This Week's Mystery Plant

Every now and then you end up in a local garden that just blows you away. I was recently in a garden managed by Mr. Jenks Farmer, one of the premier horticulturists here in the midlands. This particular garden is on the grounds of Darla Moore's estate, and it was certainly a pleasure to be there. Jenks and his associates have developed gorgeous plantings, featuring an impressive array of eye-catching garden plants that are most of the time thought of as "vegetables," such as different varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and okra. There is also an extensive display of roses, aquatic plants, and ornamental species. One of these is pictured here.

(Jenks and his friend "Dixie" are playing hide-and-seek behind it. "Dixie" is what is known as a Keeshond, pronounced "kays-hound." This unusual dog breed originated in Holland, specifically as a guard dog on barges. The keeshond is prized for its sweet nature; they get along well with people, and especially children. The fur of this breed is remarkable: shaggy and somewhat coarse as an outer layer, with much softer, whiter fur below. If you want a dog of this breed, prepare for some brushing.) But back to the garden…

The plant is a grass, and it appears, mistakenly, to be a sort of miniature bamboo. It is native to southern Arizona and parts of Mexico. The plants are perennial, and they tend to form large, airy mounds of beautiful foliage. They don't need to be cut back, apparently, once they form these mounds, and they also stay put where they are planted. The stems and foliage really put on a show, as the whole plant tends to be a sort of bright "acid" green. Or maybe chartreuse. It ought to look good in a dried arrangement, too. (Photo by John Nelson.)

Photo by John Nelson