And I don’t even like purple…
by Colleen Vanderlinden • March 29, 2010 • Miscellaneous • 5 Comments
I took a short (very short, because it is still freezing here today!) walk around my garden today to get some photos of the perennials emerging from their winter slumber. Most of the photos didn’t turn out very well (a shivering garden blogger will have that effect on a photo…) Of the few that did, these two were my favorite, if for no other reason than the fact that purple is such a nice change from grayish brown, which is the color of just about everything in my front garden from November until April.
I like these sedums a lot when they are in bloom because the bees and monarch butterflies seem to love them. But I like them almost as much at this time of year, when it’s a nice surprise to pull back the leaves that mulch the bed and find them. They are just so vibrant against the brown leaves.
Ever since I realized several years back that bleeding heart foliage emerges this deep, shocking purple, I look out for it every spring. I’m surprised I didn’t notice it before now!
Soon everything will be up, and I’ll have my pick of things to look at. This time of year, though, every sign of emerging life is a happy surprise, and even colors I don’t normally fawn over get plenty of attention.
I love the new growth. Bleeding hearts and Peonies especially. They look so aquatic!
Any color besides brown (or white!) now is a welcome respite! HAPPY SPRING Ms. Colleen!.
We’re still white with snow here but eagerly anticipating the grayish brown phase. Can’t wait to go out and see what’s growing as you did.
Christine in Alaska
I like sedum as much in the spring as later in the year. They are like little cabages. I was surprised to find mine about a week ago, which I think is because we had snowcover from Nov. to mid March.
You know what else comes up purple like that? Purple coneflowers. I spotted my bleeding hearts emerging today too then I spotted a bunch of other purple stems and for a second thought I had planted more of them but then realized it was just the PCFs.
I should get some of the purple leafs sedums, I only got the green leaf kind in my garden.