In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret Atwood
With the crazy spring weather, I have been busy getting dirty in the garden, trying to plant more flowers, veggies and keeping my nose above the weeds that are drowning the garden. And thank God I love to get dirty. Although I have trouble straightening and I can barely move my joints the next day, I know gardening is so good for my body. All that dirt I inhale, and have embedded under my nails is nourishing as well.
This post is certainly busy as I am linking in early for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day with Carol@May Dreams Gardens, and Beth@PlantPostings for her wonderful Garden Lessons Learned meme. I will also be highlighting some wonderful June foliage with Pam@Digging for her Foliage Follow Up on the 16th, and Christina@Creating my own garden of the Hesperides for her Garden Bloggers Foliage Day on the 22nd.
Let’s look at the garden lessons first……
Look carefully at those weeds as they may turn out to be a treasure like this Common Milkweed. Many still consider this plant a weed, but this native plant is a must for our beloved monarchs….and who would think such a plant would bring so much joy. Just the childhood memories of finding the seed pods unopened can transport me back to a playful time. These lovelies found their way into my garden and have formed 2 colonies. I am hopeful the monarchs will find us ready with plenty of nectar and a food source for their young ones as these plants have double the benefits. Whether you plant Common Milkweed or one of the other wonderful milkweeds, please consider finding a spot for a plant or two.
Sometimes keeping it simple will actually make the boldest statement. These antique planters have been planted with many different plant combinations, but a single lovely flower works better to brighten up the part shade making the front step, porch and the planters snap.
One ongoing lesson for me is about going organic and doing no harm. Donna@Garden Walk Garden Talk posts frequently what we can do to help the environment. Recently the post, The Need to Care, showed how the simple things we do and don’t do can have profound effects. Please make sure you read this important post and do what you can to reduce your plastic use.
Early June blooms…….
This lovely flower, Aquilegia ‘Bordeaux Barlow’ popped up near the pond. I adore the red flower and intend to spread the seed in the red garden and other lovely spots. It should be shared around the garden, don’t you think?
This species iris was my first and I adore it. I have no idea of its name. It is in my front garden, and this year should be divided. I can’t wait to find more spots in the garden to show it off. As a matter of fact, I am dividing many of my irises so if you want a piece of any let me know.
I love the flowers of weigela and they have been blooming much to the delight of the bees and hummers. I lost the tag to this one so I don’t know its name either.
The clematis have finally started blooming although a bit late this year. This is what ‘Crystal Fountain’ looks like as it opens. I love clematis because they change dramatically from bud to mature flower, and even as they fade.
The Kates or spiderworts are finally coming into their own. I let them seed, and then have a wonderful surprise every spring finding them in new places. I love all the colors and have just about every one. I even have a native Tradescantia. They like part shady, wet areas in the garden.
Oriental poppies are unwrapping. This salmon one is my favorite. I moved the orange one to the back garden, but somehow it still grew in the front bigger than ever.
I love Calibrachoa as they stand up to heat, and need little water. The petunia is one I grew from seed. Not sure which one it is though.
The last of the lilacs are blooming This is a Korean lilac ‘Miss Kim’. I almost gave up on this plant as it took a long time to grow and flower profusely. Actually this is the first year in 5 or more that it looks wonderful.
June foliage treats…….
This is the right side of the shade garden that is a mix of natives and non-natives. Of course hostas and brunneras grow here, but so does Goatsbeard, Mayapple, Bloodroot, Doll’s eye, hepatica, columbine and native geraniums.
And one of the most unusual and under used natives in the shade garden above is Twinleaf or Jeffersonia. I love it better than Lady’s Mantle which seeds all over. Twinleaf displays the morning dew or rain drops beautifully. And it is fun to watch the leaves grow. I think I will have to profile this plant in the future.
The Diablo Ninebark are coming into their own. The foliage is dark on top and bright green underneath. It is really flowering this year.
Here’s another view of the new foliage emerging.
I found the perfect spot for my native Ostrich fern in the mucky rain garden area. And the fern is growing quickly. I adore native ferns for their foliage.
I hope you have enjoyed this post. It is my 200th post. I cannot believe I have written 200 posts in almost 3 years. It seems like only yesterday I started the blog, but it has become a big part of me, and I can’t imagine ever giving it up. With retirement coming by mid-summer, I hope to post a couple more times a month, and make some changes to the blog I have had to put off.
It’s Seasonal Celebrations and Garden Lesson Learned time as the seasons change around the world…hope you will join in. For more information read below.
Come Join Us:
Seasonal Celebrations is a time for marking the change of seasons and what is happening in your part of the world during this time. I hope you will join in by creating a post telling us how you celebrate this time of year whether summer or winter or something else. Share your traditions, holidays, gardens and celebrations in pictures, poetry or words starting June 1st.
And it seems so appropriate to collaborate with Beth and her Lessons Learned meme. What lessons have you learned this past season of spring here in the North and fall in the South. Then tell us about your wishes, desires and dreams for this new season.The rules are simple. Just create a post that talks about lessons learned 
and/or seasonal celebrations. If you are joining in for both memes please leave a comment on both our blog posts. Or if you are choosing to join only one meme, leave a comment on that blog post. Make sure to include a link with your comment.
Beth and I will do a summary post of our respective memes on the solstice (the 21st of June). And we will keep those posts linked on a page on our blog. Your post should be linked in the weekend before the equinox to give us enough time to include your post in our summary. And if you link in a bit late, never fear we will include it on the special blog page (which I still have to create). The badges here can be used in your post. So won’t you join in the celebration!!
______________________________________________________________________
Next up on the blog: Next Monday is another Garden Book Review with a seed giveaway. And don’t forget June means it is time for Seasonal Celebrations. I hope you will join in. At the end of the month will be a combo post-Simply The Best and Wildflower Tales.
I am linking in with Michelle@Rambling Woods for her Nature Notes meme. It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Wednesday.
I hope you will join me for my posts once a month at Beautiful Wildlife Garden. See my most current post now.
As always, I’ll be joining Tootsie Time’sFertilizer Friday.
Please remember, to comment click on the title of the post and the page will reload with the comments section.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2013. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.