In my “very late” summer garden, the aristocratic purple-leaved cimicifugas are in heavy bud and the first Japanese anemones are just beginning to flower. Together with fall asters and ‘Arendsii’ monkshood, these perennials will usher me smoothly from the end of summer through autumn, and will form the floral backbone of the garden until the first killing frosts. But in my … [Read more...] about Cimicifugas: Superstars of the autumn garden
bugbane
Bugbane: A plant with stamina
After six weeks of challenging heat and heavy rain, I’m studying what plants prospered despite the environmental assault. I’d have to say the bugbanes, or snakeroots, have done surprisingly well. The simple black snakeroot (Actaea racemosa, Zone 4) stood the tallest, with wands of white flowers extending high above its attractive ferny foliage. My two clumps have been in the … [Read more...] about Bugbane: A plant with stamina