Itea virginica, A Perfect Autumn Partner

Layanee at Ledge and Garden has asked "What plant in your garden has gotten your attention recently?" It is definitely Itea virginica. Just look at that color! It's a spectacular mixture of yellow, orange, crimson and maroon.

I think Iteas might be one of the best native shrubs for Zone 5 and warmer gardens. I think of it as a four season planting, but, it really shines in early summer when the lightly scented flowers are abuzz with bees and fall when it is a technicolor beauty.

It partners so well with many perennials, grasses and other shrubs.  One of my favorite pairings is with one of the floppier Switchgrasses (above).  I like how the golden grass blades gently bend over the fall colored leaves of the Sweetspire. 

Mid-October Itea virginica 'Merlot'

Itea virginica is also stunning partnered with a cobalt blue pot.

Or,  planted in one! 

I'm hoping that this new partnership~ cultivar 'Little Henry' and Korean mum 'Ryan's yellow'~ continue to work well together.

Fall 2009 witchhazel and Sweetspire

Itea virginica is a beautiful stand alone shrub and in the right spot will colonize and make a stunning year round display, but, each fall when I see it dancing with the golden grasses or complimenting the  witch hazels, I know that pairing this plant with a good partner doubles the pleasure.

xoxogail

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.

Lady Jane Tulip, Small Stature, Big Impact

Tulipa 'Lady Jane' is most definitely in the I Want More category!

I love this hybrid tulip even if it's not the species, Tulipa clusiana with which it is often confused. The species has a purple painted throat and the petal color is a darker red.  I want  that one, too. 

Both hybrid 'Lady Jane' and the Tulipa clusiana will return and increase each spring if planted in well drained soil that stays dry during the summers.  I was reading this morning that this bulb  needs dividing more often than botanical tulips...Just be sure and give the tiny offsets a dry winter spot with good drainage and ix-nay on removing those leaves before they have yellowed.

I have no complaints about the sweet face of hybrid 'Lady Jane' and appreciate her habit of blooming early enough to disappear before the wildflower show that follows.  The bulbs are small and you can tuck them between plants where they will make a fine vignette with the Tommies (Crocus tommasinianus), Grape Hyacinths and violas.  Lady Jane has enough white, pink, and yellow to  be a good companion for other smaller bulbs, but, pretty enough to stand alone in the garden. 

Thanks go to my good friend Frances of Fairegarden fame, it was at her urging that Lady Jane came to live in my garden.  They may be small of stature, but, they have a big impact.

xoxogail

 Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone." She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.