Here is the latest and greatest in my garden on this, dare I say, warm and beautiful May afternoon.
It’s all about the Allium right now, as the fruits of my fall labor are being realized this spring. I’ve got at least 25 Allium bulbs in bloom right now and they are kicking ass and taking names.
They look good up close.
And as we pan back …
… and back even further.
Baptisia blooms have arrived this week and I’m thinking this day should be declared a holiday each year. That is how festive it makes me feel. At a minimum, I’m going to push for #NationalBaptisiaDay on Twitter leading up to this day in 2017.
Baptisia ‘Carolina Moon’
Siberian iris ‘Snow Queen’ is blooming but I’m only giving you a macros shot because they actually look kind of lousy because this lazy gardener has refused to divide them for four years running now.
Amsonia tabernaemontana is blooming and that’s all I will say here because I’ve raved about this plant enough already.
All of my peonies will be blooming within the next week or so and until then, I’ll enjoy the ridiculously delicious scent of the lilac in the background.
Another day, another sigh from me regarding the awesomeness of Ninebark ‘Amber Jubilee’.
And finally, it’s time to sit back and enjoy watching the garden fill in while all empty spaces disappear.
Thank you again for stopping by.
I am going to try something new today. A “Question of The Day”. Here it is:
What perennial do you find to be the most underrated?
Leave your answer in the comments so we can all discuss and get educated.
Grats
most underrated: Persicaria. Why are you not growing Persicaria polymorpha? What an incredible structural plant. You like grasses – it’s like a grass that blooms. The blooms last a long time (they are a bit smelly though). Absolutely not invasive, just sits in its own clump minding its own business. What about P. amplexicaulus “Golden Arrow”? totally lights up a shady corner. Blooms for at least a month until frost cuts it down. Easily divided and spread around. Never invasive.
Persicaria polymorpha.
I wAs just going to suggest the same plant!!!
Holy … same suggestion. Do I even have a choice now? Thanks for the suggestion!
THIS is why I love this question! I tried one Persicaria and killed it but now I am way intrigued! Looked it up and love the structure and the size and the fact that it loves moisture. Do you know if the deer stay away? Even if not, I am reckless nowadays and try everything until the deer prove me wrong.
don’t know about deer, I’m fortunate not to have that issue. But it grows so fast, how could they keep up?
Very true Kate. I’m all in!
Is that also known as Goat’s beard? I’ve been wishing to learn a bit more about it…oh, the heck with it. I’ll just go buy one and plant it in my garden.
Farfugium japonicum “Shishi Botan”
Deacon – just looked it up and wow, it is like 3 dimensional. How cool. Have you been able to grow it without any issues? Thanks!
Farfugium ‘Shishi Botan’ needed extra water when I first planted it but once established it grows very well. I give a little water in the heat of Summer as I do a hosta but have had no problems.
Ive grown farfugiums for many years. Shishi Botan needed extra water when I first planted it but once established it grows very well. I give a little water in the heat of Summer as I do a hosta but have had no problems.
Thanks Deac! I am definitely going to give it a try and will show the results here.
First order of business…thanks to you and your blog, I now have a few ‘Globemaster’ alliums in my garden and I just scarfed up 3 ‘Amber Jubilee’ when I saw them at Lowe’s a few days ago. Ha, you are a man of influence! Love how everything in your garden is looking for you right now…thoroughly addictive. And, wow, Persicaria polymorphs, what an awesome looking plant. I had never heard of it by that name although white fleece flower does ring a bell.
The other suggestion, Farfugium japonicum “Shishi Botan”, is fabulous looking. Yes, you should have it.
I personally have continuous delight over how prolifically my Japanese painted ferns reseed. They show up in a range of colors and tuck in so tiny in some surprising places. They give me numerous “oh, goody” moments.
Michaele – a man of influence, eh? You are way too kind but I’ll take it. Question – how much sun can your painted ferns take? I have very little shade so have always shied away from ferms but maybe that is a dumb move on my part?
They show up on their own in surprisingly sunny places but they are also places that are fairly wettish…so maybe the moisture is the key. And in some of these places where they have reseeded, the soil is good old orange TN clay so it’s not like they need woodsy humus soil.
You had me at “moisture”. Any particular cultivar you prefer?
I think my original purchase was ‘Pictum’ and I know I succumbed to the charms of one that had red in its name because it had cool red stems and a more lime green color. Good luck if you give it a try.
Thanks Michaele! Love the red stem/lime green combo. Will find it for sure.
Persicaria polymorpha
Any recommendations for perennials that can tolerate the dry, often intense heat of West Texas? Our summetime temps typically linger in the upper 90s for extended periods and it isn’t uncommon for the thermometer to stretch right up into triple digits. I have a large semicircle partially shaded bed full of what I believe to be scraggly purple trailing lantana and it’s just too slow growing and gappy even in the best of times. My wife hates it, so I’m looking for suitable replacements. I’m hoping for low-maintenance plants that still offer high impact since this is right in front of a guest bedroom and something of a main focal point area from the street.