Shave and a haircut...

Today's Perennial Spotlight is focused upon a charming little creeper, Cymbalaria muralis which is known locally as Kenilworth Ivy.

These sweet little plant was given to me many years ago by a neighbor, just a little slip that I had in a pot near my garage. A piece escaped from the pot and rooted by the door. When I was looking for plants that would grow in my rock wall, I removed a piece and tucked it into a crevice out back.
Over the past four years the Cymbalaria worked it's way around the corner of the raised bed. It doesn't like the sunny spots, just the most shaded corner of the wall so I really didn't have to do anything to contain it.

Yesterday I decided that it needed a haircut. It looks so lush and healthy here but it was hiding some of the elements of the rock wall that I really like.

See, now you can see the boulder that we worked into the plan.

It was really simple to cut back the Cymbalaria, I just used a basic pair of scissors. The whole area took less than an hour and I also added lots of compost and top dressing to the bed at the same time.

Rather than cut too much, I left some areas with little tufts of Cymbalaria. I know that it will grow back again soon. Look at what I found underneath, a nice little Sempervivum rosette that will now get some much needed afternoon sun.

I think I'll pot up some Cymbalaria and add it to the sales table. Don't you think it's sweet?

In Bloom

With so many things beginning to bloom here at Old Country Gardens, I just don't know where to begin. There's just not enough hours in the day to do all the things I'd like to do in the garden.

Here's a little peek at what was blooming this morning:

I'm so glad I moved these Iris siberica from a shade bed where they were struggling. I was only able to save a few small pieces but they've responded wonderfully in their new sunny locations and I foresee huge swaths of white blooms in years to come.

The little white Rhododendrons I rescued after a flower show many years ago have grown and grown. How nice to capture a shot of them in bloom.

Another shrub blooming today is the Physocarpus opulifolious 'Nugget'. What a great foliage color too!
The pink Symphytum is chock full of pretty pink flowers that just hum with all the big fat bumblebees that visit them. When it's finished blooming I'll hack it back and it will rebloom nicely.

Hardy Geranium cantabrigiense 'Cambridge' on the right has mixed nicely with a simple Nepeta mussini (cat mint).

Thalictrum flowers are so delicate that you need more than one or two to make a statement.

And for the hall of shame, look at this lovely little Rhododendron that's been tortured for two years in this pot. Maybe I"ll finally find a home for this baby.

Back to the garden, I'm in the middle of a little project and will take lots more photos when I'm done.