Author Archives: talesofanashvillegardener

This is the Franklin Tree-Franklinia alatamaha, found in Georgia by the Bartrams centuries ago, and since then, never found again in the wild. It lives in captivity now, rare and hard to grow. This one pictured is in the Heritage Gardens on Cape Cod. I had never seen one before. Seeing it was like seeingContinue reading “A Unicorn Tree”

Heritage Gardens in Sandwich, Mass. has a riveting collection of hydrangeas of all persuasions- from blue mopheads to lace caps to paniculatas, and to exotics I did not know existed. Even in early October there were blooms to see. My sister and I were in Eastham for a week, just south of Coast Guard BeachContinue reading “The Hydrangea Trial Gardens at Heritage Gardens on Cape Cod”

Aster Cordifolius, the “Heart- leaved aster”, is blooming now. Along partly shaded roads. In the verge behind the Sully’s grocery in Goffstown. In old cemeteries. My sister’s garden in Bow has it foaming over the hostas in her front yard. I have it here in New Boston, though the relentless, repeated attacks by the woodchucksContinue reading “Heart-Leaved Aster”

The strange seedpod I photographed for my posting on The Fells visit belongs to the Japanese Woodland Peony. No one at The Fells replied to my query, but as I went searching through Ruth Clausen’s “Essential Perennials” I saw the seed pod pictured.

Asters in the main border. View from the “Old Garden”. View of Lake Sunapee from the garden. A strange and beautiful mystery plant. I have emailed The Fells website asking about this plant, but have yet to hear from them. The heather garden. Rodgersia in a damp spot. Fall alliums.

Here are photos from yesterday’s day trip to Newbury, NH, and the estate of John Hay, Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary of State. Since my camera’s memory card overloaded I will post photos my sister took on her camera phone as soon as she sends them to me. The above photo shows the Bristly aster blooming inContinue reading “A Visit to The Fells, Historic Garden on Lake Sunapee. September 12, 2021”

Grass leaved goldenrod, Aster linarifolius, “Velvet Elvis” plectranthus. The last, new to me this year, is an outstanding shade plant. I will winter it over inside. It blooms in late summer., when it senses the seasonable wane of daylight hours. Another view of “Velvet Elvis”, flanked by Wax begonias and “Diamond Frost” euphorbia. Proof thatContinue reading “A Shady Corner under the Redbud Tree”

Mealy Cup sage, Salvia “Skyscraper Pink”, Salvia “Skyscraper Orange”, Salvia Amistad. Salvia “Ember’s Wish”, Salvia “Big Blue”, Autumn Joy, Miss Huff lantana, Blue Mistflower. Silver Rod goldenrod, Stout goldenrod, Fireworks gomphrena, Yucca Color Guard, Agastaches Blue Boa and Blue Fortune. Happy Labor Day!

Old names for this relative of Joe Pye Weed are Blue Eupatorium, Mistflower, and Hardy Ageratum. The new Latin is Conoclinium coelestinum. It is a hardy perennial wildflower that blooms all over Middle Tennessee, but one must look to mail order to bring it to southern New Hampshire. It is a notorious leaper and goesContinue reading “Blue Mistflower”