Tangled Branches: Cultivated
happenings in and around my zone 6b gardens in northern Virginia and in central Virginia
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Favorite Perennials
Jodi has posted some of her favorite perennials, and asked others to do likewise. Easy, I thought, whichever one is blooming at the moment.
Well, there aren't too many things blooming on this gray, drizzly morning, and I haven't been out to check on the Cyclamen hederifolium lately, but they were still blooming a week or so ago.
 |
| Cyclamen hederifolium |
Thinking a little harder, I came up with a few plants that I'd really miss if they were gone. A lot, maybe most, of these are filler-type plants. And you know, in music, I always like harmony more than the melody, so it must just be something strange about me.
I already talked up Calamintha nepetoides (aka C. nepeta), so I won't go on and on about it here, but that's close to the top of the list. Another frothy filler is Galium 'Victor Jones'. I wish I knew which species of Galium this is, but the name I give here is how it was sold to me. It sprawls quite a lot and weaves in and out among its sturdier neighbors. It sometimes blooms again, and I suspect that if it was cut back after blooming, the second bloom would be more reliable.
 |
| Galium 'Victor Jones' behind some Echinacea |
I'm totally addicted to Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bath's Pink'. I love the thick semi-evergreen foliage and the flower fragrance is sweet and spicy at the same time.
 |
| Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bath's Pink' |
Here's a favorite that isn't a filler - Peony 'Karen Gray'. She's neighbors with Bath's Pink and usually they bloom about the same time.
 |
| Peony 'Karen Gray' and Dianthus 'Bath's Pink' |
Look at how much pink there is in these photos. I never thought of myself as a pink person, but the garden apparently knows more about me than I do. Let's get away from pink. Another characteristic of my favorite perennials is that many of them are bulbs. I like the Orienpet lilies a lot. 'Orania' in particular - very elegant.
 |
| Orienpet Lily 'Orania' |
I like daffodils in general because they're early and reliable, but the ones I like best have elegant shapes, and ummm, pink cups.
 |
| Narcissus, not sure of the variety |
And then there's a whole class of plants that might be my very favorites of all - the little blue spring flowers. Most are bulbs, but not all. I'm just going to link to an earlier post here, because I really can't choose between these. (That post is from the blog I used while Tangled Branches was homeless between web hosting companies, BTW.) OK, just one picture here - couldn't resist.
 |
| Chionodoxa sardensis |
Labels: bulbs, cyclamen, dianthus, galium, lilies, narcissus, peonies
8 Comments:
Oh, these are so just gorgeous...especially the orienpet lily. I planted one type last year and am besotted..utterly besotted by them. and the Chionodoxa are a favourite of mine too; such a beautiful blue so early in the year. Thanks for taking part in my little question game?
For more about unusual Perennials:
www.sunfarm.com/specials
Jodi: This was a fun exercise! BUT, I really did find it difficult to choose favorites.
Glickster: Usually, I'm annoyed with commercial comments, but I've been an admirer of your plants for a while. I think it was on your website where I first learned of Iris cristata. I see you're still shipping, so I'll take a look with an eye to improving my garden. Thanks for stopping by.
Entangled, I love pink in other people's gardens, so it was way fun to see them in yours. :) And that Orania... wow do I love the shades of yellow in that lily! Is it fragrant, too?
(You're nicer than I am to "the glickster," by the way. I've admired his hellebores and other plants for a while, but the fact that he only leaves comments redirecting people to his own commercial site instead of leaving ANY interesting tidbits about plants themselves irks me to no end.)
Blackswamp Girl: Yes, the 'Orania' lily has a gorgeous fragrance. It was hard to get the color right in the photos, but the one I posted is pretty close (at least on my monitor). Don in Iowa posted about another one that's more yellow than this one.
Oh, I didn't realize that Glickster has been making the rounds. Now I don't feel special anymore ;-) I agree, I do wish he'd chat a little if he wants to advertise here.
I'm with you on the Bath's Pink. I love most pinks and am glad that I can grow them here.
Your peony is lovely and it is wonderful to be reminded of spring bulbs. We are in a deep freeze here, so the thought of spring is quite wonderful!
Is it okay if I miss your perennials instead of my own, Entangled? What a nice selection.
Peonies and scilla and tall golden lilies - yep, down here I miss all of those!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Kate: We're lucky so far - no really cold weather yet. I'm ready for a little rest, and then on to spring!
Annie: Well.....what can I say? Ask me in January if I'd like to live a place where it's too hot to grow all of those, and I just might be willing to give them up. ;-)
Post a Comment
<< Tangled Branches: Cultivated, main page