Looking Back Best Pics 2012 - Hosta 'Eventide'

Since winter still has us in it's grips I've decided to look back on my pictures from 2012 and post some that I deem the best of 2012.  I hope you enjoy!

From May 2012

Hosta 'Eventide' love the curly-q ends

Looking Back Best Pics 2012 - Bleeding Hearts

Since winter still has us in it's grips I've decided to look back on my pictures from 2012 and post some that I deem the best of 2012.  I hope you enjoy!

From April 2012

Sun coming through Bleeding Hearts

Looking Back Best Pics 2012 - Columbine

Since winter still has us in it's grips I've decided to look back on my pictures from 2012 and post some that I deem the best of 2012.  I hope you enjoy!

From April 2012

Columbine

What's in Bloom in the Cheesehead Garden

Putting Together Annual Containers

This past weekend was containerpalooza in my garden!  I look forward to the spring day when the weather is warm and the danger of frost is gone, because it's when I can start putting my containers together.  While I didn't finish all my containers, I am hoping to finish up the last of them this week after work.  Here are the elements I try to put into my containers:
1. At least one plant for height (this doesn't always work with smaller containers)
2. Contrasting colors....mix dark colors with light colors, etc.
3. Mixtures of heights and/or textures

Here is the empty planter

I add my plant for height, in this case it's Black and Blue Salvia

Then I start placing plants around and rearranging until I like the colors.

Once I have the plants in place then I add soil and plant them.

Some other containers from this weekend:

Pics from today

I was out in the yard all day today.  I forgot how tiring it is!  I still have half of my containers to put together; one of these days I really have to downsize.

Hosta 'Stargate'

Lilac 'Little Miss Kim'

Tree peony and alliums in bloom.

close up of "little miss kim' lilac blooms

The honeybees love the alliums

Irises have started to open up

Hosta of the Day - 'Pilgrim'

Hosta 'Pilgrim' is a small to medium sized hosta with heart shaped leaves.  The leaves are grey green in color and have a gold margin that turns to creamy white by fall.  Pair this one with blues and solid greens.

Hosta 'Pilgrim' 2009

Hosta 'Pilgrim' 2011 Fall

Hosta 'Pilgrim' 2012 Spring

Shade Plant of the Week - Astilboides tabularis

I obviously have an obsession with foliage, how else could you explain my hosta obsession?  So when I saw this plant in a catalog many years ago I was automatically drawn to it's very large circular shaped leaves, almost like green umbrellas.  I didn't even care if it bloomed, I knew it would make a great addition to my shade garden.  The leaves can measure 24 inches across, and the plant itself can grow 3-4 feet tall.  In mid summer, it also has white plume like flowers (much like and Astilbe).  If you decide to add this plant to your garden, make sure to give it lots of room!

Not the best pictures, but it's the very large circle leaf plant

Hosta of the Day - 'Kaleidochrome'

Hosta 'Kaleidochrome' 2011

Hosta 'Kaleidochrome' is a newer hosta to my garden.  I couldn't resist the lance shaped leaves that are streaked green and gold.  I have been told that the seeds it produces are very viable, which is exciting because it means it could produce other streaked hostas.  This hosta is small to medium in size, and would look best in the front of a hosta bed with other small to miniature sized hostas.

Shade Plant of the Week - Arisaema

Arisaema is known to most people as simply 'Jack in the Pulpits'.  They come in all different heights and colors, and are growing in popularity in the shade gardening world.  Some can be very slow growers, taking years to show up above ground.  They produce interesting flowers in spring and sometimes in summer, depending on the variety.  Then in fall they make another display with their bright red berries.

Arisaema triphyllum

Arisaema berries add color to the fall garden

Arisaema heterophyllum

Hosta of the Day - 'Key Lime Pie'

I ended last week with a pie crust edged hosta, so it's only right that I start this week with a pie crust edged hosta.  Hosta 'Key Lime Pie' is a sport of hosta 'Squash Casserole'.  It is a large hosta with green leaves surrounded by a gold margin.  It has a wonderful pie crust ruffled edge.  This is another fast growing hosta, and make sure to give this one lots of room.  It has purple scape, and light purple flowers in mid summer.  The more sun this hosta receives the lighter the edges will become.  This hosta would be good as a centerpiece or back of the border hosta.  Pair with a hosta that is bright gold or white edged.

Hosta 'Key Lime Pie' 2009

Hosta 'Key Lime Pie' 2011

Shade Plant of the Week - Ligularia

I really love Ligularia!  It is a great addition to any shade garden.  Varieties such as 'Desdemona' and 'Britt Marie Crawford' have large waxy leaves that are lily pad shaped.  The leaves are often green colored on top with reddish undersides.  Other varieties such as 'Japonica', 'Rocket', and 'Dragon's Breath' have more feathery shaped leaves.  The plants are usually quite large and showy, no matter what the variety.  Though there is also miniature varieties out there, such as Ligularia Osiris Fantaisie.  Ligularia is not for the dry shade garden, as it is a water loving plant.  If you plant it in dry shade, be prepared to water it quite often.  The foliage on these plants is great, but a welcome surprise in fall is their yellow daisy like flowers.  Lots of new varieties of Ligularia have come out in the past several years, so be on the look out as it gains popularity!

Ligularia 'Othello'

Ligularia 'Desdemona'

Blooms on Ligularia 'Japonica'

Blooms on Ligularia 'Desdemona'

Ligularia 'Japonica'

Ligularia Osiris Fantaisie (much smaller then other Ligularia)

Ligularia 'Britt Marie Crawford'