Dahlia 'Pooh'

The Dahlias are a genus of perennials native to Mexico, central America, and Colombia. Unfortunately they are not hardy here in Toronto, which is why I haven't tried growing them (I avoid plants that require coddling). But this beauty, 'Pooh', is sorely tempting me.

Photographed at Toronto Botanical Garden.

Veronica longifolia 'Eveline' : a lush carpet of purple spires

Veronica longifolia (speedwell, véronique à longues feuilles) is a Eurasian perennial bearing spikes of small purple (or blue, or white) flowers.

There are a few veronicas which are native to Ontario. They are not as flamboyant as the Eurasian veronicas sold to gardeners, but I think Veronica americana (American brooklime or American speedwell, véronique d'Amérique) and Veronica anagallis-aquatica (water speedwell, water pimpernel, mouron aquatique) have potential as water garden plants. Both have dainty blue flowers which some find reminiscent of forget-me-nots. In our garden, I'm encouraging the native volunteer Veronica serpyllifolia (thyme-leaf speedwell, véronique à feuilles de serpolet) as a groundcover.

There are also some unrelated natives with spires of purple flowers. I like Verbena stricta (hoary vervain, verveine veloutée), and Agastache foeniculum (lavender hyssop, hysope anisée), a mint-relative with a strong licorice scent.

Lobelia siphilitica: glorious azure spires

After admiring photos of great blue lobelia (lobélie syphilitique), and botching my attempt to grow it from seed, I was excited to find it at the Toronto Botanical Garden. Even at the end of the season and a bit past its prime, it's gorgeous! Definitely worth further attempts to grow it in our own garden.

Toronto Botanical Garden plant sale is on now!

Oops, I forgot to post earlier that Toronto Botanical Garden's plant sale is now underway. It is every day from now through Saturday, May 9, and is open 10am-5pm, at TBG, 777 Lawrence Ave. East (at Leslie; served by TTC bus 54 Lawrence East from Eglinton Station, directions available here).

Unfortunately they don't seem to have posted a plant list this year; unless you count the vague "[c]arefully selected annuals, perennials, succulents, native plants, ornamental vegetables and heirloom favourites". Last year I picked up Aquilegia canadensis (wild columbine), Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf coreopsis), and Geum triflorum (prairie smoke).

There are lots of lovely plants to enjoy at TBG anyway; on the weekend I saw as well as the usual daffodills and Muscari a very pretty pale yellow magnolia in bloom, various natives including Hepatica, Trillium grandiflora and Dicentra cucullaria, and much more which I can't remember right now. Right next to TBG is Wilket Creek Park, always worth exploring, especially now with so many spring ephemerals in bloom!

Stipa tenuissima

Stipa tenuissima known in English as "angel hair", "Mexican feather grass", "Mexican needle grass", "ponytails", or "silky thread grass", and in French as cheveux d'ange, is a perennial native to parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Not surprisingly, it is not hardy in Toronto.

These beautiful clumps of Mexican feather grass dancing in the breeze were growing at Toronto Botanical Garden.