Angelonia angustifolia
Years ago my boys bought me a purple gazing ball with a stand for Mother’s Day. It wasn’t something I would of picked out for myself, but I treasure it nonetheless. My family is well aware that I am a gardening fanatic so the gift was picked out with great thought to my passion. I never really liked the stand it sat on because it is tall and hard to disguise in the garden. For me garden art should be tucked in to spaces so that they are discoveries vs. taking center stage over the plants. So when I came upon this smaller more discreet stand at a thrift store for the bargain price of 99 cents I couldn’t resist. Then I had to decide where best to put a purple gazing ball so it didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. This patch of Angelonia was the perfect spot. This purple beauty has been blooming nonstop since May and has been maintenance free. It even seems to be drought tolerant compared to most plants since it required no supplemental watering this summer. I’ve collected some seed from it to scatter in other beds and I’m hoping it reseeds itself in this location next year. However I am prepared to purchase more of it next year if necessary to keep this long blooming plant in my garden. Sometimes you get lucky and find the perfect spot for a plant and it rewards you all season long. What great long blooming annuals or perennials did you add this year to your garden?
