This was my very first little perennial garden in my backyard.
Marigolds fill a golden pot in a carefree perennial garden – Photo taken in Year 2009 by C. Testa
My first perennial garden was framed with a tiny white picket fence, the type you push into the ground.
The small garden space was filled with a mix of tall blooming perennials, such as Echinacea purpurea (coneflower), which you see on the right – a perfect perennial plant for a carefree setting.
Their blooms lasted all summer long in the garden’s full sun location, which is why I had selected this spot for a garden – and because it was visible from almost every direction in my backyard.
As you can see, it had a small golden container.
Perched up on a chair, simple, filled with bright and vivid Marigolds.
My dear departed cat, Ruby, hides near Ajuga reptans and a jack-in-the-pulpit plant
In the photo above, my dear departed cat, Ruby, is seen sitting by Ajuga reptans (bugleweed). She visited this area to play. When she passed, we buried her in this garden.
The jack-in-the-pulpit plant (Arisaema triphyllum) was found in my woodlands near this area, and transplanted here. It grew well for many years in this spot.
The jack-in-the pulpit plant was the first plant introduced to us in an herbaceous ornamentals’ class at UCONN by our professor. I remember he was surprised when many of us were familiar with it. Discovering a stand of this plant growing naturally in my woodlands was a thrill.
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Interesting & Healthy Facts about Echinacea
The center of the plant has hard spines shaped like a sea urchin.
The greek word, echino, means “sea urchin.”
When taken as an extract, Echinacea helps with colds or flu, boosts the immune system, and may increase red blood cell production and oxygen intake.
It is one of the most popular plants in the perennial garden because they are so easy to grow and are drought-tolerant.
Echinacea plants work extremely well as “thrillers” in container gardens and patio pots because they are long lasting, very tall growers, and easy!
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ContainerCrazyCT 2015 Calendar
Me in 2010 at the CT Flower Show as a CT Hort Society Volunteer.
Don’t forget – the CT Flower and Garden Show in Hartford, CT is next week, starting on Thursday, February 19th.
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“Valentine’s Day, Greeting Card, Illustration” by kraifreedom courtesy of FreeDigitalImages.net
Container Crazy CT 
And a Happy Valentine’s Day to you. Enjoy!