tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51795508468414574742024-03-12T21:53:25.046-04:00Cool PlantsCool plants, flowers, and related material. But mostly opinions and photographs of perennials (stauden, vivaces, vaste planten) from plantsman/nurseryman, gardener, writer, photographer Mark Denee of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.coolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-79013828149548435682014-06-24T09:24:00.001-04:002014-06-24T09:24:02.341-04:00Dracunculus vulgaris, the Dragon Arum or Snake Lily<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The strange and unusual Dragon Arum or Snake Lily, aka <i>Dracunculus vulgaris</i>, despite its exotic look, can be grown relatively easily in a partially shaded garden in zones 5-8. These photos are of a specimen at the Niagara Parks' School of Horticulture & Botanical Gardens.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySCRKDmKFqXXhmNp8CWmGFiHPyXLcLf2KE4bqLAkk8Y6LuFrNX9P-rLol34coAl19xdXYZ1TmKHDNIETJum6r7y9Oyc5prgacpkdp5bs6k-FbedpYXJpX4148de7PX28V2hNYjAkZbrEh/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySCRKDmKFqXXhmNp8CWmGFiHPyXLcLf2KE4bqLAkk8Y6LuFrNX9P-rLol34coAl19xdXYZ1TmKHDNIETJum6r7y9Oyc5prgacpkdp5bs6k-FbedpYXJpX4148de7PX28V2hNYjAkZbrEh/s1600/001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Even the foliage is ornamental, with the large, ruffled leaves arranged in sets of three and consisting of a snake-skin pattern.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdymX5DfGLQit-HIGx-ozgky1i-jR9qcnpDNboRSz7LcXdyFqKpUPIbQtku_ntD58p62MnhT1IRm-WRMMfcBZ75oD5Rp7uUtVBsYo-dxk5Ee4KdgE49ukBcR6wpZU2e6HPpu7Y6lYyH79S/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdymX5DfGLQit-HIGx-ozgky1i-jR9qcnpDNboRSz7LcXdyFqKpUPIbQtku_ntD58p62MnhT1IRm-WRMMfcBZ75oD5Rp7uUtVBsYo-dxk5Ee4KdgE49ukBcR6wpZU2e6HPpu7Y6lYyH79S/s1600/007.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Of course the flower is the main attraction with the purple-red spathe sending up an almost black "jack" (or spadix).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnlnAgOPYnwGV2AKYHhCzz4y-NrdkgyMd0P0ywT5JyWUinGqtHZLiJgZHncePOIphOS6_jBwS7yr9yLume_nf6EjIcMYW2hyphenhyphenIL8pZxrrr9SOApPDOFrxcLogg2NWQqhlBakoHnyCsPffi/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnlnAgOPYnwGV2AKYHhCzz4y-NrdkgyMd0P0ywT5JyWUinGqtHZLiJgZHncePOIphOS6_jBwS7yr9yLume_nf6EjIcMYW2hyphenhyphenIL8pZxrrr9SOApPDOFrxcLogg2NWQqhlBakoHnyCsPffi/s1600/009.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At some point in the maturing process, the flower begins to small like carrion for about a day, attracting flies to do their pollination business. This particular specimen did not smell yet, thankfully.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_VQC06miyXXRab2MjUNk-jxP9LLuBvtP9S2B14ehfQaoZBt4s4BK4tEdMnUT3o9XMKhXm3WEjzk_mhmxGhtwsCeE8sg3CNJX88Q6nVJ-xenqiaGD8B_ckdrOwIRA6z4ian8btqyXst0R/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_VQC06miyXXRab2MjUNk-jxP9LLuBvtP9S2B14ehfQaoZBt4s4BK4tEdMnUT3o9XMKhXm3WEjzk_mhmxGhtwsCeE8sg3CNJX88Q6nVJ-xenqiaGD8B_ckdrOwIRA6z4ian8btqyXst0R/s1600/010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is a very cool plant, native to the Balkans and Greece, the isle of Crete, the Aegean Islands, and up into Turkey.<br />
<br />
Here's to dirt under your nails.<br />
<br />
Mark, the coolplantsguy<br />
<br />coolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-6424186659906522162014-06-12T13:01:00.002-04:002014-06-12T13:02:50.675-04:00The Fern-leaf Peony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Fern-leaf Peony, aka <i>Paeonia tenuifolia</i>, is a very unique but well-known and popular perennial. It has several forms and has also been used in hybridization. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9xZu0Z07mBGEFWZknZpWa6P6wgUPz3_epmiBZfBLgTRVf3YpIGaZnveGwMHwugjPTy9TdUMeLnS0JSloYM1Tb87UmFI6z6GKcyeCjN9hvXDtCh_5WFsHpg7hWilOHBnOPRVnY6gRne-o/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9xZu0Z07mBGEFWZknZpWa6P6wgUPz3_epmiBZfBLgTRVf3YpIGaZnveGwMHwugjPTy9TdUMeLnS0JSloYM1Tb87UmFI6z6GKcyeCjN9hvXDtCh_5WFsHpg7hWilOHBnOPRVnY6gRne-o/s1600/001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggry7v_vOUD2buVbZ5v4gwiCb5dbu-aEmZhIFG-TYC0BiyN41eGWoRpbOylzyCo5L0O10QoQyST6YmKsznPn4tEhCo8es_iTnuKTrSD1ztKvxB-nPS_BA2xnlZLFdvqgEftcxrXKSVEctb/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggry7v_vOUD2buVbZ5v4gwiCb5dbu-aEmZhIFG-TYC0BiyN41eGWoRpbOylzyCo5L0O10QoQyST6YmKsznPn4tEhCo8es_iTnuKTrSD1ztKvxB-nPS_BA2xnlZLFdvqgEftcxrXKSVEctb/s1600/027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Due to its relative difficulty or slowness in propagation, the retail price is typically above average for a Peony, but well worth it in my opinion!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's to dirt under your nails.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mark, the coolplantsguy</div>
coolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-72518577444311958792011-07-24T17:23:00.003-04:002011-07-24T17:26:38.748-04:00Hosta 'Gold Standard'A back-lit leaf of <em>Hosta</em> 'Gold Standard', perhaps the most significant cultivar ever introduced.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9UzXL83E7PjBGGZrZKbMx6N95ZLxpGab5da7wEtU8MY8aKMVftFPk1t-HLZuzouWLohHwkZ1pHq9FrANDs8g8KCNqwOReK19FTonE5zefIJnzxlDvEbEkC0zf5gImk7WXX_EleExFeIp/s1600/110717+019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633032878281819186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9UzXL83E7PjBGGZrZKbMx6N95ZLxpGab5da7wEtU8MY8aKMVftFPk1t-HLZuzouWLohHwkZ1pHq9FrANDs8g8KCNqwOReK19FTonE5zefIJnzxlDvEbEkC0zf5gImk7WXX_EleExFeIp/s400/110717+019.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>coolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-43310858496261838612010-08-17T18:18:00.008-04:002010-10-24T19:08:45.948-04:00Hosta 'Liberty'<div>Very rarely it seems, does one come across a specimen of a plant that instantly and dramatically takes them aback, especially one of a variety that they are somewhat familiar with. But such was the case this summer, when I observed a relatively mature <em>Hosta </em>'Liberty' in all its glory in the garden of Bruce Cumpson (<a href="http://www.oldetownegardens.ca/">Olde Towne Gardens</a>, Niagara-on-the-Lake).<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531752374383879954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcDTZ6Beim-DmE4CVlpjfVmP9ROJW_YgWe7t0Hq3QOzIW3DRSO7xnVy-pVjXywDV_UA59Gider_Mli0k0tVFOc673fDqO34FWZqGVYsUH502I-7HxASzZ_QAPd-oBaFnOecemde_-lkOu/s400/100610+031.jpg" /> <p>Registered in 2000 as a sport of 'Sagae', it has gained some popularity in the industry, but nowhere near as much as what it warrants, at least in my opinion. Amongst Bruce's collection, it was easily the most dramatic -- a true standout from several metres way. I planted one in my own garden the next day.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506507445074399090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_x-BBDC2tGtrnY15iZKrw5QqgRDMAoSfiK00nG0rYbIcTgMQsgbvuXbz7cFE1gDlS9xLH29EpZO5aOa_ut9a4-kF077nAq6U8Qwn9pzRMixkCZBKiZ8C000yJxirqDqCHs27iG811YNIv/s400/100610+032.jpg" /><br />I had actually grown it for several years at the nursery, but at some point had became disappointed with the variety. But that has certainly changed after seeing this beauty, and we are growing it once again! It certainly underlines the fact that mature specimens are generally the only way to observe and evaluate a Hosta variety.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506507425745831154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hXxfUrne4F4Z4-qfKew1RjQbQecisyoJXisFDVwSLuTHU9N0-XgrnpI8y-nDG1ff-ZrgmBMsWYIc4J4BkY4TfwVDh3zhq4HD9pJNXFtkzMcLITux24tE00EWfGPaMgRcyU39RBwttvRe/s400/100610+030.jpg" /><br />Interestingly, it is a patented variety, and I can recall a conversation with Yoshimichi Hirose (variegated plant guru from Japan) who insisted that this plant had previously exsisted in Japan prior to its discovery, naming and patenting in the U.S. Such is the life of Hostas and plant-patents I guess. The new Zilis encyclopaedia lists four other varieties as being similar to 'Liberty'.<br /><br />In any case, if you are going to plant one Hosta in 2011, make it 'Liberty'. You will not be disappointed.<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguy </p>coolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-75863007392478543392010-06-13T08:50:00.009-04:002010-06-27T10:57:37.237-04:00Lilium 'Painted Ladies'Several years ago, I was fascinated by a "new" offering in Jelitto's latest catalogue listed as <a href="http://www.jelitto.com/english/LA238.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lilium </span>Martagon-Hybr. 'Painted Ladies'</a>. The <a href="http://www.jelitto.com/english/LA238.x.htm">photograph </a>showed an arrangement of stems consisting of flowers in an interesting assortment of colours.<br /><br />I was somewhat familiar with <span style="font-style: italic;">L. martagon</span> (Martagon or Turk's Cap Lily) and knew it was a valuable plant in the garden, particularly in areas of dry shade. Nursery production of the species or its white-flowered form 'Album' was seemingly difficult from the usual "bareroot" bulb method. Seed propagation I understood, would be moderately difficult, and plants would take at least a couple of years to mature to flowering size. For these intriguing 'Painted Ladies' however, I believed that the extra effort would ultimately be rewarding.<br /><br />Following is what flowered this spring, from plants that were originally sown in 2006, and planted into my garden in 2008. Needless to say, I'm very impressed with these plants!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ncEnoRYIQLSXEXRJdBo3oubIdQJR8S9FNXFLFUxHL8G-m1ikVz4SBm9ohnYuUpLw6A9fcuuIJYpK06m1PUM4lhFJoMSwe6ScYIiySjW6YEepeTLeJvk5zdn63tzcYMIPXJIbE8UAo5cc/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ncEnoRYIQLSXEXRJdBo3oubIdQJR8S9FNXFLFUxHL8G-m1ikVz4SBm9ohnYuUpLw6A9fcuuIJYpK06m1PUM4lhFJoMSwe6ScYIiySjW6YEepeTLeJvk5zdn63tzcYMIPXJIbE8UAo5cc/s400/IMG_3925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484970746767137842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqINm2adhWQWtaJGINEer4bdJOkzRe6dOCUcklqToxD7Rky6m4P1AplozMLR_yt0VlKVV55elzk2D8Nwv3SmwXEfj3SraS3Jr9KfGrgdTinQd8A5x2Q5efPpQyvn0aGD4Cv97imCQ9vUB/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqINm2adhWQWtaJGINEer4bdJOkzRe6dOCUcklqToxD7Rky6m4P1AplozMLR_yt0VlKVV55elzk2D8Nwv3SmwXEfj3SraS3Jr9KfGrgdTinQd8A5x2Q5efPpQyvn0aGD4Cv97imCQ9vUB/s400/IMG_3923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484970735992113698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUKDXgjZyo0SEXyP2NHAvg7rlmqxrcR3zaCIFxqQe-se7HCSyjxqGMQoJzd1RO4jr3-w8zlPFI7CxSqSO7l5nBhdknt_7x3vyMSvGoDP7acP2BNEhVy1l46go4FOkxqxOtV4dr8sTHcEV/s1600/IMG_4038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUKDXgjZyo0SEXyP2NHAvg7rlmqxrcR3zaCIFxqQe-se7HCSyjxqGMQoJzd1RO4jr3-w8zlPFI7CxSqSO7l5nBhdknt_7x3vyMSvGoDP7acP2BNEhVy1l46go4FOkxqxOtV4dr8sTHcEV/s400/IMG_4038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484969338785416146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvattZSF7cC0F7gpAecrn6gOf_HFSjFTjmcwRn9EOyStVWvhkIwOlYGbdierYapIiQ9XLFzzb1f-xTWpnMS0rMxYeCWEEN8TbLm2hExks2t1MyR4LXPb_5Em3oFumn19r41oD-uVAMr5VB/s1600/IMG_4014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvattZSF7cC0F7gpAecrn6gOf_HFSjFTjmcwRn9EOyStVWvhkIwOlYGbdierYapIiQ9XLFzzb1f-xTWpnMS0rMxYeCWEEN8TbLm2hExks2t1MyR4LXPb_5Em3oFumn19r41oD-uVAMr5VB/s400/IMG_4014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484969331757661634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6Pozjb_mYovmmncQ1ea3eMIRrOhl3xE2LflUiyqpzKMFJGYhsjxX20cyhO4HXCGPCyGfTBwVZvcN-9_B0ZjGguFSDeNOK4eAzgrCXTSz5iR-3nChpPHx6SPWSvy3QFb45Q6e3YinSGdP/s1600/IMG_3634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6Pozjb_mYovmmncQ1ea3eMIRrOhl3xE2LflUiyqpzKMFJGYhsjxX20cyhO4HXCGPCyGfTBwVZvcN-9_B0ZjGguFSDeNOK4eAzgrCXTSz5iR-3nChpPHx6SPWSvy3QFb45Q6e3YinSGdP/s400/IMG_3634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482241420313626498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBEnysVDLLE3BJxUsFpkYhBkyYqXsWcZnGOW0zjAovEnPgI9dFU_LGBxYPfdtK9hudVe0xM58y1T2kIv01aUNLUymkoybvOYi2MApb-FnA8noAZA0QwQByB-S8Duhe_EvfxN8aK8oi2D7/s1600/IMG_3937.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBEnysVDLLE3BJxUsFpkYhBkyYqXsWcZnGOW0zjAovEnPgI9dFU_LGBxYPfdtK9hudVe0xM58y1T2kIv01aUNLUymkoybvOYi2MApb-FnA8noAZA0QwQByB-S8Duhe_EvfxN8aK8oi2D7/s400/IMG_3937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482241411810645106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_IkJ_pAVKfHbofUJKi4jWi-1kfEJjQI8wRUDBFyi2jD5n4G3qwx_SG4tE5L0iY_iv0O3TaVQaQwJVQHkFvCO0VAA8kUUT3F9endPC2CtlPuL5AZTmRg3tg5Pobm6pNTl7qHTPyLftG_f/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_IkJ_pAVKfHbofUJKi4jWi-1kfEJjQI8wRUDBFyi2jD5n4G3qwx_SG4tE5L0iY_iv0O3TaVQaQwJVQHkFvCO0VAA8kUUT3F9endPC2CtlPuL5AZTmRg3tg5Pobm6pNTl7qHTPyLftG_f/s400/IMG_3932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482241399351319746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs17GoS0K2y4ylu_ZRJiOahleHFu-7hpqU_yTcl4YnJ0cfLYESyaK0KKAHGcviKUcb6NOvDOoB0E12KQG-I73lLJ-9GBNtTrKDxj1mtQaCG_xEFsfICUUspkUXSLztbOVelG4m79GhkjwO/s1600/100608+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs17GoS0K2y4ylu_ZRJiOahleHFu-7hpqU_yTcl4YnJ0cfLYESyaK0KKAHGcviKUcb6NOvDOoB0E12KQG-I73lLJ-9GBNtTrKDxj1mtQaCG_xEFsfICUUspkUXSLztbOVelG4m79GhkjwO/s400/100608+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482241394108253026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0KBSsEGZBiYzwBC2tbnvSWFWdfW-Twa8YRJXcynn7FzzmJCGfcqD4oVeFtbhqRBDdMKQ5rtczkcQPVq2GWbg87Ko9H02RJAM4i03N1TS_Cawbl3RD8kPRqCxWzaUCvk9ZMPGW6uMj_d9/s1600/100608+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0KBSsEGZBiYzwBC2tbnvSWFWdfW-Twa8YRJXcynn7FzzmJCGfcqD4oVeFtbhqRBDdMKQ5rtczkcQPVq2GWbg87Ko9H02RJAM4i03N1TS_Cawbl3RD8kPRqCxWzaUCvk9ZMPGW6uMj_d9/s400/100608+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482241383872766098" border="0" /></a>The book <span style="font-style: italic;">Lilies</span> by Edward Austin McRae indicates that 'Painted Ladies' was developed by Edgar Kline of Oregon, and involves crosses between <span style="font-style: italic;">L. martagon</span> (several forms), <span style="font-style: italic;">L. hansonii</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">L. medeoloides. </span><br /><br />Unfortunately, production of this fabulous strain appears to be very limited.<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-62112403347512776102010-06-06T11:01:00.005-04:002010-06-12T20:41:59.166-04:00In its Native HabitatDespite our best efforts as gardeners, at duplicating what we see in nature, and improving upon it with our own combinations and patterns, there is something wonderfully majestic about observing a favourite plant in its native habitat.<br /><br />Such was the case a few weeks back, when I saw a beautiful stand of <span style="font-style: italic;">Aquilegia canadensis</span>, the Canadian Columbine, on wooded and rocky outcrops along Twiss Road, just north of Burlington, Ontario.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n5c8jNu4BcSnCi5dK_6HCdf7Pnm9usrItomMZCAFlihm0VWZiAoixRFK3OR-lNMTTH18KdyICgZzxartofdIDGL5hD7tIkOQBCCrP41wQtTVFoC5XyiAkJVpEdvgHyna56r_GSKYaUY4/s1600/100515+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n5c8jNu4BcSnCi5dK_6HCdf7Pnm9usrItomMZCAFlihm0VWZiAoixRFK3OR-lNMTTH18KdyICgZzxartofdIDGL5hD7tIkOQBCCrP41wQtTVFoC5XyiAkJVpEdvgHyna56r_GSKYaUY4/s400/100515+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479676919960502370" border="0" /></a>The self-sowing tendencies of this plant were evident with several plants established on various levels of the outcrop, as well as in an actual row alongside the road. In my garden, I let it do its thing amongst Hostas, ferns and Martagon Lilies.<br /><br />I've long been enamoured by this plant, preferring its grace and subtle beauty over the larger-flowered modern hybrids. Phillips and Rix state that it is pollinated by hummingbirds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA1wqDIMu64cZfgOPB2KqUH5pQCYtohw6cKul1Zz4PLYG4KFIkq5RpNrR60IsfQ1S2cq_iNJHO13C0aUJR4mpjM03qM5OBgpQsZAlU0RohK_QlRwTdgQUuUqvy-LadRDqxg84AOSCO9Ff/s1600/100515+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA1wqDIMu64cZfgOPB2KqUH5pQCYtohw6cKul1Zz4PLYG4KFIkq5RpNrR60IsfQ1S2cq_iNJHO13C0aUJR4mpjM03qM5OBgpQsZAlU0RohK_QlRwTdgQUuUqvy-LadRDqxg84AOSCO9Ff/s400/100515+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479676912769674866" border="0" /></a>More recently, the dwarf strain 'Little Lanterns' has been very impressive, as well as the newer 'Pink Lanterns'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhkrvLOG3QKJweTjk6RTpXjmy_Pi7_5PKaXl7ShYOU7MnHMFz3PGHBIxnB0cc3nYzf0kBisle6DH6AYZrItgUnj6T2AgWhAojv2k0kNTCTl1s5uTeTUfv8ogxdmacdmhm-T5i_LjK0E8c/s1600/100428+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhkrvLOG3QKJweTjk6RTpXjmy_Pi7_5PKaXl7ShYOU7MnHMFz3PGHBIxnB0cc3nYzf0kBisle6DH6AYZrItgUnj6T2AgWhAojv2k0kNTCTl1s5uTeTUfv8ogxdmacdmhm-T5i_LjK0E8c/s400/100428+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479691296090565490" border="0" /></a>Interestingly, Jelitto and Schacht record several forms of the species: <span style="font-style: italic;">"albiflora</span> with white flowers, <span style="font-style: italic;">flaviflora</span> flowers entirely yellow, and <span style="font-style: italic;">phippenii</span> sepals pink, petals yellow" which must have been used to create the newer seed strains.<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-6814021029387444382010-05-22T07:28:00.007-04:002010-05-30T17:48:56.307-04:00Spring at the Nursery, Part 3OK, now that "spring" is over, i.e. 80-hour work-weeks, blogging can return to a more regular schedule. While relatively crazy, I always appreciate the lessons learned from the industry's peak-season, and especially the new-plant experiences.<br /><br />Case in point, is the re-discovery for me personally, of the genus <span style="font-style: italic;">Geum</span>, one that had faded to near obscurity in recent years. New (and improved) introductions however, have turned the tide. Particularly impressive is the sterile selection called Totally Tangerine ('Tim's Tangerine'), pictured below, with very pleasant, re-blooming light orange flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRF1Z4Ha5qMCCUplOO-mAkzRbnI6oA0FBvlB1aIE_yffSO5eP4LhDO6JvGVhbqDvma6LdETOTO_bA0G061oUkG3g7uhAvrwryFz9wkYb9BJdta36CruCMvrKHbeISOIjTchws6EAK_Dtp/s1600/100510+056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRF1Z4Ha5qMCCUplOO-mAkzRbnI6oA0FBvlB1aIE_yffSO5eP4LhDO6JvGVhbqDvma6LdETOTO_bA0G061oUkG3g7uhAvrwryFz9wkYb9BJdta36CruCMvrKHbeISOIjTchws6EAK_Dtp/s400/100510+056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474055802375423634" border="0" /></a>Another one I like is a Piet Oudolf selection called 'Flames of Passion' with slightly nodding flowers (on dark stems) of a very pleasant red-pink colour.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFKHDZBHq6Om5IXaypIv0U6kqrUzXZTEUn3IRcXKhG3MP8sNgUUFU3xS6bsd7mneAJkdr4jiN7EZSnXCLK4B_jQgbpvbT6Yd871ubzOYjn5FGrWSiZbg3nl9jRc9IHZls_hgEXcD2lc_j/s1600/100510+060.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFKHDZBHq6Om5IXaypIv0U6kqrUzXZTEUn3IRcXKhG3MP8sNgUUFU3xS6bsd7mneAJkdr4jiN7EZSnXCLK4B_jQgbpvbT6Yd871ubzOYjn5FGrWSiZbg3nl9jRc9IHZls_hgEXcD2lc_j/s400/100510+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474055792107077138" border="0" /></a>Here's a few other "miscellaneous" shots from the nursery this spring.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Centaurea montana </span>'Amethyst in Mist':<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB258WV5A7-3OGPnaQBQTKnxRjnbn-AmYDqx3-e9aRCAAVaTUMRdR2fp3SaQas9iSsxbKcpXfEmqyf0OB2J6FSDYFsPiGcjeK5uccO9_mehq0Lcnf5SdacQ7-iQKRqtEVwGo4-Imd7TJHW/s1600/100510+079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB258WV5A7-3OGPnaQBQTKnxRjnbn-AmYDqx3-e9aRCAAVaTUMRdR2fp3SaQas9iSsxbKcpXfEmqyf0OB2J6FSDYFsPiGcjeK5uccO9_mehq0Lcnf5SdacQ7-iQKRqtEVwGo4-Imd7TJHW/s400/100510+079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474055808984583074" border="0" /></a>A new plant we are trying, <span style="font-style: italic;">Dianthus </span>'Fusion' from Walters Gardens' (Michigan) Kevin Hurd, with very nice bi-colour flowers:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7v-7OIE02lULR45xX0QwZRZckkgAPjshRMAPU3L1y2dJCWJFil_htAHH3C0V2PRmOLuS3_ncCY6TX0tMlYnokvS1278n7G96q0599M9TITv9ZW5FBfpgKJiD2GdfHVEc4w2sSbji2Cp/s1600/100510+085.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7v-7OIE02lULR45xX0QwZRZckkgAPjshRMAPU3L1y2dJCWJFil_htAHH3C0V2PRmOLuS3_ncCY6TX0tMlYnokvS1278n7G96q0599M9TITv9ZW5FBfpgKJiD2GdfHVEc4w2sSbji2Cp/s400/100510+085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474055815115661250" border="0" /></a>Here's a close-up of the new <span style="font-style: italic;">Geranium </span>'Sandrine', the new and improved version from France, of the older and somewhat un-vigorous 'Ann Folkard'. The flowers are nearly twice the size.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThO-mhIwhcfuTwxJwkzASTSZ_QOCY5YD3SRHMZrs-Hg89bT1KzEUxxXkRhcmAFJLGL6pI2vO6W-bwSubUP__FaNsVG_0qUH1DBmc2fs0Zpr8_1IwJq_azF0R1usAr_s1dTTKnXqbGDkQS/s1600/100517+087.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThO-mhIwhcfuTwxJwkzASTSZ_QOCY5YD3SRHMZrs-Hg89bT1KzEUxxXkRhcmAFJLGL6pI2vO6W-bwSubUP__FaNsVG_0qUH1DBmc2fs0Zpr8_1IwJq_azF0R1usAr_s1dTTKnXqbGDkQS/s400/100517+087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474055818321713762" border="0" /></a>This is an unidentified (I hate that), single white Peony:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEIw9e7Kv6oqPMZCfd10Ip__nWyD6fMcfJwhYZm_AnPeoX6dJaNR7BSk7s6JYnrPuo9hWnt6LpAE1usx4ZefS7_TtJMVXsd8ga_V2MNlPcvP4J-dltcfK7RHMvSTs13oKfvQcKEvf8n8g/s1600/100517+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEIw9e7Kv6oqPMZCfd10Ip__nWyD6fMcfJwhYZm_AnPeoX6dJaNR7BSk7s6JYnrPuo9hWnt6LpAE1usx4ZefS7_TtJMVXsd8ga_V2MNlPcvP4J-dltcfK7RHMvSTs13oKfvQcKEvf8n8g/s400/100517+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474057300444797682" border="0" /></a>I've long been a fan of the New Zealand 'New Millennium' series of Delphinium, but the 'Guardian' series is also superb:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUfT4JtP_aSLGiFKG9SV08JyhezQb6nDhH_3GAucPqDb0QP9MXGeYo1hLNQKh0owkViSSDec-1Fg_l9UMxntQScEHT1Nh2eqJBb_wLrV-xcH9Bglgy5F1v5fp-DCEU2eBL9sY6LhmKIkS/s1600/100517+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUfT4JtP_aSLGiFKG9SV08JyhezQb6nDhH_3GAucPqDb0QP9MXGeYo1hLNQKh0owkViSSDec-1Fg_l9UMxntQScEHT1Nh2eqJBb_wLrV-xcH9Bglgy5F1v5fp-DCEU2eBL9sY6LhmKIkS/s400/100517+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474057309837508834" border="0" /></a>Finally, a few shots from my "private stock", i.e. various new plants that we are trying this spring, including some plants from this spring that I simply must have. ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8sA7c5f5eAeNY-DELWnBKpRqhu9voTAc7426AN33Bs9EhCjzfWrQ0azxYI4stdO51F4oR97BQy1Y6WIDQtQJg4i_ItBpcUEKaWD_BAW9hSwaXAgdre4In6mqu4bqtqP2a69Lmyc3oilX/s1600/100514+087.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8sA7c5f5eAeNY-DELWnBKpRqhu9voTAc7426AN33Bs9EhCjzfWrQ0azxYI4stdO51F4oR97BQy1Y6WIDQtQJg4i_ItBpcUEKaWD_BAW9hSwaXAgdre4In6mqu4bqtqP2a69Lmyc3oilX/s400/100514+087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474057335999235842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Heucherella </span>'Sweet Tea' has been amazing:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAUCsYu_u6UUpSB_roCt8dnqVBpHnBlk3v8u6ilEchJgN9bleiUL3ijKyfXcLzyWFtHozzh9OzXmLQVsbWRLz7DtGD1xhORx2xZvpGbmAKqHhaEZICreNRWU9ts3DkTz_iJ07eyoaTSa6/s1600/100514+096.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAUCsYu_u6UUpSB_roCt8dnqVBpHnBlk3v8u6ilEchJgN9bleiUL3ijKyfXcLzyWFtHozzh9OzXmLQVsbWRLz7DtGD1xhORx2xZvpGbmAKqHhaEZICreNRWU9ts3DkTz_iJ07eyoaTSa6/s400/100514+096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474057323449633938" border="0" /></a>While slower, <span style="font-style: italic;">Heucherella </span>'Golden Zebra' has also been impressive:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeQ8oZVM3C4KzJb5yvvNgu3YgnRzkGyDxj5cQJS_PCR51fbbfMTaMVXadI0B5lLrTVF7eqqMCBzUqd7gYeVEYgcMUQzRjURal5TPwT8bFYFms2-5s7jwRePxwIu4F8TSJlLX_ZRjsoDFJ/s1600/100514+098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeQ8oZVM3C4KzJb5yvvNgu3YgnRzkGyDxj5cQJS_PCR51fbbfMTaMVXadI0B5lLrTVF7eqqMCBzUqd7gYeVEYgcMUQzRjURal5TPwT8bFYFms2-5s7jwRePxwIu4F8TSJlLX_ZRjsoDFJ/s400/100514+098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474057317903365938" border="0" /></a><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-28888077803156943462010-05-10T17:57:00.008-04:002010-06-20T17:04:51.060-04:00Joy in the GardenGreat joy can be had when one grows a plant well in their own garden. This is especially the case when the plant is relatively rare on the street. The "oohs" and "aahs" of visiting friends and family can certainly be most gratifying, if not also feed our horticultural egos. ;)<br /><br />Such is the case with two <span style="font-style: italic;">Arisaema </span>(Jack-in-the-Pulpit) in my front garden. The first is <span style="font-style: italic;">A. </span><i>kishidai </i>'Jack Frost', a very cool variegated form (of a Japanese species) I grew from Shady Oaks Nursery several years ago. The flowers are an interesting creamy-white with brown streaks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wC5d1XtJpdIy83sRALqDo0tKbX2Hg2xow5AukpZ7thFtZu1bQjcMJ2GTct_UWITvX4BD4CQH_O6a0iryWpPd6PoWYwLkaFNaA52uMg9AJY6NC9GZNqjtINbgJEyNhfVT_9HhrMIzng8_/s1600/100507+022.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wC5d1XtJpdIy83sRALqDo0tKbX2Hg2xow5AukpZ7thFtZu1bQjcMJ2GTct_UWITvX4BD4CQH_O6a0iryWpPd6PoWYwLkaFNaA52uMg9AJY6NC9GZNqjtINbgJEyNhfVT_9HhrMIzng8_/s400/100507+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469765396554636130" border="0" /></a>As a definite and very significant bonus, each leaf has a beautiful silver stripe down the middle. I have found it relatively easy to grow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIfXUcOJPHYVMOi_3Jo7qMXz67Ji1AUz1d0L9kIzHs6qi6v8mcDEo0TRu9kb0Yty2F_i8APkBfnEiLO5Is5cQxbmapOq13j9eDR9x1lBpbp1CvgJEf50pAKMQ5DwPDGVxVYHRHLnwO-mJ/s1600/100507+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIfXUcOJPHYVMOi_3Jo7qMXz67Ji1AUz1d0L9kIzHs6qi6v8mcDEo0TRu9kb0Yty2F_i8APkBfnEiLO5Is5cQxbmapOq13j9eDR9x1lBpbp1CvgJEf50pAKMQ5DwPDGVxVYHRHLnwO-mJ/s400/100507+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469765351759478370" border="0" /></a>Second, is <span style="font-style: italic;">A. </span><i>sikokianum</i>, another Japanese species, which is a special plant for me, as it was a gift from a good gardening friend. It has the completely inappropriate common name of Gaudy Jack, apparently in reference to the bright white spadix which sits inside and in contrast with the black-striped, green spathe. It has also been easy to grow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI4tsokxPVFrDPJepgOVmgJ_GeTEpvDg8U1Q51FYIyM1tSIC71ngbCaP7w38Jl5cqnZI5b_5iZjwsTBiUL5VGvPMb6ztwEi2F8y65ABdVh3tZ0x9DsimbBs1-PBf9uEb77pI4zgsVUhry/s1600/100507+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI4tsokxPVFrDPJepgOVmgJ_GeTEpvDg8U1Q51FYIyM1tSIC71ngbCaP7w38Jl5cqnZI5b_5iZjwsTBiUL5VGvPMb6ztwEi2F8y65ABdVh3tZ0x9DsimbBs1-PBf9uEb77pI4zgsVUhry/s400/100507+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469765387406520978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmqBfPUK_73Z9-bW29AMGMFMHhDALiSL2hiGFOMCMn43isk2FreWlH-qRs9-noOavES8qFItWtND3gbOcF1fxfglDzuEPKZn-AfVTj99N1R-Op83z7Wt75C3Cye-a5aVmk8GG42PBpLuW/s1600/100507+008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmqBfPUK_73Z9-bW29AMGMFMHhDALiSL2hiGFOMCMn43isk2FreWlH-qRs9-noOavES8qFItWtND3gbOcF1fxfglDzuEPKZn-AfVTj99N1R-Op83z7Wt75C3Cye-a5aVmk8GG42PBpLuW/s400/100507+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469765367725560002" border="0" /></a><br />These are both of course, relatives of our native Jack-in-the-Pulpit, <span style="font-style: italic;">A. triphyllum</span>, easily seen during the spring in wooded areas of Southern Ontario. It is also rather variable, and I hoping to grow a selection with particularly dark-coloured flowers and foliage called 'Black Jack'.<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-84830525116646659072010-04-28T17:55:00.006-04:002010-04-28T19:22:02.197-04:00Spring at the Nursery, Part 2This is just a brief post of some pics of certain inspiring plants at the nursery over the last week or two.<br /><br />A few from <span style="font-style: italic;">Papaver nudicaule </span>'Gartenzwerg' (Garden Gnome Iceland Poppy).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQXuc7TXY8pUvzmJ-qpb8h91K9bihQ2ULXc_EL6oCj_bpNQuwPj5ekIPsz045rXmYeel9Xy6XPJFVWOvZI8EUc2F6YQXWDWgkD9b5r_hrrbTdyBn__vudJmeoif9KvP__u9gMd2JynUrU/s1600/100423+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQXuc7TXY8pUvzmJ-qpb8h91K9bihQ2ULXc_EL6oCj_bpNQuwPj5ekIPsz045rXmYeel9Xy6XPJFVWOvZI8EUc2F6YQXWDWgkD9b5r_hrrbTdyBn__vudJmeoif9KvP__u9gMd2JynUrU/s400/100423+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465313375460311410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KSKXn-4WjQolhcqKUIpU8ppqz9fQ-Xl4Cb2zq9vGd3bpBxA3VZRZUDphb78CndnistgPiTANIEuEQ-I3gML2T8t0I50EnzceIEf9TZhD15mSiZ0cT1lNRhWS7yIU4ZjP6d4NM7Q8fkA1/s1600/100423+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KSKXn-4WjQolhcqKUIpU8ppqz9fQ-Xl4Cb2zq9vGd3bpBxA3VZRZUDphb78CndnistgPiTANIEuEQ-I3gML2T8t0I50EnzceIEf9TZhD15mSiZ0cT1lNRhWS7yIU4ZjP6d4NM7Q8fkA1/s400/100423+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465313138254296466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn7S6iU829YmKyB0wypcLkKq_HnOzPsE7_QZ5ggamEH0h9A1HrPrj4gY2PVGxG_wFimFGwQ_ALdHFM46FstBWUhVkRJpHrKpe7hcBxk_mb5ISrAoRoKmTy5bb9S0rPz9cwTA-ClOaWX7X/s1600/100423+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn7S6iU829YmKyB0wypcLkKq_HnOzPsE7_QZ5ggamEH0h9A1HrPrj4gY2PVGxG_wFimFGwQ_ALdHFM46FstBWUhVkRJpHrKpe7hcBxk_mb5ISrAoRoKmTy5bb9S0rPz9cwTA-ClOaWX7X/s400/100423+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465313130649907170" border="0" /></a>Next a couple of <span style="font-style: italic;">Aquilegia </span>(Colubmine), first <span style="font-style: italic;">A. </span>'Origami Red & White', a superior form and then the newer <span style="font-style: italic;">A. canadensis </span>'Pink Lanterns', a plant I've been waiting patiently for years to finally see in full bloom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9iAtAxLI7I_9uhp19hS5KNMHA-vRpugWBLjenEXsNi_Mjq_Wg69SxPCto_CgviZZwjRHZto3nrL6931UyyEkm3G4HIqHQFwfj0j79ByxPNv3zTgSr6yo82r_PVA1B5bDGe_URtD7Plxs/s1600/100419+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9iAtAxLI7I_9uhp19hS5KNMHA-vRpugWBLjenEXsNi_Mjq_Wg69SxPCto_CgviZZwjRHZto3nrL6931UyyEkm3G4HIqHQFwfj0j79ByxPNv3zTgSr6yo82r_PVA1B5bDGe_URtD7Plxs/s400/100419+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465313143510642610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xGTaL-JNiJ7FX5JJOeZjD84V49PxlodHese0watC0C6ja2Lxh0krVZiWuu1zGriBvc_7eNAUBNDnx5IJdV6RGk3ueYu2kOTI_QmsKO-G9gUV8zBV90nGf22wDFesgl-EoGbLCAJoExx_/s1600/100428+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xGTaL-JNiJ7FX5JJOeZjD84V49PxlodHese0watC0C6ja2Lxh0krVZiWuu1zGriBvc_7eNAUBNDnx5IJdV6RGk3ueYu2kOTI_QmsKO-G9gUV8zBV90nGf22wDFesgl-EoGbLCAJoExx_/s400/100428+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465313105875482658" border="0" /></a>Finally, a plant which I have a hard time not photographing each spring, <span style="font-style: italic;">Dicentra spectabilis</span> 'Goldheart'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YdJAMHZuvq1isiOywrQK7OiNy9uyXIA4yFLVfAq57zBFhaBmP8VpvC38m_v0zJmrs3w2gaUB1ycWfzJyJG_cuT933bnMLY2QH_TdOEBJF7JrjzIw6GakjEHlddlP9IhyphenhyphenAnGBL37_mecN/s1600/100423+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YdJAMHZuvq1isiOywrQK7OiNy9uyXIA4yFLVfAq57zBFhaBmP8VpvC38m_v0zJmrs3w2gaUB1ycWfzJyJG_cuT933bnMLY2QH_TdOEBJF7JrjzIw6GakjEHlddlP9IhyphenhyphenAnGBL37_mecN/s400/100423+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465313113592489106" border="0" /></a><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-45929509141213300582010-04-11T17:51:00.008-04:002010-04-11T18:45:54.318-04:00A Perfect Spring Day -- April 11, 2010Like beauty, a perfect spring day is likely in the eye of the beholder. For me, such a day consists of getting work-work done in relatively good time -- that is checking on the crops at the nursery, and responding to any urgent emails, proceeding on with some garden work at home, spending some quality time with the family, and/or possibly while, checking out some cool plants. Of course, all under warm, sunny skies with a gentle breeze at 16C (61F).<br /><br />Today was such a day. Here's a few pics from the latter part of the day.<br /><br />First is <span style="font-style: italic;">Sanguinaria canadensis</span>, the Bloodroot, both the single and double ('Multiplex') form, one of typical yet unique plants of spring. It is native to most of the eastern half of North America, and a red dye can be made from the dried root.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu7UGqQlmZ9Iv1figOzKP8q3hDxnCGMFIZr0O2srrKkxEFJmiJmCFmWy4cGiqem2rS2JXm531ruvDxzzeUuPKRlDmGIcFrVa0h61LlxH0-FT9FvdG0l-fquqf6fqcih7p8QV39oxZmM-3/s1600/IMG_2743.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu7UGqQlmZ9Iv1figOzKP8q3hDxnCGMFIZr0O2srrKkxEFJmiJmCFmWy4cGiqem2rS2JXm531ruvDxzzeUuPKRlDmGIcFrVa0h61LlxH0-FT9FvdG0l-fquqf6fqcih7p8QV39oxZmM-3/s400/IMG_2743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459001991197475266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMdQI6bt96ZVLP9yMvyij74xjAI4ILr1wnwvW-u1Dl-Fx-Y3gUyalWNv3r8OTMT2L0z2lYFQEc5NhWZY-JoOYd7GNCwUo4nxQUGQkGeY4nr1atC_2tpZuvhv3S3DxcRxXpkoXog-cTb6K/s1600/IMG_2746.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMdQI6bt96ZVLP9yMvyij74xjAI4ILr1wnwvW-u1Dl-Fx-Y3gUyalWNv3r8OTMT2L0z2lYFQEc5NhWZY-JoOYd7GNCwUo4nxQUGQkGeY4nr1atC_2tpZuvhv3S3DxcRxXpkoXog-cTb6K/s400/IMG_2746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459001999807825346" border="0" /></a>The Tulip is certainly another common harbinger of spring, but despite the impressive displays up in Ottawa and over in Holland, I can sometimes quickly tire of the large, modern hybrids, preferring rather the cute and dainty species. Here is <span style="font-style: italic;">Tulipa humilis:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3Cq0xtUOb5d5mjFbCTh8yV40rOpJUsD77qhLMmfXJGRHwP5YN7Xgqkg521uxmE3lrPkSv7bgoWx0FsUQsh-T4cY1J5Mz3swILeNu3Uk5pcu7u3hExW6HdArt4_AlYAFBFQPp7dhVcTTT/s1600/IMG_2744.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3Cq0xtUOb5d5mjFbCTh8yV40rOpJUsD77qhLMmfXJGRHwP5YN7Xgqkg521uxmE3lrPkSv7bgoWx0FsUQsh-T4cY1J5Mz3swILeNu3Uk5pcu7u3hExW6HdArt4_AlYAFBFQPp7dhVcTTT/s400/IMG_2744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459001997445632210" border="0" /></a>Here's an Anemone, likely <span style="font-style: italic;">A. blanda</span>, the Grecian Windflower:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMe2AuPNqDYYaQa3oetCVnrkgT7gB2HVpr2puIctDkheU35qK6TxddIb5cIpmzwDJKzDWhPQBSvcrD5_ixrmGcuaJ70_ve4ca33XMQ8VXWautjp9Adn51fqWGp3dqnBBXGW_O5roDuEgT/s1600/IMG_2753.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMe2AuPNqDYYaQa3oetCVnrkgT7gB2HVpr2puIctDkheU35qK6TxddIb5cIpmzwDJKzDWhPQBSvcrD5_ixrmGcuaJ70_ve4ca33XMQ8VXWautjp9Adn51fqWGp3dqnBBXGW_O5roDuEgT/s400/IMG_2753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459002008588678594" border="0" /></a>The day would not have been perfect without some time with family. After a walk along Lake Ontario with the dog, I took my daughter Sarah along with me to the Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKtCVr0S71jSfNm8TtpQbvTn_MPR5hzHMrAf0TdAq4INy2Ua8Zn3BGqLXpJKjfezjr0z0yl5tY3vJLveVVJOKWy7Vq2lH7l3Q5lAwHtZOma7MR1QfMv5TgS3vecY6b3hjUa3ej7-hSZfN/s1600/IMG_2757.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKtCVr0S71jSfNm8TtpQbvTn_MPR5hzHMrAf0TdAq4INy2Ua8Zn3BGqLXpJKjfezjr0z0yl5tY3vJLveVVJOKWy7Vq2lH7l3Q5lAwHtZOma7MR1QfMv5TgS3vecY6b3hjUa3ej7-hSZfN/s400/IMG_2757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459002012099948770" border="0" /></a>Finally, without much identification, as I've never been much of a "woody" guy, spring is never complete without a couple Magnolia or fruit tree flowers:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOOSxmKTzk-f9aMcr_vRxT7Q0FNJ8zLsLTNtx94UYhfer9B8rYLYD5DLg5EnTtWzZGBuhdaV-Z8VxVcGpd6c-MfZvCyf3QKtIM6MDm5paHxlmy9KxaMtZtIL8La_E-u5MYJNaHMV8d-iU/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOOSxmKTzk-f9aMcr_vRxT7Q0FNJ8zLsLTNtx94UYhfer9B8rYLYD5DLg5EnTtWzZGBuhdaV-Z8VxVcGpd6c-MfZvCyf3QKtIM6MDm5paHxlmy9KxaMtZtIL8La_E-u5MYJNaHMV8d-iU/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459002975595752786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNaSAvw97sJyOd9XuPlA27POmtcRlyLNZNBcwgoAqhmxGotV4lxywd3ZcBYjjTUnh3VbW5NTfxMQjZ29xIEwc5OMK3KmX7tv1euqUtFSc9mAUeQ-D1OcqqH1gL5eeE-PHzdsH9aZfn1EC/s1600/IMG_2769.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNaSAvw97sJyOd9XuPlA27POmtcRlyLNZNBcwgoAqhmxGotV4lxywd3ZcBYjjTUnh3VbW5NTfxMQjZ29xIEwc5OMK3KmX7tv1euqUtFSc9mAUeQ-D1OcqqH1gL5eeE-PHzdsH9aZfn1EC/s400/IMG_2769.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459002986077672210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1y1FjcW9O6MkxSgntGZaJBoZLnhQ8ThV5TQzSi5r_sQ4no7kcO6uh3eQRseiuwVWV2P52TLoNOGouuC733_jmD0S4TW9EYNhh_y3wSA5TU8UQVHGkOpahU3V93gkX4BnnglWyW18Yq3x/s1600/IMG_2760.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1y1FjcW9O6MkxSgntGZaJBoZLnhQ8ThV5TQzSi5r_sQ4no7kcO6uh3eQRseiuwVWV2P52TLoNOGouuC733_jmD0S4TW9EYNhh_y3wSA5TU8UQVHGkOpahU3V93gkX4BnnglWyW18Yq3x/s400/IMG_2760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459002972031463906" border="0" /></a><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-40670240742008555302010-03-23T07:29:00.018-04:002010-03-23T16:38:30.745-04:00Spring at the NurserySpring is here! Of course, at the nursery, it's a little ahead of schedule. Here's a few shots of plants in bloom.<br /><br />A couple of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Clematis </span>Diane's Delight:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn9o6Q1h5resW8rHWaJWXHEaM6yIuwWrP7PgJbN-HaXWgJTZI1tobCiFV_QoxCoCOgZ_4AtIBlOjYkpm12urxbrc3oOTshS3s3_g2LOmB6_ZKTT7p8KC24TkXSX6TRexEXR3vireQRo-z/s1600-h/100315+008.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451791386474286530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn9o6Q1h5resW8rHWaJWXHEaM6yIuwWrP7PgJbN-HaXWgJTZI1tobCiFV_QoxCoCOgZ_4AtIBlOjYkpm12urxbrc3oOTshS3s3_g2LOmB6_ZKTT7p8KC24TkXSX6TRexEXR3vireQRo-z/s400/100315+008.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdAErbzg8mhpDPSDeDkFD6QFTgrYqccbwxM_5y3G1kdy3tJWlyg_tsp7juvgDB9M3qIAQzagFIGy0Gi9mj6fPEcl4Piy6aPOUiWsmnIOlAxjHU8LSrugIsFA1TEkzAqjZ_XckoPlXmyHa/s1600-h/100316+005.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451790778109100962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdAErbzg8mhpDPSDeDkFD6QFTgrYqccbwxM_5y3G1kdy3tJWlyg_tsp7juvgDB9M3qIAQzagFIGy0Gi9mj6fPEcl4Piy6aPOUiWsmnIOlAxjHU8LSrugIsFA1TEkzAqjZ_XckoPlXmyHa/s400/100316+005.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Clematis </span>Hyde Hall:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFLpjiSGLLg5hlPo6r-CUK5-ZIGbkH7GposkKUSZtFSeDlEcIi3unqgDoqwtWJX-6VBEIDX_9BO2J-IlCgUh-uQwFTL1Aee0wfGY9JwuIePXkQ3ZFN9StWB04EA6z7NCl8hiHBBMdiqJe/s1600-h/100316+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451790770790138834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFLpjiSGLLg5hlPo6r-CUK5-ZIGbkH7GposkKUSZtFSeDlEcIi3unqgDoqwtWJX-6VBEIDX_9BO2J-IlCgUh-uQwFTL1Aee0wfGY9JwuIePXkQ3ZFN9StWB04EA6z7NCl8hiHBBMdiqJe/s400/100316+001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Clematis </span>Empress:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoghGQyrnj-M8MsZ1f1QCyUwlbaO10ve7ADgiF44Z6H7vGTGhyphenhyphenhrmbWA5jlRLZGBNpmXHNSNlXpJnbFdNDCPZWMMsb9nEwwiXvxpUz_Lel7UV4cFnA_m5CpfVZu5jpnfjUK3hVopjqdPB/s1600-h/100315+017.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451790766944310290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoghGQyrnj-M8MsZ1f1QCyUwlbaO10ve7ADgiF44Z6H7vGTGhyphenhyphenhrmbWA5jlRLZGBNpmXHNSNlXpJnbFdNDCPZWMMsb9nEwwiXvxpUz_Lel7UV4cFnA_m5CpfVZu5jpnfjUK3hVopjqdPB/s400/100315+017.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QPGBFj_uOyVbBIe4hpUa_I_GTNjfL1Bbrm34LGogb_LOSkGR3Tp7fskOHrxgfjJ-uo-BUrWT9lHqX86D-5l-vKZt5wrDgfE4yArkdCJyAsPvvuGfy1CZGQAFq6mRX63WXAQzNVwz5qFw/s1600-h/100315+015.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451790750948239650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QPGBFj_uOyVbBIe4hpUa_I_GTNjfL1Bbrm34LGogb_LOSkGR3Tp7fskOHrxgfjJ-uo-BUrWT9lHqX86D-5l-vKZt5wrDgfE4yArkdCJyAsPvvuGfy1CZGQAFq6mRX63WXAQzNVwz5qFw/s400/100315+015.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And finally, a little <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Primula denticulata</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAAMskIHU8sdOug8g1fvaHcYt7IRJWKHyvb8Ub0W3cXXfrMcpLmB_vI5ftwypxtaWNEEUyGfQEUCioiHLMnz3cIg2mNjiAxPs-fnoelnuWGj1bvoxsbnSmdFxp5GC6ovXwOZwZuxoEx0L/s1600-h/100315+024.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451790756996060610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAAMskIHU8sdOug8g1fvaHcYt7IRJWKHyvb8Ub0W3cXXfrMcpLmB_vI5ftwypxtaWNEEUyGfQEUCioiHLMnz3cIg2mNjiAxPs-fnoelnuWGj1bvoxsbnSmdFxp5GC6ovXwOZwZuxoEx0L/s400/100315+024.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-35521524849331897812010-03-14T08:35:00.014-04:002010-03-21T18:05:09.651-04:00In the Pipeline -- New Plants for 2011 and Beyond, Part 4One website I like to visit on a regular basis is Bob Brown's <a href="http://cgf.net/">Cotswold Garden Flowers</a>. He maintains an extensive "encyclopedia" that contains many new and upcoming plants, including in most cases, his witty and insightful comments and a rating out of ten based on his experience with the plant. Here's several that caught my eye (thanks to Bob, via Diana, for permission to borrow and post pics).<br /><br />First are a couple of new seedlings of <span style="font-style: italic;">Aconitum carmichaelii</span>, the Autumn Monkshood, with outstanding foliage colours (he lists almost a dozen varieties, all with cultivar names that begin with "river"). Below is 'River Dee' that emerges with orange leaves that turn to yellow-green with a green edge as they mature.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5mMytmr8SjUU_iJ5EJg5nVxzJMe2_FZFi04kb1RkRauJuokFLQtYpEPSfGilRGlDHMx-dU4stVI2XqwAuSFIxksHp1zDdODbkHrYYyimoxhJniBw7VC6FREwXwE-pmR3DllFm23jBuM5/s1600-h/Aconitum+carm+River+Dee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5mMytmr8SjUU_iJ5EJg5nVxzJMe2_FZFi04kb1RkRauJuokFLQtYpEPSfGilRGlDHMx-dU4stVI2XqwAuSFIxksHp1zDdODbkHrYYyimoxhJniBw7VC6FREwXwE-pmR3DllFm23jBuM5/s400/Aconitum+carm+River+Dee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448467737675854994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another somewhat similar plant is 'River Lugg' (below) with foliage that emerges a bright, golden yellow colour, greening-up as it matures. Both this one and the previous one, are relatively dwarf at approximately 30-40cm (12-16") in height, and produce the typical purple-blue Monkshood flowers in the autumn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvMbFuV7Iu2dJIf_UgROlYuKg4bmcwMMHDk53sRpFFRIO4zKWeoqWOZ1QWTGIX5aptdcxCeR9o2BZB4ZxKLj4fmwgdVB6xPSTPGP_G9gv6HfI-fvdu4eFkHNXM0hVOWERGse2rBcN8CHh/s1600-h/Aconitum+carm+River+Lugg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvMbFuV7Iu2dJIf_UgROlYuKg4bmcwMMHDk53sRpFFRIO4zKWeoqWOZ1QWTGIX5aptdcxCeR9o2BZB4ZxKLj4fmwgdVB6xPSTPGP_G9gv6HfI-fvdu4eFkHNXM0hVOWERGse2rBcN8CHh/s400/Aconitum+carm+River+Lugg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448467740906994050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is <span style="font-style: italic;">Angelica</span> 'Ebony' of unknown origins, at least as far as I can tell. According to other sources, it comes almost 100% true from seed, and caused quite a stir at the Chelsea show when it was first shown. It grows to 75cm (30") in height.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWTlxVbGX0bHzOlwnKHPGi5kgck8-3Jn3q3POzUkQcUfmOQRAi0umh2T6rdzkWe9aUFcBjb5iq1iyKhakc-nUgjbH2xdwCkDdr9hmUeKipNrSiCQFkQxmUdf4Ju3aei6Zr9aynFBrLBpH/s1600-h/Angelica+Ebony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWTlxVbGX0bHzOlwnKHPGi5kgck8-3Jn3q3POzUkQcUfmOQRAi0umh2T6rdzkWe9aUFcBjb5iq1iyKhakc-nUgjbH2xdwCkDdr9hmUeKipNrSiCQFkQxmUdf4Ju3aei6Zr9aynFBrLBpH/s400/Angelica+Ebony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448467745444600050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next is <span style="font-style: italic;">Astrantia </span>'Comptom Lane Strain' with brilliant crimson flowers, and seemingly large and extended, bristly bracts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2sYPv8KXsDHSj_eEaMZLtXWsKB7io3_AlxBJ99f445Eda1AEeEEQ-zltfigr1ED-CCjHLAz79eoJwVue1lOmJ2ZlCvOZkzmI5D9lF3oWJaB_fijosMBao4eEiXkmmdKUVF_IWVvoasbS/s1600-h/Astrantia+Compton+Lane+Strain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2sYPv8KXsDHSj_eEaMZLtXWsKB7io3_AlxBJ99f445Eda1AEeEEQ-zltfigr1ED-CCjHLAz79eoJwVue1lOmJ2ZlCvOZkzmI5D9lF3oWJaB_fijosMBao4eEiXkmmdKUVF_IWVvoasbS/s400/Astrantia+Compton+Lane+Strain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448467747234615794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Below is an outstanding, but still unnamed, yellow-leaved form of <span style="font-style: italic;">Euphorbia amygdaloides</span>, the Wood Spurge. Bob states, "so far, no mildew and a good garden perennial", that the plant is thriving, and rates it a 8.5 out of 10. What a beauty!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFqlYAkcfQ8fioJGW7S_62oOjn24yVHvQPx7Y-W0YsoJBRy3c6E_HzItXMcw6znHhjkglcNH7U0W8zSG9rRC4DFeFRo0Ipqpd51U8LwMJjnm9S_teJGsKTgoR_ETSA6BNsvr34-_JAlET/s1600-h/Euphorbia+amygd+yellow-leaved+form.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFqlYAkcfQ8fioJGW7S_62oOjn24yVHvQPx7Y-W0YsoJBRy3c6E_HzItXMcw6znHhjkglcNH7U0W8zSG9rRC4DFeFRo0Ipqpd51U8LwMJjnm9S_teJGsKTgoR_ETSA6BNsvr34-_JAlET/s400/Euphorbia+amygd+yellow-leaved+form.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448467750945615010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next is <span style="font-style: italic;">Geranium phaeum</span> 'SĆ©ricourt', another yellow-leaved plant, in this case the foliage nicely contrasting with the dark, reddish-brown flowers. Bred by Yves Gosse, SĆ©ricourt, Pas de Calais, France. Bob rates it an 8.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ3EcxxGf4mJEvF7u2mqQ1oxYgVK2gSQy4BjhJkim9y6tF633jlDZUUbVwKrxb-x2EV_uwLboCj9RwWuxw09ynylX7zLW4yKJureJmzeNI_p3C7hR40IIAoQJtPY8XI_LnOj_se8CA2mK/s1600-h/Geranium+phaeum+Sericourt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ3EcxxGf4mJEvF7u2mqQ1oxYgVK2gSQy4BjhJkim9y6tF633jlDZUUbVwKrxb-x2EV_uwLboCj9RwWuxw09ynylX7zLW4yKJureJmzeNI_p3C7hR40IIAoQJtPY8XI_LnOj_se8CA2mK/s400/Geranium+phaeum+Sericourt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448469981997282818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Geum </span>'Bell Bank' is a variety raised in the 1980s by Geoffrey Smith of the U.K., likely from a cross between <span style="font-style: italic;">G. rivale</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">G. coccineum</span>. The pink colour is unique, and the deckled (love that word) edges an interesting feature.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvX0e8N9dRXw-9DAH9zdcUv-72DfbzBcOE_BCOVFzlQDGgILZOJ4GBYkFhOLxN1VeUXW68lK9iasUm1yFaIf1ykCNKESzZIzeP8MfS9IxhE-b9Kn_oeSV8M6UDx20CaHIzCjLIo1hQ7xc/s1600-h/Geum+Bell+Bank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvX0e8N9dRXw-9DAH9zdcUv-72DfbzBcOE_BCOVFzlQDGgILZOJ4GBYkFhOLxN1VeUXW68lK9iasUm1yFaIf1ykCNKESzZIzeP8MfS9IxhE-b9Kn_oeSV8M6UDx20CaHIzCjLIo1hQ7xc/s400/Geum+Bell+Bank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448469986338898994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next is <span style="font-style: italic;">Iris sibirica </span>'Roaring Jelly', a 1992 introduction from Marty Schafer and Jan Sacks. It was awarded the <a href="http://www.irises.org/pdf/SIB-MorganWoodMedal.pdf">Morgan Wood Medal</a> in 1999, and consistently ranks highly in the annual Siberian Iris Society's 'Favourite Cultivars List'. The colour is outstanding! Why it is not being more actively propagated in North America is beyond me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1HKf2J51O7e6hA4tyL9G6kZ4-cMskb0N6iV5hwoUaYVYQWzbJ-rL9Te_UAI8cYfFZE0ecx4-3po1ZAOnT7fuwC5GW3bdDM9HEDCCq00oEwY3m8YNhrFMN4-OV-2Wx4hfZitHcdfUBSdm/s1600-h/Iris+sib+Roaring+Jelly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1HKf2J51O7e6hA4tyL9G6kZ4-cMskb0N6iV5hwoUaYVYQWzbJ-rL9Te_UAI8cYfFZE0ecx4-3po1ZAOnT7fuwC5GW3bdDM9HEDCCq00oEwY3m8YNhrFMN4-OV-2Wx4hfZitHcdfUBSdm/s400/Iris+sib+Roaring+Jelly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448469992927107762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally for this post (the first of two featuring plants from Cotwold Garden Flowers), are a couple of <span style="font-style: italic;">Kniphofia </span>(Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily), 'Barbie' immediately below with large, round heads of yellow, orange-tipped flowers (very lucent), and then 'Barton Fever' with tawny buds that open to a fine apricot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdTZyC0LlO_yjbJosz401Mh2g7TwnhLt-FDrj6JPYGcsBQRsqghQbW7hue9DD_RWi3HkhyphenhyphentMMvAZG32q8J3-us6pjwoaZe-r2FGLjR3L9suPNAirmC5LxoG6oVr4B0ownoUK74nTZoiWG/s1600-h/Kniphofia+Barbie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdTZyC0LlO_yjbJosz401Mh2g7TwnhLt-FDrj6JPYGcsBQRsqghQbW7hue9DD_RWi3HkhyphenhyphentMMvAZG32q8J3-us6pjwoaZe-r2FGLjR3L9suPNAirmC5LxoG6oVr4B0ownoUK74nTZoiWG/s400/Kniphofia+Barbie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448469996176264658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaUWg4T1z8D2oRZy0akYJEiypi5dCOho9W_-UQtylQYU9bIe7U5qPyho29f1CZJ8LuimLh65CClwd_4TguM4wejVUX5Iav1XvB_-FPnxhuK0GSKzph-qgcsx5VsV5SufFu2BVSzh9_ov0/s1600-h/Kniphofia+Barton+Fever.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaUWg4T1z8D2oRZy0akYJEiypi5dCOho9W_-UQtylQYU9bIe7U5qPyho29f1CZJ8LuimLh65CClwd_4TguM4wejVUX5Iav1XvB_-FPnxhuK0GSKzph-qgcsx5VsV5SufFu2BVSzh9_ov0/s400/Kniphofia+Barton+Fever.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448470000341040418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails, and more of these plants becoming available in North America!<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-38828823843648491472010-03-11T17:44:00.006-05:002010-03-11T18:34:15.164-05:00The Beauty of Young, New PlantsIt's great to work at a nursery that grows such cool plants... and to so easily get an early taste of the seasons that lie ahead! Here's a couple of pics of some of the newest varieties that we are growing this year, and in this case, pushing a little ahead of their regular schedule, just so we can see how they do, and what they look like.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lIixPHuua26gtGk0cubuI-wc-wRDZBnXlQjs9sFENIIAK1imutD_qmp07IXpIrXsggzZ3JZvRKc6yuBdh0lkyLrm2w3UNNO-lQdR0ou95xcxhiezNNh0jxSA8vk7YmDVyLwbWkCsDvDM/s1600-h/100304+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lIixPHuua26gtGk0cubuI-wc-wRDZBnXlQjs9sFENIIAK1imutD_qmp07IXpIrXsggzZ3JZvRKc6yuBdh0lkyLrm2w3UNNO-lQdR0ou95xcxhiezNNh0jxSA8vk7YmDVyLwbWkCsDvDM/s400/100304+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447511286319025154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span id="cleanprint_content">Above, left to right, top to bottom:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>'Electric Lime'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heucherella </span>'Golden Zebra'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Viola </span>'Heartthrob'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>'Havana'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dicentra </span>'Candy Hearts'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera</span> 'Midnight Bayou'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Brunnera </span>'Emerald Mist'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Brunnera </span>'King's Ransom' <br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3V641URAKiMC1aQdb8kNCLzP2E-BWs-7ueqXoTapB6dJf36rCpDojmwaRR05xk47EemXuUNQbK3X48s1cRySK3Sm4new112NlL63XECKvRLrlf6d4aAQI8-7PrD_4Nl3jckBqbolmOMk/s1600-h/100304+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3V641URAKiMC1aQdb8kNCLzP2E-BWs-7ueqXoTapB6dJf36rCpDojmwaRR05xk47EemXuUNQbK3X48s1cRySK3Sm4new112NlL63XECKvRLrlf6d4aAQI8-7PrD_4Nl3jckBqbolmOMk/s400/100304+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447511285323833490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span id="cleanprint_content">Above, left to right, top to bottom:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heucherella </span>'Sweet Tea' (very cool!)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>'Midas Touch'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>'Sugar Plum'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Geum </span>'Eos' (sweet!)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heucherella </span>'Tapestry'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>'Fire Chief' (I really like this one)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>'Electra'<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thalictrum ichangense</span> Evening Star Strain </span><br /><br />I really enjoy putting and seeing these "assorted" trays together -- I don't know how anyone could resist!<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-25434153445246941452010-02-24T19:01:00.004-05:002010-03-01T18:36:40.971-05:00Piet Oudolf's Favourite PerennialsAnother one of my favourite stops while visiting the Netherlands, was the garden and nursery of Piet Oudolf. He had this unforgettable, high and multi-layered hedge at the front of his property behind which was his main garden. In the picture below, he is moving a clump of <span style="font-style: italic;">Monarda</span> (Bee Balm).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98CQhc_KdJ_z5GSeixZxrUSg_49edilPB9AVOUZ_yx9QjECiXRTH-HXDbByjmhIHfapO7A-krPVRn9WGPIKrOWdAsigXRM3s-OFWLGCfyuXSGqnWGN2NNTPeGYHegjlTTZcW3kCMxVUln/s1600-h/Piet+Oudolf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98CQhc_KdJ_z5GSeixZxrUSg_49edilPB9AVOUZ_yx9QjECiXRTH-HXDbByjmhIHfapO7A-krPVRn9WGPIKrOWdAsigXRM3s-OFWLGCfyuXSGqnWGN2NNTPeGYHegjlTTZcW3kCMxVUln/s400/Piet+Oudolf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443797950803420226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />He has since become a renowned garden designer with many projects, both public and private, in Europe and North America. You can see some of his very cool work and photography on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10470961@N03/">Flickr</a> and on his <a href="http://www.oudolf.com/piet-oudolf">website</a>.<br /><br />Virginia Small recently listed his favourite perennials <a href="http://www.finegardening.com/27-perennials-with-long-lasting-appeal.aspx">here</a>. It is tellingly divided into three groups: plants the provide structure, produce attractive seed heads, and maintain a distinct winter shape. Ultimately, the goal is to provide an abundance of multi-season interest.<br /><br />I find a few things however, interesting to note in this list. Firstly, most are relatively tall plants -- you will not find any "cute" <span style="font-style: italic;">Campanula carpatica </span>or <span style="font-style: italic;">Dianthus</span> here. Second, there is mix of both native and non-native species. And finally, the list appears to be missing the most popular genera, specifically <span style="font-style: italic;">Geranium</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Hosta</span>. I would certainly love to share a pint with this great artist to discuss this last point!<br /><br />Well, here's to dirt under your nails -- I hear spring has sprung in certain parts of the continent.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-18284815904574417382010-02-23T19:05:00.026-05:002010-03-07T10:40:43.371-05:00Not Necessarily New But....For a change of pace from all the brand new and up-coming plants, here's a collection of less common, at least here in North America, plants offered by Hans Kramer's De Hessenhof nursery. This was another of my favourite stops while visiting the Netherlands.<br /><br />First, is <span style="font-style: italic;">Amsonia</span> 'Ernst Pagels' a hybrid of <span style="font-style: italic;">A. hubrichtii</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">A. ciliata</span>, with fine foliage that turns bright golden-yellow in the autumn, and relatively large clusters of lavender-blue flowers during the summer. Named by Rob Leopold for the esteemed German plantsman.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMYKSqVNOD7HgUTPHusXZN2fFEhWGBpOaY1bldTz3wLgSSzYZncLVM3Lv27BxShPDXh_UJftp_AKOcSvitC1bhbSmTKuZiKKBuT3PQYaYmVpWfsijZaf7hYmxb2t8Aub8wUOwOK1oVfpG/s1600-h/Amsonia+Ernst+Pagels.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMYKSqVNOD7HgUTPHusXZN2fFEhWGBpOaY1bldTz3wLgSSzYZncLVM3Lv27BxShPDXh_UJftp_AKOcSvitC1bhbSmTKuZiKKBuT3PQYaYmVpWfsijZaf7hYmxb2t8Aub8wUOwOK1oVfpG/s400/Amsonia+Ernst+Pagels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595761345542850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next is <span style="font-style: italic;">Dianthus</span><b style="font-style: italic;"><b> </b></b><span style="font-style: italic;">gratianopolitanus</span> 'Babi Lom', a beautiful selection from the Czech Republic with perfect mounds of steely-blue foliage, covered with electric-pink flowers in early summer. It's beautiful, but doesn't look that much different from the popular 'Firewitch'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9S0HSqDEQ2gR1rwUuS_HzlWKcEvyKIgjXVP_v6PyvFu0wrNNvQL96EOsl6OiKZEv2YRKQU3IPDa3PqB2IAHvdokH9bq70EMoa9hQTbRuKOS5ouifyG84Ik1hW6fMbQ7y_wikQs_AelOE/s1600-h/Dianthus+gratianopolitanus+Babi+Lom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9S0HSqDEQ2gR1rwUuS_HzlWKcEvyKIgjXVP_v6PyvFu0wrNNvQL96EOsl6OiKZEv2YRKQU3IPDa3PqB2IAHvdokH9bq70EMoa9hQTbRuKOS5ouifyG84Ik1hW6fMbQ7y_wikQs_AelOE/s400/Dianthus+gratianopolitanus+Babi+Lom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595755382413634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This (below) is <span style="font-style: italic;">Helenium</span><b><b> </b></b>'Baudirektor Linne', an old German variety that has performed well over the years and recently received an AGM from the trials at Wisley.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LSuA4bDYwSMUJwk2Dzjlf4PQmL3odhkRPmsbXHkqOQh0d3aW01Az1iDb_arQH9c9gjg8QTJH7n8eIIiIiMd5gU_JKl6985SfyJC4HD6X2x3Jbs2Wl898zB_PNU8Edd_e_KaWxJAvOtgn/s1600-h/Helenium+Baudirektor+Linne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LSuA4bDYwSMUJwk2Dzjlf4PQmL3odhkRPmsbXHkqOQh0d3aW01Az1iDb_arQH9c9gjg8QTJH7n8eIIiIiMd5gU_JKl6985SfyJC4HD6X2x3Jbs2Wl898zB_PNU8Edd_e_KaWxJAvOtgn/s400/Helenium+Baudirektor+Linne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595754372830834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Helenium</span> 'Loysder Wieck' (below) is a unique form with quilled petals, developed by Paul Wilmink, a former professor of Horticulture at Utrecht. Loysder is the ancient name for the Dutch city of Leusden.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7oYvjx6QrsQzH5lCDcHIYEBbCwdDZKhj1V3NiRoPX0g2gCCDWU7AZ1ZSTsYEETnSza6K-i-rs6Ct6xCRPBIlanv2IKz0Ipi-NnPrEvt8cuU8wOR4IjQLy_8nybHoo4pnYRe__KxhsflP/s1600-h/Helenium+Loysder+Wieck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7oYvjx6QrsQzH5lCDcHIYEBbCwdDZKhj1V3NiRoPX0g2gCCDWU7AZ1ZSTsYEETnSza6K-i-rs6Ct6xCRPBIlanv2IKz0Ipi-NnPrEvt8cuU8wOR4IjQLy_8nybHoo4pnYRe__KxhsflP/s400/Helenium+Loysder+Wieck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595385425203138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally for <span style="font-style: italic;">Helenium</span> (yes, the Europeans love this North American native), is <span style="font-style: italic;">H. </span>'Ring of Fire', another AGM recipient, with beautiful red-brown, yellow-edged flowers. Why these <span style="font-style: italic;">Helenium</span>, especially the award-winning varieties, are not available in North America is beyond me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz5XRuqGpkCrueXqDU2FXxZ1WGo_QbLFV4fo6xcVcsS6N2ODAF61nd0RrSz11vRwqL555Pe-abze7tpnm-r-KkYE6uTFZMwfnZlSqz6MmnQnrgUKbrgrZBJ_SjADpuzcmGspgqGyBzZ9h/s1600-h/Helenium+Ring+of+Fire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz5XRuqGpkCrueXqDU2FXxZ1WGo_QbLFV4fo6xcVcsS6N2ODAF61nd0RrSz11vRwqL555Pe-abze7tpnm-r-KkYE6uTFZMwfnZlSqz6MmnQnrgUKbrgrZBJ_SjADpuzcmGspgqGyBzZ9h/s400/Helenium+Ring+of+Fire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595380815173906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is <span style="font-style: italic;">Nepeta</span> 'Blue Danube', a selection or hybrid involving <span style="font-style: italic;">N. grandiflora</span>, made by plantsman Christian Kress of Austria. It is a relative low form, growing to only 60cm (24"), and produces condensed clusters of purple-blue flowers for a strong impression. I like the contrast with reddish stems and calyxes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYlte32Ag-uzVM5aWswMTKpZK5_ELSB7cmkFKwL0JKjCVgGP_eqk_qw2F7k0nCodyNcc5jGVviiiH_Vat8_F6FxspJS4vltvF6Tl7aoYPdpj7R2hznmesWy4nNH4J8eisgzQFR6DOHLZW/s1600-h/Nepeta+Blue+Danube.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYlte32Ag-uzVM5aWswMTKpZK5_ELSB7cmkFKwL0JKjCVgGP_eqk_qw2F7k0nCodyNcc5jGVviiiH_Vat8_F6FxspJS4vltvF6Tl7aoYPdpj7R2hznmesWy4nNH4J8eisgzQFR6DOHLZW/s400/Nepeta+Blue+Danube.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595377918053186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is <span style="font-style: italic;">Phlox </span>(Paniculata) 'Oljenka', apparently developed in Russia in the 1930s, with beautiful, almost tri-coloured pink, white and red, flowers. For some amazing photography of this variety, and other <span style="font-style: italic;">Phlox </span>(and <span style="font-style: italic;">Helenium</span>), check out this very cool German <a href="http://www.helenium-phlox.de/home.html">website</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyFnG6SgX0yw8tkXUbyOSzAHru9I97rv_I26MSJyK-vE2-qhF5t_H5rNdWw8a-Jc36fxxt6iWvkoueCtsA0WWPXceUswRsXv6lvEIFYNiTOGyKJrQ02RLc-SU6TRpgCmKA6lQK0KzdsNF/s1600-h/Phlox+Oljenka.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyFnG6SgX0yw8tkXUbyOSzAHru9I97rv_I26MSJyK-vE2-qhF5t_H5rNdWw8a-Jc36fxxt6iWvkoueCtsA0WWPXceUswRsXv6lvEIFYNiTOGyKJrQ02RLc-SU6TRpgCmKA6lQK0KzdsNF/s400/Phlox+Oljenka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595364287076914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, is <span style="font-style: italic;">Rodgersia </span>'Ideal', introduced by German breeder Peter zur Linden in 1987. The emerging foliage in spring is a deep red-brown, that slowly fades to green with a darker edge by mid-summer. The pinkish flowers are produced on a tall and narrow, but heavily branched plume. Hans calls this "graceful".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpn8IxTTF72f1uHy8qTFvF1Pn4Gp_A8dLUOrsmPP0hhZ-gxL_jAwAUYih30Je_UKod1k2SSp97lrX4fjiMiK8p7uYmaiqjPXN8z4US4Iy5YYrfj1VbPFl6HgtIznQvXy5mcuEhSa4c8Lj/s1600-h/Rodgersia+Ideal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpn8IxTTF72f1uHy8qTFvF1Pn4Gp_A8dLUOrsmPP0hhZ-gxL_jAwAUYih30Je_UKod1k2SSp97lrX4fjiMiK8p7uYmaiqjPXN8z4US4Iy5YYrfj1VbPFl6HgtIznQvXy5mcuEhSa4c8Lj/s400/Rodgersia+Ideal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441595360996735906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-66135489508497224912010-02-02T19:31:00.013-05:002010-02-14T09:08:08.799-05:00In the Pipeline -- New Plants for 2011 and Beyond, Part 3Another genus that I've been fascinated with for some time is <span style="font-style: italic;">Kniphofia </span>(Red Hot Poker, Torchlily), named in honour of the German physician and botanist, <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Hieronymus_Kniphof&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djohann%2Bhieronymus%2Bkniphof%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DXl" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Johann Hieronymus Kniphof</a> (1704-1763). It has 60-70 species, typically native to Southern Africa.<br /><br />Its unique and brightly-coloured flowers make it an easy "stand-out" in the summer garden, often adding a somewhat desert-like feel to the landscape with its tufts of narrow foliage.<br /><br />For some reason, it is now described as "old" and out-of-fashion, and certainly is one of those plants that is often associated with "grandmother's garden". Terra Nova Nurseries however, in Oregon, which is well-known for breeding and introducing new perennials to the industry, has recently expanded their work to include this beautiful plant.<br /><br />Two series are being introduced in 2010, and likely will be available to consumers this summer. The Popsicles are compact and long-blooming forms, starting in early summer and continuing through autumn. The Solar Flares are larger and known for heavy bloom production from mid-summer through to hard frosts.<br /><br />First is<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> 'Pineapple' (Popsicles series) with lovely golden-yellow flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLbRiiz9ElcCFF-kQI9cdRQGcua1S2gLKluFuGRkdWRZPbQkVaT783M5rPBU32t5r8pePfnfXXb3P6TjsBZL7b0zCIP5XIxEkvWnJHSck90-UwfBbV_lXpq90zCtZPRTomfIpoh8d47FW/s1600-h/Pineapple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLbRiiz9ElcCFF-kQI9cdRQGcua1S2gLKluFuGRkdWRZPbQkVaT783M5rPBU32t5r8pePfnfXXb3P6TjsBZL7b0zCIP5XIxEkvWnJHSck90-UwfBbV_lXpq90zCtZPRTomfIpoh8d47FW/s400/Pineapple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433809758824312370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Second, is 'Ember Glow' (Solar Flare series) with warm tangerine-orange flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekjEs3e_JjATySOFtd2tfmBseCyjkTmZaRAld0tbKdycgcSrkyLIqTUuhhhdLBEufKoXUq6xGuCXAUKCnOtR7MP_65dPNFZnNwxVtNUyROUyfcHZEWCjW7cq-LQveISbZbWX7GYVxGOJl/s1600-h/Ember+Glow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekjEs3e_JjATySOFtd2tfmBseCyjkTmZaRAld0tbKdycgcSrkyLIqTUuhhhdLBEufKoXUq6xGuCXAUKCnOtR7MP_65dPNFZnNwxVtNUyROUyfcHZEWCjW7cq-LQveISbZbWX7GYVxGOJl/s400/Ember+Glow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433809752075154018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finally, is 'Fire Glow' (Solar Flare series) with hot orange-red flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxs_5sLJpY1W9vpgpJiojfgbqc4QtptcqFHW0zcrBvpf7OOUhqEPsMgo7ZDQjDj_uUZK_tzYigxwtd5rWgpzZJi6NcgU_keubid7FKNTw6qjsBfZ7u6TNShnbaHnVLL6_miWlUg1-ghNN/s1600-h/Fire+Glow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxs_5sLJpY1W9vpgpJiojfgbqc4QtptcqFHW0zcrBvpf7OOUhqEPsMgo7ZDQjDj_uUZK_tzYigxwtd5rWgpzZJi6NcgU_keubid7FKNTw6qjsBfZ7u6TNShnbaHnVLL6_miWlUg1-ghNN/s400/Fire+Glow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433809746388573490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These plants have been tested for hardiness in Michgan, so should do well in zones 5-9. Once established they are very drought tolerant. Some early-spring pruning of the old, winter-beaten semi-evergreen foliage (do <span style="font-weight: bold;">not </span>cut back in the autumn), and periodic dead-heading during the flowering season, will make for a better presentation.<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails in the coming months, and the return of the Red Hot Poker (now that's a cool common name).<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-79624493377902779242010-01-31T16:35:00.016-05:002010-01-31T18:00:59.268-05:00In the Pipeline -- New Plants for 2011 and Beyond, Part 2In this post, we will take a look at the breeding work of Brent Horvath of <a href="http://www.intrinsicperennialgardens.com/">Intrinsic Perennial Gardens</a> in Hebron, Illinois. His most popular introduction so far include <span style="font-style: italic;">Polemonium </span>'Heaven Scent', a personal favourite of mine, with early, grape-scented purple flowers and dark spring foliage. It was derived from crossing the native (most of north-eastern North America) <span style="font-style: italic;">P. reptans</span> with <span style="font-style: italic;">P. yezoense</span> 'Purple Rain'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBaqEGtBDyoq2hs4SV4sjkvx7BKYa9yo1sBSA9SNTLBQo6IDIiwrrCpATdzj8z00zHM2TLZzFJj7UTmSUbvdbsImze2XP_myOEApoFAM_Y1F4GIl9ux5o6i7tguyUM3XUvND9DBIH5f78/s1600-h/Polemonium+%27Heaven+Scent%27+PPAF.JPG+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBaqEGtBDyoq2hs4SV4sjkvx7BKYa9yo1sBSA9SNTLBQo6IDIiwrrCpATdzj8z00zHM2TLZzFJj7UTmSUbvdbsImze2XP_myOEApoFAM_Y1F4GIl9ux5o6i7tguyUM3XUvND9DBIH5f78/s400/Polemonium+%27Heaven+Scent%27+PPAF.JPG+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433025937262317602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another popular introduction of Brent's is <span style="font-style: italic;">Sedum</span> 'Lajos' Autumn Charmā¢, a wonderfully variegated (sport of the popular 'Autumn Joy') form of Showy Stonecrop. While I have become somewhat jaded with variegated Sedums, due to their relative instability, this one appears to be the "most stable", and is otherwise very colourful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuBU9druMscMHOLOkHil4_PldiD7l65Tx66AMcT9wX8bDUwE7W1BmuvEWdAgR9kRJDIScB_N6mcYvDyF0jOviVd_ChzhB046l5Sd90YDi7L_GkLKixZTt5yne9Ya4JLJQBEDv9Y8kWB_d/s1600-h/Sedum+%27Lajos%27+PP%2314,421+Autumn+Charm+_+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuBU9druMscMHOLOkHil4_PldiD7l65Tx66AMcT9wX8bDUwE7W1BmuvEWdAgR9kRJDIScB_N6mcYvDyF0jOviVd_ChzhB046l5Sd90YDi7L_GkLKixZTt5yne9Ya4JLJQBEDv9Y8kWB_d/s400/Sedum+%27Lajos%27+PP%2314,421+Autumn+Charm+_+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433025944281210050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of Brent's plants that has been out for a few years, that I am very impressed with but have yet to grow is <span style="font-style: italic;">Pennisetum alopecuroides </span>'Red Head' (below). Compared with the "flowers" of other forms of Fountain Grass, this one is simply outstanding.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNHb31aCAAGDzldUST3117HV1-YAe3uYgnZt92Lol3UoFDCAo_68fiMtnig_90vnEG5FkP1NtodO5Or9MN4OJ2kkWMWQMysONEZsRL2yOJzVm4Z9wd2ejYEJ-CpFXLqn-eX6arByOJsM4/s1600-h/Pen+Red+head+clumps+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNHb31aCAAGDzldUST3117HV1-YAe3uYgnZt92Lol3UoFDCAo_68fiMtnig_90vnEG5FkP1NtodO5Or9MN4OJ2kkWMWQMysONEZsRL2yOJzVm4Z9wd2ejYEJ-CpFXLqn-eX6arByOJsM4/s400/Pen+Red+head+clumps+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433027754256575906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In Brent's pipeline are several more exciting new perennials. The following have been released in the last year or two, or will be released by his nursery in 2010. Keep in mind that an introduction to the industry, typically takes a few more years to reach "mass production".<br /><br />One that is almost shockingly beautiful is <span style="font-style: italic;">Andropogon gerardii</span> 'Red Bull', a selection of the native (most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains) Big Bluestem or Turkey Foot Grass, which is described as the "monarch of the prairie grasses". In any case, it is a beautiful, upright grass that is easy to grow in full sun, with lush summer foliage, that in the case of 'Red Bull', turns a brilliant red in the autumn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzmOz7nQnrdyaLNW5-qUzYQaqKx7lUr43PaIWtX-1xTU0xWf_BWhI-_SVRZFElqTB3t569HZrrKRTSAjytFvwW0Yx7ZCk0O_rdRaAsE-DKiiiuAKwAWIPKht5-5uixUpCesTq8f_1_5lW/s1600-h/Andropogon+Red+Bull.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzmOz7nQnrdyaLNW5-qUzYQaqKx7lUr43PaIWtX-1xTU0xWf_BWhI-_SVRZFElqTB3t569HZrrKRTSAjytFvwW0Yx7ZCk0O_rdRaAsE-DKiiiuAKwAWIPKht5-5uixUpCesTq8f_1_5lW/s400/Andropogon+Red+Bull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433033804075652946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another beauty is <span style="font-style: italic;">Geum</span> 'Mai Tai' with lovely peachy-apricot flowers on dark stems.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2UiLytOVHGDnar3uq6kr3FDgNvnfroOjkYxNwEGHChHNerDuzTlxqTikYm_f7-Z6WcD3Cv5utnq5jinFGUSwHEqo88xW3J8maR5JDHnqZ1wNQuNmfF3omc2SJ9eqWmfau3EOeHNbjJRq/s1600-h/Geum+Mai+Tai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2UiLytOVHGDnar3uq6kr3FDgNvnfroOjkYxNwEGHChHNerDuzTlxqTikYm_f7-Z6WcD3Cv5utnq5jinFGUSwHEqo88xW3J8maR5JDHnqZ1wNQuNmfF3omc2SJ9eqWmfau3EOeHNbjJRq/s400/Geum+Mai+Tai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433033814454692050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last but not least is <span style="font-style: italic;">Penstemon digitalis </span>'Precious Gem', a brand new selection of the native (most of eastern North America) with foliage that emerges bronze and turns green by summer, and with plenteous pink flowers on dark stems that persist until autumn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1WLJTQGGYEpMPM4HLA9DYV0q9WBQxnMBiEPDZD6w8BkCiYY6jx5xqgC-3utJuD0_4h3ilZPQOymKCkGKHj3IfovzzLiDzPXiDhpXqQWMKSN5XbNgRa9hnHJnhcY2HpND7NugDFdrGH8T/s1600-h/Penstemon+digitalis+Precious+Gem.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1WLJTQGGYEpMPM4HLA9DYV0q9WBQxnMBiEPDZD6w8BkCiYY6jx5xqgC-3utJuD0_4h3ilZPQOymKCkGKHj3IfovzzLiDzPXiDhpXqQWMKSN5XbNgRa9hnHJnhcY2HpND7NugDFdrGH8T/s400/Penstemon+digitalis+Precious+Gem.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433033810814751986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails...<br /><br />MPD, coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-46708970718205164002010-01-17T11:44:00.016-05:002010-01-29T11:41:10.915-05:00In the Pipeline -- New Plants for 2011 and BeyondSo most of us are at least somewhat interested in trying a new plant or two this spring or summer... my last four posts here have highlighted several new varieties that will be available in 2010. But what about the new plants that are in the pipeline to be released in 2011 and beyond? Here's a few sneak peaks to whet your appetite.<br /><br />One of my favourite stops while visiting Holland, was the nursery of Marco van Noort, an incredible plantsman, and breeder of the popular <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Geranium </span>'Jolly Bee'. The genus <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Geranium</span> is a specialty of his, but it appears as though he is branching into <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Echinacea </span>as well. Here are some seedlings pictured on his <a href="http://www.marcovannoort.nl/">website</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsq90sgfVyVP9jzI07f7-hqOcSvNN1b-cwe-Ae1KYcD9RnX0LuyurRQTM2zjI3NRGDelD52ksTB052OYqSRnxkMqzT_HTDwWcPb31wIVgdUwUfDJKgXO3_-SiRamcZ6S-US8YFfnVh9nd/s1600-h/1181513025088570100.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430435774649578706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsq90sgfVyVP9jzI07f7-hqOcSvNN1b-cwe-Ae1KYcD9RnX0LuyurRQTM2zjI3NRGDelD52ksTB052OYqSRnxkMqzT_HTDwWcPb31wIVgdUwUfDJKgXO3_-SiRamcZ6S-US8YFfnVh9nd/s400/1181513025088570100.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtECmxTlo1N3yyxIzX4j4P0S9B5cT4l8k_aq0e_6TCdzhgOkAABfMLjDzxfKDZ9y91QsGGGLlQMhELY9fdcbiP2RSFeiNsVKLN6acmcM93t987QMejsALWg0L3FDI-DIuk6S8R_eEMcNuP/s1600-h/1181515108031744100.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 343px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430435768149877282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtECmxTlo1N3yyxIzX4j4P0S9B5cT4l8k_aq0e_6TCdzhgOkAABfMLjDzxfKDZ9y91QsGGGLlQMhELY9fdcbiP2RSFeiNsVKLN6acmcM93t987QMejsALWg0L3FDI-DIuk6S8R_eEMcNuP/s400/1181515108031744100.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsM9J2L5-toCsFP1B6PnGkRMwkAchvMfwVeGTDKgjJPx4jjjrNnHarSdiPgBUbrcFctiuOGuCMvKSeYiGBTqTBPZZ-8W795zp6A3aP3OOuvD-8Lzb5YH-DZnr-bIKO-XpLs8vXM5jKXP-u/s1600-h/1181683651067477400.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430435766746364882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsM9J2L5-toCsFP1B6PnGkRMwkAchvMfwVeGTDKgjJPx4jjjrNnHarSdiPgBUbrcFctiuOGuCMvKSeYiGBTqTBPZZ-8W795zp6A3aP3OOuvD-8Lzb5YH-DZnr-bIKO-XpLs8vXM5jKXP-u/s400/1181683651067477400.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HdjfL4u6rnVHbiINgh0B38AJQjYn8l3wNOx7A3Stzz2CJjAqMgan4dOtdI1Dw3vygH5sPJV7IzNfP30P2Jgtf89u6OyBwr_fCVmjN_EvhJ97OuTnuL-TWcIGmQjadtAYYvYa_KmFtL-x/s1600-h/1184096789008653400.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430435747494274866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HdjfL4u6rnVHbiINgh0B38AJQjYn8l3wNOx7A3Stzz2CJjAqMgan4dOtdI1Dw3vygH5sPJV7IzNfP30P2Jgtf89u6OyBwr_fCVmjN_EvhJ97OuTnuL-TWcIGmQjadtAYYvYa_KmFtL-x/s400/1184096789008653400.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Also check out this video of plants that he is releasing in 2010-11.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/46tIaIuwBpE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=nl_NL&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/46tIaIuwBpE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=nl_NL&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />I am very impressed with these, and knowing his standards in breeding and selection, they are bound to be good varieties. My best guess is that they will likely make it North American in 2011-12.<br /><br />I can recall my last visit to his nursery and seeing a very small batch of near-red <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Geranium cinereum <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">-- </span></span></span>it looks like 'Memories' or 'Signal' are the result of that work -- beautiful!<br /><br />Here's one that he describes as the largest-flower ever. The variety 'Dragon Heart' (also a superb plant) is on the left for comparison.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iCnWLOZNv1sDyfXcIly7yYym-RayZHE-TqZYW_2rXIWWE_PV0UU4UrZIgEH1oxKA1lWHu4lRv0twCaQPKn7Ep00FslKguN5JHRjLMtQCtMZMJl-RHIQL9r7dg6txvZi49x3PeqpPOa2R/s1600-h/1184096418099957100.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430435762620368066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iCnWLOZNv1sDyfXcIly7yYym-RayZHE-TqZYW_2rXIWWE_PV0UU4UrZIgEH1oxKA1lWHu4lRv0twCaQPKn7Ep00FslKguN5JHRjLMtQCtMZMJl-RHIQL9r7dg6txvZi49x3PeqpPOa2R/s400/1184096418099957100.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Spring is just around the corner! A few more weeks my friends.<br /><br />Here's to, at least dreaming of, dirt under your nails.<br /><br />MPD, coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-85313173813218979132010-01-01T10:57:00.019-05:002010-01-31T16:32:08.783-05:00New Plants for 2010, Part 4Are there too many <span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>varieties? I would say, yes. Are they otherwise, great, colourful and so very cool plants? Again, the answer is yes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaGbvzZjeXa6heD0cIpDJD6e_Dy1jiGgFXKSsp8-r3fOKUvNo0O36FgXskxplOc312meyHx0SMWiw412b4wtmOqHN9f_VmxxY8c7RRgM4gjUCM046e-nFc8_4KolViJgP6BPSFdJstxBm/s1600-h/Heuchera_Heucherella_Collage_1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 400px; float: left; height: 267px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423756299913820226" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaGbvzZjeXa6heD0cIpDJD6e_Dy1jiGgFXKSsp8-r3fOKUvNo0O36FgXskxplOc312meyHx0SMWiw412b4wtmOqHN9f_VmxxY8c7RRgM4gjUCM046e-nFc8_4KolViJgP6BPSFdJstxBm/s400/Heuchera_Heucherella_Collage_1b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I don't think there is another perennial that provides such a long season of interest, combination of foliage and flower, and the tapestry of colour. Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon was one of the first to realize this, and capitalize on the potential of this North American genus. Ever since the introduction of his classic 'Plum Pudding', the gardening world has been enamoured by his "babies". Here's a few of the latest...<br /><br />First is <span style="font-style: italic;">Heuchera </span>'Electra', with brilliant, blood-red veins on golden-yellow leaves. This vigorous variety delivers what 'Tiramisu' promised.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu2wMcJ3_WG_8JhXOXSkVnvNXPrI-MPO4aXK1rz35q6RRdUssqvVOJFBilIG1yrM-tQDrSKiSxOjjRpevE-iVYBwdt747BkvjHl4kn-EwfCNPLc1ZR3Wp-Nnlqor4wtYrCWITDIue1QLE/s1600-h/Heuchera_Electra_1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 400px; float: left; height: 267px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421801654635219474" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu2wMcJ3_WG_8JhXOXSkVnvNXPrI-MPO4aXK1rz35q6RRdUssqvVOJFBilIG1yrM-tQDrSKiSxOjjRpevE-iVYBwdt747BkvjHl4kn-EwfCNPLc1ZR3Wp-Nnlqor4wtYrCWITDIue1QLE/s400/Heuchera_Electra_1b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Second, is <span style="font-style: italic;">Heucherella </span>'Golden Zebra' with brilliant yellow leaves boldly splashed with dark red. Picture this in the garden beside a dark-leaved companion or in a fantastic container.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqWGHjsoLZ1AeGK0T9eoeD3v5K094bFXey7sHt_vvqILyHAIQYw2HgP3iHd2KX7wz8aQjE2anr34oKFhPcb95xbUgAeVzY2vLn5r_W1gKWwPBj0LUpiCG3MVp6GR0jzfllRv3z3eSCxeh/s1600-h/Heucherella_Golden_Zebra_1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 359px; float: left; height: 400px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421801666860082450" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqWGHjsoLZ1AeGK0T9eoeD3v5K094bFXey7sHt_vvqILyHAIQYw2HgP3iHd2KX7wz8aQjE2anr34oKFhPcb95xbUgAeVzY2vLn5r_W1gKWwPBj0LUpiCG3MVp6GR0jzfllRv3z3eSCxeh/s400/Heucherella_Golden_Zebra_1b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, is <span style="font-style: italic;">Heucherella </span>'Sweet Tea', the most boldly-coloured variety ever! Huge cinnamon stars are surrounded by the lovliest orange tea-coloured borders. What a cool plant -- again, try in the garden or containers with darker or lighter-coloured companions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNzftLhc1VY6qqrFW9upn19P5JAyVzDkHKg67hwNSUYmvEiW29PCPZCc0nVAcS9GLDqOAJsfC1UBECaxrxO9FdV6gULP8ZjVyFqgqVZxwZlobURNPQ8wXgXk9KVTZ5FKq9bweUnY78mbo/s1600-h/Heucherella_Sweet_Tea_1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 400px; float: left; height: 267px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421801669070324562" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNzftLhc1VY6qqrFW9upn19P5JAyVzDkHKg67hwNSUYmvEiW29PCPZCc0nVAcS9GLDqOAJsfC1UBECaxrxO9FdV6gULP8ZjVyFqgqVZxwZlobURNPQ8wXgXk9KVTZ5FKq9bweUnY78mbo/s400/Heucherella_Sweet_Tea_1b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the meantime, there's lots of snow in Niagara, and I'm loving it.<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails... in another 10 weeks or so. ;)<br /><br />MPD, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-53125939489089185962009-12-29T11:41:00.006-05:002009-12-31T08:56:29.594-05:00New Plants for 2010, Part 3Here's another set of new perennials we're growing for spring 2010...<br /><br />From AB Cultivars in Holland comes this new <span style="font-style: italic;">Astilbe </span>'Delft Lace' with thick, blue-green foliage covered with a silver overlay, and red stems carrying dark pink buds that open to soft pink flowers. From "unknown parentage", it is often presented as a much-improved version of the older variety 'Peach Blossom'. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR49lFqfNHw4bU4rUhYaf4IeH6EbtgyHobXThhOntEDPDtfjkJ-8KDVxBo_SKurKbVsP6-bIbuggKIsYq867LTmkSyK7h5vVIrNPuYtLU8FE-BW0UuG3iCZYGnwefnLP3A7r5eh994X3e/s1600-h/WaltersGardens-HI14566-AstilbeDelft-LacePP19839.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR49lFqfNHw4bU4rUhYaf4IeH6EbtgyHobXThhOntEDPDtfjkJ-8KDVxBo_SKurKbVsP6-bIbuggKIsYq867LTmkSyK7h5vVIrNPuYtLU8FE-BW0UuG3iCZYGnwefnLP3A7r5eh994X3e/s400/WaltersGardens-HI14566-AstilbeDelft-LacePP19839.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420699930996980754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Remember that Astilbes, relatively speaking, require more water, especially early in the season when the flowers are forming and opening. Even after flowering, the foliage can quickly turn brown and crispy without some attention. They are not particularly drought-tolerant. Depending on the genetics, that is for example, whether 'Delft Lace' contains any <span style="font-style: italic;">A. chinensis</span> (a somewhat more drought tolerant species) in its parentage, this concern will be more or less the case.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dicentra </span>'Burning Hearts' is a fascinating continuation of the breeding work of Akira Shiozaki from Japan (crossing various forms of <em>D. peregrina</em> and <em>D. eximea</em>). This newest Bleedingheart has deep, hot-red flowers over top of silvery-blue, fern-like foliage. Other introductions from Mr. Shizoki are the popular 'Candy Hearts' and 'Ivory Hearts'. All of these varieties are vigorous and long-blooming. Graham Rice presents more information <a href="http://transatlanticplantsman.typepad.com/transatlantic_plantsman/2009/12/spectacular-japanese-dicentras.html">here</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV8wUE-GOfARLZZJ7jNpa1kuNj7as_7jEzl_DYt3-0lkjHsxTergSRkFPoTy9Fkzbx7aT8d10GzBG6_5ikzaUfJ5uAJpwLbvbTb_rGWDLs1q66SZTyqhfsyM_9-S9Q8KDk20GHvs5xNl9/s1600-h/WaltersGardens-HI14509-DicentraBurning-HeartsPPAF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV8wUE-GOfARLZZJ7jNpa1kuNj7as_7jEzl_DYt3-0lkjHsxTergSRkFPoTy9Fkzbx7aT8d10GzBG6_5ikzaUfJ5uAJpwLbvbTb_rGWDLs1q66SZTyqhfsyM_9-S9Q8KDk20GHvs5xNl9/s400/WaltersGardens-HI14509-DicentraBurning-HeartsPPAF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420699938963426722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally for this post is the new Shasta Daisy, <span style="font-style: italic;">Leucanthemum </span>'Banana Cream', with lemon-yellow flowers that retain their colour longer than other yellow-flowered varieties, e.g. 'Sonnenschein' (Sunshine). The flowers of 'Banana Cream' open a bright lemon-yellow, turning to a buttery yellow, and then to a creamy-white as they mature. It is a relatively compact variety, growing to 45cm (18") in height, and also makes an excellent cutflower.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ57DgNO7mOvVdRU8ucgRY5pdDPJoJuB1J8ZZzdx5kyIdA0RpVyKQ_kVDSkMFCwojazYR7-py7NO6Oz9ocgk3sBpoeD6q68ceQcdzOKLgV_RAoAMDoMVaJO7Kv_lINvVXdK9hyDrl0riBp/s1600-h/WaltersGardens-HI14203-Leucanthemum-superbumBanana-CreamPPAF-CPBRAF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ57DgNO7mOvVdRU8ucgRY5pdDPJoJuB1J8ZZzdx5kyIdA0RpVyKQ_kVDSkMFCwojazYR7-py7NO6Oz9ocgk3sBpoeD6q68ceQcdzOKLgV_RAoAMDoMVaJO7Kv_lINvVXdK9hyDrl0riBp/s400/WaltersGardens-HI14203-Leucanthemum-superbumBanana-CreamPPAF-CPBRAF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420699940837172322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One more set to come...<br /><br />MPD, the coolplantsguy<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Thanks to Planthaven, Skagit Gardens, Terra Nova Nurseries and Walters Gardens for use of their photography.</span></span>coolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-9591713647846800612009-12-28T09:43:00.006-05:002009-12-29T11:40:47.782-05:00New Plants for 2010, Part 2Here's another set of three new varieties of perennials that we are growing for 2010.<br /><br />First is <span style="font-style: italic;">Geum </span>Totally Tangerineā¢ ('Tim's Tangerine') from the UK. It is completely sterile, and so is particularly long-blooming compared to other varieties. While I've generally not been a big fan of this genus in the past, I've warmed up to it in recent years, and expect this plant to be a real winner in the garden. It is hardy to USDA zone 4 and easy to grow in the front or middle of a bed, forming a low mound of foliage but with flowers on stems nearing 75cm (30") in height.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdzT-9lP0aNSeWJZVwPcQbB2fiiDoYUgyDtkW15fL2YrNC7rF5ds5XvcolbCYDH5fe9j23jFWbyknCr1tWtKBVV-vliJTxt_FxFftgrKNZbJUSC_yO0ZXN6msfXBWFKPnSFGuVVjD4ItF/s1600-h/Geum+Totally+Tangerine+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdzT-9lP0aNSeWJZVwPcQbB2fiiDoYUgyDtkW15fL2YrNC7rF5ds5XvcolbCYDH5fe9j23jFWbyknCr1tWtKBVV-vliJTxt_FxFftgrKNZbJUSC_yO0ZXN6msfXBWFKPnSFGuVVjD4ItF/s400/Geum+Totally+Tangerine+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420298257614452274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrZWVyfnMGz0wrzVK1yEWmAEHdObw_At1zLedRnefbrl6w-prWMVB7gV3E5Ik-1ZUf7-MXQwt5lOrix2xJsM67igbZG61bqI6hOGUJRhBWYs3bo-72Dq8RFPMl4RgyxREZnUmbHcgbJTK/s1600-h/Geum+Totally+Tangerine+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrZWVyfnMGz0wrzVK1yEWmAEHdObw_At1zLedRnefbrl6w-prWMVB7gV3E5Ik-1ZUf7-MXQwt5lOrix2xJsM67igbZG61bqI6hOGUJRhBWYs3bo-72Dq8RFPMl4RgyxREZnUmbHcgbJTK/s400/Geum+Totally+Tangerine+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420298256204429922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Second is <span style="font-style: italic;">Echinacea </span>'Firebird' from Terra Nova's breeding program. This variety has brilliant red-orange, shuttlecock-shaped flower petals surrounding a dark cone for a beautiful contrast. It has a well-branched habit and flowers at just under 1m (38") in height.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdQFI0FfHfFhwKqVfIweeGd5LzwW-d8yVUQe_iVJ3UIiy12pJpio0BN0a_gbdcs5v6AO1IZlmSPhCXiHcyaEV3Wg8VUB95FHtq41wsQVvZPBDBR1Tv6P0Gi_LIXVyHvaBkxn9wNcAPj2t/s1600-h/Echinacea_Firebird_1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdQFI0FfHfFhwKqVfIweeGd5LzwW-d8yVUQe_iVJ3UIiy12pJpio0BN0a_gbdcs5v6AO1IZlmSPhCXiHcyaEV3Wg8VUB95FHtq41wsQVvZPBDBR1Tv6P0Gi_LIXVyHvaBkxn9wNcAPj2t/s400/Echinacea_Firebird_1b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420298269026503298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While there has been much discussion regarding the hardiness and vigour of these new hybrid Coneflowers, my recommendation based on experience is to plant relatively mature plants in the late spring or early summer. Graham Rice covered some of the likely issues in his December 2007 <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/RHSWebsite/files/a4/a4ed7e4f-af37-473a-8e8d-6da5197334c1.pdf">article</a>.<br /><br />Finally for this post, is <span style="font-style: italic;">Hemerocallis </span>'Just Plum Happy' from renowned Daylily breeder Darrel Apps. It is a re-blooming variety producing large (11cm, 4.5" wide) flowers with mauve-pink petals and a darker plum-purple eye with matching picotee edge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkxt25PhlnaHsUuXVNcpbLzLxUtua4p2nv6sJloXDEZ4ogUCyrZzhVxayMYkPohkgUkJmM0hnFps3YZ8AT4on2Fe4LZpVwzUwI04SbY3uRyjf7WI-UNPe3zuv9dCcljCNgAAqtcdXHE2l/s1600-h/WaltersGardens-HI13856-HemerocallisJust-Plum-HappyPP14841.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkxt25PhlnaHsUuXVNcpbLzLxUtua4p2nv6sJloXDEZ4ogUCyrZzhVxayMYkPohkgUkJmM0hnFps3YZ8AT4on2Fe4LZpVwzUwI04SbY3uRyjf7WI-UNPe3zuv9dCcljCNgAAqtcdXHE2l/s400/WaltersGardens-HI13856-HemerocallisJust-Plum-HappyPP14841.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420298270152466706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Thanks to Planthaven, Skagit Gardens, Terra Nova Nurseries and Walters Gardens for use of their photography.</span></span><br /><br />More to come...<br /><br />MPD, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-89649794003712619912009-12-27T09:06:00.012-05:002009-12-28T09:42:42.682-05:00New Plants for 2010, Part 1Helping to decide which new varieties of perennials to grow each year at my nursery, is one of the most favourite parts of my job. Certainly, there are many to choose from, as each propagator typically has an assortment of new varieties to promote and sell. With a little research, and in some cases, an evaluation of our in-house trials, we come to a decision. Here is a peak of some of the new plants that we will be growing for spring 2010.<br /><br />There have been many new varieties of <span style="font-style: italic;">Brunnera macrophylla</span> introduced in recent years, typically variations of silvered and/or variegated foliage. New in the last year or two have been a few gold-leaved forms, one of which is 'Diane's Gold', which is purported to maintain its chartreuse foliage into the summer, whereas other similar forms fade to green after the spring. In any case, it will be beautiful with its purple-blue flowers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT0fuiyhH0fFQT5GO4KTANOut7mBvhXSEMgmpInazAhMT3EfdwuT6JLvuKYLupTQMeozXGe-GQThve9J2vNmCT4irFu9D79HD4dGqJhhjOYb3lijaLBiQBlmjLg85hCg0Q-hDsG-m-VyA/s1600-h/Brunnera_Dianes_Gold_1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT0fuiyhH0fFQT5GO4KTANOut7mBvhXSEMgmpInazAhMT3EfdwuT6JLvuKYLupTQMeozXGe-GQThve9J2vNmCT4irFu9D79HD4dGqJhhjOYb3lijaLBiQBlmjLg85hCg0Q-hDsG-m-VyA/s400/Brunnera_Dianes_Gold_1b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419919746497154242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Following on the heels of the popular Bellflowers, <span style="font-style: italic;">Campanula</span> 'Kent Belle' and 'Sarastro' comes this beautiful form called 'Summertime Blues'. It is vigorous and long-blooming, possibly even longer than the others. I'm also expecting the reddish stems to provide some additional, subtle colour and contrast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LgL98DkaENIxHwwmXtn9nnSo4uliPhc35AFXt4FcppfR3wgXvNzTy3zeoIp6Fu9lyfR0ou_xYIgb5o-e88_96chrOD3ZtEoa8Sw0o0t6SqlVHSw1a8kI3FydUKV7WDIGwql2YqJH0Lyd/s1600-h/Campanula_Summertime_Blues_3b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LgL98DkaENIxHwwmXtn9nnSo4uliPhc35AFXt4FcppfR3wgXvNzTy3zeoIp6Fu9lyfR0ou_xYIgb5o-e88_96chrOD3ZtEoa8Sw0o0t6SqlVHSw1a8kI3FydUKV7WDIGwql2YqJH0Lyd/s400/Campanula_Summertime_Blues_3b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419919777241780930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDODDNzfqm-TjZaUU3imIAhQXMZcRO0x67RI1LtEnTISyJi2P7i-lSwC1AZxgUQnkKioz3eMlwOHPQPhdCELAP7-EkuCrgXdnYcjPSAvzQMMRXQ1J1dQiA4wAOITsBsQow5ih8muHmnXF/s1600-h/Campanula_Summertime_Blues_1b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDODDNzfqm-TjZaUU3imIAhQXMZcRO0x67RI1LtEnTISyJi2P7i-lSwC1AZxgUQnkKioz3eMlwOHPQPhdCELAP7-EkuCrgXdnYcjPSAvzQMMRXQ1J1dQiA4wAOITsBsQow5ih8muHmnXF/s400/Campanula_Summertime_Blues_1b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419919774837815538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The above was derived from crossing <span style="font-style: italic;">C. punctata </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">C. trachelium</span>, and will likely have some moderate spreading tendencies, despite claims to the contrary. The picture below shows a 14cm (5") pot after several weeks of growing from a 72 plug -- I'm fairly certain those are some creeping stolons! ;) In any case, I've still planted it into my garden, and expect that it will be a great plant in the right spot.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/coolplants/3661392316/" title="090625 002 by plantsmanmpd, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3661392316_fea213d8f5.jpg" alt="090625 002" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Finally, for this post, is the new <span style="font-style: italic;">Euphorbia amygdaloides </span>'Ruby Glow', which has beautiful red-bronze foliage on the new growth. I have always admired the old form called 'Purpurea', but propagation by seed has resulted in variable plants, some with poorly-coloured foliage. This new variety is propagated only by cuttings.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6wZ_hqgY_6IWpRxeAGdXhcxyXJmck7osgrzLDWU_15lem34ArwQ3Ijt-CbvqJXiQZXA8IFmj9MT__xNqokxB8XjCCpsMUNlqkWCy3BuYZn0Y7nruoSy1qTjmAyHx-3XWMd5Ndsoy-RTT/s1600-h/EUPHORBIARubyGlow23.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6wZ_hqgY_6IWpRxeAGdXhcxyXJmck7osgrzLDWU_15lem34ArwQ3Ijt-CbvqJXiQZXA8IFmj9MT__xNqokxB8XjCCpsMUNlqkWCy3BuYZn0Y7nruoSy1qTjmAyHx-3XWMd5Ndsoy-RTT/s400/EUPHORBIARubyGlow23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419919771129938018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KkHh6t2Mdc5MkGj4Mg2QICm0sXG_1SRYmJr85B483Pn50C-84qD9STjnl_3CElcYUdFfqAjP04RvSMQXBKtxAdfLpv5vzZp6NNwFhIQow7vUJbhICKoYsy5SxVDrD8qCCvYmhaNXuUy2/s1600-h/EUPHORBIARubyGlow16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KkHh6t2Mdc5MkGj4Mg2QICm0sXG_1SRYmJr85B483Pn50C-84qD9STjnl_3CElcYUdFfqAjP04RvSMQXBKtxAdfLpv5vzZp6NNwFhIQow7vUJbhICKoYsy5SxVDrD8qCCvYmhaNXuUy2/s400/EUPHORBIARubyGlow16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419919754804379826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Thanks to Planthaven, Skagit Gardens, Terra Nova Nurseries and Walters Gardens for use of their photography.</span></span><br /><br />More to come...<br /><br />MPD, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-13370872434983646022009-10-14T17:07:00.011-04:002009-10-15T07:27:24.856-04:00Allium thunbergii 'Ozawa'Plants that actually reach their peak in October, at least in this part of the country, are few and far between, making them a real treasure to gardeners and garden visitors alike. One of my favourites is <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Allium thunbergii</span> 'Ozawa' for its near electric-violet flowers in loose "balls" called umbels.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZCKJGnEmOg7SNz2uMx55jV6VsuWJ7VCdWVw9w35sjwH3gNxuv2dzKzEZwE04r9inOd2jwl5s99raHCfsDQHWfy-p0d99ZfFLkpkT4PGcwkxbopd2UNVktvV9_opQL6Hcn8v5hT69vr1a/s1600-h/IMG_2236.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392567930435809506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZCKJGnEmOg7SNz2uMx55jV6VsuWJ7VCdWVw9w35sjwH3gNxuv2dzKzEZwE04r9inOd2jwl5s99raHCfsDQHWfy-p0d99ZfFLkpkT4PGcwkxbopd2UNVktvV9_opQL6Hcn8v5hT69vr1a/s400/IMG_2236.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It is a dwarf variety introduced to North America by George Schenk, and likely named after the original selector. The species is also known as the Japanese Onion, although as far as I know, it is not used for any culinary purposes. It is native to low mountains in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and extending from Japan into South Korea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvxuusop7bdMAQCtGMa7FLREctt5_-REqb0bHEIIMjnbp7AJ7MSeDAw3qa0FYOVLQLbyqebWVYjoI7_CHHfqAXFqS-wO5IRlNn2pmhM9oB983XeIixAPM9u8XsK4XYooQRcy6XsVYA7O/s1600-h/IMG_2240.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392567943531203522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvxuusop7bdMAQCtGMa7FLREctt5_-REqb0bHEIIMjnbp7AJ7MSeDAw3qa0FYOVLQLbyqebWVYjoI7_CHHfqAXFqS-wO5IRlNn2pmhM9oB983XeIixAPM9u8XsK4XYooQRcy6XsVYA7O/s400/IMG_2240.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately, this plant is relatively rare, although specialty mail-order and/or bulb companies might offer it on occasion.<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />MPD, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-35376774839280069562009-10-13T16:21:00.007-04:002009-10-13T17:04:15.508-04:00Two Cool, or Not-so-Cool Plants?During a recent visit to Lost Horizons nursery and Larry Davidson's garden, just outside of Acton (yes, this place makes it "worth the drive" at least for me) I was taken somewhat aback by a relatively large plant that I could not recall having seen before.<br /><br />After posting a few pics on the GardenWeb perennials forum, I soon discovered it was somewhat of a weed in the southern U.S., <span style="font-style: italic;">Phytolacca americana</span>, the American Pokeweed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArTt0Xt2djRl4ofSp0cMP4N5rqrzEU_TZ8KtANiYCV0m3xS_QPRVODgJISiLXbKX_HwrEd8IxIrnz_SgoYszvSMZm5DEtSwtVd1r0qnba9W7xAHQJSexCNjPyjhE1nyPPvqP5LLPSJgGm/s1600-h/IMG_2066.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArTt0Xt2djRl4ofSp0cMP4N5rqrzEU_TZ8KtANiYCV0m3xS_QPRVODgJISiLXbKX_HwrEd8IxIrnz_SgoYszvSMZm5DEtSwtVd1r0qnba9W7xAHQJSexCNjPyjhE1nyPPvqP5LLPSJgGm/s400/IMG_2066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392191741903365266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vIjMa-2TsqOBPj4md8vm3_7qbga6ijisKIoVj0MP2Zbr6yCnbrHQyON2Pfjjf-9waHV-a7HwZpP8GfJQrMwQOrPP3-isNkqx13gQDZ5KMaV13JDkvUHZO968vfDc1y8E_q7L7CLn5At-/s1600-h/IMG_2067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vIjMa-2TsqOBPj4md8vm3_7qbga6ijisKIoVj0MP2Zbr6yCnbrHQyON2Pfjjf-9waHV-a7HwZpP8GfJQrMwQOrPP3-isNkqx13gQDZ5KMaV13JDkvUHZO968vfDc1y8E_q7L7CLn5At-/s400/IMG_2067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392191753960777602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While parts of the plant are toxic, it continues to be used in both traditional medicinal and modern pharmacological preparations. In addition, the cooked greens are apparently available commercially in the South. Elvis Presley even recorded a song titled "Polk Salad Annie".<br /><br />Another very similar plant in Larry's garden, appears to be <span style="font-style: italic;">P. acinosa</span> (syn. <span style="font-style: italic;">P. esculenta</span>), an<br />Asian relative of the American species.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSjkawh7kH3TNFajllEKwZ8sIa-Ogp7F3z3XOkvqBUWS97t2BGfpB9SNPjvCTytc9qdMOiTOsy7kORZATInavarfaEPNJMq5o_DFXt_j8jEJ_py0cRvdy1TOrFA4pO58OaQDfclRhmh9A/s1600-h/IMG_2072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSjkawh7kH3TNFajllEKwZ8sIa-Ogp7F3z3XOkvqBUWS97t2BGfpB9SNPjvCTytc9qdMOiTOsy7kORZATInavarfaEPNJMq5o_DFXt_j8jEJ_py0cRvdy1TOrFA4pO58OaQDfclRhmh9A/s400/IMG_2072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392191760270245922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CBoYZpkQqWgyC0qPrA1WRJy6itwpCCUxDVmbmFNdOZW_txszE7zCpOtQWmBRqZ71m_PzKt-pySqyaQrZ5kHZJvurHkw15qUHwY-vqAU4kDnLdfFCxAfjRxmnuUMaDYJ3Wnv2E9pTFj_R/s1600-h/IMG_2070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CBoYZpkQqWgyC0qPrA1WRJy6itwpCCUxDVmbmFNdOZW_txszE7zCpOtQWmBRqZ71m_PzKt-pySqyaQrZ5kHZJvurHkw15qUHwY-vqAU4kDnLdfFCxAfjRxmnuUMaDYJ3Wnv2E9pTFj_R/s400/IMG_2070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392191767887941186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In any case, despite the somewhat negative opinion that persists for these plants, I was certainly very impressed by their size and colourful stems and fruits. Hence, "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".<br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails.<br /><br />MPD, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5179550846841457474.post-17640212022962417692009-09-24T17:51:00.016-04:002009-09-24T19:57:53.916-04:00The End of SummerAs Labour Day approaches, and so very quickly passes, we suddenly find ourselves facing the end of summer. I find this time of year to be somewhat depressing, even though I do enjoy the Autumn season immensely. There's just something about the shorter evenings, cooler nights, and the so very slow but glorious decline of the garden that causes me to pause with some sadness and reflect on a summer gone by.<br /><br />In any case, here's another set of shots from the Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens...<br /><br />From the main parking lot, as one begins to enter the gardens, they pass a beautiful grass border in front of some giant conifers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLv5teVveokG71X1wdaJ18pSt42wbBlbXDYWF7juKMMR2pE9a17lXY4cugFrJhy-rZY9rlijPr9MRuT4qeeGsCnKYTXdeAWSsKrU97L0VlSGHN5ZhopwJwtdz-JRBGCBuzeZyLOmdIxIN/s1600-h/IMG_1996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLv5teVveokG71X1wdaJ18pSt42wbBlbXDYWF7juKMMR2pE9a17lXY4cugFrJhy-rZY9rlijPr9MRuT4qeeGsCnKYTXdeAWSsKrU97L0VlSGHN5ZhopwJwtdz-JRBGCBuzeZyLOmdIxIN/s400/IMG_1996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385162336558092786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2bPoCd-C_lQz3R8gxv5uaeyohopTH3vBvKvgyaBs-V_ehRlPrAMBVbnUyEKJxOPFssGvBU1c7MDgbUlnGJwmAFyltfK9UwGoNTOSJRIYcCXiR7zkLejC9y9BKDvZhZQtVZXLwIA8hVo_/s1600-h/IMG_2127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2bPoCd-C_lQz3R8gxv5uaeyohopTH3vBvKvgyaBs-V_ehRlPrAMBVbnUyEKJxOPFssGvBU1c7MDgbUlnGJwmAFyltfK9UwGoNTOSJRIYcCXiR7zkLejC9y9BKDvZhZQtVZXLwIA8hVo_/s400/IMG_2127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385163895940576802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Of course, at this time of year, most of the grasses are at their peak. Here's a couple of their "flowers" or plumes, in some pleasant lighting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLoH3khP4XVrcf1Q8eKvdG12UasjD0kfGHtyMAyteoJ7BHyMTwEI32OyWtfE7nW30menNs8h46lEe1DrAvJXKs6C3MBzcDoWvJ_5T0QGZSkrRZL9O-8vsfbx0ttBxYbJXOPTBr0OSyHMG/s1600-h/IMG_2126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLoH3khP4XVrcf1Q8eKvdG12UasjD0kfGHtyMAyteoJ7BHyMTwEI32OyWtfE7nW30menNs8h46lEe1DrAvJXKs6C3MBzcDoWvJ_5T0QGZSkrRZL9O-8vsfbx0ttBxYbJXOPTBr0OSyHMG/s400/IMG_2126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385163889739087650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTMhiUWzQYI6l6cInrsOKFu5E0RcbLiec4cxPjqLLscYR5mhxcMKwGp8127o7RLfpcXDDXwVpYlJXsrIKgBfI2Bs4SOCk55EmsJn6yMh7ydMsjkLFpaIMKsc-dVuEuPHdeoN52T17qE1f/s1600-h/IMG_2128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTMhiUWzQYI6l6cInrsOKFu5E0RcbLiec4cxPjqLLscYR5mhxcMKwGp8127o7RLfpcXDDXwVpYlJXsrIKgBfI2Bs4SOCk55EmsJn6yMh7ydMsjkLFpaIMKsc-dVuEuPHdeoN52T17qE1f/s400/IMG_2128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385163901361565298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's a <span style="font-style: italic;">Helenium </span>in all her glory, named in fact, for Helen of Troy, but the connection between the two is somewhat ambiguous. Its common name of Sneezeweed, on the other hand, comes from the fact that the plant was originally accused of causing late summer allergies. It is however innocent to this charge, but does bloom at the same time as the actual culprit, Ragweed (<span style="font-style: italic;">Ambrosia </span>sp.). In any case, it's an unfortunate name for such a beautiful, late summer plant.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip64H8Dj4x9a-rAute9yGFi3SXLujFQvwVtuuElyjEzoUPoZ8c4I1fcHJt0Nh3VCEH1OZ0vE7IZH3Hb1h5dQbfq4AJ-N3Nj4s8lKUqCoRhFLzwMmjB0I1cZZh4pgvBK1rfUUqyiDt7KG-D/s1600-h/IMG_2003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip64H8Dj4x9a-rAute9yGFi3SXLujFQvwVtuuElyjEzoUPoZ8c4I1fcHJt0Nh3VCEH1OZ0vE7IZH3Hb1h5dQbfq4AJ-N3Nj4s8lKUqCoRhFLzwMmjB0I1cZZh4pgvBK1rfUUqyiDt7KG-D/s400/IMG_2003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385162347413453970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another late summer "beauty" is <span style="font-style: italic;">Physostegia virginina</span> or Obedient Plant. In good, rich garden soil it has a tendency to run, particularly if the gardener does not have the ability to be ruthless on an annual basis. Its common name comes from the fact that bent stems "obediently" remain in position.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5O0w-uonpqLiWLEb2UQw4mpvNoXsMsdRZB6X65Ge13D_HCum-9MBeoAn6Kdz7Lsuq3E1BDF5aSHkP5Detv_BJKmk6k2-Hfyp0Xzp6ZLZBxzlr0YfWxx7dJuPY2WLXFZBISUAX6iKh8Ug/s1600-h/IMG_2005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5O0w-uonpqLiWLEb2UQw4mpvNoXsMsdRZB6X65Ge13D_HCum-9MBeoAn6Kdz7Lsuq3E1BDF5aSHkP5Detv_BJKmk6k2-Hfyp0Xzp6ZLZBxzlr0YfWxx7dJuPY2WLXFZBISUAX6iKh8Ug/s400/IMG_2005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385162355173284082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One of a couple less common plants is <span style="font-style: italic;">Gentiana clausa</span>, or the Bottle Gentian. It is native to much of Eastern North America, including parts of Quebec. It is typically known for its flowers that appear to remain closed, but in fact, a small opening at the top is just large enough for a bee to squeeze in and look after business.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlatHmIvtXKbCCqoOtK7K_ZYzpRQGbpK9ngHqNxjZZkO-kt3E8sl2Lkj_uHzhirFesMr7wLGuQtbNlUoJ4dQBmVwNIcM5fNiA0S4YFqPuhWV2i1jVYX6g7-8FkanCFOQw8R5l_Eo9L-P5/s1600-h/IMG_2138.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlatHmIvtXKbCCqoOtK7K_ZYzpRQGbpK9ngHqNxjZZkO-kt3E8sl2Lkj_uHzhirFesMr7wLGuQtbNlUoJ4dQBmVwNIcM5fNiA0S4YFqPuhWV2i1jVYX6g7-8FkanCFOQw8R5l_Eo9L-P5/s400/IMG_2138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385163910011066610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another rarity is <span style="font-style: italic;">Kirengeshoma palmata</span> or Yellow Waxbells, one of a few perennials from the Hydrangea family. Its horned fruit is of some ornamental interest, and is described by Allan Armitage as "Stephen King-like".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNhvA0s1oCnImIwMmdt7iczaKxdMtpMIgFgd_ACBMcOPeWchKMNJtLvyekzMjGKxYAmrMC4ncndAkO1z4yZNV5xPb4-OsBEntqa24h5OUg2VOfTG-4JRm_3d-WYBdJHOjC4uU567ZpY3b/s1600-h/IMG_2142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNhvA0s1oCnImIwMmdt7iczaKxdMtpMIgFgd_ACBMcOPeWchKMNJtLvyekzMjGKxYAmrMC4ncndAkO1z4yZNV5xPb4-OsBEntqa24h5OUg2VOfTG-4JRm_3d-WYBdJHOjC4uU567ZpY3b/s400/IMG_2142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385163918793710674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In the Rose Garden, they have some beautiful plantings of annuals and "tender perennials"...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPls9QS0V6x2QbriC0tSeacdlihQLu21sBYNWiNCb8x_o68MsJ6IhkaK8LPt_HM5lfS9qNotlUsWXUrT4Hy6Z5Otg_Gz-nMbAJts1tv5GNO8Wa0wIzqjCW6WQMl9KVXpQxCTWT_2-XOd-/s1600-h/IMG_2024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPls9QS0V6x2QbriC0tSeacdlihQLu21sBYNWiNCb8x_o68MsJ6IhkaK8LPt_HM5lfS9qNotlUsWXUrT4Hy6Z5Otg_Gz-nMbAJts1tv5GNO8Wa0wIzqjCW6WQMl9KVXpQxCTWT_2-XOd-/s400/IMG_2024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385162373154417010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />...including <span style="font-style: italic;">Ricinus communis</span>, the Castor Bean plant, here with a Begonia around the bottom. It is propagated by seed so there is considerable variability in leaf and stem colour. This particular plant has beautiful red stems.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlLNbKIQX2BtUZ1mZ6TmyCN1GUcTIWyhhNl__uYqzk6JppKuTs6J7tisdbPu5DCvX0w4UhsvvSSUyMDZjHzpqdnq9TcKercezM0F13KIGthNdXJtmQr87KoJaU2djq00nF68GSLtoLCjc/s1600-h/IMG_2153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlLNbKIQX2BtUZ1mZ6TmyCN1GUcTIWyhhNl__uYqzk6JppKuTs6J7tisdbPu5DCvX0w4UhsvvSSUyMDZjHzpqdnq9TcKercezM0F13KIGthNdXJtmQr87KoJaU2djq00nF68GSLtoLCjc/s400/IMG_2153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385165463453201106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4byW5MGbcleiELxDBubiGPzjND1642Rci8qQIiyYm0_XPjJy8q4CcoQNYw_uMJ2Qs0BhB1geW9Oeogi_Df_5qSOPkJBiO8_T0S3Vh3mHkS82bJqmETl-P01AGj-1vchRGiO01ljwq8gKc/s1600-h/IMG_2156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4byW5MGbcleiELxDBubiGPzjND1642Rci8qQIiyYm0_XPjJy8q4CcoQNYw_uMJ2Qs0BhB1geW9Oeogi_Df_5qSOPkJBiO8_T0S3Vh3mHkS82bJqmETl-P01AGj-1vchRGiO01ljwq8gKc/s400/IMG_2156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385165482284475074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another beautiful tender perennial is <span style="font-style: italic;">Cynara cardunculus</span> or Cardoon. For silver and textured foliage, it has to be near the top. Apparently this plant goes back to the fourth century BC. In addition, both the flower buds and the stems (stalks) are eaten. In places like California, Australia and Argentinia, it is considered to be a weed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6qYBUukqTl2Ufm5d0F4DUltNO9W8h9f3mBmPDQTsdl2XpyAZa0XSc3xeYRPGmQ_0Lr7KsY8dc_m48d0y1ryX_77wuGAY65lFRnU9kl2GW2QEF6HoVaJT2UUTjtyuFKB1rOnfDp5HpmNQ/s1600-h/IMG_2158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6qYBUukqTl2Ufm5d0F4DUltNO9W8h9f3mBmPDQTsdl2XpyAZa0XSc3xeYRPGmQ_0Lr7KsY8dc_m48d0y1ryX_77wuGAY65lFRnU9kl2GW2QEF6HoVaJT2UUTjtyuFKB1rOnfDp5HpmNQ/s400/IMG_2158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385165472518165458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, a few shots of a couple of magical combinations of <span style="font-style: italic;">Colchicum autumnale</span> (Autumn Crocus) with <span style="font-style: italic;">Ceratostigma plumbaginoides</span> (Plumbago, Blue Leadwort).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlI9njRN5m72nkMuGB77EiUM2zKpQnkJUinhNyG88tPbvIn0OMh2liYwqTU8cm0GInduuCdKBLaSrdWrvcchD63zEcE3Lvzj87tUHsPjz_Uuy-e2V3GSSDQuw_aermAZWte80v77Gta-r/s1600-h/IMG_2159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlI9njRN5m72nkMuGB77EiUM2zKpQnkJUinhNyG88tPbvIn0OMh2liYwqTU8cm0GInduuCdKBLaSrdWrvcchD63zEcE3Lvzj87tUHsPjz_Uuy-e2V3GSSDQuw_aermAZWte80v77Gta-r/s400/IMG_2159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385165485649895954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPuNClMKxNj2sFPXbCi9IYzX9bzV-noxYkwE9JfOm3QAh8PWBqTk0HqNsgKemDir_E2IPfafOUkrWFisB-PSHk52tKEvVXHnwYIFc7sFdRiSaFcrFM6p2mc7rwxU58o-L78YwIVp9dOPp/s1600-h/IMG_2010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPuNClMKxNj2sFPXbCi9IYzX9bzV-noxYkwE9JfOm3QAh8PWBqTk0HqNsgKemDir_E2IPfafOUkrWFisB-PSHk52tKEvVXHnwYIFc7sFdRiSaFcrFM6p2mc7rwxU58o-L78YwIVp9dOPp/s400/IMG_2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385162362692784706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG0SHA3CIzgf-iXO2aneT7vJ0L_vayiiRQJaU9BpuDfA6BuioSj4CRH4JREs1UHrDgyOoPkjZfA11t_nCC0ncbBAV_kRR-dYAuZ9UkuGuGjDFQmtCiDu0xhue6wobTmLQa9FxkguL82Hb/s1600-h/IMG_2160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG0SHA3CIzgf-iXO2aneT7vJ0L_vayiiRQJaU9BpuDfA6BuioSj4CRH4JREs1UHrDgyOoPkjZfA11t_nCC0ncbBAV_kRR-dYAuZ9UkuGuGjDFQmtCiDu0xhue6wobTmLQa9FxkguL82Hb/s400/IMG_2160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385165495594751986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's to dirt under your nails... for a few more weeks. Don't forget to plant more bulbs!<br /><br />Mark, the coolplantsguycoolplantsguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05136359597398171980noreply@blogger.com0