Stepping Into May
Rhododendron 'Klondyke' and Geranium maculatum May is already here and the garden suddenly explodes with growth. We spent the weekend watering (already?) because there hasn't been significant rainfall in a while. We don't have a sprinkler system so it is all manpower, dragging hoses and sprinklers. It takes two days - one for the back and one for the front - to water everything. It is possible to get it all in one day if we start really early. The rhododendrons are beginning now - 'Mandarin Lights' 'Jean Marie De Montague' 'Percy Wiseman' - beautiful but suffers from lacebug. I'm considering replacing it or maybe I will try and treat it. A favorite right now is the Chilean Potato Vine ( Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'). This plant is hardier than you might imagine. Some sources list it as a "9", others an "8". It is going on its third year in our garden, having been moved once. It is sheltered somewhat by a fence but ...
Bloom day, and viewing the blogs of southern gardens has made me aware of camellias, which I obviously can't grow in my garden.
ReplyDeleteYour gardens look amazing! Thanks for joining in for bloom day.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Phillip, the first picture is a beautiful postcard from Alabama.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many camellias! You seem to have so much room...
My neighbor has a camellia that I get a borrowed view of. I should have claimed it was mine for Bloom Day.
Saucer Magnolia. Gorgeous. Never seen the bloom before. Now I WANT it!
ReplyDeleteI'll echo Bonnie's admiration of your saucer magnolia. And the camellias are beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteOf course the camellias are lovely, they're always beautiful. Yesterday I discovered two red blossoms on a small camellia (rooted cutting) that I'd missed before, always a treat.
ReplyDeleteI especially liked the candytuft photo, it's never easy to photograph well. The close up of the carolina jessamine is great, too. I usually view it festooned through trees, high above the ground.
I know I could enjoy my time in your garden...the camellias are gorgeous. Do any have fragrance to match their beauty?
ReplyDeleteGail
Phillip, your garden must be one of such delight, with all those camellias. I like the peak at your rustic arbor in the background of the first photo. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFrances at Faire Garden
You know what they say: if you've got it, flaunt it. You've certainly got the gorgeous Camillias (vicarious thrills for us Northerners). I love the juxtaposition of that rustic arch with the Baroque/Rocco(?) sculpture.
ReplyDeleteI envy you the ability to grow so many gorgeous camellias. I can grow only two because of space limitation in a very sheltered spot next to the house. I would like to have a plain white one but impossible I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteThe magnolia looks like M. x soulangeana, "Rubra"? I mistakenly bought one because the label prominently read Magnolia Rubra so I thought it was some kind of red magnolia. I didn't want a soulangeana because of their profuse blooming habit and subsequent clean up but didn't know the one I bought was one until a month later when I read the label carefully and in small print it said M. soulangeana, Rubra. Oh well it's not the usual one you see around here and the small tree is loaded with buds so I'm excited to see it bloom.
The camellia photos left me weak, Phillip - what beauties! Oh that first CM Wilson, just grazing the border of peach and pearl pink, tumbling all over. Pam at Tales from the Laboratory in SC also has magnoliaflora and Nuccio's Pearl so I had a little innoculation against them.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, just wonderful.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Great selection of blooms. I recognize some of the Camellias.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Camellias Phillip. And I think, yes, yes I'm absolutely certain, I saw the perfect spot for a Redbud in one of those photos. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Phillip,
ReplyDeleteYour flowers look wonderful. To cold here for camellias. My crocus are up and blooming but that is it.
You asked about using a heating pad in your basement to start seeds. It should work. I should have one but don't. It took 2 weeks for the first group of seeds to come up. With some heat I am sure it would have been quicker.
Good Luck!!