If, as Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, ‘Earth laughs in flowers’, then the genus Lychnis has got one hee-haw. ~ Ketzel Levine

The heat of summer weather is upon us and our gardens. Custom Gardens, LLC welcomes you with an invitation to enjoy news, tips, and our monthly spotlighted plant!

Plant of the Month

We’ve selected June 2011 as a wonderful time to celebrate Lychnis. Its common name, rose campion, is thought to be derived from the word “champion” as Lychnis blossoms were used to make garlands for sporting heroes. From the Greek word meaning “lamp,” its genus name refers to the use of its leaves in ancient times as candle wicks. Rose campion is easy to grow in poor, dry, limey, and calcareous soils, and it can actually prove to fare better in poor soils than in rich, fertile varieties! Rose campion does best in full sun but tolerates partial shade, even tolerating dry soils and droughty conditions. Custom Gardens likes to recommend Lychnis because it requires little care. And while technically “short lived,” it actually self seeds to produce the effect of flowering for quite a long time! If you like the plant, that feature is a real blessing; if you really really like it, you have plants to give to friends. A happy plant, Lychnis colors are wonderfully vibrant and go well with blues, purples, and yellows. And let’s not forget one of the best features of Lychnis — it is deer resistant!

Helpful Hint for June

Cut back dead blossoms on lilacs to encourage more blossoms next year, and cut stems that are over 2″ in circumference to the ground to avoid having a lilac that becomes a tree. Also, work some organic lime into the soil around the plant. Lilac likes “sweet soil,” meaning soil that is more alkaline. Your lilac will appreciate your effort. And, before you ask — no, the lime will not hurt plants that prefer acidic soil (in this area, most of our soil is acidic).

Did You Know…

Were you surprised to read above that Lychnis is deer resistant? That’s right, there are pest resistant plants and gardening techniques. There is a great deal of information about deer resistant plants available online, but it needs to be read with awareness of both the source and the location. Plants that are deer resistant in some areas are not deer resistant in others, including locally. Contact Custom Gardens for help with deer (and other pest) resistant plants. We will happily assess the issues you’re facing and help you with possible solutions.

In the News

Custom Gardens is proud to have recently received the award for 2011 Best Growing Business by the Main Line Chamber of Commerce! We have also won Best of Main Line for Landscape Design from Main Line Media News for the second year in a row! We send a special thanks to our clients and supporters who made both honors possible and look forward to continuing only the best in service and education for you.

All the Time

Custom Gardens invites you to contact us at 610.613.7506 for a consultation. Available to discuss indoor plants (what and where) as well as indoor and outdoor specialty gardens and landscapes, we are in the business of offering you ideas to make your property and everyday view more attractive and enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC