It’s a sunshiny week here at Coppertop with even more warmth in the forecast, and I’ve been relishing time outdoors in all the beauty. Coming home to this deck after meetings and errands is pretty dreamy. Mt. Baker is in her full glory. We welcome all visitors and have guest rooms ready for your arrival!
There are always tasks to complete. Because we had rain this weekend, the ground is just perfect for weeding, and even some enormous dandelions that have found their way into the borders and beds are lifting up easily.
Some of the common names of perennials crack me up! I have fun researching how plants get their crazy names and today two current bloomers at Coppertop have me fascinated.
Bergenia cordifolia — a.k.a. pigsqueak or elephant’s ears
This plant received its nickname because when rubbing the large, glossy leaves of the plant between one’s finger and thumb, they produce a sound similar to a pig’s squeak.
Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae — a.k.a. wood spurge of the variety Mrs. Robb’s bonnet
From a London-based landscape architecture site: “Euphorbia is named after Euphorbus, physician to Juba, a king of Mauritania. Amygdaloides is derived from the Greek amugdalos ‘an almond tree’ and oeidhs ‘egg shaped’. Robbiae is named for the plant hunter who discovered it, Mary-Anne Robb, with its common name coming from how she had to smuggle it through customs, in her hat.”
Gardens at Coppertop -- March Picker 