While my enthusiasm for gardening remains unchecked, I’ve decided to make this blog strictly about writing…

Spreading clumps of dogtooth violets, or trout lilies if you prefer, among the Labrador violets.

As regular blog visitors know, details thrill me just as much as the showy stars of the border. The humble Labrador violets featured here are a staple in the garden. Like forget-me-nots, they spread happily in part-shade, look handsome all year, and ask for nothing. Doubtless, you’ve guessed I prefer ground covering flora to mulch.

Though, I am enamored by a nice clean edge of black earth between the border and the lawn, which is sort of the garden equivalent of crisp white cuffs and collar visible under a cashmere sweater. Truth be told, the garden version is only achieved a few times a year, what with borders being long, and wide, and many more urgent garden duties calling.

Seen from above the Trout Lilies (so called for their speckled leaves) they look like little hats, but crawling along the border weeding, I got this picture. A closer view of the same blossoms. They’re offered for sale here

Remember those fickle Bahama Beach Beauties from a couple of weeks ago?

The above is narcissus Acropolis, which is much flashier than those Bahama babes and smells pretty too. Best of all, it’s happy in the garden, showing up year after year and even multiplying modestly. You can find them for sale here just in case you need some for your garden. ;)

The spring blooming white camellia is lovely and pristine, but a total garden weenie. Breathe hard and it drops its petals. The slightest whisper of frost and every bud and blossom turns brown and falls to the ground. Still, it’s a handsome shrub even out of bloom and some years the weather cooperates and I walk softly and the blossoms linger for a week or more.

Of all the lovely camellias, this pale pink remains my favorite. During a mild winter, it starts blooming in December, continuing into May.

Since I can’t count on frost free springs, I cut blossoms regularly.

The cultivator pictured is Bahama Beach Beauties. Heck, they’re worth trying for the name alone. The problem with this very lovely variety is they aren’t happy in this yard. As is typical, the first year display was lovely. The second year significantly less lovely. And the third year? Forget about it. So, are they worth replanting year after year? Or do I settle for the varieties that thrive in less than perfect conditions?

In my case the answer is a little of both. I plant bulbs every fall, including some attractive new possibilities. Most fail. But now and then, I get a great addition to the garden.

I hurried out to capture the image before the rain completely destroyed the small clump of Iris reticulata. They’re perhaps four inches high and don’t seem to multiply. But they return faithfully in February when there’s not an abundance of blue. And I’m very glad to see them.

Since hellabores are one of my favorite things, I have them in every border and bed. But, they’re happiest here–along the inside curve of the east side border. Even the fussy white is spreading nicely.

One of the cool things about having several varieties of favorites is the extended bloom time. Hellabores start in December and go until early summer, but best of all they are content in the natural environment. As much as I admire the elusive, there’s a lot to be said for easy going beauties.