Horticulture

PLANTS WE LOVE

WILLY WONKA WOULD APPROVE of the perennials shown on these pages—all have flowers with shapes that call to mind treats like lollipops and popsicles, in sweet and fruity shades.

Mixing flower shapes helps create a more dynamic garden. Globes and spikes provide punctuation, while unusual forms, like that of the pineapple lily, invite a prolonged look.

Aside from their candylike looks, the perennials herein all share a need for good drainage. Topdressing annually with compost improves soil drainage while boosting soil fertility. For plants that prefer lean soil, adding gravel or sharp sand

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Jared Barnes
JARED BARNES is an award-winning professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He also hosts The Plantastic Podcast and publishes a weekly e-newsletter called plant•ed, both of which can be found at his websit

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