So Here's What I Got from Nurseries Caroliniana

Here's the start of the list of what I purchased last week, and my rationale for the purchases.  Since some of you live in different temperature zones from me, I'm listing just the names of many, thinking you'll want to research whether or not these choices will work for you.  (Some may seem boring to you, but there really was a method to the madness.....their wholesale product list is 82 pages long, single spaced!)

1.  Miscanthus sinensis "Strictus," AKA Porcupine Grass.  This one is very similar to the "ribbon grass" that has been around for a long time, but doesn't flop around as much.  Along one side of the Stepchild Garden, I've been actively working to establish a visual barrier between the street and our backyard (we live on a corner).  I have lots of hollies and evergreens that are filling in nicely, so I was looking for a distinctly different texture.  This is a "no muss, no fuss" plant that I'm hoping will look good for most of the year.

2.  Muhlenbergia capilarris (Pink Muhly Grass).  This is one of the favorites of "Mrs" at the Big House, and for good reason. There is almost nothing that looks this fabulous in autumn sun.  It's like a huge cloud of soft pink fog just floating in the garden.  I ordered twelve, to plant in a big mass, since it's seen from some distance across the lawn.                                

                                               

3.  Begonia grandis "Heron's Pirouette."  This is one from Heronswood Nursery, and is just a beautiful cultivar.  This begonia is winter hardy here in Atlanta (though it disappears for the winter), and fills in beautifully in shaded areas.  I've planted it under a stand of Redwoods, where there is an existing large patch of Strawberry Begonia.  Later in the season when the Strawberry Begonia disappears, the "Heron's Pirouette" should fill in the spaces nicely.
                          

4.  Iris ensata "Laughing Lion."  An incredible color, deer proof, rabbit proof, incredibly neat growing pattern, grows in clay.  Need I say any more?
                                               
5.  Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's Seal).  This is native to the Southeastern US, and something I think every wooded garden needs to soften the overall look and add a more "established" feel to the garden.  It's going into the shade garden at the Big House, where I'm hoping it will naturalize and spread around at its leisure.                                                                                                                                                                             
       
6.  Hedychium "Luna Moth."  If you can possibly grow ginger where you live, you simply need to grow ginger!  There is very little so intoxicating on a hot summer night as this beauty!  There are some beautiful cultivars out there, and we have a few at the Big House.  This one is for the White Border, hence this specific choice.

7.  Zanthedeschia "White Giant"  This one originally came through Plant Delights, and is a stunner!  The speckled foliage reaches waist height, with flower spikes that are expected to top out around 7 feet!  Also for the white border at the Big House.  I can't wait to see this baby grow up! (I bought it in a 3 gallon size, so it's already very respectable).