May Color in the Garden

Digitalis is one of those striking displays you never get tired of seeing. Behind them are two large white Philadelphus.

This is another bed with Digitalis in front of a Cornus kousa chinensis (Chinese Dogwood) starting to bloom. The Digitalis this year are enormous.

This is a Philadelphus at peak bloom in the front of the house. An epic display. I don't know why these aren't sold in the regional garden centers.

This is Mock Orange Philadelphus x lemoinei. It has a bit of a weeping look and the flowers are small clusters.

A closeup of Philadelphus.

An unknown species of Azalea in front of Nandina.

Closeup of the Azalea above.

Tradescantia Andersoniana Blue Spider (Spiderwort).

Sweet Kate Spiderwort.

Hydrangea Anomala Petiolari, one of the climbing hydrangeas.

Chinese Dogwood just coming into white flower with Sum and Substance giant Hosta.

Another Sum and Substance Hosta with the lighter color Empress Wu right behind it.

Iris Pseudacorus or Yellow Water Iris.

Ice Escapade Iris

Dusky Challenger Iris. This image is a little bright. Normally this is a dark purple flower.

Tiger Honey Iris.

Wabash Iris.

Alcazar Iris.

This is either War Chief or Dynamite Iris. 

Again, War Chief or Dynamite Iris. I'm leaning towards War Chief.

11 - Unknown Iris.

Summer Olympics Iris

13 - Unknown Iris.

More Sunny Glow Iris. This Iris stays in bloom for a few weeks. Very prolific, short, no staking needed.

Because the Digitalis are so large this year, I thought I would show you a closeup of the bloom throats, as they are called.

Return to the spring garden in 2020

It has been a while since we posted anything but the garden has been fine.

 You cant go wrong with creeping phlox.

Creeping phlox

Cayuga viburnum has a wonder fragrance that wafts on the air.

Kerria japonica with an unusual white and yellow display.

An unknown species of Epimedium

Long stems of Bleeding Hearts

Rhododendron x 'Hotspur Yellow' (this is also sold as an Exbury Azalea). It's really more orange than yellow.. Beauty and fragrance.

Geum, bleeding hearts, hosta and Iris.

Tree peony suffruticosa ‘High Noon’

Pink ruffles azalea

Spring foliage of grace smoke tree

Delaware white azalea

Spireah

Pink Exbury Azalea

Sunny Glow iris

White Hot iris

Victoria Falls Iris

2 - Unknown Iris

O'Brian's Choice Iris

Areson's Gem Azalea

Korean Lilac Miss Kim with Heuchera at the base

Sum and Substance, Empress Wu Hosta, Azalea under the Cherry tree.

Unknown heirloom azalea

Tradescantia Andersoniana Blue Spider

White clematis and snowball viburnum

Unknown clematis

4 - Unknown iris

A little bit of everything: luneria, creeping phlox, garden phlox, peony, weigela, snowball viburnum, clematis, bleeding hearts, iris, solomon's seal.

Zabelia tyaihyonii, known as the fragrant Abelia, is a species of deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family.

Spring is gone and summer is on the way

Yes, it has been a while since we posted anything. This is a succession of Spring this year.

This is Clematis viticella 'Blue Angel' climbing up a Schizophragma hydrangeoides which didn't bloom this season. Not really blue in our soil but we'll take the pastel blush. Native to Spain, it was introduced to English gardens in 1589 and has been a mainstay due to its vigor. This is a three year old and has grown to 15 feet.

This is a nice closeup of the Clematis viticella 'Blue Angel'.

Sedum sarmentosum is a native to China and Korea. Its leaves are edible and sold in Korean markets as Dolnamul. Its a tough plant and will grow just about anywhere. Prefers sun but we have it growing and blooming well in a shady area too.

This was an experimental bed of Digitalis. This section of the bed get its sun cut by the tree canopy so while they look pretty good, they are one sided and not as large as they would be in full sun. Just to the right is Phlox David and a Fig which are sun lovers. Amazing was a difference a foot or two can make. In the background against the fence with white blooms are large Philadelphus.  

Aruncus dioicus, or Goats Beard has an unusual flower, similar to Astilbe but much larger. 

This is Aruncus aethusifolius, or drawf Goats Beard.

This giant Gold Mound Spirea is the largest I've ever seen. We've never trimmed it and it is now six feet across and four feet tall. 

Clematis Chevalier with its bold color.

A large and bug ravaged Clematis Henri.

Cookies and Cream Rose next to a Gold Mound Spirea. As I've said before, it was a Home Depot special for $7 several years ago and is still hanging in there.

Spring 2017 Arrives

It has been a while since the last post. The previous year was very busy. We're getting back in the swing of things and despite a late season ice storm that damaged or killed a few plants, we have this display. This image has Creeping Phlox, Dicentra, Lunaria, Polygonatum, and Kerria in bloom.