Wednesday, May 8, 2013

playing well with others

phlox pilosa, soloman's seal, and azaleas
Do you label the plants in your garden?  No, I don't mean by their common or botanical name; I mean by their behavior.  Sure you do.  We all do. In our gardens, we have "late bloomers", thugs, plants with no sense of  'personal space', ones that need a lot of TLC, top performers, bullies, and true beauties. And there are plants that are dependable, shy, over-active, picky, easy-going, temperamental, and on and on.  Sounds like I'm describing a group of children.  As a retired kindergarten teacher, I know teachers should try hard not to label  children.  But, in every class, there's  always one that stands out.  Sometimes more than one.  And teachers always say longingly, "If I only had a classroom full of child's name"s!  This is the child who always gets a STAR by the designation "PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS".










 Close to 20 years ago, a friend gave me a clump of this pink woodland phlox.  Since then, it has spread on its own, but also with a little help.  Every time I thin out my perennial bed or move plants around, I seem to also have a little phlox moved as well.  Gail of Clay and Limestone calls it PPPP (practically perfect phlox pilosa).  Read here what she has to say about it.  I just say this is a plant that "PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS"!  And I have a garden full!

 Here is phlox pilosa playing with ox-eye daisies.

 Phlox pilosa also likes to play with red dianthus and goldmound spirea in a sunny bed.

Phlox pilosa likes to play with hosta "patriot" in a shady bed.
 Look at that phlox just jumping into the middle of the sedum.
 Phlox pilosa even plays well in an area where not too many other plants are happy - next to the mailbox.


Phlox pilosa snuck in with this group of soloman's seal.  But that's alright.  I'm happy with it wherever it is, especially during the "pink season".  And when it is finished blooming I can cut it back, pull some out, or ignore it.  The other plants will thrive around it.


This pilosa is also called downy phlox, prairie phlox, and fragrant phlox.  Their scent is wonderful.  When in bloom, I always keep a vase full inside.  Hope you have plants that "play well with others"!


                                        I am joining Susan at asoutherndaydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday and Tootsie Time for Friday Flaunt your Flowers.  Please go to these blogs for links to other posts.
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14 comments:

  1. carol l mckennaMay 8, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    Beautiful garden! Wow ~ Great shots for ODW ^_^

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    1. UnknownMay 8, 2013 at 1:18 PM

      Thanks for visiting and the compliments! I just want to spend all of my time outdoors, feasting my eyes!

      Delete
  2. PatrickMay 8, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    What a charming little number. The experts speak of color echoes through a garden but generally the term is used for different types of plants. But I believe, particularly in the small garden, that plant echoes can tie a garden together quite nicely. Seems like from this post, that this effect is what you're pulling off?

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    1. UnknownMay 8, 2013 at 1:20 PM

      I do like to think of color echoes and try to accomplish that, especially with foliage. But the pink is wonderful everywhere! Did you see my other post "In the pink"? Thanks for visiting and commenting!

      Delete
  3. LeaMay 8, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    Wow! It does play well with others! Great photos! I love phlox - the aroma is heavenly!
    I saw a blue phlox on someone's blog. I went right off to Wal-Mart and bought a pot.
    It is called 'Blue Moon' and the bloom is a light pastel blue.
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

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    1. UnknownMay 9, 2013 at 9:33 AM

      Hi, LEA! I have blue phlox that is finished blooming - it clumps rather than spreads like the pink. Also, my blue doesn't have a scent. Don't know if it's the same as what you got.

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  4. Christys Cottage Wildlife GardenMay 9, 2013 at 5:12 PM

    I just love that phlox. My little pieces that I planted are growing nicely. I can think of two bullies in my garden...the wild violets and the primrose. They've got to go, but easier said than done. Most everything else gets along great!

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    1. UnknownMay 10, 2013 at 11:56 AM

      Yes, Christy, some plants can be a little pushy, but they make us appreciate the cooperative ones!

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  5. GailMay 15, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Yippee another lover of PPPP! It's the best ever flowering beauty and does it ever look good in your garden. I am loving it with the Goldmound and red dianthus.Thank you for the shout out and link! gail

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    1. UnknownMay 15, 2013 at 7:06 PM

      Thanks so much for checking out my blog. I also mentioned PPPP in the post today GBBD May 2013, because it's still going strong. I tell you, the pictures just do not do it justice when you see it spread all over the place. I feel a real kinship to you because of our love of PPPP!

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  6. LynnMay 15, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    Love your phlox and how it flourishes in various beds. Have yet to successfully grow it in my garden unfortunately.

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  7. UnknownMay 15, 2013 at 7:08 PM

    Maybe you just don't have enough rain. But I looked at your blog and see you have lots of other great blooms!

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  8. scottweberpdxMay 16, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    You really have a winner there...it's so rare to have a plant that is so easy-going and tough...but that isn't also s thug!

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    1. UnknownMay 16, 2013 at 7:12 PM

      Well, I think some people think it is TOO chummy and might call it a thug. Not me - I love it. But it has taken close to 20 years to get all the spread I have. (which in the last week is even more!)

      Delete

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