Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Oh for goodness sakes. The weather networks are full of apocalyptic forecasts for snow in the Greater Toronto Area and parts east and west to get - almost 2cm of snow!!! Just 4 months ago we were regaling our fellow bloggers with our bravery in the face of beardsicles, frozen flesh and northern tires that would square off over night. What happened to our backbone? The poor folks in the middle of North America are contending with flooding that looks like they've sprouted the sixth Great Lake almost overnight, and we're whining about 2cm of snow? Which hasn't started yet, so I'll be able to rush to the grocery store to stock up on powdered milk and canned goods in case we're stuck in for the next couple of weeks.

However, the folks about 40 k north of us will be getting 25cm - for any time of the year, and especially just before Easter seems just too late in the season.

Yesterday I got out to do some a little spring cleaning - still a little on the early side - you should have seen the dents my knees were leaving in the soft, just barely thawed, lawn! However, it really cheered me to see all the stuff that had been blanketed by the snow sending up new little leaves and stems.

It won't be long until I can fill my blog with shots from my garden, but until then - here are more of my favourite plants for 2008:

Favourite Plants for July 2008

Pavlova Dark Blue Aster

Got these seeds from Veseys in 2007 - this was a volunteer from the previous year and I think it was better than the first crop. They call this variety a 'Tiger Paw' type. As you can see, it isn't really blue, but I wouldn't hold that against it. Grows about 40 cm (18") and blooms from July to the end of the summer.

Echinops ritro

It really is blue. It's fun to watch open. The little creatures like it. It gets just a little bigger every year. And, I like to take its photo.

Hibiscus 'Carolina Mixed'

I have 5 of these happy plants that I started from Aimers seed in 2006. The flowers are completely over-the-top ridiculous - the buds are big and rude looking - and the spent blossoms look like old hankies. They grow about a meter high and wide. They start very late in the season after everything else has started to grow.

Phlox 'David'

I've had David for about 10 years. And, just as advertised, there's been no disease, mildew - only big white scented blossoms.

Brugmansia

This old girl was really smacked by hail in early July. Fortunately the buds were small so they weren't ripped apart the way the lovely variegated leaves were. The petals make me think of ladies dancing. The scent is magical. It is currently residing in the basement looking pathetic - no leaves and pruny looking stems. I've moved it in and out 4 times - fingers crossed for year 5.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

This plant was beyond boring in years 1-3. Finally it's doing its lime-light thing and I'm smitten. Blooms on 1st and 2nd year wood. It is about 150 cm x 100 cm (5 x 3feet)

Veronicastrum

A native that takes quite a bit of shade and dry, this patch just gets better every year. The seed heads look great, but never have had a problem with self seeding. 125 cm x 125cm 4x4 ft.

Agastache 'Apache Sunset'

I'm busted, I'll grow anything the colour of Baby Aspirin. Grown from seed, these little 1ft high/wide plants have a lovely scent, bluish leaves and most importantly are a colour you don't commonly see in the garden.

Perilla

This is herb equivalent of the cold Brussels Sprout/Lima Bean casserole - even the insects don't like it. But look at how cool the leaves are! These photos were taken after the hail storm - even the hail avoided it. I let it go to seed, am hopeful that it will come back next year in the same spot. It was a volunteer from a previous year's planting.