Our gardening editor’s 9 favorite plants right now: “When the buds open, the sight is breathtaking”
A dependable perennial for dry spots, a dreamy cloud of flowers, and a variegated version of a familiar climber. These are the plants currently inspiring Henna-Kaisa Ranta, gardening editor and Executive Content Producer of the Kotona website.
1. Purple Japanese barberry ‘Ruby Star’
This compact, rounded shrub looks dazzling all season with its glowing red foliage. You can plant Berberis thunbergii among such perennials as coral bells to create steady contrast to their flowing forms.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 30 cm
Bloom time: June
Finnish hardiness zone: I–II
2. Rhododendron ‘White Lights’
This “Northern Lights azalea”, as we called it in Finnish, (Rhododendron) has delightful pale pink buds, but when they open, the sight is absolutely breathtaking. The entire shrub transforms into a cloud of white flowers. The enchantment is completed by its bronze-red autumn foliage.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 120–150 cm
Bloom time: May–June
Finnish hardiness zone: I–III(–IV)
3. Virginia creeper Star Showers
Parthenocissus quinquefolia ‘Monham’ is a charming variegated version of the familiar climber. It's easy to grow against a support or as ground cover, but the growing site should be bright so the leaves stay properly variegated and the autumn color can blaze red. Star Showers is the plant's trade name.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 300–600 cm
Bloom time: July
Finnish hardiness zone: I–III
4. Pink-flowered blue vervain
Verbena hastata f. rosea towers over many other perennials when it blooms. Its appearance is both playful and noble. It's stunning especially in meadow-like plantings with ornamental grasses. Also available in purple and white. A favorite of pollinators.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 120 cm
Bloom time: July–September
5. Maiden pink ‘Arctic Fire’
This easy perennial is one of the trusty plants in my cottage garden. Dianthus deltoides quickly forms large, dense cushions and blooms profusely for several weeks. The red-eyed flowers are simply adorable. Thrives in dry places, an excellent edging plant.
Light requirement: full sun
Height: 10–20 cm
Bloom time: June–August
6. Siberian iris ‘Black Joker’
This Siberian iris (Iris Sibirica Group) doesn't bloom for long nor produce huge numbers of buds. Still, or perhaps because of that, its flowering is one of the highlights of my summer. The captivating shape of the flower combined with its near-perfect shades always leaves me speechless. This perennial is rarely seen in Finland. I found my plant in a Finnish gardening center, but it originates from an Estonian nursery.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 50–60 cm
Bloom time: June–July
7. Drumstick allium
Allium sphaerocephalon is a funny little plant: a round pom-pom swaying atop a slender stem. At the same time, it's a very stylish choice, especially for meadow-like plantings. The bulbs are inexpensive and widely available in Finland. Plant in well-drained soil.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 50–90 cm
Bloom time: June–July
8.Garden phlox ‘Blind Lion’
Is it ugly or is it beautiful? At least it's fascinating! The buds of this garden phlox never open into flowers, but it provides an interesting contrast to more delicate plants with its sculptural appearance. And yes, this Phlox paniculata is actually almost black. It can be hard to find perennials of this variety in Finland. I ordered mine a few years ago from Farmer Gracy's online store.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 40 cm
Bloom time: July–September
9. Hybrid witch hazel ‘Diane’
Hamamelis × intermedia is at the top of my wish list. This shrub or small tree blooms early before the leaves emerge—and how wonderfully peculiar its flowers are! The plant also develops a splendid autumn color. Not hardy in cold climates.
Light requirement: full sun to partial shade
Height: 150–200 cm
Bloom time: March
Finnish hardiness zone: I(?)
