. .  It has spiked bright yellow flowers, large leaves and black stems.  Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’ has orange yellow flowers and the large purple leaves create a dramatic effect when placed against a white or light coloured background.

Although Ligularia attract slugs and are prone to aphids that should not prevent you from enjoying this unique perennial.  In their book Gardening Naturally (2011) Sara Williams and Hugh Skinner offer a number of easily managed strategies to deter and control both slugs and aphids.   One of many suggestions for slugs is to clear the soil around the plant of any vegetation so as to keep the soil dry and less hospitable (p.145).

To control aphids try using a strong stream of water every 2-3 days where there is a minor infestation exists (p.170).  Again, this is only one of many environmentally friendly suggestions to deal with a common garden pest.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora (Feather Reed Grass)

 As more and more gardeners discover the many benefits of this stately cool season grass it is interesting to note the changing architecture of prairie gardens.  An easy to grow and easy to care for perennial, this upright, clump forming, ornamental grass adds texture, form and motion to our yards.

As a cool season grass (150 cm-220 cm high) it starts growing in early spring and flowers in early summer, making it a very good choice for our short growing season. During the heat of the summer the foliage growth slows down.  Like most grasses, Feather Reed prefers full sun.  Although it flourishes in well drained, fertile soil it will tolerate clay soils and drier sights.   

As a specimen plant, Feather Reed Grass definitely makes a statement.  Placed near plants that have a round or horizontal shape this grass provides dramatic vertical contrast. It can be enjoyed throughout all four seasons and needs only to be cut down in late winter/early spring.   The soft gold tassels can be used in both fresh and dried flower arrangements.  Feather Reed Grass can also be considered an inexpensive friendly neighbour fence when placed along property lines.

It does require more frequent division than warm season grasses and if left unattended it will die out in the centre.  In early spring cut down to 15cm-25cm.