"Let us give Nature a chance; she knows her business better than we do." (Michel E. de Montaigne 1533-1592 philosopher)
(Rhodochiton)
I've been pottering about in the greenhouse. My favourite place this time of year. Even planted an Heriloom tomatoe or two. I tend to fill the greenhouse with flowers, tomatoes, plants, ready to pop into pots. Kind of their holding pen, till the weather gets warmer... I watch the
Rhodochiton, newly planted in its hanging basket. And try to include some native plants here and there.
This year I'm hoping to have some of the native plants to fill up spaces. So many gardens have new and improved varieties of flowers. And we tend to forget the native ones.
(Sun loving imptiens)
Some of the native plants you might include would be
Broad leaved Stonecrop. A ground cover for hot and sunny rock gardens. Bees and hummingbirds love them.
SWORD FERN is very hardy and loves partial shade. You could also plant it with Deer Fern and Licorice Fern. I think have all three in the top terrace. They come back every year. Huge. Beautiful. Great backdrops for everything else.
The
Pasque Flower is actually a native prairie flower. There is a legend surrounding the Pasque Anenome. It's about peace and wisdom . You can read about it in the story
"Old Man's Garden" by Annora Brown. It's absolutely lovely. Suffice it to say, the crocus was granted three wishes, to be purple like the mountains, yellow like the sun, and a warm coat. No wonder it is so
beautiful...
(Pasque Flower)
Along with the Pasque flower it would be good to plant
Red Flowering Currant. Hummingbirds go crazy for the blooms and other birds steal the berries in the fall. I have it growing wild over the fence, mingled with the grape vines.
False Lily of the Valley is a ground cover with small perfumy flowerets. Berries go green in winter. Great planted with ferns and bleeding heart in the shade, and Lungwort alongside.
On an aside: My lone
Turtle dove, is actually not alone I have discovered. The pair are taking turns, since they're nesting. I thought the mate had disappeared, but actually saw them together, yesterday. One is always trying to plop into the seed pan. Shy things.
Tall Oregon Grape is drought tolerant, and a great perennial, good as a short hedge. The berries are blue and the birds love them as well.
Nodding Onion is one I haven't had in this garden before. But it is very tough, likes poor soils, wind, drought, sandy exposures. Again it lures the bees and butterflies all summer long.
(Centaurea montana left)
Another one I would include, that I have been allowing to seed in profusion, is
Centaurea montana...or Bachelor's button, is it's common name. An incredible blue-thistle like flower. I have them growing all along the left side of the hill fence. They last a very long time and the bees can't keep away.
The Centaurea isn't in bloom, just quite yet, but the green bushy leaves are thick and full already.
(Alchemilla)
Another good ground cover, a native plant in Europe is the
Alchemilla or Lady's Mantle. I include it because tough and tolerant of most anything. The flowering stems come out frothy and make for great bouquet additions. It grows almost anywhere. In fact, it IS already everywhere. Drives the butterflies crazy.
Wooly Sunflower pulls in the bees and butterflies like all the others. Bright yellow , really intense yellow, that lasts all summer. Likes light soils, and is great in rock gardens and borders.
Another aside: Ahhhh, the
turtledove is having a nap. .....
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(Pasque flower in all its glory)
Another early blooming native plant is the
Kinnikinnick, an evergreen cover that trails here and there. with red berries for birds. I have this covering the rock wall all thru the terraces. Also makes for good cuttings for christmas wreathes , or arrangements ( but outdoors only). The berries are only for bird consumption.
(Golden Plum blossoms)
Another perennial I want to include, native to Europe and western Asia, is the
Lungwort, (Pulmonaria) A really little , spotty leaved thing that loves to grow in dark shade, or partial shade, it doesn't seem too particular.Happy happy. It grows amongst the roses as well.
Blooms earliest, along with the Pasque flower and bleeding hearts. The first harbingers of spring, when everything seems to stand up and ask to be noticed.
"To fill the hour....that is happiness."
(Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882)
