Lupines are native to Canada, living three or four years, but they will seed them- selves.
Biennial hollyhocks are gener- ally very good at replenishing themselves but may need to be refreshed from time to time.
Most delphiniums are also short-lived, but many will self-sow. Cut back after the first bloom for a scond flush of flowers.
Shady characters
pigsqueak, is a wonderful shade peren- nial
Bergenia, commonly known that blooms early in springtime,
sending up fat stalks of pink or white flowers. Its leaves are big, paddle-shaped and shiny, offering a very good contrast to hosta and the feathery foliage of astilbe or ferns. A big patch of bergenia can make you look like a real pro in the garden. And speaking of ferns, native ferns will fill in a shady space and act as a great backdrop for smaller plants. They do travel, but slowly. Pulmonaria is beautiful in the shade
garden. The spotted leaves stand out very well and you have the added bonus of colour – pink, white and blue – in springtime. When the flowers fade be sure to pull the stalk they were bloom- ing on right out or you will have a ratty looking plant as the leaves on the flow- ering stem die back and turn brown. Brunnera, with its silver and mint,
heart-shaped foliage, has a stunning variety called ‘Silver Heart‘. The foliage is more silver than green and the plant lights up the garden.
www.localgardener.net Home and Gardener Living • 29 as
Shiny-leafed bergenia above, its stunning flower shown here as an inset, is long lived. So is Brunnera macrophylla below. It gets a forget-me-not type flower in springtime. Both do well in shade.
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