CAUSE GARDNER'S ARE BUSY PEOPLE TOO!

If I could figure out how it is that after taking a day off I somehow managed to end up a week behind schedule I'm pretty sure I could unlock the secrets of the universe. But, until then, I am reminded that we all have too many things to get done and somehow less and less time to do them in. And as much as I would like to spend all day puttering around the yard, the reality is I have way too much other crap to get done. Ultimately, if I don't spend the little bit of free time I do have strategically the whole thing goes to hell in handbasket (do people say that anymore?) in less than a season. Anyway, at least as far as yard work is concerned I'd like to think I'm pretty demanding of myself, but I'm also pretty demanding of my plants. I definitely don't have the time to pamper myself, so I'm pretty damn sure not gonna do it for what I'm throwing in the ground.

My demands are pretty simple. Aside from meeting some basic cultural requirements (light, moisture, etc.) I want what every other gardner wants, to plant it and forget it. After which I not only expect it to thrive, but preferably weave (aka seed itself lightly) through the garden. Enough to fill in whatever gaps there might be, but not enough to be a nuisance. Granted, in no universe would I be considered an experienced gardner, but in my limited experience I have managed to compile a list of "go to" plants that never seem to dissapoint me, provided they are at least moderately well-sited. For the most part they are fairly well behaved, but always happy to volunteer (almost always it seems in just the right spot). Some may find these plants a bit (or entirely) too weedy for their liking, but as far as I'm concerened all garden plants should be at least a little weedy; let'em loose and battle it out. The only real way to garden if you ask me.



DRY AND SUNNY



Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion)


Opunitia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear)


Euphorbia corollata (Flowering Spurge)


Agastache rupestris (Sunset Hyssop) - needs excellent drainage and a sandy soil in the northeast, but one of my favorite plants. Will reseed if conditions are to its liking. Wonderfully scented foliage somewhere between rootbeer and mint. Semi-woody perennial that shouldn't be cut back till spring to improve cold hardiness.


Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) - not really thought of as a reseeder, but will if there is some open ground nearby.


Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle)


Oenothera speciosa (Pink Evening Primrose) - Have never actually had any luck growing this myself, but have never really given it what it needed either (lots of sun, heat, and fairly dry, quickly draining soil). Have seen it growing exuberantly all around where my area if these conditions are met.


AVERAGE AND SUNNY


Platycodon grandiflorus (Ballon Flower)


Oenothera fruticosa (Sundrops) - admittedly, an aggresive plant, but not too tall, so as long as it has taller neighbors, a great filler.


Tradescantia spp. (Spiderwort)


Allium tuberosum (Garlic Chives) and Allium schoenoprasum (Chives)
If I had to choose between the 2, I'd have to go with A. tuberosum. It stays fresh looking the entire growing season and blooms late when most of the perennial bed has already closed up shop for the season. Another plus is the persistent seed heads, which are just about as pretty as the flowers themselves. Both species will reseed.


Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)


Valeriana officinalis (Valerian or Garden Heliotrope)


Saponaria officinalis (Soapwort) - not common in the trade, but common everywhere else. Sidewalks, roadsides, cracks in walls, and the occasional garden. While somewhat aggressive, it is one of the few plants that looks fresh in the heat of the summer.


Adenophora spp. (Ladybells)


Campanula takesimana (Korean Bellflower) - Will spread far and wide. Roamer and a romper.


Aquilegia vulgaris (European Columbine) and Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern Red Columbine) - Pink form of A. candensis ('Pink Lanterns') as well



MOIST/WET AND SUNNY


Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' (Jacob Cline Bee Balm) - THE BEST bee balm. Bee balms are, especially this one, at their best when given consistently moist, moderately wet soil. Drought sends them packing.


Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia)


Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)


Eupatorium spp. (Joe Pye Weed) - Do not plant this in anyplace that dries out! It will persist, but will look pretty crappy and give Joe Pye Weed a bad name when in reality it is a first rate plant. Consistently moist/wet soil only!!!


Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged Robin)



MOIST/WET AND SHADY


Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss) - Can also tolerate drier soils. Awesome plant. Very adaptable.


Thalictrum pubescens (Tall Meadow-Rue)


Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats) - Can also tolerate drier soils.



AVERAGE/DRY AND SHADY


Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)


Geranium x cantabrigiense (Hybrid Bigroot Geranium) - Also try G. x cantabrigiense's parents G. dalmaticum & G. macrorrhizum. Both are just as good as their awesome child. Shade and drought tolerant. Can be used as a groundcover. Semi-evergreen foliage colors nicely in the fall.


Eurybia (formerly Aster) divaricata (White Wood Aster)


Symphyotrichum (formerly Aster) cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster)


Dicentra eximia (Wild or Fringed Bleeding-heart)


Stylophorum diphyllum (Celandine-Poppy or Wood Poppy) - Very underutilized native woodland wildflower that happily reseeds. Not to be confused with the non-native weed Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine).