Another from the inch of soil!

Still intrigued by backgrounds and surface pattern (see previous bench post), I took this June photo of my 'Garden in an Inch of Soil'. I've never been a fan of tarmac, but the pink chippings in the road surface do go rather well with the pink spiraea blooms!

The spiraea is (I think!) 'Goldflame', and next to it is my favourite Stachys byzantina 'Primrose Heron' and budding Sedum 'Autumn Joy'. All thriving in the one-inch deep flowerbed over concrete!

In Praise of Primrose Heron

A favourite plant of mine is Stachys lanata 'Primrose Heron', (or Stachys byzantina since it has had its name changed). Here in the UK the more usual silver form is known as Lambs' Lugs (Lambs' Ears!). I have only seen Primrose Heron in a garden centre once, many years ago. Of course, I had to have it!
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The above photo taken earlier today shows it in soft sunshine, which illuminates its buttery coloured leaves. It looks good planted among darker foliage; here it is next to an escallonia, with the dark shadow of a juniper in the background, and sedum. The forget-me-nots have just opened today and add a nice contrast to the yellow.

The sun went behind clouds at around 6 pm, and the colours changed to more bluish hues. Whatever the light conditions, Primrose Heron seems to retain a striking luminosity.

I love the furry texture - you can see why it has the Lambs' Ears nickname! In each leaf there is such a variety of colour, from white, cream and yellow to green, which all changes depending on the direction of the light.
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Later in the year it will have mauvish flower-spikes, and usually sprawls over the edge of the lawn, which I rather like!

I love to plant it next to very different foliage. Here the red grass Uncinia rubra gives such an exciting contrast of colour, texture and shape.

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I'd be interested to know if any of you fellow-bloggers have it - I've never actually seen it in anyone else's garden!