The first poppy bud opened today--
but has closed again as the sun sets.
Love the color and name: Watermelon!
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
It's only a day away!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
June Is Roses
The Knock Outs are providing bright red
against the deep purple of the Siberian Iris
which are almost past their prime on the south-facing wall.
They almost appear fluorescent when in full bloom.
They also have a few aphids
and I just wonder when the
Rose Rosette disease will take them.
They are showing a few signs:
curling leaves, bright red leaves,
extensive vegetation.
Maybe I can keep them through this season?
Saturday, May 28, 2016
June Is Bustin' Out All Over
Three days later the Weigela has blossomed fully
The variety of pink shades and the variegated leaves are stunning.
But purple seems to be the predominant color in the rest of the plantings:
Old-fashioned bearded Iris
'Miss Kim' Lilac
Baptisia or False Indigo
Another bed of purple Iris
The deepest purple is the Siberian Iris
between the two houses and in "the micro-climate"
they create for early--and late--blooms.
The yellow Iris glow
in the morning sunshine.
The Poppies will bloom next in
shocking watermelon pink!
From this morning's comics:
That's me!
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Another Reason to Love a Late Spring Garden
The colors and the textures of the shocking pink and lacy blooms of a late azalea, a maroon mound of coral bell, chartreuse Creeping Jenny and the fading green leaves of daffodil and the luxuriant green of newly budding and spreading Indian Blanket.
Long LInes, Long List
The lines were long and my cart was full, but I finished
shopping for the list of plants I had created earlier this spring.
I always have good luck at Country Flower Farms in Middlefield.
I was able to find the perennials I wanted to add or replace in the garden. I replaced a Liatris that did not appear last year. It was white and I found a purple one to replace it. I also found a compact Rudbeckia "Little Goldstar". I'm hoping it makes it in the empty space in the garden where nothing will grow. I'm not sure if it's the soil, some construction debris--or the rabbits!
Good luck, little coneflower!
I'll do what I can to nurture you.
Near the garden bench and one of the lavender planters,
I planted a Thrift or Seapink (Armeria maritima 'Bloodstone' to be specific...)
I am still trying to learn the Latin names of these plants!
It is deer-resistant--but what about the rabbits?
Both of these perennials are locally grown at Sunny Borders in Kensington.
The other perennials were for Sara's new butterfly garden: a hollyhock,
a False Indigo plant, a globe Allium and summer stock.
More on this garden later!
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Mosquito-proofing A Favorite Garden Spot
I have read a lot recently in magazines and newspapers and emails about using lemon grass, rosemary and scented geranium as a mosquito-repellent planting. When I was at the local garden center, I saw some signs around selected plants claiming mosquito-repelling qualities. I bought them to try it out this season in the planter near the bistro table on our patio.
The East Indian lemon grass is on the upper left of the planter.
It is a container grass and will grow 24 to 36 inches tall.
The scented geranium Citronella is also expected to be 24-36 inches tall.
Not much other information on the tag about this one.
The rosemary is a roasting type so it should be upright also.
It was not included in the grouping of mosquito-repelling plants at the nursery,
but it was on several of the lists I read and considered part of "the triad".
I was confused when the nursery signs said "Mosquito plant"
and the tag said scented Geranium "Citronella".
I talked with the owner and he assured me this is the correct plant for my purposes.
But what plant is it?
I'm willing to try this combination as an experiment--
But then I read this article!
I'll let you know at the end of the season whether we suffered from
mosquito bites--or not.
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