Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Pink Muhly Grass'

Our bodies adapt to short stays outdoors. Air conditioning keeps us safe and sane indoors. The heat-loathing plants do not have any such option. One of these melting evergreens looks wonderful in Wayside Gardens catalog. I would love to try it, but it is at the limit of my zonal range. It is Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloah’. What an attractive, weeping, green needle evergreen. It is a perfect size for a pot or for bonsai. After ten years, it is only two feet tall! I have learned by trial and error that anything with "canadensis" in its name might survive a summer or two, but not much more than that. So, there is no Jeddeloah in my future.

One that does withstand the hottest of summers in my garden is Helleborus x hybridus. These perennial beauties staunchly stand during the heat of summer, their umbrellas of foliage situated just above ground, making a sea of green in the shade. After the weather cools and just about everything else is asleep, up come the flower stalks in December or January. Even now, there are remnants of flowers still bobbing above the foliage. What’s more, this plant does just as well in Northern climes, where its blooms jump up a little later.

Primula 'You and Me Series'

The Primulas (Primroses) are not happy in southern gardens, except for a short window in January or February to March. We can purchase them as blooming plants and set them out in pots or plats, but most will disappear in the heat of summer, never to be seen again. Northerners can cover damp areas along streams in their gardens, filling part-shade areas with one of the most anticipated and welcome signs of spring in the colder areas of the country. Look to the "You and Me" Primulas series for extra hardy primroses that not only come back up north, but also spread themselves about, every year. The 'You and Me' Series includes Primula 'You and Me Yellow', Primula 'You and Me Blue', and Primula 'You and Me White'.

We in the somewhat south up to the Mid-section of the country (Zones 5-8) do have a petite early bloomer that will also increase, covering ground with tiny heart-shaped evergreen leaves and rewarding us with February flowers. Any of these, called Epimediums (Bishop’s Hat), are favorites of mine because they toss out springy stems of diminutive flowers early, when I’m walking the garden looking for signs of life. Another most welcome attribute of the Epimediums from British Breeder Robin White is their penchant for growing in dry shade. Have wet shade? Then Epimedium ‘Ogisui’ is for you.

You can find many of these hot and cold plants with winning ways at Wayside Gardens' web site. Happy is the gardener with a new garden plant to nurture. Happy Gardening.

---Posted by Coach Anne, April 2, 2008---