Geography Lessons in the Garden, Part 3
Posted by John Friel on Nov 12th 2020
WHERE IN THE WORLD DID WE GET THIS PLANT?
Geography Lessons in the Garden, Part 3
A good mixed perennial garden can be a trip around the world or, in this case, across a continent or two. Today we’ll meet a couple of immigrants from the Old Country.
Our favorite “bellflower” hails from the Carpathian mountains, which arc through seven nations in central and eastern Europe. The Carpathians are also home to brown bears, wolves and lynxes. We’re not suggesting you invite those species into your lineup, but C.c. ‘Pearl Deep Blue’ and ‘Pearl White’ deserve a good home. Just 6 – 12” high, these cuties produce large cheerful blooms over low cushions of small, toothy green leaves. If deadheaded, they’ll flower for weeks. Terrific retail (or patio!) presentation in pots. Hardy in Zones 3 – 8.
‘Pearl Deep Blue’
‘Pearl White’
Fun Fact: The Carpathian range forms the east and south borders of (gulp) Transylvania. Anyone up for a full-moon tour?
The Kamchatka Peninsula juts out from eastern Siberia into the Pacific Ocean almost to Alaska. With active volcanoes, brown bears, skiing and hot springs, it’s popular with adventure tourists.
The peninsula’s namesake stonecrop, S. k. ‘Variegatum’, is a lovely, low-growing (6”) form whose green leaves are splashed with white accents. Yellow/orange flowers make a terrific contrast in summer. And as you’d expect, it’s tough – hardy in Zones 3 – 8.
Fun Fact: Kamchatka marks the closest point between Russia and the US. You can’t drive there; no roads connect it to the outside world. But two brave people have swum from Alaska to Russia. Brrrr!
Great plants come from all over. Keep your passport handy for more “Where In The World?” garden journeys from Emerald Coast Growers – the easy choice!