Pics of the garden from early May
These photos were taken by my horticulturalist sister when she visited early in May, along with her (likewise horticulturalist) friend and our two nieces (our brother's daughters). Big, fantastic visit. It was raining, with discouraging results for what had been a fabulous though early spring flowering, but out we went all the same. So, here goes:
'Général Schablikine'
'Mme. Gregoire Staechelin', also known as 'Spanish Beauty'. This is a poor grower for me.
'Jaune Desprez' drooping under the rain.
'Etoile de Lyon', and just as fabulous as this shot suggests. The beetles are tragically fond of this variety. I spent some time this spring training a portion of it up onto the small pergola over the path that leads out of the yard, and cutting back canes that had invaded 'Blush Noisette' and other areas where it had no business being. My experience has been that all Teas with lengthen their canes and climb if given support; I hope EdL will do the same. The rose chafers seem less ready to attack blooms that are hanging down, as from the top of the pergola, so I hope I'll have more near-flawless flowers to admire when next it comes into bloom.
We had an early spring and have not been enjoying the early summer: it's been hot, sticky, dry with it all, and generally unpleasant. Yesterday the weather changed. In the afternoon thunder began to rumble in the sultry sky as the clouds formed and rose. I was visiting friends over in the next valley, higher and closer to the mountains than we are, and after a while my friend sent me off home to avoid my getting caught in a deluge. At home we were treated to a prolonged spectacle of wind, lightning, and thunder, before, around dusk, it finally began to rain. I don't know how much precipitation we got, but I can hear the water running in the drainage at the bottom of our valley, and that's a good sign. A good watering of our own land would certainly be welcome, but rain up in the mountains is good, too, as it goes to fill the reservoir which supplies our water. This morning is cool, fresh, and foggy, and oh so beautifully green.
Comments (11)
bart bart
last yearRelated Discussions
Late Aug, Early Sept Garden Pics (link)
Comments (16)Drippy, I guess that's one of Ma Nature's blessings to me because those 4 O'clocks reseeded from some WSed two years ago. I thinned at least 30 seedlings out of that bed-- unfortunately, I must've thinned out all the fuschia ones. I think that is about six to 8 plants there. They are as tall as heck. Happy as larks, too. They're starting to make their "bombs" for next years supply. Maggie, That flower is Venidium "Zulu Prince". I love it...they don't work well as cut flowers, though...they open to the sun, and close when there's shade. I do want more next year, though. The colors are amazing. Thanks everyone on the compliments :-) It's at that point where, there's no entire bed that looks balanced to me, only parts of it-- you know, when something grows taller than you thought and it's in the front of the bed instead of the back? But taking the individual pictures made me realize I didn't do such a bad job gardening this year, despite the weather. Linda...See MoreSome pics from my zone 3 garden in early July 2014
Comments (27)Hi marcia, thanks for the tip! I will watch out for that lychnis!!! I saw that in my parents' yard in BC and it was in a shaded and moist area, so it was tiny. Therefore, I dug it up and flew it back with me LOL. A year later, it's now this huge clump! My parents could not believe it LOL!!! I guess I may not believe it later either.... ROTFLOL! As for the Black Lace, please try it. It's so worth it! Even though we had such a rough winter this past year, it still came back from the base and is now over 3 feet tall. It's just a lovely thing. Donna, thank you! I actually have a Bugbane Chocoholic and is doing quite well. However, it has been "eaten alive" by that 3 feet tall Geranium Rozanne!!!!!!!!! LOL! That Geranium acts like it's on steroid or something and so I probably will need to move that poor Bugbane elsewhere next year so it will be more visible.... As for the Rodgersia, I am so happy to hear that it's hardy here! I actually saw that for the very first time just recently in the Botanical Garden in Newfoundland and I was very impressed by it. However, when I looked it up online, it was listed as a zone 5 plant. So I was disappointed. However, I am pleased to hear that it's really a hardy plant! Donna, do you have a photo of that please? I would love to see yours! Thanks so much....See MoreMy front garden in the spring (it's early spring here). Pics
Comments (7)Thanks, Phil and Anita. Can you believe, it's actually zone 4 here, bordering on 5 (most z5 plants will grow fine due to the heavy snow cover in the winter) but there's that much difference in the seasons! And thank you too, Ken. I think you're right. Would you be more likely to believe it's montana Aureomarginata rather than Paradigm? Somehow, I think the tags may have gotten mixed....See MoreEarly May 2011 Pics of the Yard
Comments (36)Hey Alex, Your palms look like they didn't miss a beat from last year.I'm glad you showed that vinca.I have that vine taking over my back yard.I never knew what it was,it has pretty little purple flowers on it,but LORD is it invasive.The only difference between yours and mine is mine has solid green leaves,yours looks variegated.Keep your eye on it,there's places where it's three feet thick in the very back of my property.I don't know where it came from,but I want it gone.I've sprayed it with roundup,burned it,poured bleach and ammonia on it,and it still comes back every year.I like the look of all your other plants,but that one.The same goes for crape myrtles,they pop up everywhere,dont get me wrong.I have two big ones,a white one and one I call watermelon color.I wish palms would pop up like them,I wouldn't mind some fortuneis or some palmetto volunteers.Maybe in ten years or so they will start popping up since it seems like everyone is growing them now.Talking about heat it's been 90* plus for the last three days.I wish I had a pool,I'd have it opened up days ago.Love the Spindle palm.Well I hope your Banana starts doing better. Randy...See More
librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
last year
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
last year
nippstress - zone 5 Nebraska
last yearMelissa Northern Italy zone 8
last yearjacqueline9CA
last year
Alana8aSC
last year
portlandmysteryrose
last yearMelissa Northern Italy zone 8
last yearportlandmysteryrose
last year
oursteelers 8B PNW