Thanks to everyone who keeps checking in! We're busy and happy building a garden, but we aren't able to post as much as we'd like this week.... To tide you over until the next update, here are a few of our favorite plants. We can't figure out why we don't see more of these lovely, low-maintenance, hardy perennials. Perhaps there's a spot for one or more in your garden?k

Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy' - Perhaps the #1 "what is that?" plant in our garden. It's big, glossy, DARK foliage contrasts beautifully with our pea gravel (or a silvery groundcover). The foliage fades to a green as the almost alien flowers spike up and up, but you won't mind. Full sun, quite hardy, *usually* deer resistant (ask your deer).d

Phlomis russeliana - This species of Jerusalem sage has been hardy in our garden since day one, 6 years ago. We love the fuzzy, big green leaves. Crazy lollipop spires of bright yellow flowers last for weeks. When the flowers are done, shake the petals off, and the green flower stalks remain a fun ornamental for even longer. Sun loving, drought tolerant, deer resistant... what more could you ask?d

Brunnera 'Jack Frost' - One for the shade gardeners out there. This plant starts the season with a cloud of forget-me-not blue flowers. Later, huge almost spray-painted silver leaves contrast with dark, glossy greens of hellebores, ferns and other shade lovers. Best of all, it is ignored by snails, slugs and... can you believe it?... deer.