Would you believe that it's an ajuga?! Ajuga incisa 'Bikun' to be exact. It's Japanese and not well known in the U.S. I think you'll agree that it should be a perennial that is well-known and widely used. Unfortunately, it's not hardy in my zone 5 garden, so I grow it in a pot and bring it in for the winter. It does amazingly well as a potted plant.
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens: Come on in and take the tour! Check out the photos!
I just ordered it from Far Reaches Farm, along with some other treasures. This nursery has an amazing assortment of rare plants. Many of the plant descriptions mention Dan Hinkley as the collector. He was the original owner of Heronswood, possibly the best rare plant nursery that ever existed (until Burpee Seeds bought it and destroyed it).
Name: Suzanne/Sue Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a) Sunset Zone 15
Oh goody, a local guinea pig testing! I will come by and check yours out first, coveting it, and then eventually order, you know, because of my guilt at still having so many things yet to plant!
I just finished going through the plants hardy for my zone from Far Reaches and made my wish list. This Ajuga is just out of hardy for my zone. But I'm going to go for it next year and bring it in for winter. Can't resist!
Larry that is a stunning plant for the shade garden. I might also have to give it a try.
Glad to announce that the Heronswood Nursery was bought by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. It is being redone with the help of Dan Hinkley and others that want to see it returned to it's glory days. It was an amazing place to visit.