The Gift of Water

Can you hear that? That sigh of relief from leaves, roots, gardeners? What a wonderful rainy day today!! Spring has been too early, too warm, too windy, and too dry. But if you chose carefully, you can have a wonderful explosion of color and interest without having to do much watering at all.

For example, Iris germanica--good old fashioned German Bearded Iris-- has flowers like works of art, takes little or no effort, mostly evergreen, and definately little or no extra water. Plant high, leave the rhizome exposed, and enjoy.

One of my very favorite shade plants is Symphytum officinale- Borage. Also evergreen, this broadleaf groundcover takes very dry shade, or very wet shade, or anything in between. That by itself is a tough act to follow. But the unfolding of white spring flowers is welcome, and a charming addition to the darkening understory.

One of our classic SE native shrubs is Calycanthus floridus- Sweetshrub. First the leaves emerge, then the fragrant flowers line the stems, with little notice of the weather fluctuations our spring can bring.

I can't imagine an easier, more reliable group of perennials than Baptisias. There are a number of species, many native to Georgia, and all beautiful, tough, and extremely drought tolerant.

And one more choice that is an absolute must in all but the shadiest gardens is Amsonia hubrictii-- Threadleaf Bluestar. Named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2011.

What's so good about it? Threadleaf foliage that is pest free, bluestar flowers in spring, fabulous ferny foliage all summer without a drop of water, and the most glorious golden fall color. No need to divide, dead head, cut back or otherwise fuss over. Plant. Grow. Enjoy.