“Life is a garden not a road we enter and exit through the same gate wandering, where we go matters less than what we notice”
~Bokonon
The last couple of weeks have been busy…trying to get all my seedlings planted in the veg garden, and watch over them so they are watered, fertilized and pruned as needed. So much to report on soon from the veg garden. Containers were also planted with seedlings that were started weeks ago. But I am still not finished planting all of them. I hope to finish this week.
I am dealing with heat, and dodging mosquitoes bent on relieving me of some blood. And then humidity came with thunder and torrents of rain. And with each of these, I plug away planting and weeding. I have not had much time of late to continue my weeding, but will get back to it soon clearing the debris now choking my gardens.
I did take time out to observe my garden throughout the days, in May, as each glorious flower began to bloom, and another succeeded it. So let me show you some of the joys I experienced in my garden!
Columbine or Aquilegia were spectacular. At the top of the post is Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Christa Barlow’, and here is ‘Nora Barlow’, two of my absolute favorites. Nora has succeeded in seeding herself all over the front gardens.
Also in the front gardens are (left) Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Dorothy Rose’ and what I think is lavender Aquilegia Flabellata. In the side and back gardens I found Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Black Barlow’ and this red-wine colored ‘Bordeaux Barlow’. The red columbine is growing under and through a bush, but I think it would look great in my red garden, so I will move it this fall.
Of course alliums put on a grand show, and I will have many more flowering through summer. White alliums are coming on now. I can never have too many of these Flowers of the Year for 2016!
White violets finally have spread in the White Garden, and are making a fabulous ground cover. I plan to move clumps to the back half of the White Garden so they can spread all over eventually. What a stunning sight they were for all of May, as these violets lasted until the extreme May heat hit us unexpectedly late in the month.
And of course my native ground cover, Mayapples spread, leafed out and bloomed in May. I still plan to move some to the White Garden as well once I redesign it….that is on the calendar for 2017.
Before the tall weeds took over, Epimedium flowers bloomed for weeks in May…delicate and such a surprise close up. And the foliage that grows, is a treat that brings joy through to winter.
The red flowers are Epimedium rubrum. The white, I think, are Epimedium versicolor ‘Suphureum’.
Of course Brunneras were putting on a blue flower show above their silvery leaves.
Late in May, the Tradescantia or spiderwort were blooming profusely. They have spread all around the pond making it an amazing purple paradise.
I thought my Deutzia was a goner after multiple freezes in April. Much of it was not developing leaves, and I was sure it would not bloom. But ‘Chardonnay Pearls ‘ did catch up with lots of its yellow-green leaves, and about a third flowered.
The best show in the shade garden was the Trillium luteum. I love the yellow-green flower against the spotted leaves.
Another great yellow flower is Lonicera sempervirens ‘John Clayton‘, which grows in the Wall Garden. I couldn’t believe how fast it grew and flowered in May. This cultivar was discovered on the grounds of an old church in Gloucester, Virginia. It blooms the earliest, and continues into late fall mostly because of its microclimate against the house.
I was so surprised at how big the Verbascum phoeniceum hybrids were growing in the Sidewalk Garden. I love the white in the part shade area.
The Phlox subulata was another star throughout the gardens. They would have lasted longer if we didn’t get a week of summer temps. The top Phlox is ‘North Hills’. I am not sure of the name of the light lavender Phlox. I love how the Forget-Me-Nots and violets grow among them.
Ox-eye daisies seed throughout my garden from the meadow. These can be found around the pond next to the waterfall.
And speaking of the pond…the waterlilies were blooming for my birthday in late May. Aren’t they stunning against the early purple lily pads that will turn green as they mature.
Late May also brought the garden chive flowers (Allium schoenoprasum) out….and when the chive flowers bloom, we make vinegar and eat them. You can see the vinegar we made below, along with a simple little vase.
So what has been bringing you joy in your garden lately?
______________________________________________________________________________
In A Vase On Monday
Now with June, I have irises blooming all over. I have saved many of my iris pictures for a separate post. There are bearded iris and Siberian iris in the vase. I lost all the names years ago.
I added Ox-eye daisies, Allium, Catmint (Nepeta) and one native Baptisia flower just about to open.
I also cut Lady’s Mantle foliage, with native hardy geranium foliage to fill the vase. The vase is another Belleek favorite….it is a limited edition, for St. Patrick’s Day 2005. It is covered with shamrocks and violets.
Here is the simple vase with chive flowers…these are from my gardening buddy across the street. We share flowers, seeds, plants and info….she is learning and I love teaching her because I learn more too!
I picked the chive flowers, stuffed them in a bottle and poured warm vinegar over them. After a few days it was a dark pink color and ready to use. I actually stuffed too many flowers in the bottle, and will back off on the next batch. I can’t wait to start using the chive vinegar.
I am joining in with a few memes this week as I prepare these vases: Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful meme, In a Vase on Monday, and Today’s Flowers hosted by Denise@An English Girl Rambles 2016
______________________________________________________________________________
Next up on the blog:
Monday, I will have a special Vase post with another look at the meadow as it is really filling in now. And as summer rolls in, I will update my garden chores completed, and what is in store for summer besides heat, humidity and mosquito bites.
I am linking in with Michelle for her Nature Notes meme at her blog, Rambling Woods. It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Monday.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2016. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.