The joys of having a propagator friend

We all know that my friend Country Mouse is a passionate, devoted propagator. And watching the greenhouse evolve has been so much fun. Indeed, having a propagator friend is wonderful in so many ways.

First, I've learned a lot. I never thought I'd actually propagate my own plants, but now I sow some annuals every year. I've managed to root a few mimulus and I'm plotting a few other things. When I forget, I can just look up all the great information she provides right here on the blog (I didn't even know we have 32 posts on that topic).

But of course I'm also thrilled to receive plants, and Ms. Country Mouse has been most generous. Above the beautiful Mimulus guttatus (seep monkey flower) that I received this spring. Several large plants were put together in a burgundy pot and the result is stunning. And don't you love the little freckles on their throats that you can see close up?

Also a great success has been the thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). I hesitated a bit because this plant, like brambles, can spread. But it's stunning in a pot, and the bright green really lights up the shade. I'm curious whether I'll get flowers.

I'm also very happy with the Heuchera micranta, locally native on the Country Mouse property, that I received as generous gifts. I think I planted five or six, and they are all doing well, some blooming, others welcome because of the striking foilage pattern. Interestingly, different plants come out different, and I love the variations on the Heuchera theme.

And of course the best thing isn't just the stuff. The best thing is receiving the gift of friendship. The best thing is knowing that up there in the hill someone is busy working on making the world a little bit better, one plant at a time.