In the higher Black Hills of South Dakota at an altitude of 5,000 feet sits Black Hills Garden, the garden of Tom and Rob, fellow Master Gardeners.  This garden is a garden of rarities, alpine collections and shady jewels. The following pictures are blooms from early this month.

Petasites japonica

Clematis scottii in front of Ligularia prewlzwalskii


Aquilegia flavescensin front of Thalictrum omiense "Amy Jan"


Asarum canadense, (wild ginger), Adiatum pedatum, (Northern maidenhair Fern), and  Cypripedium parvilflorum, (Yellow Lady Slipper)


Primula veris "Sunset Shades" and Epimidium


Rheum palmatum atropurpureum


Ajuga genevensis, Berberis Emerald Carrousel, and Calamagrostis "Eldorado"



Thalictrum "Black Stocking"

I am totally impressed! Tom has emailed me that they have “a bunch of plants for me”….I can hardly wait!  A few years ago, I gave them a start of Silky Rock Jasmine, androsace prim.”chubyi” A beautiful low growing purple flower. In my garden it became crowded out and died. Their start has flourished and I am so happy to be getting a start in return.  What is the saying, something like: He who gives a flower keeps some of the fragrance….if you know the saying please let me know how it goes.  Here, I found a picture of the Silky Rock Jasmine
The Rock Jasmine is the chubbier purple plant.