[sandim]

Have a client that loves the look of Digitalis but she has four small kids and I'm not feeling real good about that.
Anybody have any suggestions for tall white tubular perennials that would look good mixed in with Perovskia?

[Greensmith]

Bells of Ireland? Mollecella (spelling?) maybe?

[Fine Edge]

There's some taller white Penstemon and Liatris.

[brooks]

Is the Pervoskia readily accessible to the kids? I know my boys (5&6) stay out of it because of the bees & strong odor...

Salvia, Physostegia, Phlox, Penstemon, Liatris, Lillium, Lupine, Delphinium, Campanula, Alcea

[sandim]

Originally Posted by brooks

Is the Pervoskia readily accessible to the kids? I know my boys (5&6) stay out of it because of the bees & strong odor...

It's not the Perovskia, it's the Digitalis.

I don't know how much they are or aren't in the garden. I know her girls really enjoy picking the flowers. She doens't watch them, she has a serious of Nannies (who frankly look like they could use a nanny themselves!) and nothing is really off limits to her kids. One was playing in the car and left something on so the battery was dead and we had to help him jump it.

They live in Manhatten, this multimillion dollar home is just their beach home.


Good suggestions though. Thiking they'll be happiest with Penstemon.

[brooks]

I'm sorry- I wasn't clearer. My kids won't touch anything planted in the Pervoskia (black-eyed susans and echinacea) because of the bees & odor- so maybe the digitalis would be okay in with the russian sage as a deterent.


Sounds like a good gig, I'd go with either Lupine or Penstemon

[sandim]

Ahh, I see.
She also loves Phlox. Not the same look but we'll see what madamme wishes.
It's a very good gig and she really is surprisingly nice.

[sandim]

BTW Brooks, it's probably not that you weren't clear, just more like brain isn't clear. With a heat index of 84 degrees this morning and the humidity at about 80% here, this weather is making everything mush, most esp. my brain!

[Fine Edge]

I'll take that weather in the Summer.

[johnkeegan]

Delphinium? A little finnicky but as beautifull as a flower can get.

On a side note planting Pink Baby's Breath in front of the Russian Sage has a nice effect, as well. Airy, cascading pale pink yet tall enough to cover the underside of the Russian Sage.... (and very long blooming...and drought resistant).

[Ford]

Sandim
A few perennials that would show nice contrast with the Russian sage might be:

Cimicifuga (Actae) racemosa "Bug Bane" nice white spikes-3/5'
or a nicer, but slower growing selection,is a burgandy leaf type Actae, named
"Brunnete".....

Agastache f. "white spike" might also work 2/3' spikes- smaller than the purple one, and more behaved in the garden....

Heuchera m. "autumn bride", is also very nice....blooms for me into October
very clean leaves....

Sounds like a nice project.

Ford

[NCSULandscaper]

Originally Posted by Fine Edge

I'll take that weather in the Summer.

no kidding, try last week when it was 97 with a heat index between 105-110