Bush Morning Glory

This plant is in fact in the same family as the infamous morning glory but it is not invasive. The scientific name is Convolvulus cneorum I just bought this little pot of silver foliage for my Mom today at Figaro's Garden.  It has the wide open face of a morning glory plant in a striking white. It almost resembles a petunia bloom.  The bonus is this striking foliage.  It makes a great annual container plant in a charcoal grey or black pot.  It maxes out at about 2-3 feet in our Vancouver mild summer heat.  It prefers full sun but can survive in part shade (gets a bit leggy though). You can preserve it over winter by keeping it in a greenhouse or inside your house.  It's just straddles our zone 8 temperature.  I think it's worth the effort!

Vietnamese Coriander

Have you seen this coriander before?  This is the plant growing in a pot on my steps. The latin name is Persicaria odorata and it is sometimes commonly called cambodian mint or vietnamese cilantro or hot mint.  Either way, it's really good in asian cooking.  I eat it raw in salads.  So yummy and easy to grow.  It smells slightly different from the spanish cilantro. I'm a huge cilantro buff and use it in virtually all my cooking.  Give it a try.  Delish! 

Rex Begonias

It was love at first site.  I had my first exposure to Rex Begonias just today at the nursery. As a Landscape Designer- texture and colour are highly seductive qualities in a plant.  Well, these hybradized begonias are stunning. The flowers are insignificant, but who needs them? The foliage is a georgous silver sheen and has many different hues.  There are hundreds of varieties that can enhance any planter and instantly create a sense of elegance.  Rex Begonias are shade lovers.  Actually they fancy the soil similar to that of a forest floor, dry and shady.  Unfortunately they are annuals in our climate.  Plant and enjoy for the year.  Don't fret though- they'll be back next year!  

Catmint

A plant that I've been loving lately is catmint (Nepeta).  It has a strong sage smell that is intoxicating to cats, hence the name.  Ultimately, it has long lasting stunning purple blooms and a loose habit.  It's beautiful paired with most colours, but I particularly like it with the bright yellow of yarrow and the silver foliage of artemesia.  The texture works well with grasses and shrub roses for a casual english cottage garden charm.  I would recommend the cultivar 'Six Hills Giant', it is a taller more dramatic variety.  Grow this plant in full sun or partial shade.