Coreopsis "Mayfield Giant"
It’s been raining this morning, a light drizzle after a night of steady rain. The plants sure appreciated it. I appreciate not having to worry about watering some of my smaller newbie plants who can’t make it on their own yet. For the most part, I rarely to never water my garden and just count on a layer of mulch to keep the ground moist. But I’ve planted quite a few new babies this spring and they still require a bit of attention.
Tradescantia "Sweet Kate"
As many of these plants are still in their spindly, adolescent stage, their overall garden impact is limited, but I thought I’d share a few photos that I took as I strolled around the garden this morning when the rain let up, checking on my little charges. The opening photo is of a coreopsis (Tickseed) that I planted last fall. It overwintered well and is putting on a nice display of arching stems with brilliant sun-gold flowers. This variety is “Mayfield Giant”. I also have a the pretty pale yellow coreopsis “Moonbeam” planted here and there amongst bigger perennials. I’m fond of its dainty flowers and ferny foliage.
Above is the tradescantia (Spiderwort) “Sweet Kate”. I brought it with me from my former garden. It needs a better location here, but is doing well. The contrast between the lime green leaves and the dark purple-blue flowers is striking.
Campanula "Purple Sensation"
In gardening books, there are often chapters about how to plan the layout of your garden. I have a general “plan” for my garden, but don’t feel restricted by rational decision-making. I am happy to indulge spur-of-the-moment whims and serendipitous garden centre finds. One of these was the campanula “Purple Sensation”, above (Bellflower). It’s pendulous bell-shaped flowers charmed me. I had to bring this plant home with me and find a space for it in the garden.
Veronica spicata "Purplicious"
This little veronica (Speedwell) is new this year. It has settled in nicely and I’m very pleased with it. So far,I like the shade of its blooms and nice form better than those of my other veronica, “Sightseeing Mix”. Behind the veronica, you can see a fennel plant, which I grow to attract Black Swallowtail butterflies, and the fans of a few new daylilies.
Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle)
I have a few Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) growing with a nepeta (catmint). The latter is just beginning to fill out, but the Lady’s Mantle is doing well. Later in the season, this plant puts out stems of frothy greeny-yellow flowers, but the leaves themselves are interesting in the way they capture drops of water.
Gaura "Karalee Petite"
This little gaura is another plant that grabbed my attention at a garden centre and came home with me. It’s under a foot tall and covered with pretty pinkish blooms, very charming.
I’ll close with an echinacea. In the last few years, an amazing number of new cultivars of coneflower have arrived on the market. I invested in a half-dozen different varieties to try out. I also have the tried-and-true “Magnus”. A few of the echinacea are just starting to bloom. Below is echinacea purpurea “Virgin”.
Echinacea purpurea "Virgin"
Willow House Chronicles 