Blooming Blurbs: Funky Flowers

 

by Ben Stickland

This week, we are exploring The Gardens and looking at plants with funky and unique flowers! Different shapes, textures and colors are a great way to add interest and drama to a garden, and we will be highlighting how these cool plants can do just that.

Round-headed Garlic (Allium sphaerocephalon)

Round-headed garlic, sometimes called drumstick allium, is a perennial flowering bulb in the Amaryllidaceae (onion/amaryllis family). It is native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa, and is well-adapted to the high and dry conditions of the Colorado garden. Drumstick allium sports slender gray-green leaves and will send out a 2-3 foot flower stalk in early summer. It is notable for being one of the last Allium species in the garden to bloom, reaching it’s peak in early July in Fort Collins. Unlike other Alliums, the flower is egg shaped and has a unique bicolor effect as the flowers change from light green to a deep magenta. Drumstick alliums prefer full sun, a wide range of soil textures. They are generally planted in fall as bulbs but have a tendency to self-seed, sometimes aggressively, when conditions are optimal. They are rabbit and deer-resistant, and their habit for long sturdy flower stalks make them perfect for bouquets, both fresh and dry. 

Where to find: Look for round-headed garlic near the entrance sign and in the Welcome Garden!

Design Considerations: Like most Alliums, the long flower stalk and tight spherical flowers make them ideal for adding contrasting shape and height to any garden. However, drumstick onion are unique among onion species for their slender stature and tendency for sparce blooms. They add an architectural feel to any flower bed and can be a great choice to introduce vertical interest when combined with shorter or denser plantings. Use them to add structure to rock gardens or borders, or to add whimsy and visual interest to cottage and woodland gardens.

Spanish Fennel Flower (Nigella hispanica)

Spanish fennel flower is a great alternative to its close relative, love-in-a-mist, which has been a staple of English cottage gardens for centuries. Native to Southern Europe, it is an annual that will self-seed prolifically in the right conditions. Nigella is drought tolerant and prefers well drained soil but benefits from some additional water in spring and during dry spells. It has light, airy green foliage that will get 1-2 feet tall at maturity. The flowers are composed of a flat disk of petals that range from blue to white as well as a red center composed of stamen and immature fruit. These fruit mature into incredibly unique pale green and red seed capsules later in the year. The flowers are at their peak from mid-spring to mid-summer, and the attractive seed pods will persist after the blooms are spent. They are great for cut flower arrangements, containers and mixed plantings. 

Where to find: Look for them in the Undaunted Garden and the Xeric Parkway Strip!

Design Considerations: A mixture of leaf and flower textures draws attention and makes a garden feel visually engaging and dynamic. Therefore, the light and wispy foliage of this plant makes it a great choice to add fine texture to a space. Fine texture will contrast well with plants that have large, coarse leaves, making both stand out in the landscape. The flat flower disks provide a structural element, and the unique alien-like seed pods draw the eye and make them a great conversation starter! Use them in xeric cottage gardens, rock gardens, or anywhere you want something unique and fun. 

‘Kent Beauty’ Ornamental Oregano (Origanum 'Kent Beauty')

Sometimes called hopflower oregano, this plant is indeed closely related to culinary oregano. Part of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, it has aromatic leaves that smell similar to its herbal relative. ‘Kent Beauty’ is a hybrid cross between an Origanum rotundifolium and a Origanum scabrum and is known for its unique flower shape and color. It is a tender perennial native to the Mediterranean and although listed as only being hardy to zone 6, can be grown as a perennial in northern Colorado. ‘Kent Beauty’ has small, silvery round leaves, and hop-like flowers that bloom from early summer to fall. The pink petal-like structures are actually modified leaves known as bracts, which cover the smaller true flowers hidden below. The flowers are great for arrangements and will hold their shape when dried, making them ideal for dried bouquets. They prefer full sun, gritty or sandy soil, and are very heat and drought tolerant, making them perfect for rock gardens or xeric areas. 

Where to find: You can find this plant and other similar species in the Welcome Garden, the Xeric Parkway Strip, the Undaunted Garden, The Foothills Garden West, and The Fragrance Garden.

Design Considerations: Trailing plants are an important staple in garden design because of their unique habit and shape. They are often used to soften hard edges such as the sides of containers, garden walls, or path edges, making designs seem more cohesive and natural. However, their uses don’t stop there. When paired with hardscape they can fill in cracks and gaps making spaces feel more intentional. They can highlight slopes, provide important contrast in height, and when planted densely can create a flowing, carpeting effect in the garden. Hopflower oregano is unique because the flowers themselves trail much more than the foliage, making them the perfect choice for a colorful, cascading display. 

Sacahuista, Beargrass (Nolina microcarpa)

This unique fiber plant species is native to the Southwestern United States, ranging from Utah and New Mexico into Arizona and northern Mexico. It is a member of the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family, making it a close relative to yuccas and agaves. Like most yuccas, beargrass has sharp blade-like leaves that emanate from one or more woody stems. However, unlike most yucca, the foliage is light and airy in appearance similar to that of a grass like its name would suggest. Beargrass prefers rocky soil, making it a great option for rock gardens, and is very drought tolerant. The most striking feature of this plant is the flower stalk that can reach 3-5 feet tall. The flowers themselves are small and airy with a ghostly white appearance, and a great choice for attracting native pollinators. 

Where to find: It is currently at peak bloom and can be found in the Foothills and Undaunted gardens!

Design Considerations: Yuccas and other similar succulent species are well known for their sword-like leaves that make them a unique element in the garden. Their stiff leaves and tight, sturdy-looking shape give them an architectural feel that can draw the eye or provide visual interest. This makes them an ideal choice for a focal point, or as a textural element to break up broad-leaved perennials or shrubs. They are also evergreen, meaning that they provide full-season interest even when the garden is resting. Their flower stalks can also be a great tool to add vertical interest, as well as a striking shape to any area. Their spiky leaves are great for desert gardens, rock gardens, or modern landscapes.