Not so drab Draba

We love the late winter flowering Drabas, which thrive in our dry crevice garden. Below is the miniature Draba hispanica, which has been in flower since late February. This Spanish species likes to grow in dry limestone cracks, such as the one we provided here. Unless you’re an avid rock gardener, you may not realize that draba is actually in the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. Once the flowers finish, you’re left with a fuzzy evergreen bun of foliage for the rest of the season. Zone 5a-8a, at least.

Draba hispanica

Laurentia fluvitalis – Blue Star Creeper

Laurentia fluvitalis5

On the dwarf side, Blue star creeper, Laurentia fluvitalis is looking great for us now.  This tiny groundcover that likes moist sites in sun to part sun, tops out at only 1″ tall, smothered in tiny light sky blue flowers…perfect in the fairy garden or draping over the edges of a container.  The growth rate is perfect…not too fast and not too slow.

Ledebouria ‘Dawie Human’

Ledebouria ovalifolia Dawie Human in flower5

It just doesn’t get any cuter than the tiny rock garden scilla-relative, Ledebouria ‘Dawie Human’.  Topping out at 1-2″ tall, be sure to plant it in a special spot, so it doesn’t get overlooked….like a fairy or gnome garden.  If you’re in the far north, enjoy it as a container plant. Here it is after our cold winter, flowering beautifully in our rock garden.

Epimedium ‘Splish Splash’

Epimedium Splish Splash9

I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to photograph epimediums, but it’s not an easy task…especially the white-flowered cultivars.  I was finally able get a decent shot of our Epimedium ‘Splish Splash’ this week and wanted to share it.  With our cool spring, epimediums have had a very long flowering period.

Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’

Epimedium x perralchicum Frohnleiten in flower closeup

Here’s an oldie but goodie fairy wing that I wouldn’t garden without, Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnletien’...love the foliage and the flowers.