New cool stuff

This morning I got a call from plant hunter-to-the-stars*, John. As usual he had something awesome and gasp-inducing for the garden, and was even kind enough to bring it over - right away!

Who was with him but Channing, unfailingly polite and humble but actually a veritable fountain of horticultural knowledge. He also knows a lot about taxes. And Subway sandwiches. In fact, why hasn't he been on Jeopardy? Anyone?

But I digress. These two bad boys had been up at dawn to procure a very beautiful, large, trunked specimen of the plant Furcraea longaeva which is like an Agave on a stick, basically - this version without spines or teeth, but still wickedly sharp. And they brought it to me! We walked around the garden and chose the perfect spot for it - at the front, by the arch, where we can admire the trunk. And then they planted it - right away!

Have I mentioned before that I love these two guys?

After that, anything garden-like would be a bit of a let-down. But I did manage to set up my Yucca collection area by the steps and am pretty pleased with it. Here's what I did:

- Moved one of the Weeping Yuccas (Yucca recurvifolia) closer to the others to make a group.
- Moved the Silver Leaf Yucca, aka Blue Yucca, or Palmilla (Yucca rigida)to the area (it was being flattened by a nearby plant in the back middle bed, so hopefully I saved it.)

- Planted my new Yucca linearifolia near the front. It is so cool!
- Planted Emily's Cordyline "Torbay Dazzler" as well, for some bright color.
- Moved 2 Achilleas back, and 2 ferns (Cheilanthes sinuata) forward.
- Added 2 Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) for color.

You can see the before and after pics at left - hard to tell, but it really improved this spot I think!

*If being on NENtv makes you a star, then I am one.  Along with most of the other Pennsylvania Gardeners!