Thalictrum....another small variety...

I have been unable to definitely identify the variety of this Thalictrum but want to share it.  I purchased it this spring at the Shades of Green Society's Hosta Sale but am not confident of the label being correct!  But, it has been great in my mini hosta bed as well as in several of my fairy gardens.

It seems to settle in about 12 inches tall but is a very prolific grower so am looking forward to it next year.  It makes a wonderful small tree shape and size for a fairy garden!  And is growing great directly in the garden bed!  Makes for a lovely filler for floral arrangements! 

My "Out of Africa" theme fairy garden.  Notice the tall plant in  the back.

Thactrium, the tiny side.....

Looking for a perennial as a companion plant to the Mini size Hostas?  Or, to use in Fairy Gardens? Or in a container?

Check this out!    Great for shade or part-shade environments! 

Thalictrium Kiusianum

1-3" tall

  Shade/Partial Shade

  Zone 4-8

A stoloniferous & dwarf species which produces mats of delicate green bronzed foliage hugging the ground up to 3" tall depending on growing conditions. Frothy lilac flowers on 3-4" stems bloom over a long period.

Thalictrum.....

When asked what this plant is my response is "it is a Thalictrum" and that usually gets a response "WHAT?"

It is not one of the most common perennials but one that loves part-shade making it a good companion for hostas or in part shade environments.  The one pictured here has white flowers and was labeled Thalictrum Aquilegiflium, which blooms in purple-pink or white.  Mine blooms in white which is great with my home a gray background for it!  It blooms early summer or late spring so that is when I usually get questions.  The foliage is wonderful for floral arrangements!

Thalictrum is a genus of 120-200 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae family native mostly to temperate regions. Meadow-rue is a common name for plants in this genus.

I also have found some miniature varieties that I am in love with and use in my Mini Hosta Bed and also in Fairy Gardens!  Check my next blog for pictures and information about those varieties!

July means Phlox Time in Minnesota!

Note:  Just click on the above title "Over The Garden Gate" to find a more colorful looking post!

Recently I received an invitation to Mary's Garden, one of my favorite places to go each year!  This visit included lots of fun greeting garden friends from two of our local garden clubs!  Mary is not only well known in our community for her gardens, she knows how to whip up some tasty treats and cold drinks and has created a special spot to serve her guests!   

After greeting Mary and friends I finally made my way to my favorite part of her Heaven on Earth at the top of her hill!  Yep, to get to the lake (a huge man made swimmable pond) one has to travel a path that goes right through a large planting of Pink Garden Phlox.  The phlox are so happy there, I had to look up to take this awesome picture because they are so tall!  The fragrance is heavenly! 

Phlox

Genus

Phlox is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae. They are found mostly in North America in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and fall. Flowers may be pale blue, violet, pink, bright red, or white. Many are fragrant.  They love our Minnesota sun and weather!

Great way to accent a hosta!

Barb sure found a way to draw attention to this beautiful hosta!  It is a real "eye catcher"!

A fairy lives at Pam's also!

We stopped at Rita's daughter's home and I even found a fairy living in one of her container plantings! 

I love this one sitting on a little log with a furry friend near by enjoying a July day!

Cottage Gardening....

Doris is an expert at "Cottage style gardening"  Her beds are a constantly changing display of color and a variety of flowers always in bloom!  My friend, Pat and I  realized neither of us had been to visit Doris for a few years so we checked to see if she was home and arrived early enough to get a delightful visit in before rain drops chased us away!  Doris is always a great source of inspiration and information about her plants!