notes and musings from a perennial gardener
The Main Buzz
Umbellifers are plants whose flowers are flat or domed clusters of tiny inflorescenses, primarily in the Apiaceae family. The composite blooms are called umbels. Emanating from short rib-like stalks radiating from a center point, they resemble little umbrellas. Both words derive from the Latin umbella meaning parasol or sunshade.
Many umbellifers make wonderful garden plants, especially in informal settings like rain gardens, meadows, and cottage gardens. Let’s look at a few.
This outstanding perennial is still not commonplace, but it’s steadily gaining in popularity thanks to several new hybrids. Both the native form and the hybrids are worth growing. All are highly rated by horticulturalists and gardeners alike. If you’re not familiar with it, read on and find out why.
Shade gardens can pose a challenge in that they can be hard to brighten up once the spring ephemerals have passed. One plant that is very useful for this is goatsbeard. A native of damp mountainous woodlands, goatsbeard is found all across the Northern Hemisphere. Its creamy white plumes in late May into early June are a welcome addition along with the astilbes, which they somewhat resemble.
While native goatsbeard can be too big for suburban gardens at five to six feet tall, there are two smaller versions perfect for tight spaces.