Over the winter months is a good time to review flower border designs, making note of what did well and what did not in the previous year.
If you are looking to save money, perennials are a great way to go coming back every year and often growing large enough to split and give away to friends.
Playing with sketches of what you might like to plant next year is a fun activity. Cutting or printing pictures of those plants that appeal to you will make a trip to the nursery next spring more focused, less impulsive and more directed. We are all guilty of buying plants that were not suited to our gardening space and climate but with a little planning we might not have as many disappointments.
These upcoming spotlighted plants are tried and true in Zone Three.
All Rounder Plant for Border Planning and Planting
Spotlight On: Lady’s Mantle, Alchemilla mollis
• three season perennial
• deer resistant
• attractive foliage
• attractive chartreuse flowers that become darker though the summer
• drought tolerant
• will grow in most soils
• sun and semi-shade
• grows to a height of 12 inches and width of the same.
This wonderful plant has been growing in my front garden for thirty years and to date, the deer have never touched it. Combined with Spiraea japonica, Perovskia Russian Sage, Lamb’s Ears, Stachys byzantina and Blue Oat Grass, Helitotrichon sempervirens it has been a deer proof planting for that time.
With a provenance in Turkey, the name Alchemilla, originates from the word alchemy as the plant is thought by some to have medicinal properties.
I love this plant for its foliage and chartreuse flowers which both make wonderful additions to any flower arrangements and provide a backdrop of bright green for any other border flowers. Out of deer’s reach it combines well with Dianthus, Sages and Veronica and Cranesbills. It’s size renders it most suitable as an edging plant and filler between slightly taller plants.
Lady’s Mantle will reproduce readily through seed and size of clump. It is easily removed if unsuited to its location.
