Tuesday, April 28, 2009

5 Unexpected Flowering Plants For Your Utah Garden.

My yard is almost in! The landscapers will be finishing up tomorrow or the next day and I am so excited to start planting. I thought I would share my favorite flowing plants, I can hardly wait to go and pick them out at the nursery. Because we live in the Utah desert, gardening comes with it's limitations. If I were back in Connecticut, the list would be much longer. This list includes the heartiest and most drought resistant bunch. Oh- and you might notice that I like to stick to a white and purple color palate.

1. Iceberg Rose Bush - This blooms like gangbusters from Mothers Day until Thanksgiving. It has a really bushy nature and the thorns are little. It climbs nicely too!

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Photo: flickr

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Photo: flickr

2. Pee Gee Limelight Hydrangea - This is such a hearty hydrangea - if you live in the desert but want a hydrangea THIS is the one to get. The snowball blossoms turn from white to a beautiful shade of light green. In the fall you can pick the blossoms and dry them to create stunning arrangements.

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Photo: flickr

3. Caesars Brother Siberian Iris - I love the grassy nature of this iris which looks great even after it blooms in the spring. The blossoms are a beautiful deep purple.

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photo: white flower farm

4. Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea - Another hearty Hydrangea for a desert climate. I love the giant oak leaves which turn a beautiful shade of purple and blue in the fall. The gardens at Temple Square, in Salt Lake City, have some magnificent examples. If you are there for a wedding and taking photos look to the north side and you will see a bunch of them paired with the Pee Gee Limelight Hydrangea.

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Photo: flickr

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Photo: flickr

5. Alliums - Members of the onion family, this spring time bulb takes weeks to develop into a basketball size head. I love to watch them change every day and am always amazed at how big they get. I am speaking of the "giganteum" variety. They also come in smaller sizes.

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Photo: flickr

What are your favorites???

12 comments:

Cedar Roots said...

I love those big purple ones (you know the basketballs) The type I have are smaller and I like those too. I can't wait to see your yard. Thanks for the puppy play date, when can Moose come over again, hopefully tomorrow. PS I am glad you know flowers too, keep that on the tip of your tongue so that I can reference your brain next time I plant!! XO

Cedar Roots said...

PPS-I am excited for your home loans 101 post! In case you needed a bee in your bonnet or needed something to do with your spare minutes.

Melissa B. said...

Thanks for this post. I was just standing in my yard last night trying to brainstorm for a couple areas. I have 3 limelight hydrangeas in my front. Love them. You can't live in the N. W and East and then come to the desert and live without a hydrangea. Good ideas on the others too. I have been looking for a new rose. I have a couple others, but was in need for a new one.

Church Fam said...

I really like the big purple ones too. I really hope you put pictures up after your yard is in. I can't wait to see!

The Hoskissons said...

Where were you when I was doing my flower beds all these years in Sandy? I should of guessed that you were an expert on flowers too! Can't wait to see your house and yard. I would love for you to come and see my yard here. There are so many plants and bushes blooming it is beautiful. So hats off to the previous owners!

Emily said...

I love those roses, and remember them at your last house! I was going to ask you the name, so thanks. I bet they do well in Dallas!

Jen said...

Love them all! I'll have to post what I'm planting...One thing I learned last year is that they all need water. Hum. This year I have high hopes for my gardens. Can't wait to start planting! I love spring!!!!

Velvet and Linen said...

You picked several of my favorites.
I love my white roses at this time of year.
They just go crazy. I can't wait for my hydrangeas to bloom next month.
Have a great weekend.

xo
Brooke

Maria Killam said...

Those hydrangeas are very cool! Love them.

lindsay said...

Oh! It's so good to know of hearty hydrengeas! Opps.. i can't even spell my fav. plant. Thanks for the fyi on the code de texas site. I'm saving that for my mom, if we can ever get her to remodel!

Verdigris Vie said...

THat iceberg white rose is absolutely beautiful... I would have to say that is my favorite.. I have to find that..

Thanks
Vitania

Maria Killam said...

I needed some of those amazing flowers for the styling job I just finished! Flowers really make a space sing in pictures!

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