Not really neutral

My Bloom Day post featured flowers categorized by bright colors which left these two much more subtly-colored plants out of the running. I would describe them as more neutral in color but I am not neutral about their virtues.

I've been growing Fritillaria pontica for ten years and it's one of my favorites. The stems are a good twelve inches tall with nice-sized flowers making it more visible in the garden than many of the woodland Fritillaries. Excuse the rusty wire cage as this little Frit is not only a favorite of mine but also that of the marauding bunnies currently stalking my garden.

I often put these flowers in a vase with dusky or orangey Heuchera leaves. One of these years I need to plant such a Heuchera or a Tiarella in the midst of the Frits as I am sure they could grow through the foliage and then I would not be left with an empty spot when they fade away.

This Geum hybrida 'Mai Tai' was an impulse buy at the end of the summer in 2014. It struggled all last summer until I finally moved it under a Chamaecyparus obtuse 'Fernspray Gold.' It came up in a nice healthy clump this spring with lots of flowers. It's doing so well that I think I will try to divide it in the fall and spread it around a bit.

Most of the flowers in the "cocktail series" of Geums are quite brightly colored and flashy. 'Mai Tai' seems to go with everything and is much easier to place in the garden since it does not scream for attention. Both of these plants are superb supporting players; a concept that we gardeners often overlook in our quest for garden drama.

Comments

[Cindy at enclos*ure]

Love those geums! (Which spellcheck keeps changing to gems - also right.)

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I might have to protect some things from the bunnies too. Lovely blooms.