All summer I tortured this shade-loving perennial by forcing it to live in clay soil on a south slope with full-sun exposure. It’s foliage was bedraggled and weed-like, and I often considered ripping it right out of the ground. And then this happened.

The thing is covered in blooms! It’s particularly gorgeous when the light shines through the small hairs that cover each flower. The entire plant shimmers and it has a mythological, magical feel about it.

As soon as it’s finished blooming, I am digging it up and relocating it to the shady side of the house. If it bloomed this well under duress, who knows what it will do when it gets into a happier spot?