I’ll be the first to admit, I have shoe fetish. I love with a capital “L” shoes. In my black collection alone, I have a plain pump, a shiny patent leather pump, a sling-back pump, a sling-back peep toe, a wedge sandal, and two pairs of flats. (Wow that is a lot!) My preference is the pointy-toed high heel. Square closed-toe, clunky-chunky heels need not apply. And I come by this naturally. My mom (although she would never admit it to me) had a thing for shoes and always made sure we had shoes to accent any given outfit (we wore almost the same size). In my opinion, a shoe can make or break an outfit and the way you feel in the outfit.

Well apparently fetishes are transferable. Once you have a fetish for one thing, it is very possible to develop a fetish for other things. I am developing a fetish for plants, which makes sense considering I really love gardening.  How did this happen?

Actually, it wasn’t that hard. A few months ago, I was asked to pull together information for Flowerland’s web site on different, and especially new, plants that we carry. This included annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs, roses, you name it. I discovered some really cool stuff.

One perennial that has really caught my eye is the “Green Envy” Coneflower.  You expect coneflowers to come the standard colors: pinks, reds, purples, etc. This one actually has light green petals. You may not think so but it looks incredible. Some other positives: it blooms from June through October, it attract butterflies, and it’s deer- and drought-resistant. (Sometimes I get a little lax on the watering. ) Plus I’m told it partners well with daylilies, which my sister has given me.

Another perennial that has attracted my attention is the “Blue Lady” Helleborus.  It has a really pretty purple flower that blooms in early spring (like February – April) after which you have a nice ground cover or accent plant. What I like best – besides the idea of having color as soon as the snow is gone – is that it prefers light to moderate shade.  Because of the trees and the direction my house faces, my front is pretty shady most of the day. Finding a plant that can tolerate shade and give some dimension to my front flower beds has been tricky. I’m looking forward to picking up a couple.

I’m learning something new every day, which is good. I now know about a whole treasure-trove of plants that can brighten up my landscape. I’m beginning to see how, like a shoe to an outfit and attitude, a plant can make the look of your house and yard plus the way you feel about them.

Here’s hoping you enjoy your weekend. Talk to you again soon!

Mary Gold