Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' flower details

Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’ (milky bellflower) has upward facing, open flowers of a blue lavender colour. It is one of the taller bellflowers, and has light, yellowish green foliage. These can be planted in full sun, but I’ve been pleased with the number of flowers mine develop in part shade.

Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' flower closeup

The light violet blue flowers of ‘Prichard’s Variety’ are very attractive, and are held at the top of the plants. Each flower has five long petals that curve back away from the bell, with a small white centre.

Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' flowers

The flowers of milky bellflower are similar to the dwarf Campanula portenschlagiana (dalmatian bellflower), but Campanula lactiflora holds their flowers much higher at the top of the upright stems, whereas the dalmatian bellflower has rows of blooms along the flower stems that radiate out horizontally along the ground.

Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' with Geranium

When seen next to the Geranium ‘Rozanne’, ‘Prichard’s Variety’ are actually a bluish lavender colour, but on their own they look light blue. In the above photo, the geranium is showing its usual habit of weaving in between neighbouring plants. This trait can create some pretty pairings, and these two perennials look good entwined together.

Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' lavender flowers

The lighter coloured leaves of this perennial have a yellow cast to the green, so they would show up well next to darker foliage. Milky bellflower  grows about 60 cm (around 2 feet) tall, with each plant producing a number of stems. At the back of the photo, are the silver leaves of Pulmonaria (lungwort), which also look good with them.

Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' one perennial

The above photo shows one milky bellflower plant, so  you can see that each plant gets a fair number of blooms. I planted mine last year, and each plant now has about 20 stems, with a group of flowers at the top of each stem. Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’ is a pretty, easy care bellflower that will produce a good flower show in summer. You can read about more Campanula (bellflowers) in this earlier post.

Campanula lactiflora 'Prichard's Variety' with Geranium 'Rozanne'

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' perennial

My ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peony usually gets about 20 to 30 flowers in part shade, each one pretty on its own, but together they put on a spectacular show. The extra full flowers tend to arch over, especially in the rain. I use a one piece metal ring to hold up the peony flowers, inserted when the perennial is about 30 cm (a foot) tall. The ring is quickly hidden by the rapid growth of the foliage.

This Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’  is planted in an area that is part shade, with more sun than shade. It would probably get even more flowers in full sun, but I’m happy with the couple dozen flowers produced by the perennial here.

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' flower closeup

The double pink flowers of  ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ are tightly packed with delicate looking petals. Each overlapping petal is crinkled on the end to give a fuller look. The pink shading goes from deeper on the bottom and interior of the petals, to lighter at the tips, making it a very attractive peony flower

Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt' and campanula glomerata

The soft pink colour of the flowers is easy to combine in a border with many garden plants, especially ones that are blue, pink or purple.

Sarah Bernhardt peony and bellflower

I have some purple Campanula glomerata (clustered bellflower) planted next to the peony that coordinate well and bloom at the same time. On the other side are some Campanula ‘Summertime Blues’ (bellflowers) with a steely blue colour. In front are some shorter Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Grenadin Pink’ (pink carnations) that are in bud now. At the front edge of the bed are some annual  light blue Lobelia that make a flowering border all season.

Sarah Bernhardt peony flowers

The scent alone is a great reason for growing this perennial. The peony fragrance is worth visiting this section of the garden everyday while they are in bloom. These rate at the top of my list of favourite scented plants, along with lilac, mockorange, carnations and lily of the valley.

Sarah Bernhardt peony flower in vase

The flowers make beautiful arrangements in a vase, or even on their own. Above is a flower I picked to display in the small glass vase. I took the picture just before I brought it inside. The scent is wonderful indoors, so I put this one on my dining table to enjoy.

Peonies are reliable perennials, faithfully returning every year. They always make me smile with their predictable cycle of behaviour: ants scurrying over the buds, big pompoms opening, scent perfuming the air, stems bending under the weight of the beauty, rain bending them more, and then after a few weeks petals slowly dropping to carpet the ground. They are a very endearing perennial, foibles and all.

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Hoffman's Blue' bellflower 02

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Hoffman's Blue' bellflower 03

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Hoffman's Blue' bellflower 04

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Hoffman's Blue' bellflower 05

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Hoffman's Blue' bellflower 06

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Hoffman's Blue' bellflower 07

Campanula portenschlagiana 'Hoffman's Blue' bellflower 01

The beautiful Campanula portenschlagiana ‘Hoffman’s Blue’ (Hoffman’s Blue dalmatian bellflowers) are covered in violet blue flowers now. They are a very floriferous bellflower, even in a shady area. I have a long patch of this perennial all the way down the side of my house, so I’ve taken pictures  along the way to show you what a beautiful carpet of flowers they make. You can read and stroll part way along. The purple blue carpet continues for 12 metre (39 feet).

The open bells of this dalmatian bellflower face the sky, so you can see the lovely structure of the curving petals easily, and the inside of the bell. The flowers last about a month, and give a terrific show while in bloom. You can see in the photos that there is hardly any green leaf showing when they are in full bloom, just a blanket of lovely colour in the shade.

The bees love to visit these flowers. There is a constant buzz as I walk along the side pathway. It is difficult to take a picture without a bee in it. Bees love bellflowers, and they especially congregate along this patch. I particularly enjoy watching them squeeze their fat bodies into the bells.

After the flowers are finished,  the dalmatian bellfllowers form a thick groundcover, that few weeds will grow through. There were maple keys here earlier, that I meant to get back and weed, but then the bellflowers filled out and suppressed most of the maple seedlings. I wouldn’t plant it next to delicate plants, but it works very well against the house foundation. I’ve read that Campanula portenschlagiana might be too vigorous in some areas, but I’ve had no problem with them here. Possibly ‘Hoffman’s Blue’ is more well behaved, or the zone 3 climate keeps them well behaved. I’ve also had no problem with them seeding to other areas like the Campanula glomerata (clustered bellflower) do.

These ‘Hoffman’s Blue’ bellflowers are  squeezed in between the cement house foundation and a cement walkway, and have filled the narrow shady area. They even flower up and against the cement wall, and drape a bit to soften the sidewalk edge. The plants are about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) tall when in bloom.

There is very little maintenance required for these perennials. You don’t even have to cut back the foliage in the fall. They are mostly evergreen, and the new growth hides the older foliage. It is very uplifting to see some green leaves as soon as the first snow melts in spring, and most of the landscape is still a dull tan. I give them some supplemental water, especially when they are flowering, but otherwise they look after themselves.

You can read more information and see more pictures in this previous post about these Campanula.

Campanula portenschlagiana ‘Hoffman’s Blue’ makes an excellent groundcover, requiring very little maintenance. For 4 to 6 weeks they are completely covered in the gorgeous bluish purple flowers, and abuzz with bees.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' and Asarum europaeum

Above are some Athyrium filix-femina ‘Lady in Red’ (lady in red ferns) with Asarum europaeum (European ginger). This is one of my favourite foliage pairs for the shade. The pointed fronds drape over the rounded leaves of the groundcover, and the light texture of lady fern looks great next to the highly reflective European ginger leaves. ‘Lady in Red’ fern stands out a little more than the basic lady fern, because of the dark axis down the middle. It gives the frond more emphasis and definition than the species lady fern, which is all green.  The central axis of the fronds are noticeably red when they first emerge, and then turn a brownish red.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red' and Brunnera macrophylla 'Mr. Morse'

These Athyrium filix-femina ‘Lady in Red’ are combined with Brunnera macropylla ‘Mr. Morse’ (Siberian bugloss). The lacy fronds are behind the lovely heart shaped leaves with beautiful silver and green patterns. ‘Mr. Morse’ gets white flowers, instead of the usual Brunnera blue.

Athyrium filix-femina and Brunnera macrophylla 'Mr Morse'

For about 6 weeks in spring, the white flowers of the Brunnera are entwined with the ‘Lady in Red’ fern, looking like a flower arrangement that’s heavy on the greenery.

Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern) and Pulmonaria Majeste

In another garden area I have Athyrium filix-femina next to some Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’ (lungwort). These Pulmonaria leaves are just developing their overall silver grey colouring after flowering. The early leaves, and ones on the flower stalk are still polka dotted.

Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern) and Hosta 'Francee'

Another good combination is  Athyrium filix-femina with Hosta ‘Francee’. The thick Hosta leaves look even better when contrasted with the filigree design of the fern. The lady fern keeps sending up new fronds through the summer, creating a thick look. When there is a breeze, the lady ferns sway over top of the solid Hosta foliage, a very pretty look in the garden, but not appreciated when you are trying to take a picture on a windy day.

Athyrium Ghost fern and Hosta Francee under conifers

These Athyrium ‘Ghost’ (ghost fern) have a fantastic silver cast, which coordinates with another Hosta ‘Francee’ in my front garden. I like the pale colour of the fern with the white edge of the Hosta. These both lighten the area under my conifers, and the dappled light plays on them as the sun moves through the day. I started this garden bed under some pine and spruce last year, and I’m currently expanding it.

Athyrium 'Ghost' fern and Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

Above is an Athyrium ‘Ghost’ fern with Helleborus ‘Ivory Prince’ (Ivory Prince hellebore). This hellebore has light marbling on the thick leaves, which goes well with the silvery green of the ghost fern. The Helleborus is still holding onto the green flower sepals from spring, and a few blue Brunnera flowers are leaning over from the right. I have an Athyrium niponicum ‘Regal Red’ (Japanese painted fern) on the other side of the Helleborus ‘Ivory Prince’.

Athyrium 'Ghost' and Actaea

Another Athyrium ‘Ghost’ is put together with Actaea (bugbane). The Actaea has a subtle purple edge and its leaves make a nice partner with the fern. In the above photos, you can see how the fern glows in the shade compared to other foliage.

Matteuccia struthiopteris and Pulmonaria flower

This Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern) is adjacent to a Pulmonaria ‘Samourai’ (lungwort) that always sends a few blue flowers in through the fronds.

Adiantum pedatum (maidenhair fern) and Brunnera macrophylla

The lacy Adiantum pedatum combines with another Brunnera macrophylla. The delicate looking fronds wave over top of the heart shaped leaves. This fern adds a lot of movement of the garden. It has shiny, black stalks from which the leaflets radiate out in a horseshoe shape. The long, slender leaflets give it a more delicate look.

Dryopteris expansa and Hosta 'Francee'

Dryopteris expansa (spiny wood fern) is matched with Hosta ‘Francee’. This Dryopteris is semi-evergreen, keeping some of its fronds past the frost, so it is good for a northern garden. The spiny wood fern has papery spines on the lower stalks that are soft and flexible. It is well behaved, slowly increasing in size.

Athyrium filix-femina Brunnera Sanguinaria

This Athyrium filix-femina ‘Lady in Red’ frond meets a Brunnera and some Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) which flowered earlier.

Adiantum pedatum (maidenhair ferns) and Impatiens 'Fiesta Ole Frost'

Adiantum pedatum works well with annual impatiens, too. These are Impatiens ‘Fiesta Ole Frost’, with double white flowers. The Adiantum is tall, so the fronds dance over top of the Impatiens flowers.

The fine texture of the ferns looks great in the garden when combined with other substantial perennial foliage. I like it when their lacy texture is complimented by glossy, thick or large leaves. You can read more about Athyrium in this previous post, and about more ferns on this post Do you have any favourite fern combinations?

Iris yellow and purple collage

Here is a collage of my unknown yellow and purple Iris. This Iris is very adaptable, and so I have divided and planted the rhizomes in many different beds around the garden. It grows well in any light from shade to sun. I have it in bloom for about six weeks around the garden because of the different light exposures, starting in the warmest sunny area, and ending in the shadiest. The original plants were one of the few in the garden when I moved in, so I don’t know the name of it, but it came in handy early on when I would be making a new bed, and needed some plants. I took advantage of this accommodating and fast growing perennial by planting it with many companions in new garden beds.

The falls (lower petals) are a maroon purple with white lines, and the standards (upper petals) are a beautiful butter yellow. It is not my favourite colour combination, as I would have picked a different shade for the falls, but it is now the most plentiful in the garden, because of its easy nature. The yellow and purple petals create these large displays of blooms in June, and turns the area around my deck into a sunny coloured garden patch. When I look out the window, I see all these blooms rising above the deck, and catch my breath.

The iris on the end of the bed are surrounded by some tall Campanula glomerata (clustered bellflowers) that are just opening their buds, as you can see in the top photo above. The bottom photo in the collage shows  some annual blue lobelia that grow on the right. The Campanula glomerata are gorgeous when the flowers open to bloom with the iris, but are not attractive when they are done flowering. This bellflower is too vigorous as well, so I make sure to deadhead after flowering.

Iris blue flowers

This second Iris has a solid blue flower. Again, it is an unknown, and just appeared in my garden about six years ago. The falls and standards are the same colour, a slightly purplish blue. It has a golden beard at the base of the falls, with some white around the beard. The standards are a little ruffled, with a delicate network of veins showing on the petals as the light shines through. In the morning, as they catch the light, they appear to glow from within.

Iris bitone blue purple flowers

This Iris is a gorgeous cross that happily appeared in my garden last year. It is most likely a cross between the other two, but it is not giving its secrets away. This has my favourite Iris colours, dark purple blue falls and light purple blue standards. In some light it is more blue like bottom left  photo, and sometimes more purple like the bottom right picture. The velvety falls have a beautiful pattern of white lines around the bright golden beard. The contrast between delicate, ruffled petals and deep velvety ones is very appealing. I adore Iris in this colour combination, so I’m glad to see that the clump is strong and increasing in size this year. I will be dividing and planting this one around the garden. Last year, the pink peony behind just missed blooming together with this Iris. However the peony buds are large already,  so perhaps the flowering times will overlap  this year. There are more pictures of iris in this previous post.

Some flowers bring joy all season, and some bloom for a shorter period. The Iris flowers are sparing with their bloom time, but overly generous with their luxurious petals and beautifully classic shape.

Polygonatum commutatum dangling flowers

The Polygonatum commutatum (giant solomon’s seal) suspends its charms from arching stems, like a necklace. They are shaped like narrow bells, with the bottoms flaring out in a small ruffle. The cream coloured flower has a small green band on the lower edge. The blooms of this perennial are very appealing with their simple bell shapes all strung out along the stem. Sometimes two or three charms hang together from one junction. The solomon’s seal flowers bloom for about 4 weeks.

Polygonatum commutatum and Hosta

Above is a picture of Polygonatum commutatum flowers with a Hosta ‘Francee’ leaf on the left. Both plants have a similar green and cream colour scheme. The Hosta leaf has a narrow creamy white band around the edges, while the cream coloured Solomon’s seal flowers have a green band, and faint green lines through them. The little jewels decorate some of the shadiest area of my garden, adding lightness to the deeper shade. There are more pictures of  Solomon’s seal in this previous post.

Lamprocampnos spectabilis 'Alba' flowers

The Lamprocampnos spectabilis ‘Alba‘ (bleeding heart) pretty white hearts drape like pendants from horizontal stems. Your eye naturally follows the the long line of dangling hearts to the end of each stem, leading to the next plant. My bleeding hearts have white Convallaria majalis (lily of the valley) flowers under them, as you can see in the above photo.

Lamprocampnos spectabilis 'Alba' flowers with tulipa

These white bleeding hearts are planted next to some pink tulips. The Foxtrot tulips have been flowering for over a month, and are coming to an end. However, the bleeding hearts will be blooming for a while. Their flowers usually last for about 5 weeks. There are more photos of white bleeding hearts in this previous post.

The perennials that are embellished with hanging flowers add interest to the garden. They encourage your eye to travel horizontally, as you follow the strong lines of flowers, and on to the next plant. Their unique arrangements decorate the garden with garlands of beauty.

Convallatia majalis sneaked into the collage on the upper left, Lamprocampnos spectabilis is on the upper right, and below left is Polygonatum commutatum.

dangling flowers

Trillium grandiflorum two white flowers

The Trillium grandiflorum (great white trillium) are blooming in purest white, with three petals and three leaves. I planted the bare rhizomes in the soil a few years ago, and although the whole plants skipped the first growing season, they are blooming now. My trilliums  grow very close to a maple trunk, squeezed in next to a Philadelphus (mockorange) shrub. I look forward to seeing this group expand, since they remind me of the forests of Eastern Canada. Mine are about 17 cm (7 in) tall, so they are tucked behind some short Asarum (wild ginger).

Arisaema sikokianum woodland flower

Arisaema sikokianum (Japanese jack in the pulpit) has the most unusual flower of all. The exotic looking bloom has a cup with a pure white middle, the colour of milk, while the pure white  spadix rises out of the middle of the cup. The elaborate spathe (hood) arches higher over top and is striped in purple and black. The hood is high enough to allow a good view of the spadix, unlike some jack in the pulpits. I always have to look at this one from all angles, since I find it fascinating. The back shows the elaborately striped and curved hood, and the front shows the stripes meeting the white interior.

The Arisaema sikokianum foliage dies back in summer, to reappear next spring. Because this is an ephemeral, I really have to remember where it is planted. Last Fall I accidentally dug it up when planting bulbs. It was late in the season, and I was worried that it would stress the plant as it headed into winter. Arisaema sikokianum was rated for zone 5, so digging it up in late Autumn was not going to help its survival in zone 3. Plus we had a cold winter, so I wasn’t sure if this jack in the pulpit would come back. We also had a cold May with a snow storm at the very end of the month. I was very pleased to see it doing well this spring. It is a little shorter than last year, about 18 cm (7 in), possibly because of the tough late spring. However it is flowering, so I suspect that Japanese jack in the pulpit is hardier than generally given credit for.

Cypripedium calceolus lady's slipper flower

Another elaborately shaped flower is the Cypripedium calceolus (yellow lady slipper orchid), which has these delightful yellow flowers with a deep pouch. The distinctive flowers are endearing, while the twisted sepals and petals radiating out draw the eye inwards to the dramatic lip. It is such an amazing adaptation for insect pollination, forcing the visitor into a trap where it must crawl past the stigma to get out. No nectar for you! This lady slipper is another woodland floor plant, at about 20 cm (8 in) tall. It is tucked beside some more Asarum europaeum, in front of some Adiantum pedatum (maidenhair fern) and next to some Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss).

Polygonatum commutatum dangling flowers

Polygonatum commutatum (giant solomon’s seal) rises above the other woodland perennials. Mine are 45 cm (18 in) tall, not quite giant status, but still growing. The solomon’s seal has these fabulous flowers that dangle in rows under the curved stem. The flowers are suspended  in singles, pairs or triples, a highly variable plant. The stems of Polygonatum commutatum all arch in graceful curves, so they arc wonderfully over top of shorter flowers, creating a pretty effect. One group of these plants are flowering in some of my deepest shade, getting a half an hour of direct light in the earliest morning, and a smidgen of dappled light. Despite the low light, the solomon’s seal produce a multitude of the little jewelled bells hanging from the arches. At first the cream coloured bells are closed, but as they mature the bottoms flare open with a small ruffle around the edge and a hint of green.

Sanguinaria canadensis single white flowers

The Sanguinaria (bloodroot) bloomed a few weeks ago at the end of May, but I’m including them here because they are a classic woodland plant. Here is a previous post with more about the bloodroot. Sanguinaria canadensis produce these simple white flowers next to the beautifully lobed leaves. The flowers consist of perfect petals radiating outwards. These leaves look good all summer and contrast nicely with the feathery texture of ferns or Astilbe.

Sanguinaria canadensis f. multiplex double flower

The Sanguinaria canadensis f. multiplex (double bloodroot) flowers are very showy, and packed with many extra petals. The double form has an extended bloom time, so you can enjoy them for longer. The flowers come up right with the leaf which has deep lobes.

The flowers of these woodland perennials are all varied in shape, making each one interesting to examine. Flowers can look gorgeous in large groups from a distance, but they can also take your breath away when you observe them closely and note the intriguing details and adaptations they have developed. The picture below shows the flower closeups, with Arisaema sikokianum on the upper left, Polygonatum commutatum on the top right, Cypripedium calceolus on the bottom left and Trillium grandiflorum on the lower right.

Arisaema Cypripedium Polygonatum Trillium flowers

Sanguinaria canadensis flowers

This photo shows the simple white blooms of Sanquinaria canadensis. Their petal structure is beautiful, even if the flowering time is brief. The flower on the left shows the perfectly symmetrical shape, with four large petals like compass points, and four shorter ones marking the directions in between.

Sanguinaria canadensis bud with leaf

The leaves of Sanguinaria are deeply lobed and attractive, too. Above you can see how the flower bud comes up through the bottom lobe in the leaf.

Sanguinaria canadensis and Brunnera

Mine are planted in between some Athyrium (ferns), Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ and Astilbe, where they make a nice bridge between the delicate texture of the ferns and Astilbe, and the solid heart-shaped Brunnera leaves. On the other side is an Arisaema (jack in the pulpit). There is some space right now between the Brunnera and the Sanguinaria because the Brunnera leaves keep growing over the summer, and will develop right up to the bloodroot. The Sanguinaria really are a woodland floor plant, standing about 20 cm (8 in) tall.

Sanguinaria canadensis flowers opening

Here are the buds of the bloodroot in the process of opening. The folded buds are pretty even before they fully open. You can see a few light shafts hitting the broad leaves. The Sanguinaria get some early spring light before the tree leaves fully open, followed by some dappled light, and the plants seem to enjoy this exposure, making them a perfect shade perennial.

Sanguinaria canadensis 'Multiplex' flower

Sanquinaria canadensis f. multiplex (double bloodroot) has these lovely double blooms. The multiplex are new to my garden this year. The foliage has the same deep lobes, but the blooms get lot of extra white petals. Even though the multiplex has the flashier flowers, I like both of the bloodroots in their own way.

These woodland perennials are flowering at the same time as the Brunnera (Siberian bugloss) and Pulmonaria (lungwort), creating a pretty blue and white flower scheme. The Trillium flower buds are just about to open, but they’ll join the woodland flower display soon with white blooms, too. It is very reassuring to see the blooms come into flower, each in their own time. I love the plants that bloom all season for their constant colour, but there is a rhythm to the flow of seasonal blooms that add their brief beauty one after another, in a familiar pattern. They allow you to enjoy each change in the garden, and the anticipation of the unfolding seasons. Although Sanguinaria get their name from the blood red colour of their sap, the other meaning of sanguine, or hopeful, is also very appropriate.

Here is follow up post showing more woodland flowers.

Pulmonaria samourai new leaves in spring

The Pulmonaria ‘Samourai‘ (lungwort) has developed many silver leaves, and those fat buds promising future blue flowers.

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' leaves with crocus

Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ has lovely fresh green leaves. They get the most light of any of these perennials, and develop a good number of flowers in a part shade location. The Crocus ‘Yellow Mammoth’ flowers behind have lasted a long time, and look great next to the Geranium. With the cool weather, the Yellow Mammoth have been blooming for over a month, the longest of any of the crocus.

Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' emerging leaves

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (white bleeding heart) has narrow shoots still, rising up through the debris from the pine tree. In hotter zones these seem to die back for the summer, but they keep their leaves in my garden up until the first frosts.

Asarum europaeum emerging foliage

Most of the Asarum europaeum (European ginger) keep their leaves over the winter. The new leaves are shiny, light green, making perfect little hearts. This is one of my favourite groundcovers in the shade. The only improvement I could make on these plants, would be for them to spread a little faster. Of course, planting them next to tree trunks in the deepest shade, with lots of root competition, might slow down their growth a bit.

Aruncus aethusifolius new leaves

Aruncus aethusifolius (dwarf Korean goatsbeard) shoots up these small, fluffy leaves in a tight mound. The foliage remains appealing all season. I don’t remember planting the Galanthus bulbs that close to these plants, but the white snowdrops looked good over top of the Aruncus leaves.

Actaea ramosa 'Atropurpurea' new leaves

Actaea ramosa ‘Atropurpurea’ (bugbane) has a purple edge to each leaf when they emerge. The newest shoot in front is quite distinct, with a pattern of fuzzy looking white on the tightly curled ball.

Actaea racemosa new leaves

Actaea racemosa (bugbane) has a bluish green cast when new, with purple stems and leaf edges. This foliage, which will reach 2 m (6 ft) makes a terrific backdrop for other perennials, long before the tall flower wands bloom in Fall.

Epimedium 'Lilafee' new foliage

The new Epimedium ‘Lilafee’ foliage has a reddish purple border when it firsts pops up, too. The foliage is particularly attractive with the asymmetrical heart shapes. You can see one tiny pink flower bud in the centre. The flowers will develop quickly now, and should be blooming in a few weeks. The plants will develop many more leaves, and make a great groundcover in the shade.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' leaves and buds

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian bugloss) has a few blue buds opening over top of the beautifully patterned silver leaves . This plant is such a winner, for the gorgeous flowers and leaves, as well as its willingness to grow anywhere, but never get out of control.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Looking Glass' and Chionodoxa

The Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’ (Siberian bugloss) leaves are already developing their silver colour, with faint green markings on the leaves. You can just see the white Chionodox ‘Alba’ bulbs blooming behind them at the back of the photo.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Mr Morse' new leaves

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Mr Morse’ (Siberian bugloss) is another winning shade plant . Although the leaves are  splashed with a little dirt right now, they are as attractive as Jack Frost.

Pulmonaria 'Majeste' with Puschkinia

Here is Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’ (lungwort) with the blue striped Puschkinia (striped squills) flowers behind. Majeste is supposed to have an overall silver gray colour, and did last year, but this year it is showing the more typical spotted lungwort leaves. I don’t know if it will go back to the overall silver colour, or if it will keep the spots. I actually prefer the all silver look of Samourai, but spots can be cute, too.

Pulmonaria 'Majeste' with Chionodoxa

On the other side of  the Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’  are some  white Chionodoxa (glory of the snow) flowers, and you can see the edge of the blue Scilla on the upper right.

Some perennial leaves deteriorate rapidly through the summer, but I’ve found that these shade plants keep their good looks, and make good companions for other plants with or without  their flowers.

Do you have any favourite foliage popping up?

Helleborus 'Walhelivor' (Ivory Prince) pretty buds

The Ivory Prince flowers are very attractive in all stages, from bud to faded bloom. In the above photo you can see the pretty buds, with a delicate pink outside. The buds are large and showy, making a beautiful sight before they even open. When they first appear, shortly after the snow recedes, the flower buds are a deep rose colour, and then the colour lightens as they start to open.

Helleborus 'Walhelivor' (Ivory Prince) and Chionodoxa

Here is a cluster of flowers that  have just opened, most are still buds. Inside the bracts, they are a creamy colour with green tinges. The complex multi-hues of ‘Walhelivor’ blooms make make them interesting to study. The flowers face upwards and sideways, so it is easy to see them, without having to turn the flowers over, unlike many hellebores. The actual flowers are the little part within the large decorative bracts, but the whole package looks like a large flower. After the small flowers inside decline, the sepals continue, so it looks like the flowers last a long time. In zone 3, these flowers start in April and continue until June. They are the first perennials to bloom in spring in my garden.

In the back of the picture above, there are  some white Chionodoxa (glory of the snow) bulbs flowering at the same time as the Helleborus. You can also see the decorative burgundy red stems of the hellebore.

Helleborus 'Walhelivor' (Ivory Prince) back of flower

This photo shows the beautiful pink striations on the back of these flowers, with a cream border.

Another decorative part of Ivory Prince is the nicely shaded leaves. They have a faint marbling pattern to them, a good shape, and a stiff texture. Surprisingly, these leaves leaves survive under the winter snow, giving a quick start to this zone 3 garden when the snow melts in spring. Even if they didn’t have those pretty blooms, I would still grow the Helleborus ‘Walhelivor’  for the early greenery in a cold climate.

Here is an earlier post with more photos and information about Helleborus ‘Ivory Prince‘.