I have many, many plants in my garden (as you know), but some of the ones I love the best are the ones that are a little different… a little weird.

I have a thing for “orb” plants, like this blue Glove thistle. It’s a bunch of tiny florets that open around the whole expanse of the flower head. It’s also very popular with the bees, as you can see.

The Drumstick Allium, are a similar idea. Another pollinator favourite. They are done for the season now, but I hope to add some other Alliums to the garden in Fall.

I also love plants that flower in “spikes”, like this Veronica (also known as Speedwell). I have this pink one, and a purple one which blooms a little later. Though there are none on it in this picture, it’s another pollinator magnet.

Similar to the Veronica is the Culver’s Root. Except it’s much taller, and it’s wands grow out in all direction from one stem. I got this plant last year, but this year is the first time it’s really showed it’s potential. This is AFTER Lemmy dived bombed it and broke one of the big stems (picture here are two, there should have been three). Then the big storm came and did away with these ones. It was pretty while it lasted. And the roots are still there, so it will be fine for next year.

I think my most coveted oddity is this Sea Holly. It’s a plant I’ve wanted for years. I tried twice as the townhouse to grow it – but it does not like clay soil. I figured I’d have no problem here, but the plant I got for the catio last year never appeared. I decided to give it one more go and I’m so glad I did! It’s on the border of Edible Alley and it’s doing amazing! They say butterflies love it, and though I’ve not seen any investigating it, I have seen lots of bees on it. The flowers remind me of Teasel, though they are much smaller. Each one of those heads is about the size of the end of my thumb.

And last… remember that double coneflower I showed the other day…

This is what it looks like in full bloom! It’s just a hot mess of a flower, and I love it!

Is there anything odd growing in your garden?