 |
| Starlet Lavender Star petunias (mostly) |
Goodness, the spring has been busy. And wet and cloudy. Now sticky, wet, and cloudy. As I write this, thunder is booming outside. Because of the above average rain and lack of sunshine, the plants have been a bit slow or shy to bloom. Heck, my sweet peas haven't even bloomed (and may not). Regardless, it's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - time to report on what IS blooming this month.
 |
| Larkspur and Chelsea Physic Garden poppy |
I simply have to show a poppy or two since I thought they'd never bloom. In fact, today's the first day for ANY of them to bloom! The pink poppy above was collected from last year. I planted the original seeds several years ago, and they were purchased from the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.
 |
| 'Lauren's Grape' poppy |
This 'Lauren's Grape' started closing up before I could get out there today for a photo. The blooms are not very big. But then again, we haven't had much sun so I'm not discounting them yet.
 |
| These are always the first daylilies to bloom |
I'm happy to say the daylilies are starting to bloom. Here's a few other beauties blooming.
 |
| Flowering tobacco (nicotiana) with chives in the background |
 |
| Gaura lindheimeri 'Pink' (I'm not sure if that's the variety name or color!) |
 |
| Chives and pollinator |
 |
| English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - first time I've EVER had any kind of lavender save Spanish bloom for me! |
 |
| Bowl of blooms (mostly petunias) |
 |
| The raised beds. Your seeing mostly Verbena bonariensis and flowering tobacco blooming |
 |
| Mystery iris |
If anyone can venture some guesses on this variety of bearded iris, I'd appreciate it. It was supposed to be 'Cantina', a re-blooming iris. But it turned out not to be. In fact, it's on the opposite side of the color wheel!
 |
| Eastern smooth beardtongue, Penstemon laevigatus |
This penstemon is a passalong from my friend Travis, who helped me whip the invasive liriope area into shape. He wasn't sure what it was (I think he found it in the wild). After some investigation, I'm pretty sure it's eastern smooth penstemon. I like it.
 |
| A luscious oakleaf hydrangea bloom |
 |
| 'Pee Wee' hydrangea, a dwarf form |
We'll see if this 'Pee Wee' hydrangea stays small. I planted it last fall and the blooms are supposed to turn pink when they mature. I may have to move it as it looks like it wants more sun. But then again, we all do.
 |
| Baptisia australis, false indigo |
I'm happy to say the false indigo I planted three years ago is starting to mature and bloom like a righteous plant.
 |
| Verbena bonariensis |
And that's the bulk of what's blooming today, if you don't count the cilantro, parsley, cleome, roses... Okay, a few others. Too see what's blooming in other parts of the world today, visit Carol's blog, May Dreams Gardens.
This post was written by Jean McWeeney for my blog Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog. Copyright 2015. Please contact me for permission to copy, reproduce, scrape, etc.
What a stunning garden! And gorgeous pictures, despite the soggy days. But I'm not complaining about the rain at all, and those "righteous" plants--love that--are working overtime to out perform themselves!
ReplyDeleteI need to start more nicotiana. I think I saw a single volunteer. Wonder where they went?
ReplyDeleteMy experience with H. quercifolia is that they are well behaved for a few years and then suddenly suckers take the whole garden. Maybe your mini will be better behaved. Love Baptisia and V. bonariensis
I need to add some Verbena bonariensis to my garden. I've seen it now on a few blogs, and it's pretty cool. Bloom Day posts are always so educational, seeing what's blooming in other parts of the country and the world. You have hydrangeas flowering already!
ReplyDeleteLove the iris! Such a pretty color combination
ReplyDeleteThe poppy/larkspur color combo is so striking! My pink poppies also took a while to bloom, at a stunted height of 8 inches. Love Lauren's Grape!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking refreshed from all the rain. We've seen tons of rain too. Makes me wonder what the plants will do once the spigot is turned off. We got more rain last night, and the skies are cloudy again. Still, the ponds are filling up. We are so grateful for that. Love your flowering tobacco, the poppies, all those spring glories.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely blooms, Jean! I love the tall Verbena seeming to float above your raised beds. I have tried to get it going here, but with little success. I usually have only a couple of blooms, yet my friend had it spreading everywhere in her old garden--go figure. On the other hand, I planted Nicotania seeds several years ago and haven't planted any since, yet every year I have volunteers galore. Just like your mystery iris, a garden is always full of surprises.
ReplyDeletePoppies are my favorite and the abundance of rain prevented their flourishing. Thank you for sharing your spring garden. See you soon in Toronto!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the wider shots of the garden. Beautiful layout and design.
ReplyDeleteI want to come live on your patio! Your yard is just so pretty and peaceful. I love the purple poppy too; have never seen one before.
ReplyDelete