On the eve of the last weekend in August, wind chimes are resonating peacefully in the nursery, as plants and people alike take a respite from the heat.  With the arrival of this cool spell, thoughts turn quite naturally to the approach of autumn, and the return of chilly mornings and crisp evenings spent in the yard.  Creativity—driven to quiescence like a seed by the inhospitable climate—comes trickling back, and I find myself contemplating the space soon freed by the summer vegetables in my planting beds with a scheming eye.  If you too are thinking that your garden is in need of some rejuvenation, than here are a couple of stellar selections you may want to welcome into it.  For our first “Plant of the Week” feature, I asked Chris and Courtney to name their current favorites.

Courtney went for Begonia ‘Irene Nuss’—a lush, shade-loving beauty with glossy foliage in shades of green, bronze and deep red.  Set against the striking leaves are pendant clusters of peppermint pink blooms; showy and long-lasting.  Despite its tropical appearance, this cane-type Begonia flowers indefatigably through the hottest part of summer in our region, given moist soil and good drainage.  The heavily-toothed leaf margins, dark undersides and succulent blooms add texture and eye-catching interest in a container or landscape.  This one is a knockout with variegated, black- or lime-toned companions; mix it with contrasting leaf shapes, such as Hostas or Japanese Forest Grass, for maximum impact.  Though supposedly hardy to the twenties, this Begonia rarely survives our winters unprotected.  Ideally, prepare to move it indoors, where it will continue to thrive in a warm spot with bright indirect light.  In time, ‘Irene Nuss’ will become a small shrub, reaching 4-8′ high at maturity.

Chris’ choice was the spectacular ‘Summer Chocolate’ cultivar of Albizia julibressin—the Silk Tree.  The fernlike leaves unfurl in bright green, darkening through copper to a rich merlot.  But deep colors belie this plant’s exceptional tolerance of full sun, drought, and harsh exposure.  Un-pruned, it will develop an umbrella-like shape as it matures, reaching some 15-20′ high and wide, and casting dappled shade.  With lacy, tiered foliage, this tree is equally at home in an earth-toned patch of succulents, such as Aeonium and Stonecrop, or among the vibrant conifers of an Asian garden.  The abundant clusters of sweetly scented flowers characteristic of the species are greatly reduced or absent here, and the leaflets, once fallen, deteriorate quickly, making this a relatively low-maintenance selection.  Fast-growing, and adaptive to a wide range of soil conditions, ‘Summer Chocolate’ is a standout—visually and in terms of performance—when it comes to small ornamental trees.

So swing by the nursery this weekend for a burst of inspiration, and don’t forget that our Early Bird Special is on tomorrow (Saturday) from 7-10am, providing a 20% discount on plants and pottery while our Summer Hours last!  But set aside a little time to drink in the cool breeze in the garden.  I was reminded this week by John Lubbock that, “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.”