Magnolia 'Royal Star'

This Royal will be one of those springtime reminders. She has the sweetest scent. It will stay in your subconscious, even after the flowers fade and will conjure up spring whenever you get that whiff again.

Since the blossoms have no leaves to protect them (the leaves come after the flowers) locate this beauty in partial shade where a taller tree canopy will give it some protection from late frosts. Then just soak in that sight and perfume, along with the earthy spring scent.

If you are looking for a total xeriscape perennial flower to survive in your water restricted garden, look to the blanket flowers. They (Gaillardia) have been undergoing some amazing changes. They are not the lowly little flowers that have populated seaside yards and gardens for years, but are some of the hardest working flowers in a droughty, low fertility, and intensely sunny garden. Most, like ‘Dakota Reveille,’ now come with frills and lace, totally uptown from their country cousins.

Athryium 'Ghost'

If you haven’t tried the Baptisias in your garden, now is the time. They are wild indigos, native to the Eastern U.S. and are perfect for our low water use gardens. Full sun is best. They thrive with little care. Their pea-like blossoms are loved by butterflies. A new addition to the family is a mouthful, called Baptisia Solar Flare Prairieblues™. Unlike ‘Carolina Moonlight’, which stays a pale yellow, Solar Flare starts out yellow and then burns orange from the bottom up the flower stalk. Drought tolerant, soil tolerant, cold tolerant, all of the baptisias have earned a spot in our gardens.

As the spring breaks and plant fever heightens, look for that perfect new plant to add to your garden. Sights and scents make memories that last, calling us outdoors to see what is new today in the garden.

---Posted by Coach Anne, March 20, 2008---