Perennials - Red and Orange

Heleanthemum nummularium (sunrose, rockrose)

 
Description: Small, slightly furry, greyish green leaves up to 3/4" long. Decent ground cover, wall or bank trailer. Grows 6-8' high x 3' wide.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil with full sun and moderate water. work well in rockeries and by the seashore. Prefers a soil that is not too rich.
Bloom: Flowers appear in late May to June. Blossoms last only a day but are replaced continuously. Shear after bloom is done to stop it from becoming rangey, and promote a possible second bloom.

Heuchera 'chocolate ruffles' (coral bells)

 
Description: 9-10" in height. Leaves are dark chocolate above, with burgundy below. Burgundy color also shows in ruffles on leaf edges.
Ideal conditions: Full sun with afternoon shade in cool climates. Shade in all shows its colors best though. Moderate to regular water. Any drained moist soil will do, but beef it up with compost and it will really look great. Regular water.
Bloom: Tiny purple blossoms on thin but stiff stalks.

Knifofia 'uvaria' (Red hot poker)

 
Description: Dense clumps of grasslike, finely toothed foliage produce bare stems topped by nodding tubular flowers in tight overlapping clusters. Flowering stems look like glowing pokers or torches. Overall plant can reach up to 3' tall
Ideal Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Requires adequate moisture when blooms are forming and will fail to flower if conditions are too dry then. In summer they will tolerate even marshy conditions but for winter survival well drained soil is essential. Leave all foliage in place over winter if temperatures drop below 0 degrees F.
Bloom: Flowers start to form in late spring and carry on through early summer.
 

Lychnis chalcedonica ( Maltese Cross )

 
Description: Native to Russia. Grows 2-3' tall x 18" wide. Leaves and stems are green with fine hairs. Leaves are set on either side of stem from the bottom to the top. Very sturdy stems.
Ideal conditions: Full sun or part shade. Light sandy drained soil. This one works in a moist drained soil as well. Drought tolerant, but it may not bloom as long, or as full as it does with regular water.
Bloom: Scarlet red 1/2" flowers that with deeply cut petals set in dense clusters. Mid to late summer.
 

Achillea millifolium 'Fanal' or 'The Beacon' ( Common Yarrow )

 
Description: Ferny, dark green leaves that grow as a mound at the base as well as up the stem. 24"-30 " tall x 18" wide.
Ideal conditions: Rich, moist, drained soil in full sun will give you a very healthy plant. It will tolerate poor soil in full to part sun though, and still bloom quite well. Regular to moderate water depending on location. They can withstand a drought as well.
Bloom: Mid to late summer brings flat topped clusters of flowers in a cherry red shade with a bright yellow center that fade as the flower ages.

Rudebeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' ( Gloriosa Daisy or Black Eyed Susan )

 
Description: 24" x 24". Dark green leaves with a rough dark green leaf. Very sturdy.
Ideal conditions: Most soil types will do as long as they are drained. Regular water and full sun. This one may burn out in a couple of years. It should self sow so look out for babies and cultivate them.
Bloom: Wine colored daisy like flowers with a dark center start in mid summer until fall.

Phygelius rectus 'Passionate' (Cape Fuschia )

 
Description: Woody perennial with black stems, and bronze-black leaves 1 1/2"-2 1/2" long. Grows 24"-30" tall x the same wide.
Ideal conditions: Full sun on the coast with loose, moist, well drained soil.
Bloom: Mid summer to fall brings reddish orange, tubular shaped flowers that hang down.

Gallardia 'Arizona Sun' ( Blanket Flower )

 
Description: This selection blooms profusely even in the first year, forming a low, compact mound of dull, med- green colored leaves. 8"- 12"tall x 12"- 16" wide.
Ideal conditions: Thrives in hot, sunny sites. Loose, well drained soil. Drought tolerant once established. Not the best choice for heavy clay soil that will stay wet through the winter.
Bloom :Flowers are large red-orange daisies with golden-yellow tips, appearing from June into the autumn.

Zauschneria californica ( California Fuschia )

 
Description: Small med-green leaves are opposite each other on trailing stems. Creates a mat like ground cover. The plants commonly spread via rhizomes. 3"- 4" high x 16"- 20" wide or more
Ideal conditions: Loose, dry, well drained soil. Quite drought tolerant. Does well on a dry sunny bank.
Bloom: Small, Reddish orange, tubular flowers 1" long or more mid summer to early fall.

Papaver orientale 'Allegro' ( Oriental Poppy )

 
Description: A coarse, hairy, mound of medium green, finely divided, long leaves are the base for equally hairy stems that are thick and fleshy. 18"- 24" tall x the same width.
Ideal conditions: Average soil with good drainage will serve adequately this poppy's needs. Full sun with regular water, but can endure times of drought.
Bloom: Brilliant orange, cup shaped flowers are preceded by a large kiwi fruit like bud. The petals of the flower are large, and crepe paper like in texture.

Chrysanthemum morifolium ( Hardy Garden Mum )

 
Description: Stiff, almost woody stalks from 12"- 18" high x 14" wide. Leaves are palmate in shaped, and small in size. Dull green in color. Looser habit than florist mums. 
Ideal conditions: Prefer fertile soil, and can take light shade, although they grow best in full sun especially on the coast. Plants can be pinched back in early summer if not used for cutting. Divide as needed in spring or fall. Garden mums are often used as annuals.
Bloom: Clustered flower heads with so many layers of petals you can't see the center. Colors range from white, yellow, orange, burgundy, purple, pink, and every shade in between.
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