May 18, 2025

Thoughts on Vining and Draping

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

It's a busy time in the garden lately, with frosts and freezes behind us, and planting and adjustments in full swing. In the midst of the busyness, I've been encouraging myself to pause just a bit to contemplate the garden and nature. I've been thinking about the beauty of plants that climb and vine and drape. They inspire art, design, and many other aspects of life.

One example (above) is the draping beauty of Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), with its nodding, hanging blooms favored by hummingbirds.

Parthenocissus inserta

The vining activity of Thicket Creeper (Parthenocissus inserta) helps to compete with nonnative invasives, filling crevices of planting beds at the base of shrubs and tall plants. And its foliage is beautiful from spring through October.

Clematis 'Nelly Moser'

Clematis 'Nelly Moser' is another plant that was here when we moved in; I've maintained and encouraged it over the years. The flowers this time of year are exquisite, and its vines climb two trellises at the corners of our sunroom.

Vitis riparia and Ulmus

During a recent hike, we noticed this gigantic Riverbank Grape vine (Vitis riparia), forming an "S" around an Elm tree (Ulmus americana). This is not a cultivated grouping, but it is beautiful in its natural form.

Rosa setigera

The Climbing Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera) I planted as a small seedling several years ago is now up and over its arbor, and draping down the other side. Soon it will be covered in blooms!

Fuchsia 'Dark Eyes'

Fuchsias of various species and varieties have been mainstays in my shady garden over the decades. This one, 'Dark Eyes,' has trailing buds and blooms that grace hanging baskets along the front porch. It's another favorite of hummingbirds.

Matteuccia struthiopteris

While I've transplanted some Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris), I've never had to purchase them. They occur naturally in our back garden and provide draping beauty to frame the central planting bed.

Podophyllum peltatum

Another plant that occurs naturally here: Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum). I find the arching habit of the foliage over the blooms and later the fruit to be magical and artful. My previous post shows our hillside from above, covered in Mayapple plants.

Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel'

This Shamrock plant (Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel') has been a potted mainstay in the garden during summer, and in the sunroom in winter. Its burgundy, draping stems and foliage, and yellow flowers, add color to our shady back lot.

These are just a few examples of the artful vining, draping, and trailing habits of garden plants. They inspire creativity, and support pollinators and people. Here's to a great growing season ahead!

May 10, 2025

Woodland Wildflowers for Six on Saturday

Trillium grandiflorum 3

Our woodland is alive with wildflowers. Once again, I'm including only native plants for this Six on Saturday post, because this is the most active time for wildflowers—before the trees fully leaf out. Trilliums are the stars of the show, including Great White Trillium (T. grandiflorum), in the photo above.

Trillium erectum

Red Trillium (T. erectum) is another thriller, and its naturally occurring patch (planted by nature) appears to be spreading.

Podophyllum peltatum patch

It's said that when Mayapples' (Podophyllum peltatum) umbrella foliage flattens out, Morel mushrooms are nearby. I've never found the mushrooms in our woodland, though the Mayapples certainly form a colony on the hill.

Podophyllum peltatum

The Mayapples aren't blooming yet, but the buds are about to break.

Viola spp.

Next, I'm cheating and including a mix of Violets (Viola spp.) as one of my "six," since there are so many colors and several species on the property. I believe the purple and white ones shown here are V. sororia and the yellow is V. eriocarpa.

Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is another reliable return visitor every year. Its unique form always fascinates me.

Mertensia virginica

Most Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) range from pink to lavender to bright blue. But there's a patch of the less-common white ones in our woods, which I think are as beautiful as the others.

Trillium grandiflorum 2

How about you? What's blooming in your garden and on your property? For more examples from around the world, visit Garden Ruminations.

April 26, 2025

Shopping Finds for 'Six on Saturday'

shopping for annuals

It's that happy time of year when the overnight frosts are ending, and it's time to plant up annuals in pots and in the potager/cutting garden. While I plan to purchase a few more plants, including a few edibles, my haul a couple of days ago is colorful and fun.

Since I'm posting for "Six on Saturday," I'll focus on a half dozen...

Angelonia angustifolia 'Violet bicolor'

This is AngelDance 'Violet Bicolor' Angelonia (A. angustifolia). I've been planting Angelonias as spikes in a couple of my pots for several years now. There's something magical about the form and the shape of this plant.

Lantana camara Bandolero 'Guava Imp.'

Next, let's celebrate Lantanas (L. camara)! This is Bandolero 'Guava Imp.' I purchased a couple other varieties, too. I regularly plant Lantanas for the pollinators, and because I like them. They cheer me up.

Ipomoea batatas 'Sidekick Lime Improved' and 'Sidekick Heart Bronze'

Sweet Potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) is a great side element in pots. The two varieties here are  'Sidekick Lime Improved' and 'Sidekick Heart Bronze.'

Impatiens x hybrida 'Compact Purple Candy'

The mounding form of these hybrid Impatiens (I. x hybrida) works well in large pots. And the color of SunPatiens 'Compact Purple Candy' will work well with the other elements I plan to plant with them.

Caladium hortulanum 'Raspberry Moon'

Caladiums (C. hortulanum) are always a joy to view. Their large, draping foliage is fascinating to observe throughout the growing season. Unfortunately, I purchased a plant with no tag, but with research, I believe  this is Heart to Heart 'Raspberry Moon.'

Dahlia 'Hypnotica Rose Bicolor'

Finally, another joy with its bright, warm coloring is this Dahlia hybrid, Dahlinova 'Hypnotica Rose Bicolor.' Within minutes of planting it, bees and other pollinators were enthusiastically visiting. It's perfect for a view right outside my sunroom windows.

Check out other "Six on Saturday" posts at Garden Ruminations!