You all know by now that I haven’t really seen my garden in the spring since 2007. Starting in 2008, I had coaching jobs that took me away several weeks during spring and the early part of the summer. Though I was grateful for the work, I absolutely hated being away from my garden during what I feel is its most exciting time.
Before leaving, I would clean up the garden, mulch, and do my best to prepare the garden for spring bloom time. Sometimes, I slapped some new plants into the ground, crossed my fingers, and left town. This year – thank you, thank you – I am here for the spring. I’m getting reacquainted with my garden.
The other day, I noticed this mystery plant on the shade side of the large bed:
I remember noticing it coming up out of the ground right before I left for Hartford. I almost yanked it, thinking it was a weed. Caution took over and I held off. Now, I’m back from Hartford and it’s really big. I’ve examined it closely. It sort of looks like the catmint that surrounds it on both sides. But it isn’t catmint.
It’s awfully pretty.
I don’t remember planting it.
At first I thought it might be salvia. No. Not salvia. I grabbed my gardening notebook which has devolved into a place where I toss all those little identifying cards that come with plants. I finally saw one for “Veronica Austriaca” – Royal Blue, also known as Speedwell. Aha! That’s what it is. That was what I planted. And after researching it online, I can definitely say it’s Veronica.
When the heck did I plant this? It must have been last year. It’s gorgeous. But I can take no credit for it, I just stuck it in the ground. This happened without any effort on my part. Maybe good gardeners just get out of the way?
Bumble bees sure like it.
Have you ever forgot you planted something? Please tell me I’m not alone.
Be sure to scroll down for my book review. It’s a great cookbook and I’m giving away a copy, along with an apron.
And I have a Shop Update coming in the next day or so.
Happy Monday.
That really is very pretty.
I love all the “cottagy” plants like that best. Always have, always will. They remind me of Tasha Tudor and Beatrix Potter.
Kristin
I started a garden journal this spring because this was happening to me. I have to write it all down from now on and make terrible sketches too. To add to this tale I have some of these cute blue flowers but I do not know their name either.
I do it all the time but it’s part of the excitement of Spring, isn’t it? I think sometimes the birds bring me little “seeds” too that turn out to be beautiful little surprises in the garden.
S
xo
hmm…it’s pretty ,whatever it is! :D Here’s what my research turned up. Looks like it might be the catmint…
http://georgeweigel.net/plant-of-the-week-profiles/perennials/catmint-walkers-low
♥Linsey
I do really like the plant. I will have to look for this plant and see if I can get it growing in my garden.
Like you, I sometimes don’t remember planting something and then wonder what it is. I do try to keep a semi-regular gardening record of what I have planted. But, unfortunately, I am not consistent in recording my additions to the garden.
My husband goes out to spray weeks and sprays my plantings. GRRR We had a little inservice on plant recognition today!
Oh that has happened to me also! I planted something and didn’t think it took and then the next spring…there it is! Amazing. That mystery plant is pretty!
Very pretty!!
WHAT A PRETTY PLANT…..I REMEMBER WHEN PLANTING HERBS….IF I DON’T TAG THEM….SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO TELL THEM APART….NOT ALL BUT JUST A FEW.
OUR LAUREL IS IN BLOOM….GROWS WILD IN THE WOODED AREAS….SO PRETTY….HAVE A GOOD WEEK….RIZZI
I have problem similiar to yours only I can’t find my plant I planted last year. I look all the time to see if it is coming up but now I am not sure I am looking in the right place. I guess I need to get out photos from last year and see if I can track it down. I bet you are happy being out there in your garden and enjoying all the pretty plants that are in bloom!~Hugs, Patti
Your garden looks like an English garden! It’s so pretty. Glad you are there to enjoy it this year!
If it isn’t too late, I’d love to have my name added to the drawing for the book. You can have the apron if you happen to pick my name. I NEVER wear them!
Your garden is beautiful~ and yes, I have a mystery plant this year. It looks like a shirley poppy, and it landed right in the middle of my wooden tool caddy planted with impatients so it really stands out. I just don’t have the heart to disturb it by transplanting it. Every week I tell myself “this weekend I’m going to move it” and then it doesn’t happen. It just looks so happy there.
Hugs,
Jill
It’s very pretty, but I don’t know what it is either!….
After spending 15 minutes trying to figure out what that flower is, I better quit before it becomes an obsession! It reminds me of horsemint, and I know I’ve seen this stuff. Pretty, isn’t it. And the bees like it. That’s always good. :-)
TOO many times to count, Claudia. My garden is a constant surprise to me!;>) xo Diana
It is pretty since we moved to the farm and the flower beds have not been taken care of in years I have been slowly trying to get them all looking nice so many plants here I have no clue either and I do not have a green thumb so will be making a sign for my garden Garden of HOPE
I’m glad that you figured it out..I think most of us have done that..Looked like another herb to me..I was going to suggest that you taste it.. Lovely garden,,
I’m glad that you figured it out..I think most of us have done that..Looked like another herb to me..I was going to suggest that you taste it.. Lovely garden,,
Last spring, I pulled up ALL the new Black Eyed Susan plants that had been planted the previous fall. I was over-zealous in my weeding…..
Claudia, I am the Queen of Forgetting What I Planted! Of course, my intentions are to map every plant as it is planted, but it never happens. So many times I’ve planted something right on top of something else. Lucky for me I like the look of a shaggy garden, because mine has plants just growing one on top of another. Your gardens are beautiful and you hit the nail on the head with your description of perennials. They are well worth the wait!
Oh Claudia, I do that all the time! (Something just came up this month and I had to ask my neighbor if she remembered what I’d put there!?) Veronica is such a pretty plant and looks so nice with the catmint. That’s such a lovely shade bed!