Blue Flax, Linum narbonense

Linum narbonenseBlue Flax is a piece of summer sky fallen into the garden, shimmering blue flowers reflecting clear unclouded heavens. Opening during the sunny days and dropping its petals by afternoon, only seems to add to its charm; Genus Linum narbonense. I’ve grown both Linum narbonense and Linum perenne, and although they are almost identical in the garden, the L.narbonense seemed the better. To...

Asclepias tuberosa ‘Butterfly Weed’

Butterflies love them Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, isn’t as popular as it could be. Maybe the combination of the “weed” appellation and the bright orange color, but this is really a fine garden plant that brings a pleasing “pop” to the garden, no less for its drawing power for butterflies than for its joyful color. It took me tow starts to finally get Butterfly weed going in my...

Sedum Spectabile Variegatum

An asset to any garden.This variegated sedum has long been one of my favorites. It began as a “passalong” plant from a friend, and as the years went by its fine qualities slowly revealed themselves. For those qualities it gained a place among my favorites- combining good looks and usefulness. There are many fine types of sedums, and even within this category, Sedum spectabile, there are many...

Ten Top Perennial Choices

If I was reduced to ten plants around which to plan the gardening season, which would I choose? This post is based on the one I wrote for my blog, but I think I would stand by the thoughts written in 2004.This isn’t based upon the criteria of “what I liked the most” in a favorite plant, bloom, or season, but in what I think are the most useful, satisfyingly attractive, perennial plants for the...

Balloon Flowers Throw A Midsummer Party

The balloon flower decorates the July garden When the Platycodons bloom in a midsummer garden they sport pastel balloon buds that burst into open stars of satiny blue, pink, or white. I think I like the blue hue the best. They are slow to break growth in the spring so keep that in mind while grubbing around in the spring garden. That is one reason to give them a place with spring blooming bulbs where one is less...