Scott and I took a trip to Wind Dancer to comb through Carolyn Kolb's remaining stock and stuffed my Honda to the gills with grasses. That wonderful spray of airy seedheads is Pennisetum spathiolatum. I bought it for my hell strip but now I'm wishing I had bought many more because I can think of ninety places it would look great.
Carolyn has closed Wind Dancer but she has begun garden coaching. I'm seriously considering hiring her because her garden is incredible and her plant knowledge is seemingly endless. And I need help, especially in the backyard. She also convinced us we need to attend the Salem Hardy Plant Society fall sale on September 14th. There's a really nicely curated selection of vendors (Dancing Oaks! Desert Northwest! Sebright Gardens!) and it sounds like the location is great.
We actually got real rain this week, which was wonderful. Sadly, it's probably not enough to soften the ground enough to plant these. Have you started buying plants again? Did you ever stop?
One of my most exciting acquisitions was Pennisetum 'Burgandy Bunny.' (Zones 6a-9b)
What you can't see from my crummy photo is that Carolyn had this planted adjacent to a Salvia 'Amistad' and some dark purple sedums, creating all of these wonderful color echos. You can bet I'm going to steal that.
I did top buying plants about a month or so ago. I have way too many still waiting to get in the round. I know it's hard to understand, but I just don't want any more right now. Besides lots that I bought this spring and early summer, I have oodles of seedlings that need to get in the ground too.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you did a spot of plant shopping again after a long hiatus. And a crackin' plant too!
ReplyDeleteIt did feel good to buy a few more plants (I even got some in the ground where the willow came out. Is it bad that the second we pulled away, I wanted some of the Pennisetum spathiolatum myself too?
ReplyDeleteWe have to go back!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Pennisetum spathiolatum as soon as I saw your picture. Sadly, I've never seen it locally. I have almost stopped buying plants. Putting anything in the ground here right now is almost a certain death sentence as the heat ramps up. I admit to picking up a couple of things last week (just to fill the hole in one pot in one case and because I couldn't pass on an excellent price in another) but I really am trying to hold off until the weather cools. It isn't easy. I'm glad I don't live in a harsh winter climate 'cause I'd have to build a greenhouse to keep my fix going...
ReplyDeleteSeptember 14th huh? Damn, I knew I was going to regret saying yes to New Mexico (not that I really had a choice).
ReplyDeleteOh and of course I never stopped buying plants, I don't think that's even possible. Glad to read that you're back at it.
I knew you'd have my plant-buying back. :)
ReplyDeleteI want a greenhouse so badly but I know I would immediately fill it with stuff not hardy to this area. Digging Dog has this grass if you want it once the ground softens again . . .
ReplyDeleteIsn't it pretty? I'm so smitten.
ReplyDeleteAre you feeling alright? How can you go on so many plant adventures and not buy anything?!?
ReplyDeleteI have made many a vow to quit buying plants, only to break every one of them. After all, I am surrounded by sirens: Cistus, Joy Creek, Means, even Freddy's has been putting out lures lately.
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