Hot Picks 8/13

From The Desk Of Bill Varga

Our yards and associated gardens change dramatically over time.  We built our home in the 1970’s. It was on the north end of a wheat field, and the home was surrounded by a moat the spring of the first year.  Backfilling with quality topsoil solved the drainage issue, but the home baked hot that summer with no central air and no trees.    Now, as I write this article just after summer solstice, our backyard is completely shaded by Buroak, Water Birch, Redbud and Honeylocust.  Annual flowers filled large expanses during those sunny years while newly planted trees just barely began to stretch upward.  Some perennial flowers like our Candytuft, thrived in the sun and now cover a large expanse in the shade of Water Birch.  This plant and bark provide groundcover where lawn and flowers were center stage decades ago. ‘Iberis sempervirens’, Candytuft is a long lived evergreen perennial.  Some, like ‘Alexander White’ and ‘Tahoe’ can grow to 12”. ‘Purity’ and ‘Whiteout’ are slightly shorter.  A key feature though is the evergreen foliage for a rich long lasting look.    Many plants have come and gone at Varga Park, but Candytuft has endured time and change of exposure in almost a half century.  Add conscientious neglect and it is a ‘no brainer’ addition to your yard and garden.