Plant shopping spree

Gardeners in my area are very lucky to have a wealth of independent nurseries. I've visited most of those between here and Milwaukee in the years I've been gardening. But the Flower Factory is still my go-to source for tried and true plants as well as new introductions.

It wouldn't be Spring for me without a trip to The Flower Factory! I was a very good girl and only bought two things that were not on my list. Both were violets in bloom and too charming to pass by: Viola corsica and V. 'Etain.' At the top of my list were more ferns, including the new 'Godzilla' painted fern and cinnamon fern (below).

I have had great luck with Brunnera, so I picked up B. marcrophylla 'Silver Heart' which has a thicker leaf and is supposed to be more resistant to heat and humidity. Also got another dark leaved Astilbe: A. arendsii 'Chocolate Shogun.' (And splurged on a couple of Nasturtiums with variegated leaves at Whole Foods.)

Also bought a dozen or so Hakonechloa macra, the solid green form of Japanese forest grass. I am going to plant this as a ground cover in the moss garden as it transitions to a new concept. It will be interspersed with Cinnamon ferns. We will keep the large apple tree as long as possible and then replace it with a shady grove of we're-not-quite-sure-what!

Did you notice that most of my plant purchases are not very flowery? A good example of what happens the longer you garden: Foliage takes precedence over flowers. I am hoping to get everything planted before the predicted rains next week.

Comments

[Liz]

Lovely picks!! Those cinnamon fern fiddleheads are amazing.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I hope you get it all planted. I don't have much luck with the japanese forest grass. I have tried all sorts of it. I wonder if our summers are just too hot and dry. At least the dryness in my garden. Happy May Day.