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Hosta is also hardy and does not require a lot of attention or sun. Every few years we un-double ours and create new borders of them in troublesome areas. We're saving money here too by un-doubling them. I chuckle every time I see them at the garden center knowing we have enough for a lifetime.
Who can resist Giant Iris? Spectacular in any color. Black, white, and purple.
How about Day lilies and Tiger lilies? Our day lilies usually bloom the third week of June around the first day of summer. They make a wonderful display of color for weeks on end. I have to confess that a previous owner planted them, probably back in the 1940's. That's 60 years ago and they have never disappointed us. They show up every year on time.
I planted Tiger lily against the back fence one year and as our garden became more and more crowded, they never bloom anymore. I miss them. I'm sure they are still there but have no breathing space. I guess this qualifies as benign neglect on my part.
I found Giant Morning Glory at Verni, my garden center, one year and they proved to be my best investment that summer. They really delivered the goods. Friends marveled at them. So did I. They wrapped themselves over the heart shaped trellis and thrived throughout the summer.
 Giant Sunflowers will add a bit of whimsy, especially planted outside your front gate to bring a smile to passers by. Alas, they are only annuals. Canna add bright colors of red and yellow but are only
annuals as well. Over the years we try to add more and more perennials to cut down on work and yearly costs.
So what is my favorite flower?
Who can leave out Lily-of-the-Valley? The return of happiness May Day flower.
Coleus in black cast iron urns are regal enough to greet royalty.
Lilac bushes, Rhododendron, Viburnum bigger than snowballs.
As I rattle these flowers off I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to enjoy so many different varieties of flowers on our little acre.
Butterfly bushes to attract butterflies.
Red flowers to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are not that common here in
N.Y.C. Our former gardener, Mr. Osso, who retired, moved away, and is greatly missed, sent us a red hummingbird feed with the sweet mixture that is also red. Lo and behold I saw my first hummingbird come to my secret garden. It was so exciting. Thank you Mr. Osso.
To think that when I first came to this house on that cold November eve in 1979 that one day I would be mistress of a paradise acre and given the key to the house, the key to the master's heart, and then discover that the key to a romantic garden comes from an opportunity to live up to one's potential, a freedom of expression and a chance to explore one's imagination along with one's dreams. And to realize that we can live our fairy tale every day and that there is a happily ever after in a romantic garden.
So back to the question of what is my favorite flower?
All of them, silly. Whatever flower grants me the honor of blooming in my garden. Whatever flower displays it's magic on an on-going basis. Whatever flower blooms while I am sleeping and greets me first thing in the morning. Whatever flower wants to share its wondrous scent with me. Whatever flower decides to grow old with me and stay - year after year.
That is my favorite flower. Back
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