The plant spreads by rhizomes, and it is useful where groundcover is needed to cover a sizable area, e.g., along the front of a border;  it is recommended for rock gardens.  The plant grows well in full sun to partial shade.  It will likely do best in a spot protected from hot afternoon sun, such as an eastern exposure.  The plant grows to about 10″ in height, and it will spread about 2-3 feet.  It can be divided every few years if needed.  It is mat-forming, and it can be controlled very easily if necessary.  It seems like a nice plant to grace the base of a mailbox close to the road.

geramium biokovo photo by: bestrunningshoe.com

Geranium Biokovo fall foliage color photo by: torontogardens.com

For the second year in a row, the PPA selection is a plant that I have not grown previously.  The 2014 selection was Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’, and based on the PPA designation, it was widely available in nurseries this year.  I used it for the first time, and I was delighted that it lived up to its hype.  It is an ornamental grass that I will continue to recommend when a good upright, fiarly large, ornamental grass is needed.

I am hopeful that the Biokovo geranium will likewise be a pleasing addition to landscapes in our area, and I plan to add it to my repertoire of flowering spreading low-growing groundcovers with nice foliage color, for sunny areas, where I’ve used plants such as Plumbago, Dianthus, and Sedum.

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Each year, the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) names an outstanding plant its “Perennial of the Year.”  The selection for 2014 is Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’,  an ornamental grass that was a runner-up in 2012.  This is one of the first PPA winners in recent history that I have not personally grown and used in landscapes, so I cannot address it’s attributes first-hand.  I can vouch for other Panicums – for example, I use ‘Shenandoah’ very regularly — and the stated virtues of Northwind are impressive.

A North American native, P. virgatum ‘Northwind’  is hearty in much of the eastern United States.  It is a stately Panicum, reaching 4-5’ tall (6’ in flower) and 2-3’ wide.   A key attribute is that the plant retains its straight upright habit even through winter.  It provides color through the seasons – attractive olive- to blue-green foliage in summer (photo top left: Plant Delights Nursery) that turns golden yellow in fall, and produces the typical Panicum airy flower panicles – these appear yellow in late summer, turning beige into fall and winter.

Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ in fall (photo: Univ. of Richmond)

Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ flowers (photo: Horticulture Magazine)

Panicums are lovely in masses and provide both a nice facer for evergreen trees and a backdrop with contrast for perennials and small shrubs. Because of its stature, Northwind also is nicely used as a specimen – vertical accent. Like other Panicums, Northwind thrives in part to full sun, is reliably deer resistant, and rarely is impacted by insects or disease. Plants are cut back to the ground in early spring, and clumps can be divided every few years.

The PPA’s Perennial of the Year program is designed to showcase, each year, a perennial that is a “standout among its competitors.” These chosen plants are “suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest/disease free.”

Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ in winter (Photo: http://blog.lib.umn.edu)

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Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Every landscape should include a nice selection of ornamental grasses. They are very easy care plants – generally only needing shearing back close to the ground in early spring. They like lean soil – no need to fertilize. They are reliably deer resistant and pest free. They provide a range of benefits in the landscape – e.g., they make useful screening for much of the year (unless they deteriorate from heavy snow or other conditions, they should be left standing through the winter to provide interest for people and wildlife) and they can function as a groundcover to keep weeds at bay and prevent erosion. They mostly thrive in sun and dry soil, but there are species that do fine in moist soil and some shade. The photos show examples of some of the smaller varieties – not necessarily plants used for large screening, but plants that can fit into most any landscape. They also perform nicely in containers.

Nasella tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)

Calamagrostis brachytricha (Korean Feather Reed Grass)

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ (Golden Variegated Sweet Flag)

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Many plants are unequivocally deer candy (Hostas, Yews); others will be tested during winter when food supplies are limited.  Deer repellents can be effective if used properly and on a selected basis.  I have found Bobbex to be an effective spray product; there are many others.  These products need to be applied at intervals according to the directions.  I have also found Milorganite, a granular organic fertilizer spread on the ground at the plant’s base, to be very effective, even after rainfall.  Use of such products can be cumbersome and unrealistic for many.  Knowing the creature’s habits can help with selective treatments.  For example, deer tend to relish tender new growth (flower and leaf buds), so applications at such time can be very productive.  An extended cold spell during a particular winter can suddenly lead the deer to sample many plants they’d previously avoided.  In such times, beefing up use of deer repellents on those evergreens that are questionably deer resistant, makes sense.  If the best deer deterrent – complete, sufficiently tall fencing – is not feasible, other physical barriers can be used selectively.  For example, you might toss light deer netting over plants that may not be foolproof.  Barrier plantings such as thick stands of ornamental grasses with sharp blades that deter deer, can be placed around plants that the deer are consuming.

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It produces very large fragrant blooms in mid to late spring, in shades of white, pink, or red, and the flowers are excellent for cutting (but they can harbor ants).  Particularly noteworthy is the plant’s large dark green cut leaves that are attractive through the summer after the blooms have faded.

The plant can be divided every two to three years, and it rejuvenates easily.  It is generally trouble-free.  It can get a powdery mildew in the fall, about the time you’d want to cut the leaves back anyhow.

Very large plants can benefit from placement of little cages/stakes around them to keep them upright.   This is a very desirable plant, evocative of times past, that is essential for the cottage garden, but useful in most any other type.   It should not be confused with the tree peony, which has different planting and cultural requirements.

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