Clouds in the Garden

I know this spring has been stormy and cold. However, I’m not writing about the weather; I’m enjoying the “clouds” in full bloom in my entry garden.

 Out of the variegated foliage, a significant drift of Saxifraga London’s Pride (Saxifrage x urbium ‘Variegata’) shoots up long stems covered in tiny white flowers. I planted this perennial on top of a rock wall in the shade of a plum tree. The plant took over the top of the wall and cascaded handsomely down the side.

This entry garden contains a fun combination of foliage and flowers that ushers in summer. A favorite perennial for me; its fantastic foliage looks great all year round. In late spring, drifts of tiny flowers appear over the leaves, in textural contrast to the Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ and Primula viallii nearby. After the flowers finish, I pick the stalks with my hands, and the brittle stems break cleanly off the rosette. The variegated foliage is the show for the rest of the year.

Here is the group I planted at Kingston Henery Hardware in the tiny Memorial Garden — flower clouds reaching for the clouds.