notes and musings from a perennial gardener
A Pennsylvania gardener
Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, the old hardiness zone of 6b has changed thanks to a warmer, wetter climate of late. According to the USDA, the Lehigh Valley is now considered zone 7a.
Welcome news? A little mixed, actually.
Tiarella (Tiarella cordifolia) is a pretty spring-blooming perennial for shady borders, under shrubs and for woodland settings where an attractive groundcover is desired. If you like heuchera, tiarella is like a first cousin, very similar yet with its own charm. Most tiarella cultivars on the market today are nativars; that is, gently improved versions of our native foam flower. As a result they are hardy, undemanding, and valued for both very charming flowers and attractive, well-marked foliage.
Yellow is nearly indispensible in a garden. It’s light, it’s bright, it adds contrast and draws the eye. Except in special situations like moon gardens and other limited color schemes, yellow is welcome because it has the ability to energize a view and alleviate perceived heaviness. Indeed, this ability is one of yellow’s best assets. Yet its very abundance means we often overlook ways to better utilize its sunny disposition.
Not everyone is a fan, of course. Yellow may not complement one’s house color or go with other important elements in the landscape. Some yellows dominate or clash. While the paler hues are easiest to work with, strong shades can be trickier when a harmonious result is desired. This causes some people to avoid yellow all together, which is a shame.
Fortunately, variations like yellow-green, yellow-apricot, yellow-beige, and exciting bicolors allow for endless possibility.