Rodgersia henrici
My FIRST ever rodgersia emerging...I believe this is henrycii (spelling?) The first of Podophylla's (Rotlaub) has just emerged, have to get a shot of it later today perhaps. I've been looking for these for ages and finally found them via Forest Farm in southern Oregon. I heartily recommend them...they sent some great plants and have a really nice array of plants available.
Amsonia hubrichtii
These are taking a LONG time to really to do much...but they ALL came up, which is amazing, since the first 3 I bought were on EBAY last fall...just a testament to the hardiness of this plant. I got 3 more this spring from Dancing Oaks Nursery, near Salem. I can't wait to see how these fill out and shape up. I bought them mostly for their glorious fall color, which I first witnessed at Joy Creek Nursery, near St. Helens. They also offer lovely blue flowers in spring and nice feathery foliage the rest of the year. I think they were name Perennial Plant of the Year...here's to hoping!
Monarda "Raspberry Wine"
This is my first monarda here in Oregon! I am never surprised at just how hardy these plants can be. I bought this single small plant near the end of fall and popped it in the ground, at which time it was pretty much gnawed to death by slugs. I wasn't really sure it would even come back, but it was actually the very first plant in the garden to appear earlier this spring (way back in January, I think). It's taking it time getting going, but as soon as the weather warms up and we get more sun, it should shoot up.
Rheum Palmantum v. tanguticum
Another first for me! This is an ornamental rhubarb that I've wanted ever since seeing it on some gardening show and thinking how lovely it was as a specimen foliage plant. It's supposed to emerge with red-tinged foliage, for the most part it's emerging more on the green side...but I'll give it a year to get it's bearings.
Rhus typhina "Tiger Eye"
Another plant I fell in love with almost instantly. I remember growing up in Nebraska always being entranced by the glorious fall color of the wild sumac that grew in ditches along highways. I also love the elegant branching structure of the plants. So, now that I have a house and garden of my very own, I decided I had to have one. I love the different season of interst this plant brings to the garden, and can't wait to see how it changes during its first full season in the garden
Columbine "Lime Frost"
I actually grew this in my little apartment garden in Omaha years ago and was really struck by the wonderful contrasts in color this plant offers. The lovely variegated foliage is great and really offsets the pinky-purple stems, not to mention the graceful, dark purple flowers. Of course in Nebraska, it would reach its full glory just before a pounding rainstorm and get flattened...here's to hoping the kinder, gentler, rains of Portland will be less damaging.
Bluebells
Last of all, here is something I didn't plant myself. The previous ownder didn't have alot of flowers, but she did have some spring bulbs planted. My favorite are the purple iris all around the house, which need to be moved and divided. I love them, though, they totally remind me of my grandma and parents' houses...we always had these. She also had a handful of daffodils and these blue flowers, which I'm not sure of, but think they are spanish bluebells... It is a good reminder to me at this time of year when my garden is quite bare, I REALLY need to solidigy placement of my perennials this summer so I can really plant more spring-blooming bulbs this fall!
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