Some New Plants

New to the Asylum, that is. Out back in Machu Piedmont, there’s a lot of real estate to fill,

so even the supermarket oxalis triangularis, hardy here in zone 7b, is pressed into service as a complement to helleborus ‘Hot Flash.’

She seems to resent division, but the warm rainy weather should help her get over the shock. I hope.

If your gardening needs coincide with a Plant Delights Open House, you’re sure to find some special things, like my favorite ephemeral, ficaria ‘Brazen Hussy,’ formerly ranunculus ficaria B.H. It’s hard to get a good picture of the acid yellow flowers. No deadheading on this one – I want some baby hussies too.

The late great Christopher Lloyd discovered this plant. Rereading his classic The Well-Tempered Garden, I’m struck by his extraordinary talent as a writer as well as the volume of useful information entertainingly presented. Especially interesting right now is his advice on pricking out seedlings  – hold them by one ear only -  and edging ponds.

Also at Tony’s we found the perfect maidenhair fern, adiantum capillus-veneris ‘Fan Dance’ to occupy a prominent corner.

The young h. ericsmithii’ ‘Winter’s Bliss’ are blooming for me, and what bliss it is, they’re facing up!

Plant Delights had an unusual corydalis, leucanthemum ‘Silver Spectre’ – there is apparently some question whether this plant is correctly named -  but I love the oversize mottled foliage, whatever its origin.

A wonderful gardening neighbor gave me the cute dwarf mondo grass. It seems to work well with the rocks.

The favorite new baby is this helleborus lividus, described by Mr. Tony as “probably the most strikingly beautiful and sought-after of the hellebore species.”

I didn’t know I was seeking it until I saw it, but it was love at first sight. It’s nice with the variegated ardisia japonica in the background.