There is no rhyme and little reason why I am attracted to certain plants. Yes, I am slightly obsessed by Japanese maples, dogwoods, and redbuds, but what caught my eye to obtain the Glossy False Sinningia (Hemiboea subcapitata, below) flowering today in the garden?

I’d never heard of it or seen this Gesneriad (African violet and gloxinia relatives), but I was curious while scrolling an online catalog. I’m always intrigued by good ground covers as I strive to cover every inch of ground, and its glossy foliage, spreading habit, and African Violet-like flowers sealed the deal. Good thing I stumbled upon it, and how fortunate that it thrives in a narrow, part-sun space where it has spread surprisingly quickly between the sunroom and a stone path (below).

Other additions to the garden are opportunities and some are practicalities. A Purple Pillar althea (Hibiscus syriacus, below) was a bit of both. In this already overcrowded garden, I’m on the lookout for columnar shrubs that don’t occupy a lot of space. So when this winter-damaged althea showed signs of spring growth (and the price was right) I had the spot for it.

After being cut nearly to the ground to remove dead wood, Purple Pillar grew quickly a year ago, but in this very wet early summer, it grew too quickly. The tall, damp growth flopped and the shrub leaned, so I had no choice but to chop it back by a foot and a half. Today, the severe pruning is not evident and the shrub again grows with an upright habit with large blooms that will continue for weeks. It will never be a favorite but its late summer flowers are appreciated.

My plant collections extend beyond Japanese maples, dogwoods, and redbuds. I’ve planted a number of mahonias and discovered that several will not tolerate our winter cold despite designations that they’re cold-hardy in our zone. I’ve planted and failed with Soft Caress a few times, and a few other narrow-leafed mahonias have perished or continue to show their unhappiness despite protected locations. Beijing Beauty (above) struggles beside the house with a scattered few flowers.

With changes to the side garden after the large Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) fell to expose a considerable open space, I’ve planted two Funky Flow mahonias (above and below). I’ve supposed that plant breeding marketers consume a few drinks or must otherwise be overly inspired before naming new introductions, so I dislike the name, but I’m curious to see if this cross between Soft Caress and Winter Sun has gained hardiness. If not, there’ll be something else that catches my eye. Why, is anybody’s guess.