Shadow Shot Time

Here it is Shadow Shot time (full of "time" play on words) yet again ...
This month seems to be flying by some times, and yet not other times ... so catching my clock just at the right time when the sun actually was shining ... a mini miracle in itself ! .. was just right.
I love the curly "Q's" in the old fashioned design, and they were perfect in it's shadow self as well.
I think I am obsessed with time and clocks at certain times in my life ... maybe the influence of "catching" shadows has more meaning for me because they are so fleeting .. all shadow shooters must feel that I think?
In any case make sure to click on the SS II icon and visit the literal world of shadow shooters !

Samaritan Jo Clematis

Hey Happy Valentine's Day everybody !
It is snowing here yet again but when I think of plants I feel better ? haha
I stumbled on this clematis truly by accident a few weeks ago .. fell head over heels for it immediately.
There was just something about the way it was edged in a darker colour ... hum ? ... some what like my Eyeliner lily adventure .. it must be that kind of year I am thinking ?
Finding information about this clematis hasn't been easy.
 I do have the blurb from Vesey's Seeds one of the Canadian companies I buy from occasionally.
It was pure luck that they have it since I can't find it on any other of the mail order companies I use.
This is what they have to say about it :
"  Stunning single and semi-double flowers have dramatically pointed petals that are silvery white edged in plum purple. Blooms almost the entire season and is an excellent choice for growing in containers with support."
They also suggest starting this one out in a pot so I can keep a close eye on it to make sure all of it's needs are met ... thinking back to last year ? I wish I had done that with my new clematis then too !
Why is it you find this information out after the fact usually ?
In any case .. here is a picture of the beauty.

How is that for eye candy ? I can only hope it will perform for me as well as this one has in the picture!

Shadow Shot Time

My winter shadows are in jail ... we have had storm after storm here ... and Spring is so far away I can't even imagine what it will be like.
This is also my first shadow shot for 2014 because I have been diverted by the constant "reno" mode the house has been in.
If you have ever gone through renos on your house you know exactly what I am talking about !
For now ... cold winter shadows through the deck railing .. in jail, like I am with winter !
Don't forget to click on the shadow shot link to see shadows from all over the world !

Have you got some "Eyeliner" ?

OK ... the title is a bit of a tease .. but I'm a crazy Canuck who is snowed in and still let loose on my computer.
Husband should shut this down, and lock up my office so I will STOP cruising plant sites and sneaking orders in here and there.
In my defense ?( I don't really have one actually ... one that would work that is)
I'm sick of snow and cold.
I keep dreaming of what I can do with my garden and what unusual ? plants I just might find that might be "bang for my buck"!

A different lily I ran into ... totally by surprise, because one of my garden related passions is the hate I have for lily beetles .. that is why I have restricted myself to Casa Blanca, which I love.
BUT ... Eyeliner lily has definitely caught my attention .

 It is a hybrid of Longiflorum x Asiatic  ... an "Easter" lily combined with an Asiatic lily.
Attributes from both and a light scent .. not an overpowering one to draw more beetles.
It was actually described as a perfect partner with Casa Blanca because of the dark spots and edge lining.

From "Brent & Becky's Bulbs"
"Lovely, smooth and creamy, this luscious lily will be terrific alone, but will blend with any color scheme.

The lilies in this group are a result of much work in laboratories and fields to cross Asiatic Lilies with Longiflorum (Easter Lily) Types. Most bloom early, have fragrance and great substance (like the Longiflorum types), but most are outfacing like the Asiatic Lilies. They show strength, disease resistance and tolerance to viruses which make them exceptional for the garden and also for cut flowers. The best of both worlds are present in this small group of lilies; 2-3 per sq. ft.; 16/18+cm; zones 4-8; 2'-3' tall"

I actually ordered mine from Breck's (on SALE) with a root of thalictrum rochebrunianum

I fell in love with this meadow rue years ago when I was more of a novice and didn't really know what a treasure I had stumbled upon. 

It grew to enormous heights ...and of course I never got a picture worthy of it.

It gave me about 3 years and I never forgot it, so I have been trying to grow one to that proportion again.

Fingers crossed the one I have from Canning Perennials last year, and this one will combine to make a gorgeous monster!

Annie's Annuals describes it wonderfully.

So there I go again ... with yet another order but on sale I swear !!

Lust List Downsizing in Plants .. but numbers are up ?

OK .. it is Monday .. I have been awake since 4 AM .. it is almost 9:30 now .. I have an appointment at 10:15 and then I am SO going to have a Tim's coffee and muffin to charge the drained brain battery!

For now though I am going to confess of another plant order ... to Gardens Plus .. a mail order company I have been using for a few years.
The plants aren't as big as Canning Perennials but they are a wee bit cheaper and varieties I have looked for.
They are here in Ontario about 3 hours away, so it is nice to be that close when they mail my order.
So .. downsizing ... YES !! .. I mean in literal size of plants .. I have begun to become fascinated with something like "mini-me" plants .. sturdy plants that don't need a lot of babying ?

First the confession routine .. the plants !
Cheyenne Spirit is an echinacea I started to watch last year .. every year I seem bound and determined to get an echinacea .. this time it is one that seems rough and tough and easy to handle.
Yet very pretty with such a variety of colours from one plant ... how do they do that ?

Now how gorgeous is this mixture of beauties ?

Next is a repeat .. I got one last year and I loved it so another one had to be had ?
Heuchera "Coco" ... one of the "Little Cuties" bunch that have been created to make us just plain outright smile : )

How is that for CONTRAST ??? a nice neat little clump that behaves itself !

Another repeat ... because it is a GREAT heucherella and pulls more than it's weight for colour and contrast.
Redstone Falls

I have it in the front garden and it hid a lot of "sins" that were going on in that neglected area .. so I am grateful for it's ground cover characteristics and now it can help me with the back gardens !

OK ... I have fallen into the pit of hostas .. but? I like unusual or BLUE hosta ...
Curly Fries is UNUSUAL !

It doesn't even look like a hosta right ? ... it is on the smaller side and truly a second looker .. you can't just look once .. it makes you look at least twice and more, trying to figure it out .. I like that in a plant!
It is like a firecracker went off on the middle of it .. this plant makes me giggle .. out right LAUGH in fact.
OK ... I'll settle down now for the next one.

Blue Mouse Ears ...you really have to wonder who makes these names up for plants ?

I know what you think ... these aren't very blue .. but they are so darn cute AND ? slug RESISTANT!!
Now you have to admire that in a hosta .. any plant really .. not letting slugs get the upper hand and looking too cute to believe ... it will look a little blue at times but for now it is the perfect size and consistency for my plans.

Next ... Love Pat .. like some one just "patted" this hosta with "love" ?
Tah Dah !

Yes .. I think who ever posted this picture turned up the colour volume a little .. but it is a beauty and will look amazing next to gold colored hosta or plants of what ever nature .. also slug resistant ..
In fact most "blue" hosta are slug resistant ... something to keep in mind when expanding your hosta hoard

Since I reached a specific amount with my order to Gardens Plus I get to chose a bonus plant ..
I picked Blackberry Ice heuchera  .. since I didn't have that one in my collection.

I know .. the colour is turned up a wee bit but I have scrutinized a lot of pictures for this plant and indeed it is a beauty no matter the "volume" the actual degree of colour is turned on or off.
Plus ? .. it is a FREEBIE !!! ... who can't love that ?

OK .. this is the most recent installment of my "Plant Follies" ..... BIG sigh !
The Lust List is getting bigger and bigger .... I have to quit ! SOON !