Narcissus poeticus between Amsonia hubrichtii

Narcissus poeticus between Amsonia hubrichtii

At the end of April, I was in New York and took advantage of a cloudy day, fortunately without raindrops, to revisit the High Line. This was my third visit. Previously, I visited in January and June but the plants I saw in bloom were, of course, totally different. It’s such a joy to keep discovering new plants and new combinations.

One of the brilliant parts of this design is the attention to succession planting so that there is always something of interest. For instance, Narcissus poeticus, also known as Pheasant’s Eye, was planted between hardy grasses that won’t bloom until mid-summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Tulipa 'Lady Jane' and Allium 'Mt.Everest' (budded) in gravel beds between rails

Tulipa ‘Lady Jane’ and Allium ‘Mt.Everest’ (budded) in gravel beds between rails

 

Tulipa ‘Lady Jane’ is planted next to Allium ‘Mt.Everest’, the white cultivar of Allium giganteum, that will bloom in early to mid May.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erythronium 'Pagoda'

Erythronium ‘Pagoda’

 

Seeing Erythronium ‘Pagoda’, a cultivar of Trout Lily, I am inspired to acquire some in the fall. It is sold as a bulb and is larger than our native trout lily. It apparently does quite well in one of the partial shade spaces on the High Line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phlox stolonifera 'Blue Ridge'

Phlox stolonifera ‘Blue Ridge’

Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon', Tiarella cordifolia, Syringa oblata 'Cheyenne'

Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’, Tiarella cordifolia, Syringa oblata ‘Cheyenne’

I love blue flowers and was struck by the blooms of both Phlox divaricata and Phlox stolonifera. I have tried both in my garden several times but unfortunately, they seem to be favorites of the rabbits. I love to watch them but I do wish these phloxes weren’t to their taste. Both were planted next to Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) which is also stoloniferous. The blue and white combination is stunning, especially when placed asymmetrically across from each other.

 

 

 

 

Brunnera 'Jack Frost' beneath Sassafras albidum

Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ beneath Sassafras albidum

Sassafras albidum, Cercis canadensis, C.c.'Pauline Lily', Fothergilla gardenii, and grasses in gravel beds

Sassafras albidum, Cercis canadensis, C.c.‘Pauline Lily’, Fothergilla gardenii, and grasses in gravel beds

I had never seen Sassafras albidum in bloom. The young trees on the High Line are still small but eventually they will be quite large (30-60’ tall). The blooms are lovely; the foliage is unusual and has brilliant fall color. Along the walk, there was one area in sun with a Sassafras but below where it was shady was a feathered mass of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ in bloom. The plethora of blue flowers was beautiful. There were also several Cercis canadensis (Redbud) in bloom, varying quite a bit in color. I never realized that there were so many cultivars for flower color.

 

 

 

"Sculpture" on adjacent building looms over Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' and Tiarella cordifolia

“Sculpture” on adjacent building looms over Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’ and Tiarella cordifolia

Stick art on balcony of building adjacent to High Line

Stick art on balcony of building adjacent to High Line

Colorful sculpture in courtyard of adjoining property

Colorful sculpture in courtyard of adjoining propert

The High Line has obviously impacted adjacent buildings. On one, a wall sculpture has been created. On another, a collection of collected sticks and branches has been used to build a structure of sorts. At a third, a giant but colorful metal sculpture has been installed in the courtyard.

Each time I return, I look forward to seeing something new. I can hardly wait for the next visit.