Bergenia

The old lady next door sells perennials for $3. She dumps them at the base of her driveway in plastic bags next to a money can. No labels, nada. In four years, I've never so much as seen her, never mind met her. If the plants are in flower, it's pretty easy to figure out what they are. If not, it can be risky. I don't like to plant anything without knowing what it is, what it needs and whether it's invasive- I'm still paying hard for that lesson after planting gooseneck loosestrife a couple of years ago.

Well. This year I joined a local plant swap group. So much awesome. Some of the members are master gardeners and lots are just very experienced hobby gardeners. On the group's site, you can post photos and questions. That's how I was able to find out that this irresistible lovely is bergenia. It'll go in the stone wall garden.

An interesting factoid: I found out last summer when the barn was coming down that the old lady actually used to live in this house. That would explain the surprise plants we've found here and there- peony, snowdrops, hyacinths, columbine. I should probably invite her for coffee. I'd love to know what else she planted here!