We’re sitting on the porch after work. Hummingbirds. Fluffy white clouds. A car goes by. What do you say to people you’ve worked with all day? People you plan to have drinks, dinner, bachelor-party with tonight?

My fall back line is: So what did you learn today?

I’m answering in this writing.

I was reminded that I like to mentor. We have a new 18 year old guy working with us. I love teaching the basics of horticulture, the exciting stuff, the mind twisting-have-you-ever-though-of-that stuff. But I realize, I do the same questions, the same lessons to every new youngster. Stuck in a mentoring rut.

Aggressive Vinca

I also learned today, that I’m often wrong about plants. Look at the picture above: I’ve been convinced for over 11 years that the Vinca in the picture isn’t aggressive (see it under the bench?). I collected it in an old house, of a famous, long dead horticulturist. For 11 years, it didn’t run in my yard. In just two years, in this client’s garden – someone I shared it with because she loves history and rare plants – and it’s run like a black snake. It looks just like Vinca major. 11 years of being under the wrong impression.

Shade Plants: Hosta Needs a Good Partner

Also in the picture, in the foreground, there’s a hosta. I hate what hosta does in late summer in Zone 8. By the most beautiful time of year, fall, theyre tattered. But I’m wrong – they’re splendid this time of year – so I just have to work harder to pair them with things that will overgrow them and look great later. Palm Grass (Seteria palmifolia) would work. My favorite new fern (new in that Ive grown it three years and am finally satisfied with it)-Bamboo Fern Conigramme japonica.

Three years. Wow, this blog is starting to paint a picture of a rigid and inflexible man. Really, I. Wait, I’m stopping myself. Yes, I’m stubborn and exacting and I hold on to a vision longer than I might ought to. With plants, Im apt to throw out something that fails or disappoints. With plants and life, I at least strive to be comfortable coming back to that thing, to look at it in a new light, to try to pair it with a better wine, to try to find the way to appreciate and use its attributes – hidden as they may be.

Other Shade Plants Looking Great Now:

Monarda punctata Unlike so many wild things, this has an elegant foliage that looks nice coming up in spring border.
Hydrangea Hatshushimo Elegant, variegated foliage but some green had to be cut out. Not too vigorous.
Acanthus Summer Beauty In flower looks great!
Angelica pachycarpa Tall, stately and beautiful in deep shade – like a parsley leaf but 1000 time s bigger.
Beschorneria septemptrionalis In flower. tremendous. 5 scapes, 6 feet tall, covered with hundreds of green flowers.
Crinum x Mo Pon Thrives right on edge of pond. Elegant leaves arch over water. Even flowers in shade. This one happens to be one that I found and put a found name on it. And you can find it on my website: www.jenksfarmer.com