It's time for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, hosted once again by May Dream Gardens. Gardeners from all over the world gather to show what is blooming in their gardens. I'm cheating a bit, because of my schedules today. Some of these pictures were taken Friday, others Sunday (when it got up to 67 degrees - ahhhh!) but everything that was blooming on Sunday, is still blooming today.
In my Johnson City, NY yard, we had a lot of thing blooming on Friday, despite rain, 44 degrees and a shower of ice pellets. (hey, who turned fall off?). And then, on Saturday morning, without even a frosty morning first, we hit a record low of 26 degrees. A number of things we covered are in Plant Heaven, brought down by the record low temperatures: my white marigolds, my red dahlias, my purple peppers, my variegated basil. Let us have a moment of silence as I remember the joy each plant gave me.
This is our second mystery plant. We covered this and it came through with flying colors. We bought this last year in a local nursery at 50% off. We returned this year and they didn't have it. In a show of our usual disorganization, we now have no idea whatsoever what this plant is.
What a strange gardening year this has been.
I look forward to visiting some of your gardens later today. Happy GBBD to all!
Your first mystery plant looks like Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette'. It's a native species, so not considered invasive, although it does seed freely. I've only recently become aware of this plant, as I was looking for something to brighten up a shady garden spot (they say it grows well in shade too). I think it has a lovely habit! Couldn't find it anywhere locally (Philadelphia PA area) so had to order it online. I'm getting it into the ground today, in fact. So nice to see another pic of it!
ReplyDeleteI believe you are right about the Persicaria virginiana. The flowers did remind me of knotweed which we have (as weeds), too. I have many shady areas so I may be moving this. Thank you for stopping by and giving me the ID. Happy GBBD!
DeleteYour first plant looks like some kind of Persicaria, perhaps 'Paint Palette'? The second is Anemone japonica 'Honorine Jobert', I have some myself. They are graceful and dependable, once established. Thank you for sharing your garden, it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI believe you are right about the Persicaria - and they have been very dependable for us. Thank you for the ID and thank you for stopping by!
Deletei like the delicate blooms in your garden and what fun with your surprise plants! Thanks for sharing and Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the second mystery plant is a Japanese anemone. You're kind of on the edge of its hardiness zone, I think--last year's mild winter was probably good for it. Be sure to mulch it well after the ground freezes!
ReplyDeleteYour sweet potato probably is edible, but it's unlikely to taste good, and since it was grown to be nursery stock, not food, I'd be concerned about what sort of fertilizer it may have had before it got to you!
We had our first freeze overnight Friday, as well. I knew it was coming when it was already 36 degrees when my son got home from playing in the band at the high school football game at 10:00 that night! Luckily, I had already brought in or taken cuttings of everything I cared about.