Ode to the wee ones

A few ambitious Rhododendrons have started to bloom already along with the first Camellias and the last of the perennials.  But upon closer inspection, you’ll see that these few flowers are but a small part of the enchantment of the Gardens in December.

In the Heather Garden large sweeps of color undulate through the beds but don’t neglect to delight in the subtle beauties. Calluna vulgaris ‘Foxii Nana’ has all the same lovely flowers as larger Heathers but in petite version, each individual plant resembling a miniature landscape of rolling hills.

Bold forms and strong contrasting textures of succulents demand attention, but creep up close, focus your eyes and notice Sempervivum arachnodeum ‘Funkii’.  Find it? Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. With each rosette-shaped plant the size of my pinky nail, it could be easily overlooked. Commonly called “Houseleek” or “Hens and Chicks”, the specific epithet arachnoideum refers to its cobweb coated look. This cultivar is an itty bitty form of the species, and irresistibly cute.

When the Perennial Garden is bursting with riotous color one may fail to notice the understated plants of the garden such as “New Zealand Silver Mat” (Raoulia australis ). Now is their time to shine but bring your magnifying glass to admire this one. Thousands of minute silver leaves make up a dense pillow-like groundcover. Tiny doesn’t always mean delicate, mind you, this plant is tough enough to endure light foot traffic and of course the occasional nap atop it.

We all recall that late summer in the Dahlia garden is resplendent and in May, large trusses of showy Rhododendrons command your attention. But December is a time to stop, crouch down and revere the inconspicuous allure of the Gardens.

Submitted by Staff Gardener Siena MacFarland