Funky flowers

Fry includes an interesting footnote, which planted the idea for my column this week. Her “funky features” addition just sort of evolved this year she says. “It wasn’t meant to be a regular part of the report, but after I had done it a couple weeks in a row, it just seemed like a good idea to do it every week. It’s my way of bringing attention to the weird & wonderful aspects of a garden, I guess,” she said.

Fry’s inaugural funky feature was the diamond design of the bark of the Korean Mountain Ash, something she had never noticed until head gardener, Karen, pointed it out to her this spring. She thought it was a cool feature, and subtle enough never to be noticed by the ‘average Joe’ – so she decided to highlight it a little in her report… thus the funky feature was born.

She says her favourite so far is probably the Mountain Laurel. “The buds are amazing geometric masterpieces, the flowers they become are cute, and the plant as a whole is very striking while in bloom,” she said.

The horticultural staff’s favourite is likely the Empress Tree, she says, since this year is the first ever time it has bloomed. The staff always get excited for “first ever” events.

In late June the funky feature of the week was the Egyptian Onion in the Governor's Garden. The tree onions produce a bulb at the top of their stalk, from which emerges another stalk (or several).

In early July, the Tulip Tree with its lobed leaves and green flowers attracted attention. The tree is located in the spring collection section of the Gardens.

Fry’s latest funky feature is the Crested Moss rose. “Its pink flowers are enhanced by a fascinating formation of moss on each bud, resembling the shape of a tricorn hat (hence its other name Chapeau de Napoléon),” she said.

One of the funky feature plants in my garden is the Heliopsis ‘Loraine Sunshine’ which has green leaves and extensive white veining. Golden yellow daisies are produced from July to frost.

Whether it’s unusual flowers, leaves or seedheads, plants with funky features will always draw a few comments from your visitors.