ANOTHER HARDY GERANIUM

Another unidentified hardy Geranium in the garden. This one is not a heavy bloomer but what it lacks in flowers it makes up in attractive foliage. If any one recognizes this hybrid please let me know.

JAPANESE FOREST GRASS

Scattered on my deck is a mixed collection of several different types of plants, all in pots of burgundy in assorted shapes and sizes. Each holds individual plants selected for the foliage or flower, form or texture. I have one filled with Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'all gold'). It is truly an amazing little grass staying in a nice compact clump ( very very slowly spreading), has striking golden green foliage, and moves gracefully with the softess breeze. It performs great in ground or pots and has few pests. Autunm bring shades of bronze, copper, and gold to its leaves. I recently purchased the better known hybrid 'Aureola' which has green and yellow longitudinal strips. Next year when its been in the ground for a while I'll post about it. Either of these grasses are real keepers and you just can't beat them for a partial shade garden.

LAMBS EAR

Soft and supple, fuzzy and furry, velvety and flocked, many words come to mind when one sees and feels Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina). This little herbaceous perennials is often an easy care favourite in many gardens. The hybrid I have is a dwarf variety that tops out at 1o" when in bloom and is always a real joy in the mixed borders.

NECAROSCORDUM

As promised here is another Allium relative 'Necaroscordum siculum'. With no common name it's really is a mouthful to say and sounds more like a part of the male anatomy than a flower. As with all Alliums it's a Lily Family member. This bulb is one to be planted in with other perennials and shrubs, because it only produce three or four spindly leaves which are not attractive. The flowers are about a 36'' high and are welcomed by bubble bees. This photo was taken at the end of April and as you can see these plants can have a very elegant look to them. Necaroscordum blooms for roughly 5 weeks and then seeds. An added bonus is seed stalks are unique and can be used in dried arrangements.

PHYGELIUS

The Phygelius are starting to bloom and the hummingbirds are going crazy over it. I'm a little dogged tonight, so I'll post about it and the different hybrids
I have of it in the future.
All the best, Bob

NEPETA

Nepeta is a real work horse in my garden, blooming months during the Summer and Fall with practically no care. I have it nestled amongst many of my perennials and shrubs filling in with its soft fragrant gray green foliage and beautiful lavender blue flowers. The Nepeta I grow is Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) which is sterile and is not to be confused with Catnip (Nepeta cataria) which send cats into a crazed frenzy and can reseed. Catmint is easy to maintain in full sun and if it gets a little leggy can be sheered to the ground. This also keeps it compact and encourages re blooming. As with many members of the mint family (Lamiaceae) it has square stems and opposite leaf formation.

COMBINATIONS -- FOLIAGE COLOUR AND FORM

Throughout this Summer I'll share combinations that I like in my garden. Combinations can really make or break a landscape. It's important to me because I see many gardens with great plants but unfortunately they are placed next to something that distracts from their beauty rather than enhancing it. I hope the "combinations" posts well inspire :)

VIBURNUM PLICATUM

Certainly one of the most beautiful shrubs in gardens today is this Viburnum. Blooming for roughly 2 months this Viburnum adds colour as well as structure to any garden. Japanese Snowball (Viburnum plicatum) has strong horizontal branch development and is ideal for the back part of a mixed beds, as a informal hedge, or mixed in with other medium sized foundation plantings. Traditional Japanese Snowball (Viburnum plicatum) is sterile, and often confused with its sub-specie Doublefile Viburnum (V. p. tomentosum), which has lace-cap flowers and produces berries. Both are wonderful shrubs. If possible purchase dwarf varieties because these plants can get big. I have mine located next to bright lime green Hostas and chartreuse coloured plants to play off this Viburnums dark green leaves. So even when not in bloom this area of the garden has some pizazz. Depending on where you live this shrub can have bland to amazing red Autumn foliage.

KALMIAS

Kalmias are in the Ericaceae Family and are related to Rhododendrons. In the trio, traditionally Azaleas bloom first, then Rhodys, followed by the Kalmias. All take similar care, needing moist acidic soil that is full of organic material, moist air, and light fertilization when first showing growth in Spring and immediately after blooming. I have mine located in partial sun, trying to shelter them from the hottest afternoon heat. Giving them good light ensures higher bloom count. One wonderful attribute about Kalmias is that the buds set weeks before they bloom and are very ornamental. Each flower bud looks like a little turban hat. Very Cool! Kalmias come in many colour combinations and newer hybirds are being introduced each year. A head node to P.J., who grows these for the nursery I buy for. Thanks P.J.

CHIVES AT SUNSET

I've always loved the culinary as well as ornament value of Chives ( Allium schoenoprasum). Often chopped over potatoes, or bundled and placed on top of steaks and roasts, sometimes tying together bunches of asparagus, or even the lovely flowers adorning your favourite salads, chives uses are abundant. Many gardener keep them in tight rows along side other perennial herbs. Others incorporate them in their ornamental plantings adding texture and colour. In either case, they are a wonderful addition to any garden and a delicious accent to many recipes.