Re: Aconitum and the rest

**M* <m*@optonline.net>**

What fabulous posts! This is what I had hoped for from this group right from
the beginning.

Dan, thanks for taking the time to tell us about your nursery. You are
absolutely correct about the different types of garden centers and
nurseries. Luckily we have all different types available here on Long
Island. I should have clarified my post to places such as Home Depot, Lowes
and Franks Nursery & Crafts (currently closing due to bankruptcy).

Another point I was glad to see you make is knowing the history of the plant
and where it came from. In 2003 I was extremely lucky to be able to work
with a family owned nursery only 4 lots away from me. They were trying to
expand into speciality perennials besides the acres of Hosta, shade plants
and Daylilies that they grew. I gave a series of lectures, every other
Thursday, beginning in April until early July.

The nursery hooked me up with a portable microphone and I spent an hour
talking about the newly arrived plants, how they should be planted, where
they came from and so on. To keep things interesting, we also alternated
emphesis on Sun and Shade plantings. The lectures were such a success that I
learned to grab something I liked before I spoke about it, it usually sold
out. The owner told me that they sold more plants in the hours I was there
then they did for the next 13 days.

Unfortunately, checking the nursery's website at www.foxhollowfarm.com I see
that they are discontinuing much of their business. Wish I had the funds to
buy the place, it could be incredible but acerage is too expensive around
here.

Back to the topic at hand. Kirk, you asked for plants that we recommend. One
that I adore is Thalictrum aquiligifolium. My meadow rue came from a mail
order nursery about 15 years ago. It's one of those plants that you "learn
your lesson" from and I show it in many programs. Catalogs and photos show
it close up, a large fluffy pink or white head. When the tiny scraggly plant
arrived I was shocked. I was even more shocked when I realized that I needed
to put my eye about 4 inches from the bloom if I wanted to see it like in
the books :-)  Of course now, many years later, it self seeds with abandon
and I have waves of lavender pink plumes. Garden visitors always want a
piece.

In no particular order, here's some more stars in my garden:
Hardy Geraniums, I grow many varieties. Geranium cantabrigiense "Biokova"
and "Biokova Karmina" are just fantastic. Low growing, tight, attractive
foliage (often evergreen if there's little snow) heavy bloomers and vigorous
enough growers to be used as ground covers.

Polygonatum odorum "Variegatum", an oldie and yet most average home
owner/gardeners aren't aware of this one. When I offer it for sale it sells
out within the first half hour. I also adore the dwarf humile variety. Why
doesn't anybody talk about it's awesome fall colors? Mine is green, gold,
yellow and cream all at once.

Hellebores, give me more of these beauties! I wish they were a bit lower in
price, people balk at the usual $15 - $25 price tag and it's even harder to
explain that they take time to settle in. One note, a variety that was
planted in almost pure composted horse manure grew 3 times as fast as the
others planted that year. Walking around today, the foliage on the
Helleborus foetidus seedlings is just stunning.

Pulmonarias. Several new additions every year, this year "Samurai" was the
shining star. No spots, totally silvery foliage and from a 6" pot in May, it
now is 2' across. Visitors don't recognize it as a Pulmonaria and wonder if
it's some new kind of Hosta!

Bruneras. Don't know why I didn't get this plant earlier in my gardening
years. The past three years I've been in love with the ones here and keep
adding more, love the seedlings too!

Stachys byzantina "Primrose Heron". Who doesn't love the fuzzy ears on the
byzantinas, and this variety has fantastic color too. Also hasn't bloomed
here and I've had it for 5 years. Combined with Ophiopogon, Helleborus
foetidus and Iris reticulata, I love this spot in my garden.

Oenothera "Cold Crick". Thank you Stephanie Cohen for this lovely. Saw her
lecture a few years ago and this was the best plant I wrote down in my
notes. Completely different habit than the species Oenotheras yet a similar
bloom albeit smaller. Foliage is completely different too and it stays in a
well behaved clump.

Heucheras. Not all have thrived here but "Cappuccino" is a star in several
locations and I'm keeping my fingers crossed on "Amber Waves".

Stokesia. A plant that never looked like the books for me even though I kept
buying different varieties. Then I changed it's location to full sun for
about 8 hours, well drained, very rich soil, near the front of the borders
and we're in love. Stokesia Purple Parasol tumbling over a rock wall has
stopped many visitors in their tracks.

Rue and herbs, give me more of these old timers, I keep adding more and love
them like crazy! Actually Rue, Bergarten Sage, various summer blooming
alliums, Valerian, Comfrey and more are wonderful plants that people seem to
love. Golden oregano can hold it's own with any ground cover here and is
worth it's weight in gold. A few years ago I wedged a piece of Verbascum
(thapsus?) out of the street curb and put it in my garden. From the comments
I've heard this past year I expect to sell out of seedlings almost
immediately.

Aruncus aethusifolius. How wonderful can you be? Perfectly formed, compact,
dense mounds only about a foot high. The faded blooms stay on the plant
forever (still there) and still look good. Best of all, this spring I even
found a few volunteers!

Helianthemum nummularia "Rose Queen", the local nursery could barely give
these plant away and yet tucked along a sunny rock wall they are beautiful.

Alchemilla mollis in the garden is like good molding in the living room. The
perfect companion plant and I have it in full sun to quite shady locations.
This year I've added the smaller Alchemilla erythropoda to the garden and if
it comes through the winter looking as good as it looks now we will be
friends for a long time.

Ok, sorry you asked? When it comes to perennials, it's like potato chips, I
just can't stop at one. Sure enough I'll hit the send key and think of more.
(For some reason my spell check is having a heart attack so please excuse
the errors)

Melanie Vassallo
melaniev@optonline.net

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