The Ancient Horticulturist: The Garden Blues

Eranthemum pulchellum, commonly known as Blue Sage

by Susan Broussard

Since this past March, we have been sequestering in our homes; or not. Going to work around the corner from our bedroom to the living room; or not. Going to school online; or not. Combing our hair for a Zoom meeting and turning on the video; or not. Who even knew that Zoom was a thing and not just an action? There has been so much that has not been done this year.

I think of myself as a half flowerpot full kind of girl, but by midsummer, a foggy malaise has planted itself in my subconsciousness. The garden was a distraction for the first six month of the shutdown but as I write, not even the call of my neglected plants can drag my sorry butt out of the dumps. I truly hope for but am not expecting a brighter Autumn. Can you tell I have the blues? Not the wonderful, soulful blues. Just the crappy melancholy blues. So for this Fall issue of Rosemary Thymes, I am focusing on Garden Blues. The color fits my mood. The plants may even give me a moment’s respite from the gloomy outlook of the world around us. Plus I have lots of pictures. The first blue to show its beautiful face is Eranthemum pulchellum or Blue Sage. It blooms in early March with brilliant, almost neon blue blooms. The butterflies enjoy the flowers as much as I do. A major benefit is that it blooms well in high shade. In fact, when I transplanted one from a sunny spot early this year, I could hear an audible sigh of relief as the shadows enveloped the foliage. I understand. I also feel that way in the intense light we call a normal day in the south.

A few weeks later, Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium capillare, is next on the scene. This iris relative has a mass of delicate true blue flowers that sit above the grass-like foliage. In my garden, this flood of tiny blue stars are the harbingers of spring. It hides pretty well in the middle of Liriope ground cover, making its spring appearance even more exciting. My Lily of the Nile, Agapanthus africanus, is a pass-a-long from a neighbor. They are found in the trade everywhere, but I happen to live across the street from a very generous gardener. Every few years, I divide a clump or two that have outgrown their little corner of my garden. I then pass them along to my friends because I’m just as generous. The color is so striking that I always have takers.

Wild ageratum, Eupatorium coelestinum, is a very happy accident. This airy native just appeared in my garden a number of years ago. It probably blew in on a summer breeze the year before. This is the wild cousin to the cultivated ageratum, or Mist Flower, found at the garden center. I have to say I am really glad it found its way into my yard. I usually cut back tall plants in the early summer to create a denser floral display.

That is, if I remember. It still appears as a beautiful blue cloud in the fall if the shearing doesn’t happen. The color is just further from the ground. (fig. 4)

Liatris elegans or Gayfeather, as it was labeled when I bought it at a plant sale, is perfect for the back of the flower beds. Its can easily reach three to four feet but not always in the upright position. Instead of staking, I let the stems lean to the side to create wonderful angles as the flower matures. Also, the bees and butterflies love it. So do I.

Garden Blues? Yeah, Yeah, I know. Except for Blue-eyed Grass (it truly does live up to its name), these pictures show more of a lavender to full purple instead of blue. A true blue is hard to find in the garden but I have the perfect solution. The Blue Bottle tree is an incessant bloomer— all year, in fact. No need for a green thumb. It is a small tree that does not drop limbs or fruit all over the patio. Rumor has it that the blue bottles capture evil spirits but how evil can a Riesling be? It is the go-to blue color in the garden. Gotta love it.

Susan has joined the 21st century and joined instagram. Check out what she has not done in the last few months @plantsnpaintings.

Eupatorium coelestinum, commonly known as Wild ageratum

Liatris elegans, commonly known as Gayfeather

Agapanthus africanus, commonly known as Lily of the Nile