I've learned over the years there are certain necessary qualities a gardener must have in order to be successful. Patience (not at all), persistence (absolutely) and pragmatism (absolutely not). While in some circles 1 out of 3 ain't bad, in this instance my lack of the majority of these essential attributes has caused pain, heartbreak, wasted money, and most importantly wasted time.
Given my continuing struggle to at least have some fleeting glimmer of the 2 qualities I lack, I feel I can credibly say that I can relate to the average home gardener's need for immediacy. I've been there, done that, and paid the price. So, given that I'm leaning on the side of brevity as of late as I am spending most (ok, pretty much all) of my free time in the garden these days I'm just going to dive right into the plants... Only three this week! (again with the brevity) My selections this week were strategic relative to the lessons they taught me.
PATIENCE
Dictamnus albus - Gas Plant
Zones 3-8
There's a good reason why this resolute, tough as nails, long lived (non-native) perennial beauty isn't as popular as it ought to be... well make that 2 very not good reasons: 1. It pretty much always looks sad and pathetic in pot and 2. It takes at least a couple years to settle in before it really begins to put on a show. And if you were wondering about the name take a look (apparently this doesn't actually harm the plant, so they say...).
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PERSISTENCE
Sporobolus heterolepis - Prairie Dropseed
Zones 3-9
For several years I debated ripping out this grass due to its overall underwhelmingness, but I managed to restrain myself. I weeded diligently, despite the fact that I wasn't sure it was worth it, but did my best to give the plants the time they needed to come into their own. And so glad they (and I) did! This ones definitely a keeper :)
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PRAGMATISM
Sisyrinchium angustifolium - Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass
Zones 4-9
This plant conjures up overwhelming feelings of guilt. For years I have dutifully collected the seedlings that popped up here and there around the property where I garden and transplanted them to (what I thought) was a much more amiable spot, but year after year I would come to find them gone without a trace the following spring. In their "natural environment" they often grow in the company of grasses which I imagine makes the tiny rhizome they grow from fairly difficult to access, but when grown on open soil not so much. I've concluded the rhizome must taste like candy to whatever kept eating it, given the size of the plant you wouldn't expect it to be worth the trouble. So now I leave the plants where I find them, and just appreciate them as is.
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DISCLAIMER: THIS ENTRY WAS WRITTEN HASTILY A FEW HOURS BEFORE MIDNIGHT AFTER A SOLID 4 DAYS OF STRAIGHT GARDENING.... NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS WAS NOT MY BEST ENTRY. :( BACK TO NORMAL NEXT MONTH! :)
