This past weekend the Arboretum's annual Florabundance sale took place at Magnuson Park. This was a great opportunity to access a huge variety of rare, unusual and native plants that you typpically don't see at your average nursery. One of the things I am working on this year is adding bright color contrasts in each of the garden beds. This has really made a big difference in that formerly dull, drab, green beds are now popping with eye catching color; and this is just with foliage! Once the flowers start blooming, they too will be a truly outstanding color show. I can't wait!
My favorite plant of the year for contrasting purposes is Black Negligee Snakeroot or Bugbane. Its fern-like leaves are a silvery purple and make everything around it stand out in comparison. Furthermore, it produces tall spires of soft pink flowers on long, graceful stems. I purchased two of these rare plants in addition to a few small flowering border perennials.
If I had my way, I would probably spend waaaay too much money at this sale every year. My defense this year was to bring only one small box in which to put things. This enabled me to only buy things I really liked and really 'needed.' This Florabundance sale allowed me to fill in the last few gaping holes after the winter killed off about 30% of my perennials last year. Now I can relax and enjoy watching the garden get bigger and better as the season progresses.
My favorite plant of the year for contrasting purposes is Black Negligee Snakeroot or Bugbane. Its fern-like leaves are a silvery purple and make everything around it stand out in comparison. Furthermore, it produces tall spires of soft pink flowers on long, graceful stems. I purchased two of these rare plants in addition to a few small flowering border perennials.
If I had my way, I would probably spend waaaay too much money at this sale every year. My defense this year was to bring only one small box in which to put things. This enabled me to only buy things I really liked and really 'needed.' This Florabundance sale allowed me to fill in the last few gaping holes after the winter killed off about 30% of my perennials last year. Now I can relax and enjoy watching the garden get bigger and better as the season progresses.
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