Lathyrus vernus- The Spring Pea should be yet another of the staples of Northwest gardens. It forms a mound of deep, mid-green foliage beneath and mixed with a Vernal display of cluster’s of mostly blue-violet pea flowers. There are also forms in shades of pink and white flowers. While there is no fragrance, it’s early Spring floral display creates a stir in the garden, and the lush foliage mound hangs on till frost.
Hacquetia epipactis- According to my local plant name pronunciation authority, the latest trend in referring to this low-growing, green-flowered Spring bloomer as ha-KWEE-sha is inventive but incorrect. I learned it as ha-KET-ee-ah, and until the botanists declare it to be otherwise I guess it should remain that way. Regardless of how one says it, this slow spreading Spring bloomer is always a curious and welcome early season surprise.
Ranunculus ficaria ‘Brazen Hussy’- Sometimes one just has to have a plant for its name alone. In this case, it is a name given by the late garden legend Christopher Lloyd. In the plant world it is definitely brazen to sport a deep mahogany foliage that is crowned with boldly contrasting single flowers of bright yellow, but to be declared a saucy, pert girl of low morals as well? You decide.
Meconopsis x sheldonii ‘Lingholm’- In the search for true blue flowers, the genus Meconopsis is a most likely starting place. As a cross of garden origin between M. betonicifolia and M. grandis, ‘Lingholm’ is known for its deep blue flowers. The RHS Dictionary has pronounced the Pacific Northwest to be the best place for Meconopsis to thrive in the US- a woodland setting with good drainage and rich soil is all you need now.
Primula sieboldii ‘Shi-Un’- My introduction to the sieboldii group of primroses was through Jerry Flintoff. From my first viewing, I’ve always thought of the flowers as paper cut-outs or snowflakes on stems. In this case, the blue-lavender flower coloring would suggest more paper than snow, unless of course one could imagine the Cat in the Hat with a more extensive color palette.
