Dear Diary: Musings for the Last Day of June
June 30, 2009
A most unique foliage plant with foliagethat resembles a propeller!
Triosteum hemsleyanum
Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’ Sprich tooka while, but is now showing signs of
contentedness – a flower spike or two!
… and now for a more diminutiveview of things!
The tall lupin like foliage of Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’stands erect behind Athyrium ‘Victoriae‘
Tomorrow my Lewisia is being potted upin a gravelly substrate that will ensure it’s survival!
It despised the rich garden soils last year, and I
would like to keep this one around if I can!
( Thank you Grace for the pep-talk!)
Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ has become a huge sellerat the nursery thanks to it’s compact
habit and larger, bluer flowers.
The rain brings out the best of Hakuro Nishiki’spink ribbon catkins!
I have read of Botanical gardens that highlight a specific genus!
I love the foliage of
This is but one of the plants that will be
The Thalictrum are all very happy this year!
Helleborus hybrida ‘Mrs. Betty Ranicar‘ is
I have read of Botanical gardens that highlight a specific genus!How exciting would it be to create a Corydalis garden?
( Easy there Teza!)
( Easy there Teza!)
I love the foliage ofFilipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’
and cannot wait for it to
attain it’s mature height of 2.5m
This is but one of the plants that will bedivided this fall. I know that Joy will be
happy to offer one a new home!
The Thalictrum are all very happy this year!
Helleborus hybrida ‘Mrs. Betty Ranicar‘ ismy first double.
Can you spot the aphids?
Sometimes the camera has a mind of it’s own!
Campanula latifolia ‘Macrantha‘ is a tall
Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’ foliage is
Can you spot the aphids?
Sometimes the camera has a mind of it’s own! 
Campanula latifolia ‘Macrantha‘ is a talland statuesque plant with light mauve to pink
upward facing bell shaped flowers!
Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’ foliage isa wonderful treat after the rain!
Campanula ‘Sarastro‘ is a rambunctious
‘Don’t you forget about me!’
In two months time, large white mop-top flowers of
Campanula ‘Sarastro‘ is a rambunctiousspreader, but I love the combination of
pleated jewels (before opening) and their
true regal glory once they have opened. This
one will bloom prolifically for the next two months,
bringing a rich icy purple to the Shaded Walk.
‘Don’t you forget about me!’
In two months time, large white mop-top flowers ofHydrangea ‘Annabelle’ will greet visitors to the gardens
The only rose in Teza’s Garden
I love the foliage of Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Gold’
The latest but most prolific bloomer of the bunch -
Hosta ‘Nigrescens‘ has maintained
The whorled flowers of
Salvia viticella ‘Purple Rain’
The companion planting of Cassia marilandica
I could spend hours documenting the
Raindrops on Penstemon is
I’m struggling with whether to relocate
The only rose in Teza’s Garden
I love the foliage of Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Woodside Gold’and recently discovered it is a wonderful
contrast for Corydalis elata!
(but already the leaf miners are up to their dirty work!)
The latest but most prolific bloomer of the bunch -Corydalis elata amid the foliage of
Tricyrtis ‘Tojen‘
you need to add me to your gardens.
(Dracocephalum ruyschianum.)
Hosta ‘Nigrescens‘ has maintainedit’s true upright
vase shape growth habit.
The whorled flowers ofSalvia viticella ‘Purple Rain’
The companion planting of Cassia marilandicacombines well with the unique whorls of the Salvia. I can
hardly wait to see how tall the Cassia will reach
hardly wait to see how tall the Cassia will reach
this season!
I could spend hours documenting thewonderful foliage patterns of this
plant alone!
Raindrops on Penstemon isone of this gardener’s
Favourite Things!
( Come on, hum along!)
I’m struggling with whether to relocatethe Cornus alternifolia ‘Golden Shadows’
and replace it with it’s more regal cousin
Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’ which has
green and white variegated foliage with a
decidedly denser, tiered growth habit that
resembles a wedding cake at maturity!
It grows to be 3m tall and wide
Any comments or suggestions?
It has rained on and off all day, no torrential downpours, just a gentle caressing rain that leaves the garden looking cool and refreshed. I’m the odd duck in the pond in the sense that I welcome this cooler, damp weather. Of course tonight, while admiring the statuesque stems of Campanula latifolia ‘Macrantha’, I discovered the stems were almost black with aphids! This is one of the pitfalls of cool, damp weather.
They seem to come out in droves, and are entirely selective with the plants they choose to infest! I haven’t used sprays of any kind – including the home made remedies – as it’s my belief that I’ve encroached upon Mother Nature long enough, and if a few plants provide nourishment for hungry insects – a fair shake of the cards for me. I try and include a few ’sacrificial’ plants each year…… BUT, this year may see the dishsoap and water as even the leaves of my beloved Kirengeshoma seem to have fallen victim! On the other hand, I was shocked not be to inundated with slugs this year…… cool, wet, with lots of large foliage plants to hide and slither amongst….. knock on wood! I think the presence of a family of toads is assisting me with their diligence, for which I am most grateful.
It’s hard to believe that tomorrow will herald in the month of July! As Grace said in response to my last post that included a photo of a hail shower….’Where the hail has the Summer gone?’ I, over the years have discovered that while I love to witness the full-tilt summer burgeoning of the ‘children,’ I am really patiently awaiting Fall. I love the last ‘all-or-nothing’ floral or foliage display that most plants bring forth! The fiery colours on the Disanthus cercidifolius and Fothergilla gardenii ‘Blue Mist’ are enough to make my heart soar. And who can forget the gorgeous helmet shaped blue-purple flower racemes of Aconitum! Alas, I musn’t rush the season, and admit there is still a lot of interesting things happening in the gardens.
Next year…… it’s always next year…. but I seriously have to consider cleaning out the back six feet of the Shaded Walk. Right now it’s a holding spot for leaf compost, pots, a dilapitated folding table that held my perennial divisions and new purchases last year! I waited too long, as I have to be able to walk from the front of the house to be able to lug things forward, and well. once the children started their growth spurts……. it was next to impossible to traverse the narrow space without being able to see where I was going. Sound like a plausible excuse to you? Alas, thus ends my month-end musings from Teza’s Garden
Dear Diary: What the……HAIL?
June 29, 2009
Gillenia trifoliataA wonderful shrub that deserves more attention
in gardens everywhere!
The trampoline covered in hail stones(click to enlarge)
Green is quickly becoming
my favourite summer colour!
The rich pendulous bells of Campanula ‘Sarastro‘
My Dyphellia takes centre stage in
The Shaded Walk
Abby’s Rose
I am elated withCorydalis elata!
The soft bloom of Trifolium rubens
It looks like a giant clover on steroids…
but has a decidedly different shaped leaf!
I am pleased with the placement of the
The wonderful whorled flowers of
The soft bloom of Trifolium rubens
It looks like a giant clover on steroids…
but has a decidedly different shaped leaf!
I am pleased with the placement of thebutter yellow Digitalis lutea
in front of
Aquilegia alpina
The wonderful whorled flowers ofSalvia viticella ‘Purple Rain’
Dracocephalum ruyschianum
The ever-elegant whorled
My other Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’
Dracocephalum ruyschianum
The ever-elegant whorledfoliage of
Veronicastrum virginicum
‘Lavender Towers’
My other Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’is still fluorishing!
An intimate glimpse inside
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger‘
How I love the ‘milk splashed’ foliage of Persicaria (fallopia japonica)
Brilliant chartreuse new foliage
Woe is the sad day when the first of the
Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki‘
An intimate glimpse insidePrincess Reginae
(lately she has been complaining of her fishbowl existence!)
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger‘ 
How I love the ‘milk splashed’ foliage of Persicaria (fallopia japonica)
Brilliant chartreuse new foliageof
Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa Yatsubusa‘
Woe is the sad day when the first of theCorydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’
goes into Summer dormancy!
Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki‘with its wonderful
pink feather-like catkins
Weather has been the focus of June, and while it is not over yet, Mother Nature decided to spring her sense of humour on us again. Severe thunderstorms were forcast for today, and after rain showers earlier in the day, the real thunderstorm came barrelling through after dinner, complete with an onslaught of hail.
The garden emerged unscathed, but not before I ran out, dodging the sting of hailstones to make sure that Princess Reginae was protected from their damaging sting….. if only I could say the same for me! Alas, as any loving parent would do, I made sure that she was safe! Of course the Nephews had a good laugh seeing me running outside in my bare feet!
Dear Diary: Another HUMID Day!
June 26, 2009
The rewards of Patience can sometimes take your breath away!
One should never be too impatientwhere these hooded cobra’s are concerned!
The first flower buds of Kirengeshoma palmata
The first flower of Helleborus ‘Mrs. Betty Ranicar’
Aruncus dioicus ‘Kneiffii’
My Lady, oh my Lady!
Lewisia cotyledon
An abundance of moisture has ensured
a wonderful presentation from
Rodgersia ‘Chocolate Wings’
Peek-a-boo with a Cobra!
(Don’t try this at home!)
The chocolate foliage of
Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’
The first flower buds of Kirengeshoma palmata
The first flower of Helleborus ‘Mrs. Betty Ranicar’-a true double white picotee.
Aruncus dioicus ‘Kneiffii’getting ready to bloom!
It’s lacy, deeply cut foliage adds wonderful
texture to the Shaded Walk!
My Lady, oh my Lady!Good Morning sweet Princess!
Lewisia cotyledon
It’s another hot one today, so decided the best time to be out in the garden was early – eight thirty-ish saw the sun gently carressing the plants.
Dear Diary: At Long Last!
June 24, 2009
This morning brought squeals of joy…
as what seemed like an endless exercise in Patience
was finally rewarded!(Let’s move in a little closer shall we?)
Cypripedium reginae
has unfurled her magical slipper
and is now waiting for her
Prince Charming!
This is a day for rejoicing here at Teza’s Garden, as I have been granted a year in which my beloved Cypripedium reginae has sent forth a showy white and pink pouched bloom. The genus, commonly known as ‘Lady Slipper Orchids’ is made up of a wonderful collection of regal plants that add a special quality to the woodland garden.
Their incredible beauty has ensured that they have become one of the most coveted and requested ‘Holy Grail’ plants at the garden nursery, and are available, if you know where to look – think specialty or woodland nurseries. One of the main reasons for their continued scarcity is because they do not fare well in cultivation! (Shhhh, don’t let my Princess here you say that!) Those falling into the category of being ‘acid lovers’ require a consistent pH of approximately 5.1, and need an abundance of acidic pine needle compost ( for a required acidic reaction to take place) In the absence of pine needle materials, most experts suggest a mix of two parts sterilized loam, 2 parts ground oak or beech leaf mould, 1 part peat moss.
The ‘easiest’ of this spectacular genus, often recommended for beginner gardeners is Cypripedium calceolus ( yellow lady slipper); C. acaule (Pink lady slipper) does reasonably well, but does not increase in size that quickly, and of course, leave it to Teza to choose the most difficult one….. but by far the prettiest and showiest of all, Cypripedium reginae- notorious for being biennial at best – flowering one year, and not the next, only to revive itself or totally disappear!
Light shade to woodland shade; flowers are 1-3 on twisted, leafy stalk 30-90cm, and are usually found in the top 1-3 leaf axils; lip petal is inflated, pouch like to 6cm long, mostly white but rose to crimson pink in front, sepals and petals on top and both sides, white tinged soft pink, or pure white, side petals waxy white, lance shaped, spreading; May – August; plant is clump forming, from a slender rhizome; leaves alternate on slightly tomentose stems 10cm in length, elliptical, pointed, medium to dark green; parallel veins and ribbed; fruit is an erect capsule; seed microscopic in huge numbers.
This is the largest and most eye-catching native orchid, common in the States and around the Great Lakes, infrequent in the southern Appalachians. It’s outstanding beauty led to it’s near extinction by collector’s and curiosity mongers alike, and in some areas it remains a protected species. Always check sources and never buy bare root specimens, as they are likely to have been harvested from their natural habitat in surrounding woodlands. This northern orchid does well in northern gardens so long as it is grown in a consistently moist, deep muck that resembles it’s natural habitat, where it inhabits swamps, bogs and moist to wet forested areas. It does not fare well in the south unless given an area in considerable shade with a consistently wet footing. Unfortunately the shade that keeps it cooler in the south also minimizes flowering, and it may be difficult to grow to it’s spectacular maturity that is seen in the wild.
Dear Diary: Just Call Me Heathcliffe
June 23, 2009
Digitalis ‘Goldcrest‘
The dramatic spathe of Arisaema ciliatumwaiting to unfurl itself
into regal splendour!
The Asian species are so very slow
in breaking dormancy!
Imagine a 3.5m climber with wonderful
blue hooded flowers!
Another of my ‘Three Year Quests’in order to have yet another
‘Holy Grail’ shade plant!
Alas, the climbing stems of Aconitum hemsleyanum!
Astilbe and Viburnum flower buds 
Penstemon ‘Elfin Pink’
Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace.’ 
My $3.49 Canadian Tire Special: Lonicera nitidia ‘Baggesen’s Gold’
The Mystery Plant!
This is the actual Gillenia trifoliata….
a much smaller, airier, shrubbier plant with wonderful
white butterfly like flowers on delicate
red petioles!
Alas, while an elegant and handsome plant,I would like to be able to refer to it
by it’s real name!
Any ideas?
A most unique star shaped flower of Polemonium caeruleum ‘White Ghost’
‘Teza: Protect us fromthe hot sunny weather
that will portend oursad descent into
Summer Dormancy!
We don’t want to see you Sad!
Salvia verticella ‘Purple Rain’
Lychnis ‘New World Wonders’ hybrid
Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’
Corydalis needs shade and cool, damp conditions
Dracocephalum ruyschianum
Penstemon heterophyllum ‘Shock Wave’
Aconitum lycoctanum
Bracts of Euphorbia polychroma
The yet to unfurl slipper of Cypripedium reginae
P is for Patience Teza!
Summer Dormancy! (and we’ll only return if it is cool and moist in the Fall!
Maybe not even then!)
We don’t want to see you Sad!
Salvia verticella ‘Purple Rain’
Lychnis ‘New World Wonders’ hybrid
Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’
Corydalis needs shade and cool, damp conditionsto ensure it doesn’t fall into dormancy too early!
Dracocephalum ruyschianum
, 
Penstemon heterophyllum ‘Shock Wave’
Aconitum lycoctanum
Bracts of Euphorbia polychroma
The yet to unfurl slipper of Cypripedium reginae
P is for Patience Teza!
Oh my Goodness….. I feel as though I am melting. Almost overnight, the weather has gone from damp, cool, moorish weather, to sunny, hot and humid, and this gardener is not a happy camper. I garden in the shade to get away from the burning sun and humidity, and now I am wallowing in it!
Of course, many of the plants in the sun filled border will be happy to feel the warmth of thus sun, and there are many wonderful plants that I will appreciate when they burst forth. Already three of the Penstemon species have burst forth, and if they follow the lead of P. ‘Elfin Pink’, I will have repeat tubular blooms all summer! My Dracocephalum ruyschianum is another heat and humidity lover, and for the sake of it’s wonderful dragon-head shaped flowers, I will be contented for a week or so of this intolerable weather!
Truth of the matter is that with every passing day of heat and humidity, it is one day closer to the dreaded ‘D’ word for my most beloved genus, Corydalis! Already I have noticed that my very first blue flowering species is starting to languish, and it is supposed to be the one that resists early dormancy! I simply cannot live without my blue flowering beauties!
I was thrilled to see that my slow to break dormancy Arisaema ciliatum is bulking up by the day and that a wonderful magenta spathe with startling bright white vertical stripes is on the way! Another rare gem is my climbing Aconitum hemsleyanum that will eventually develop tendrils after it’s stems have reached the 1m level. I will have to find a new obelisk to showcase it’s beauty!
I am seeking the assistance of Grace to see if yet another mystery plant (I am always learning something new about the children!) is a Eupatorium or not. It’s leaves are similar, but most have seven lobes. It was labelled as Gillenia, but only one of the three 4″ pots turned out to be the real deal! Any ideas? It’s close to 3′, and is a rather handsome and elegant plant irregardless of it’s identity!
Dear Diary: Blue Thoughts and Puddles!
June 21, 2009
Athyrium ‘Victoriae‘ is a stunning shade plant
Cotinus coggygria Grace!
Seeing this beauty washes away the stress of the day!
I think I am one of the few not to complain about the rain!
Amsonia ciliata
In the gloaming……
The tropical foliage of Disporum cantoniense ‘Night Heron’
Astilboides tabularis is large enoughto be a living bird bath!
Now there’sa novel idea Teza!
I wonder if the fairies havefound my garden yet?
Imagine being small enough to find shelterbeneath many of the leaves of the
Shaded Walk!
Podophyllum hexandrum has wonderful pink flowersI wonder if Grace would consider this species
for her garden?
One of only two Geranium in the gardens, and Teza’s personal favourite!
Water pooling in the leaves of Diphylleia cymosa…
was a pleasant surprise to find after the rain!
The setting sun makes a fabulous backdrop for photography!
Digitalis ‘Goldcrest‘ is a pleasantsurprise bloom in the
Shaded Walk!
I love the two tone flowers of this unidentified Salvia!
Hello my Children! 
Artemisia lactiflora ‘Guizhou group’I have a twin in the Shaded Walk!
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger‘
Paeonia lactiflora was my Grandmother’s favourite,
and while I am not a fan, her spirit resides in the garden with it’s inclusion!
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Mariesii‘‘Teza brought me home tonight after weeks
of passing by, stopping, pulling me out into the aisle,
and then reluctantly returning me back to my home.
As the only one in the nursery, it was a very lonely existence!
Now I have a new home and wonderful friends!
Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’
Sanguisorba ‘Pink Elephant’
Verbascum ‘Plum Royale‘
Almost like blue feathers! 
Iris siberica ‘Regency Buck’
holds me spellbound every year! 
….. after all, its the only Iris Teza owns!
Athyrium ‘Ursula’s Red’ has a lovely dark centre!
Digitalis lutea with Aquilegia alpina in the background
Aquilegia alpina
Corydalis flexuosa ‘Purple Leaf’
Am I blue enough for you Teza?
While not as blue as I remember, I am still thrilled to see Penstemon heterophyllum ‘Shockwave’ in bloom!
Teza’s smallest treasures!
Teza, your tender loving care is paying off!Just a few more days and I will reveal my most
coveted treasure!
Slippers were always a knitted treasure frommy Grandmother!
Dear Diary:
Father’s Day and I am pleased to see that many local families are thinking green when choosing a gift for Dad….. I sold a wonderful Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood,’ and Cercidiphyllum japonica ‘Pendula’ to two wonderful families who are regulars at LittleTree! It is such a thrill to see people planting something that will elicit memories for years to come.
Gardening is a wonderful way of expressing memories – whether they involve people or emotions. I vividly remember the excitment that filled my senses when I was given free rein when it came to creating gardens on my Sister’s property. I was so excited, and embarked on a mission to create a wonderful shade garden. I wasn’t the obsessed gardener that I am today, and for the most part, it was more of an experiment to see what plants would tolerate the somewhat dense shade created by neighboring houses. As I developed my passion for rare and choice perennials, detailed attention was paid to ensuring that my ‘children’ would display my growing interest in foliage and texture, while adding my favourite colour blue as the central theme.
Today, many plants are reminders of people and emotions. I firmly believe that gardens are a wonderful way of creating a visual autobiography! Stand in your garden, look around, and let ther memories and emotions wash over you. It is a most therapeutic activity!
Dear Diary: Frolicking Fridays
June 19, 2009
The pleasures of cool weather and rain!
Another blue baby waiting to unfurl.
Dracocephalum ruyschianum
This gem was amongst a tray of Arisaema triphyllum,
but notice the bizarre leaf pattern, more whorled than trifoliate!
My Goodness, it’s a jungle out there!
Linum perenne
Corydalis elata is making ready to strut his stuff!
New growth on Acer palmata ‘Mikawa Yatsubusa’
The Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ are starting to fill in!
‘But remember Teza, you love me the mostest!
I came across this lovely Eucalyptus and thoughtof Grace!
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’
Euphorbia hybride ‘Excalibur’
My new Scutellaria!
Digitalis lutea will soon send forth wonderful yellow blossoms!
Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ has been blushing for weeks!
Please open soon!
Finally! The beautiful flowers of Aconitum lycoctanum
The flowers are so unlike the genus and
A wonderful bi-coloured Salvia.
Shrub clematis, C. jouiana ‘Mrs. Robert Brydon‘
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ shares his heart with all!
Syneilesis aconitifolia flowers are imminent!
Peek-a-boo photo through the Diphylleia cymosa!
It’s beginning to feel and look like an Asian woodland!
One of the new children – Digitalis ‘Goldcrest‘
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’
Euphorbia hybride ‘Excalibur’
My new Scutellaria!
Digitalis lutea will soon send forth wonderful yellow blossoms!
Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ has been blushing for weeks!
Please open soon!
There is a flower bud waiting for it’s moment of glory!
(Cypripedium reginae)
Finally! The beautiful flowers of Aconitum lycoctanum
The flowers are so unlike the genus andshimmer in the morning sunlight!
A wonderful bi-coloured Salvia.
Shrub clematis, C. jouiana ‘Mrs. Robert Brydon‘Luckily this year I remembered the obelisk!
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ shares his heart with all!
Syneilesis aconitifolia flowers are imminent!
Peek-a-boo photo through the Diphylleia cymosa!
It’s beginning to feel and look like an Asian woodland!
One of the new children – Digitalis ‘Goldcrest‘
This is the first of a new weekly post that will review the garden’s progress . I mentioned new additions, and am thrilled to include ‘true’ photos of them settling into their new surroundings! I know it’s going to be a summer long love affair with Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger‘ as I have silently coveted this amazing shrub since it first appeared in commerce, but was always afraid I wouldn’t have the space for it. Enter one ginormous heating/cooling unit at the side of the house, that while it serves it’s purpose, is for this gardener, a ginormous eyesore!
I was thrilled when I found Sorbaria sorbarifolia ‘Sem‘ knowing that eventually it would rise to 2.5m, and with it’s gorgeous finely cut foliage and hues of chartreuse, gold and pink, I am confident that the big grey unit will soon be camouflaged for the season! The addition of Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger‘ will help to ensure this happens!
It has been cool this week and rain yesterday has all of the children burgeoning with excitement. Unfortunately, it hasn’t helped sales at the nursery, but they are forecasting gorgeous weather for Sunday. In the meantime its weeding, weeding, and more weeding! Here in Teza’s Garden, with everyone experiencing an early growth spurt, there’s hardly room for any weeds to appear!
Happy Frolicking Friday from Teza’s Garden
Dear Diary: I Just Couldn’t Stop Myself!
June 19, 2009
Euphorbia hybride ‘Excalibur’
Digitalis ‘Goldcrest’
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger‘
Scutellaria javanica ‘Veranda’
I have silently witnessed with simmering envy as Joy posted pictures of her gorgeous Rhus, better known in hort trade as Rhus ‘Tiger Eyes.’ I know that her Staghorn sumac is her pride and joy, but methinks ‘Tiger Eyes’ isn’t far behind! Up until my purchase of Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa Yatsubusa,’ I was hard to convince that Acer palmatum species would survive in our sometimes cruel Zone 5 winters, and as a nursery associate, would often suggest this gorgeous, deeply incised foliage plant in their place – not to mention with a $30 price tag ( run to Zehrs as fast as you can!) – losing it would be a lot less painful (financially at least!) than the often over one hundred dollar sticker price for most Acer palmatum selections! Tonight after work, I did the unthinkable, and headed to Zehrs. Even with the staff discount, it was still cheaper there, and from what I had been told, there was a wonderful new shipment to choose from. Naturally the associate looked at my work shirt and laughed. Oops! Alas, with three very strong stems, he was added to the new sunny border at the side of the house. I will post an actual photo tomorrow when I can see to take a photo!
I lost my three Euphorbia ‘Helena’ and in a moment of weakness, succumbed to the statuesque Euphorbia hybride ‘Excalibur’ a wonderful towering specimen that reaches heights of 2m, if it doesn’t ‘weep’ first! It emerges with wonderful deep red foliage that matures to a dark tropical green with a wonderful stripe down the centre of each leaf. The same canary yellow bract like flowers top each of the wavering stems, guaranteeing a conversation piece for garden visitors!
Digitalis ‘Goldcrest’ is a rarity amongst a genus infamous for its biennial grow pattern. This one is truly perennial, similar to D. lutea. It is a shorter species with gorgeous smooth leaves, and is reminiscent of D. ferruginea commonly referred to as ‘Rusty focglove.’ I am hoping that this diminutive member will remain in the garden longer than its shorter-lived cousins!
All points bulletin: Teza has added his first annuals! I was referred to as a Perennial snob this week, and well, frankly I am damned proud of the label! I have always used perennials in my borders, and to be honest, there aren’t that many interesting shade annuals….. at least in my humble opinion. I have been looking for a perennial Scutellaria baicalensis ‘Oriental Blue’ for the past three years, and after planting four last fall, was disappointed to see that nothing has come of them. Of course this may be sue to the fact that I am almost 100% certain that I dug into them when planting a flurry of last minute adoptions. You know how it is! Alas, I decided to bite the bullet and have added four Scutellaria javanica ‘Veranda,’ as well as two gorgeous specimens of Eucalyptus. One would almost think I am softening in my old age, but alas, short of finding the fragrant white Nicotiana sylvestris, I am almost certain that this will be the end of the annual additions! I was happy to see that they are shade tolerant, and their wonderful skull-shaped blossoms, bi coloured mauve and purple ( it definitely isn’t the Oriental Blue I have lusted after) will bring a pleasant change to the borders!
Dear Diary: Will the REAL Blue Please Stand Up?
June 17, 2009
Mertensia blooms
Another of Bleddyn Wynn-Jones’ discoveries, a Hydrangea named after his wife!
Linum perenne(it just made the list – note the mauve tints)
The blue fruit of Diphylleia cymosaall the more brilliant on those ruby petioles!
Flowers of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
Corydalis woroshillovii
Corydalis curviflora var. Rosthornii ‘Blue Heron’
While not a brilliant sky blue, the flowers of Baptisia ‘Midnite Prairieblues‘ meet my criteria
Not yet Teza….. but you are going to order some next Spring!
One of Bleddyn Wynn-Jones’ discoveries!
The Plant that incited a Garden Obsession
Flowers of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
Corydalis woroshillovii
Corydalis curviflora var. Rosthornii ‘Blue Heron’
While not a brilliant sky blue, the flowers of Baptisia ‘Midnite Prairieblues‘ meet my criteria
Not yet Teza….. but you are going to order some next Spring!
One of Bleddyn Wynn-Jones’ discoveries!Adenophora jasionifolia
The Plant that incited a Garden ObsessionI love the colour blue! As a gardener, its hard to find flowers that are truly blue! Of course this revelation only incited my desire to grow as many as possible! Of course, we must not forget that I am a shade vampire, which further limits the number of potential garden candidates.
I located my very first blue flowering Corydalis (the one that is the header of the blog) after two years of futile searching. Why is it that nurseries and garden centres are so quick to drop plants from their selection based on their own personal failures? ‘Oh, you can’t grow that one here! It’ll be dormant before you can blink your eyes!’ Better yet, the inescapable personal belief that many garden centre owners are in fact colour blind! How else to explain the irritating habit of calling mauve and purple shades blue! I admit, I have a rather stringent criteria – you would think I grew Meconopsis betonicifolia , ‘Sheldonii‘, or M. grandis – the only true blue flowered species within a very limited genus! It’s similar to the supposed similarity between orange, red and yellow! We need only look at the colour wheel to understand that the lines really aren’t that easily blurred!
Please tell me I am not the only one who is choosy when it comes to blue! What is your favourite blue flowering plant?
Dear Diary: I Can’t Stop Thinking of You!
June 16, 2009
A single ’switch’ specimen of Cornus rugosa
Starry starry night…..
An exciting exercise in Contrasts
It’s so easy to lose one-self in the Shaded WalkLuckily I have stepping stones to find my way home again!
For Laurie and Joshua!
Linum perenne
A common flax with an uncommon weeping habit,
For Laurie and Joshua!Thanks for the great suggestion!
Linum perenne
A common flax with an uncommon weeping habit,not to mention gorgeous blue flowers!
New purple cast foliage of Clematis recta ‘Purpurescens‘
A stray seedling of S. ‘Hakuro Nishiki‘ is forming a shrub of it’s own!
Days away from the blue beauty of Penstemon
Can you see me twitching with anticipation?
The steel-blue gray foliage of Euphorbia myrsenities…
is a wonderful compliment planting with Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’
Edging needs to be improved upon!
New purple cast foliage of Clematis recta ‘Purpurescens‘
A stray seedling of S. ‘Hakuro Nishiki‘ is forming a shrub of it’s own!
Days away from the blue beauty of Penstemon
Can you see me twitching with anticipation?
The steel-blue gray foliage of Euphorbia myrsenities…
is a wonderful compliment planting with Origanum ‘Kent Beauty’
Edging needs to be improved upon!Looking into the Shaded Walk!
Cassia marilandica wastes no time in achieving heights of five to seven feet!
A stray seedling of Agastache ‘Black Adder’
The bloom time of Nectaroscordum siculum var. ‘Bulgaricum‘ lasts for weeks on end!
Sometimes the composition is right in front of you!
The gorgeous foliage of Saxifraga ‘Silver Velvet’
The velvet, pleated foliage of Cypripedium reginae
One of the remaining three Euphorbia in the garden
Cassia marilandica wastes no time in achieving heights of five to seven feet!
A stray seedling of Agastache ‘Black Adder’
The bloom time of Nectaroscordum siculum var. ‘Bulgaricum‘ lasts for weeks on end!
Sometimes the composition is right in front of you!
The gorgeous foliage of Saxifraga ‘Silver Velvet’
The velvet, pleated foliage of Cypripedium reginae
One of the remaining three Euphorbia in the gardenI am so saddened with their sudden loss!
Oh dear! An exercise (failure!) in uniformity! Truthfully,
Heuchera villosa ‘Mocha,’ Aquilegia alpina and Podophyllum hexandrum
Persicaria virginianum ‘Painter’s Palate.’
Kolkwitzia amabilis ‘Dream Catcher’
Ready to burst blue stars of Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’
The new sun loving bed is filling in nicely, but there
The stunningly variegated foliage of Tricyrtis ‘Lightning Strike.
Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’
Persicaria [Fallopia japonica] variegatum ‘Compactum‘
(Truly, what’s not to love about me?)
After months of worry, Cornus alternifolia ‘Golden Shadows’ is perking up!
One of my favourite Hosta – ‘Ice Prancer’
It’s a textural thing that shade gardeners soon learn!
Morning light creates absolute magic!
The Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ standard, glows in the distance!
Mainthenum racemosa
A very skinny spathe of Arisaema triphyllum
Geranium phaeum ‘Springtime’
Polemonium caeruleum ‘Stairway to Heaven’
An intimate study of Kirengeshoma koreana
A recently re-discovered Aralia cordata!
(some of the children take so long to make an appearance!)
Speaking of which…… at long last the whorled foliage
A cameo appearance for Grace!
The gentle fingers of morning light among Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewlitt’s Double’
Oh dear! An exercise (failure!) in uniformity! Truthfully,this was the lacklustre result of pruning out
three years worth of dead growth!
Heuchera villosa ‘Mocha,’ Aquilegia alpina and Podophyllum hexandrum
Persicaria virginianum ‘Painter’s Palate.’
Kolkwitzia amabilis ‘Dream Catcher’
Ready to burst blue stars of Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’
The new sun loving bed is filling in nicely, but thereis still plenty of room for new additions like blue flowered Penstemon galore!
The stunningly variegated foliage of Tricyrtis ‘Lightning Strike.
Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’
Persicaria [Fallopia japonica] variegatum ‘Compactum‘(Truly, what’s not to love about me?)
After months of worry, Cornus alternifolia ‘Golden Shadows’ is perking up! 
One of my favourite Hosta – ‘Ice Prancer’
It’s a textural thing that shade gardeners soon learn!
Morning light creates absolute magic!
The Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ standard, glows in the distance!
Mainthenum racemosa
A very skinny spathe of Arisaema triphyllum
Geranium phaeum ‘Springtime’
Polemonium caeruleum ‘Stairway to Heaven’
An intimate study of Kirengeshoma koreana
A recently re-discovered Aralia cordata!(some of the children take so long to make an appearance!)
Speaking of which…… at long last the whorled foliagethat signifies the return of
A cameo appearance for Grace!
I was rather tired last night, a day in relatively full-on sun, irrigating the nursery from fron to back and side to side, only to come home and notice that there are mushrooms/toadstools making an appearance along the Shaded Walk. Inside for a bite, and a quick glimpse of Blotanical, and then back out to check for aphids, slugs, earwigs, Japanese lily beetles…. did I say slugs? Quite a few fellow bloggers have been ravaged by these pests due to the cooler, wet weather we have been blessed with! And there he was, the resident toad, getting his evening fill of insects! The real damage for me so far has been the total erradication of the leaves of my beloved Veratrum nigrum, bringing to a screeching halt any hopes to see it flower again this year. (Some are known to take a full seven years to blossom!)
This morning I was up with the birds…. well it was more a case of waking to one specific bird song that was, beautiful, but, at four thirty in the morning! I tried to get some more sleep, but when the sunshine tickled across my eyes, and I saw a gorgeous blue sky…… well, it was time to get up and head out into the garden again! There is nothing better than morning light for showing off the children! I especially enjoy how it seems to glide across the more dramatic foliage, to say nothing of how it picks up the pewter cast on the newly emerging foliage of Kirengeshoma. It’s easy to see why Salix ‘Hakuro Nishiki’ looks its best at this time of day! I am anxious to have my Penstemon children bloom – as they possess some of the truest blue flowers, tinged with pink! It took me four years to get them to return, but for me the secret was in not mulching them – crown rot is anathema to them!
There is so much that I could write about when it comes to the gardeb, but I am re-reading Anne Michaels’, The Winter Vault,’ and find myself rejoicing in how she speaks of gardeners and gardens in specific:
‘…she left a small garden that I kept tending – for her – as if one day she might come back and we could sit there together and I would show her how well her lilies had grown; show her all the new plants I’d added. In the beginning, I was afraid to change anything and it was momentous when I dug the first hole. Then planting became a vocation! Suddenly I felt I could keep on loving her, that I could keep telling her things this way…’
She is describing how she maintains a garden in memory of her Mother, and how now, years later, this same garden is in jars and bags, and pots on her dining-room table and floor. I too would be amiss to think that were I to move, I would be able to leave my garden behind. Originally I was going to name it Abby’s Garden, in momory of my Grandmother, but when it took on it’s decidedly Asian appeal, I chose instead the name of the main character in what is now my favourite novel, ‘The Lizard Cage,’ by Karen Connelly. I find that it is easiest to ‘connect’ with the spirit of my Grandmother when I am in the garden, but I am sure this is a direct result of the introduction to gardening that lovinly transpired under her tutiledge!