California Gardening: Now arriving: Summer, 1 by jkom51

jkom51 wrote:
The aphids are having an absolute field day on my poor hellebores and azaleas, and are starting on my roses. I saw one lone ladybug - I hope there's more coming!

I was showing my garden to a gardening friend and noticed my 'Jack Frost' brunnera was blooming like mad. Gardening in CA is so different - I was just reading my White Flower Farms nursery catalog and noticed it said about the very same plant: "blooms in May and June." LOL - not here it doesn't!

I've been impressed by this plant. It was in short supply 3 yrs ago and I found one vendor selling it at the SF Garden Show, little wimpy-looking sprigs in 3" pots. Still, I took a chance and bought one. Not only has it grown well, it has survived some very cold weather these last two years, while not going dormant -- it'll shrink a little and not do much, but has definitely stayed around. I can definitely recommend it for the shade garden.