Some like it damp While some of you may regard a reliably soggy, slow-draining spot in your garden with dismay, I look on it as an opportunity to grow plants that don’t reach their full potential in the drier, well-drained conditions found in most herbaceous borders. And there’s no need to abandon petals either; a huge palette of flowering plants is ready and waiting to go. … [Read more...] about 16 plants for soggy soil
Monkshood
Monkshood, always a late surprise
Poking around in the back garden in early November one year, I came upon a clump of fall-blooming azure ‘Arendsii’ monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii [Arendesii Group] ‘Arendsii’, 72 inches / 180 cm, Zone 3) in full flower and looking like a few frosty nights had only spurred it on. I always forget about this plant until it erupts in gorgeous bloom so late in the season and just … [Read more...] about Monkshood, always a late surprise
Monkshood and corydalis still blooming
The days are shorter now, and finally we have cool weather. I’ve begun cutting perennials down, but leave anything still blooming for the bees, if only for another week or two. I have a daylily with a stem and one big bud — I wonder if it will open? Two perennials are carrying on like this is the moment they’ve been waiting for. Most impressive is the azure monkshood … [Read more...] about Monkshood and corydalis still blooming