Plants People Ask About

Galega x hartlandii 'Lady Wilson' 

On Monday, our garden was included in the HPSO Study Weekend. This is a four-day event that includes speakers, plant/art sales and garden tours. The event rotates every two years between the cities of Portland, Seattle, Victoria B.C. and Vancouver B.C.  It will be 2033 before Portland hosts again.

I toured the Portland gardens on Friday and Saturday and will share some photos in my next post. The weather was perfect on those days. Not so much on Monday, the day for the Vancouver, Washington gardens tour, and by late afternoon, the temperature had reached 94. However, it wasn't too bad in the first part of the day, and that's when we received the most visitors. We didn't have an exact count, but making an estimate based on our guestbook, I would say around 200 people. It was a hectic but fun day! We had a lot of visitors from Seattle and areas north of us as attendees were making their way home.

Every time we open our garden, there is always one or two plants that everybody asks about. My mind usually goes blank when asked about a specific plant. This time, I had the foresight to save a copy of my inventory list on my phone. Still, that list is about sixteen pages long and unless you have an inkling of what letter the name begins with, it isn't much use. Fortunately, I was able to answer most questions with the exception of the last plant on this list so I hope the people who asked about it, will see the answer here.

These are the plants that got the most questions -

At the top of the page is Galega 'Lady Wilson' (Goat's Rue). I love this perennial. It is very special as it was a gift from Lucy Hardiman, who sadly passed last year. This plant is often mistaken for a lupine. It does resemble one with pale blue and white flowers on 4' stalks with ferny foliage.

More -

Stachys 'Hummelo'

I knew there would be questions about Stachys 'Hummelo' (Betony) which has been a blooming dynamo for weeks now. This has been a good year for it.

Symphoricarpos (Coral Berry)

 

"What is the plant that is swarming with bees?" I knew immediately what they were referring to. It is Symphoricarpos (Coral Berry or Proud Berry). It is about 2 feet tall and the berries are just beginning. They will gradually begin to change to a bright pink color. I've not witnessed this plant spreading as vigorously as the native white-berried snowberry, but I'm told that it can spread.

Betula pendula 'Trost's Dwarf" (Dwarf Birch)

This little tree always gets comments. 'Trost's Dwarf' birch (Betula pendula) is about 6 feet tall and resembles a laceleaf maple. That is the smoke tree 'Royal Purple' behind it.

Sequoia sempervirens 'Kelly's Prostrate' (Prostrate coast redwood)

Sequoias are not always monsters. Sequoia sempervirens 'Kelly's Prostrate' is about five years old. It is beginning to grow larger but still quite small.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Summer Crush'

I was thankful that hydrangeas were blooming because almost all of our roses were finished. 'Summer Crush', an entry in the "Endless Summer" series, has always been a spectacular plant. That said, it doesn't match the description which gives a height of 1.5 - 3 feet and boasting raspberry blooms. Our blooms have always been blue and it is at least 5 feet tall. I don't think it was mislabeled although there is always that possibility.

Inula orientalis (Georgian Fleabane)

And finally, the plant that always stumps me. On Monday, I could not even think of the letter it begins with - I! It is Inula orientalis (Georgian Fleabane).  The fuzzy leaves attract attention. It is not blooming yet (the flowers will come in late July), but here it is from last August - 

Thanks to all who braved the heat and visited our little paradise. I hope you had a good time!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy