Early June '06

Salvia 'Royal Crimson Distinction' on June 15th. One of my favourites of the new ones for colour. Some re-bloom after a mid-summer cutback.















Salvia 'Dear Anja' on June 15th. I saw this one years ago in Piet Oudolf's garden in Holland. It has nice floral branching, but is otherwise similar to others. Some re-bloom after a mid-summer cutback.















Scabiosa caucasica 'Grand Stone' on June 15th. From Peter van Steijn, Holland; S. caucasica 'Clive Greaves' × white seedling. So far, no mildew.















Heuchera 'Rave On' on June 7th. This was my favourite of all new Heuchs in our trial -- it bloomed for such a long time, longer than any other I've seen.















Campanula punctata 'Plum Wine' on June 15th. Interesting greyish foliage and nice flowers, but looks like it spreads too much.





























Heuchera 'Peppermint Spice' on June 7th. I like it -- it's like an improved form of 'Green Spice' which was always one of my favourites for foliage colour, but had no flowers -- this one has flowers.

Spring '06

The garden on May 30th.











Salvia 'Eveline' on May 25th -- I was impressed -- very early for a Salvia and nice colour and impact. Little or no re-bloom though, with or without cut-back.















Centaurea montana 'Amethyst in Snow' on May 25th. This plant originated in Holland and came to North America via Blooms of Bressingham (supplied to us by Skagit Gardens). It may be identical to 'Purple Heart'.


























Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven' on May 25th. So far, this is an all-around beautiful and easy plant -- much better as a garden plant, in my opinion, than the variegated forms of P. caeruleum.

The Trial Garden Under Construction (Summer '05)

During the summer of 2005, Shane Curtis and his crew designed and built the Epic New Plant Trial garden.








Here come the plants!








Planting by members of the Epic crew, late summer early fall 2005.








All set, ready, and waiting for winter.