A Day with the Children

Finally I can be proud of my Gillenia trifoliata which in the past proved to be a most difficult ‘child’ to photograph. I have been enthralled with the wonderful surprises that this garden season in particular has afforded me!

Just when I was afraid that my Pinellia tripartita ‘Green Dragon’ was going to be a no show this year….. surprise! I especially love it’s Arisaema-esque spathes with wonderful tongues that it sends forth!

When it comes to the genus Primula, ‘vialii’ never fails to stop visitor’s dead in their tracks. Smashing isn’t she?

  While its cousin, Amsonia hubrechtii has been given the accolade of ‘Perennial of the Year,’ I still rather enjoy its cousin Amsonia ciliata, with its wonderful steel blue flowers atop foliage that easily reaches 1.5m every season.

Triosteum himalayanum is a wonderful plant with foliage that resembles the rotor blade of a plane. Nondescript brownish yellow flowers are followed by brilliant red fruit. Native to areas of the northwestern Yunnan province of China, this beguiling plant remains one of the crowning jewels of my garden.

Polygonatum falcatum ‘Silver Striped Selections’ remains a personal favourite within a genus that is mandatory for the shaded garden. Slow to clump and rather delicate in appearance, it remains a beacon for the true plantaholic!

  Consistent moisture and cooler than average temperatures have resulted in growth that can only be described as ‘burgeoning!’ Even Acanthus mollis, typically lethargic and somewhat scrawny in other years is making a crowning impression this year!

Have I told you lately how much I love Acer campestre ‘Carnival?’

Another personal favourite remains Kirengeshoma koreana, with its pendulous waxy yellow bell shaped flowers that bloom in conjunction with the wonderful blue helmet shaped flowers of my fall flowering Aconitum species. While I grow both this one as well as K. palmatum, this one remains my personal favourite with its silvery infused foliage, and flowers that remain more upright in habit.

Persicaria [Fallopia japonica] variegatum ‘Compactum’ is definitely not living up to it’s name this year, with stems that are close to 1m in height. I adore the heavily splashed foliage combined with the ruby petioles. Just don’t call it ‘knotweed’ if you please!

Kolkwitzia amabalis ‘Maradco’ is one of my favourites, although three years later, it has yet to bloom like that of my wonderful gardening friend Christine. Patience is a virtue!

Few, if any shrubs can rival the beauty of Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’ also known as the doublefile Viburnum. Unlike other members of the genus, it does not suffer the peril of the dreaded beetle that chews through it’s foliage in a matter of days!

I have been worried over the performance of Cercidiphyllum japonica ‘Rotfuchs’ this season. While there has been a near endless supply of moisture, there have also been extended periods of severe heat and humidity. I am not keen to smell its legendary ‘cotton candy’ fragrance this early in the season….. it usually foretells the fact that the foliage is drying out! It has mind you, grown at least a foot over last year! Perhaps it is just a worrisome parent keeping an eye on one of the brood!

I will leave you with a view of the Rare and Unusual’s Border.