Even though I'm having way too much fun perusing seed catalogs, and making numerous lists of "must-haves" for this year's garden, there are a few plants I'm opting to buy. After talking to Marcia Bundi, one of my favorite people, at Bundi Greenhouses here in Great Falls, I've decided I can take artichoke and godetia off my seed starting list. Marcia is a walking botanical encyclopedia, and thankfully fellow plant geek, so she offers some of the varieties typically not found in this neck of the prairie.
I've grown godetia (in the clarkia family) for well over ten years, and can never understand why it hasn't taken off for traditional annual gardeners. Every time I've had it visitors "ooh and aah" over it with its brilliantly colored and delicate blossoms resembling azaleas. It grows 12 to 14 inches tall, and when planted in mass provides a great focal point. It's only drawback is its lack of fragrance, but the eye-catching qualities outweigh that single flaw.
The other variety I'll buy from Marcia is the annual artichoke. Anything I can dip in butter is a good thing, so growing our own artichokes is a treat. There are varieties now that will produce in their first year, but they typically should be started in February for this area. Since I'm a little busy with gestation, I'm glad Marcia is growing them. Plus, I really only need a couple of plants not the two dozen I would end up with despite my best intentions to "thin." This year I'll try a couple in the garden, plus keep at least one in the greenhouse to see how what it does in a more temperate environment.
