I was wrong...(Woohoo!)

I was ragging to a coworker a few days ago about the pathetic performance of my 'Multiplex' sanguinaria. I'd paid $60 a couple of years ago for three tiny bits of root. One never sent up any shoots. The other two produced a couple of quarter-sized white blooms for a few days last spring.

This year was a bit better. At least there were a few more flowers. And, yes, the flowers are very pretty. But with them poking up through the winter mulch on spindly, leafless stems, the overall effect was not what I expected for my (considerable) investment.

Well, today I am apologizing to this plant.

She is gorgeous!

I had no idea that the leaves would gradually, magically unfold.

'Multiplex' is so amazing, in fact, that the Royal Horticultural Society (the folks who produce the Chelsea Flower Show each year) actually named it as one of the top plants of the last 200 years!

If you decide to join me in acting like a fool soon parted with his money, just realize that the show doesn't last long. The flowers will fade after only a few days (depending on the weather) and even the foliage will go dormant by summer as the soil dries out.

Multiplex grows about 6 inches high and spreads slowly to form a colony about 12 inches wide. She likes humusy shade. (And lots of praise.)