One of the things I’ve noticed is that even in the deepest part of Winter some surprising things stay around to encourage us to think about the possibilities of growing things.  Maybe it’s just that I’ve never looked close enough but there are a few plants that just never go away in the wintertime; instead they just sort of drop back to the basics.  Columbines for one seem to keep something to let you know that you don’t want to dig in that spot and at this season they have no little annoying leaf miners.

Columbine (Aquilegia)

Heucherella is another plant that has a surprising persistence in the face of Winter.  It says to me “plant more, plant more”.

Heucherella

Another that I have been keeping an eye in the woods is the Dames Rocket (Hesperis matronalis).  This not only maintains a nice clump of green but so far has been completely deer resistant which is more than I can say for a lot of the plants of tried in the woods.

Dames Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

I planted a new Sedum this year (for me) in our front yard perennial garden.  Angelina is said to have yellow flowers but I planted it in the fall so I haven’t seen those yet.  But all winter it has been hanging around saying “ready to grow here boss”…. My son says this may get to vigorous for a small garden so we shall see this next year.

Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'

Lastly before I nod off to sleep here, let me mention the Korean Rock Fern.  This is a very pretty little fern which seems to take no mind of the weather conditions unlike many of it’s ferny cousins.

Korean Rock Fern (Polystichum tsus-simense)