Oh, I'd love to grow some orchids - I just haven't the space! My "spare" shelf has a plectranthus on it - the rest of it is covered with p-plates full of drying seeds!

I bought my mom one for Mother's Day two years ago and thought it would only last a year - it bloomed its little heart out for months this year! They're simply breathtaking!

Yes, they can bloom for a very long while....

Plecthranthus...pretty!!

The plectranthus will actually live through the winter, despite my neglect and the dry inside air. I'm so glad I learned to keep it over - it's the easiest thing ever to root, supplying all I need for next season. It'll even bloom inside this Spring, though the blooms will be almost white.

This is what it looks like blooming in the house. Pretty washed-out looking, but at least it tries.

Pretty, pretty, Chelle!!
Do you have pics of it in your garden?

The bulbs from B&B arrived today. They were mailed on November 30th and arrived on December 5th. I was charged $41.26 for shipping, which included the $25 surcharge for 3-day shipping because the weather is presumably too cold for normal shipping from Virginia to California.

A couple of hours before this package arrived by FedEx, I received a box twice as large from Holland Bulb Farms by USPS. My shipping charge was $8.95 for shipping from Wisconsin to California.

The bulbs from the two places are of comparable size and quality. I'm annoyed.

I would be annoyed too, Zuzu.

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Janice,

I only grew those in pots on the deck this year. Next year I may get a bit more adventurous and set some in the ground. Those leaves might look pretty neat against some what, maybe white blooms? Or, next to the leaves of a 'Margarita' sweet potato vine....ooh, how about with this variegated grass?

What are your combo thoughts?

Agree, Zuzu. I would feel the same way.

Chelle, that's a question to ruminate on.... I see it is a member of the mint family, but that shouldn't be a problem in the garden since winters would kill it off, I assume, or you could pot it and bring it inside?

That Moor grass is so pretty, I am sure it would be pretty there.

Anybody have suggestions??

Sure, that, or I tend to stick everything next to feathery things - Artemesia 'Powis Castle', Cosmos, Pennisetum alopecuroides. That's more of a texture contrast, though, and I think you were looking more for color contrast?

Which reminds me, Janice - I was going to compliment you on your new avatar - is that one of your own orchids?

Yes and thanks, Sheryl!

Oh, always loved Artemesia....all forms. They provide such great contrast, don't they?

I grow cosmos every year, but the artemesia would be new to me. It has been in my mind lately, however; as I saw a lovely patch of it in October while visiting with a friend in her garden.

Thanks for the ideas!

I really enjoy the smell of the Powis Castle when I brush up against it, and it seems like very few people use it around here, so it's a little special too.

And tough - oh!

Do you grow any, Janice?

Not currently, Sheryl. Had alot in my last garden.
I am thinking about it for Spring this year.....

There are a few plants I miss from my last garden,
one is Petasites (variegated form) and the other is a maroon leafed, yellow flowering form of Lysimachia.
Both are pretty aggressive spreaders, so I hesitated to introduce them here.
But they are both really beautiful, and memorable(in a good way!), if used properly (that is kept out of trouble!! )

The Petasites looks great at the edge of a woodland, which is where I had it. I looked forward to the flowers very early every Spring.
They look like something from outer space.
The color of the Lysimachia leaves is wonderful, maroony, almost chocolate brown. Then later in the season turns green. I believe it is L. ciliata purpurea.
I am a little afraid of it!

I kept wondering why people call lysimachia a thug - I think mine a) only slowly spreads and b) never flowers because it has a slightly shady position. Or maybe it's the poor drainage? Who knows. It certainly *does* spread, but not wildly out-of-control spread. It has been suggested to me that the green version is much worse than the gold, which is what I have.

Petasites, I love the look of, but have heard the horror stories (do you know RCN/ Deb? She had a horrible experience, if I remember correctly) and haven't chanced it. So many things that are fine in cooler climates seem to go bonkers down here.

Janice it this the plant you are speaking of? (left of iris)
Fringed loosetrife
It spreads here but I just share with friends , with a warning
I really like it , because of the color it adds to the garden.

That's pretty - it looks like Husker Red penstemon with larger leaves...

It has a tendency to loose its great color when flowering so some times I just cut it down.
What lysimachia do you grow?

Very pretty!! Couldn't be a better color pairing than with that lovely peach Iris.
It does look like it, thanks, Cinda.
How long have you had it?
There is a new hybrid which has the dark leaves, called Firecracker.
I believe I had purpurea ciliata.
It can be quite aggressive and invasive, but I tolerated it because of the really striking leaf color.
Thanks for sharing the lovely picture.
I must have some pics of it somewhere. Back then, in the Ice Age (LOL), I only had a regular camera, no digital, so would have to go through boxes of photos....

Yes, you must have the ciliata, Cinda....it does turn green later in the season. I believe that Firecracker remains maroon.
I have L. nummularia and L.clethroides.

I have had mine for about 5 years , but I am sure it is not new . The lady I got a start from said the plant was from her mothers garden.