The Well-Tended Perennial Garden The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques, Third Edition

Arisaema triphyllum

jack-in-the-pulpit

araceae

Single green “flower” with purple-striped

hood; large trifoliate leaves

12–24 in. high; 12–18 in. wide

Part shade–shade

Blooms April–May

Zones 3–9

pruning Jack-in-the-pulpit makes

only 1 set of leaves each year, and

cutting down foliage early robs the

plant of energy needed for growth and

winter survival. Allow foliage to die

down naturally in summer and fruit to

form. Orange-red fruit ripens on

female plants in August, but plants

may not bear every year, as this species

has the ability to change sex from year

to year.

other maintenance Plant this

native wildflower in moist,

organic-laden soil in dappled to full

shade. Companions such as ferns or

hostas are useful in hiding the gaps

left by dormant jacks. To increase

stocks, established clumps may be

divided just after they enter their

dormancy period in midsummer, or

plants may be simply left in place and

ants will disperse the seeds.

related plantS Arisaema candidis-

simum, white jack-in-the-pulpit (zones

5–7), is one of many dramatic Asian

species available and sports a

pink-and-white-striped spathe and

huge leaves. It doesn’t emerge until

May or even June; be patient. Like

most of the Asian species, it needs

excellent drainage. This plant can

multiply quickly in a favorable site, but

is never a nuisance.

Arisaema ringens, cobra jack (zones

5–9), is one of the easiest arisaemas to

grow. It emerges early, and the large,

glossy leaves may need protection

from late frosts. It doesn’t go dormant

until fall.

Arisaema sikokianum, gaudy jack

(zones 4–9), is a showstopper with a

purple-black “pulpit” (spathe) and a

snow-white “jack” (spadix). This one

also emerges early; give it protection

from late frosts in spring. This species

doesn’t produce offsets, so new plants

must be raised from seed. It will go

dormant in late summer.

Armeria maritima

sea pink

plumbaginaceae

Round, bright pink flowers on long stems;

grasslike mounded foliage

12 in. (3 in.) high; 12 in. wide

Full sun

Blooms May–June

Zones 4–8

pruning Requires little pruning

other than clipping off unsightly faded

flowers and stalks down to basal

foliage. Deadheading keeps young

plants flowering through the summer

and causes sporadic rebloom on older

clumps. If no new buds are evident

with the dead flowers, grab a handful

of deadheads and prune off all at once,

or use hedge shears to ease the labor in

large plantings. Plants are evergreen.

Do not prune for winter, but sections

may need to be pruned off in the

spring if there is winter damage.

other maintenance Performs

best in poor and dry soils. Mats rot in

the center in heavy clay, poorly

drained, or overly rich soils, and plants

are usually short-lived (3–5 years)

under such conditions. Division is

needed when cushions open up and

Arisaema triphyllum