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The 2024 Garden Year

January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
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April 2008 Bloom Day

Carol at May Dreams invites garden bloggers to show photos of what is blooming in their gardens on the 15th of each month. We were under a freeze warning last night which brought back memories of last year's awful freeze. I covered a few plants but fortunately the temperatures stayed above freezing. I took these photos after I got home from work today.

The most spectacular blooms right now are on the Chinese Snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum). This shrub is 12 years old and is about 15 feet tall. The blooms are huge. I should have been pruning it to control the size but I did not so it probably needs to be hard pruned. I'm not sure if I can bring myself to do it but I think it needs it. 




The next photo is a viburnum called 'Shasta' (Viburnum plicatum toentosum).  The blooms are flatter and appear in tiers. It is a beautiful elegant shrub which can reach significant size (8 feet tall or more with an equal girth). It doesn't have enough room in our garden.


The only tulips in the garden at the moment are 'Maureen' which come back year after year.



The Lady Banks rose is stunning this year.










Scilla or Spanish Bluebells. These have been here forever. They will spread, especially in rich soil.


I bought this variegated Jacob's Ladder last year. It is called 'Stairway to Heaven.'


Variegated Solomon's Seal

Euphorbia 'Despina'


The candytuft has been blooming for about a month now. It has never looked this good.


Clematis 'Josephine'


Clematis 'Nelly Moser'

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) 'Alabama Crimson'


A pretty red columbine




Burning Bush (Euonymus)


And last but not least, this azalea that I don't know the name of. My aunt gave this to me when my father died seven years ago. It was a florist's plant and I planted it, not expecting much but it has really surprised me.



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  1. tinaApril 15, 2008 at 8:24 PM

    Awesome pictures and flowers.

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  2. AnonymousApril 15, 2008 at 9:34 PM

    You have a fresh-looking spring garden with all those white and soft yellow flowers. I'm glad you don't shun azaleas. Every Southern garden needs at least one, IMHO.

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  3. chuck b.April 15, 2008 at 9:54 PM

    Wow, those pictures make the strongest case for Lady Banks Rose as any I've seen. Very nice.

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  4. AnonymousApril 16, 2008 at 3:41 AM

    Wow, I am so happy to have stumbled onto your blog! Lovely!! I can not pick a favorite, everyone is fantastic. Your website has long been an inspiration to me!
    Jenn

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  5. Frances,April 16, 2008 at 3:44 AM

    I agree with Chuck b., your photos of the Lady Banksia are making me drool with envy. You have it sited perfectly, dripping off of that lovely arbor. Your snowball is fantastic, are you supposed to prune it? We have lots of the same plants, but our clems are not open yet, but budded. Hope you didn't suffer any damage from the freeze. I haven't gone outside yet, it is still dark, to see what happened here. Your garden is a dream vision. It is hard to beat flowering trees and shrubs. New gardeners need to plant more of those first so they can mature into the type of beauty that your garden has, and wait on the smaller stuff.

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  6. Annie in AustinApril 16, 2008 at 7:24 AM

    What a beautiful place this is, Phillip - full of bloom yet still serene. The viburnums are so lovely and all the colors harmonize so well!

    The variegated Solomon's Seal was a favorite plant in my IL garden...it's nice to see it in yours.

    Happy Blooming Day!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  7. Priscilla GeorgeApril 16, 2008 at 8:59 AM

    Wow you garden is amazing. I love your lady banks rose it looks like a wonderful area where it is. Gorgeous I'm so jealous.

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  8. WayneApril 16, 2008 at 2:26 PM

    Again, I'm sooo envious of your earlier than me flowers!

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  9. AnonymousApril 16, 2008 at 4:42 PM

    We have alot of the same plants, however, my snowball doesn't look anything like yours. Do you give it special care? Is it in full sun? Thanks! Karen H

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  10. Phillip OliverApril 16, 2008 at 5:42 PM

    Thanks for the comments. About that Lady Banks rose, this is the third try for me. Two previous plants died. It is very sensitive to cold weather. This one is in a sheltered spot.

    Karen H., is your snowball the same variety? Mine gets semi-sun. I've never done anything special to it. I think it is way too large and I'd like to prune it but I'm not sure how to do it. Michael Dirr suggested using a chain saw!

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  11. AnonymousApril 16, 2008 at 5:43 PM

    Wow, Phillip, as I scrolled down through your post, I kept thinking "That's my favorite...no, *that's* my favorite...". In the end, I couldn't really pick a favorite, because they were all so beautiful. But I must say, that lonicera shot is truly amazing; it looks almost 3-D. Thanks for sharing your roses and all of the other beauties for Bloom Day!

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  12. UnknownApril 16, 2008 at 7:08 PM

    Wow... your azalea looks that full and lush in just 7 years? Must have some good karma due to the spirit in which it was given.

    That 'Lady Banks' rose is gorgeous.

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  13. Carol MichelApril 16, 2008 at 7:42 PM

    Those viburnum nearly take your breath away as does the rose. Your garden must be wonderful to be in right now.

    Thanks for joining in for bloom day!

    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

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  14. AnonymousApril 17, 2008 at 3:49 AM

    Oh my! That viburnum m. is stunning with all those huge blooms! Your garden is a delight! Love the long shots as they give a sense of 'place' to your garden. Isn't white elegant!

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  15. Philip BewleyApril 17, 2008 at 2:37 PM

    Beautiful garden,Phillip!! We have so many of the same plants! The Vibernum is indeed spectacular right now. I always look forward to that bloom. The roses you have are beautiful. Your garden is done with taste and style. I look forward to reading your blog this year!

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  16. cheyApril 17, 2008 at 4:24 PM

    Oh my, I thoroughly enjoyed your post and your beautiful blooms. Such a beautiful garden!!

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  17. UnknownApril 17, 2008 at 8:59 PM

    I think the photo of the Lady Banks rose was awesome- trying to capture all of those buds, but in your photo it looks like a wonderful shower of blooms coming down.

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  18. AnonymousApril 21, 2008 at 6:00 AM

    That snowball viburnum is gorgeous. I think I shall have to try it. Most viburnums don't like our heat, but local nurseries are pushing this one, so I need to give it a try.

    Isn't Lady Banks amazing? Mine has been in flower for more than a month and is still putting out new flowers.

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  19. GailApril 21, 2008 at 12:48 PM

    phillip,
    Just back from out of town...your blooms are wonderful...the snowball is luscious....I feel like I am walking in a well tended and loved garden and I agree with Annie, it is serene.

    Gail

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  20. lisaApril 25, 2008 at 9:37 AM

    Wow...I hadn't been by in awhile, and now I wonder why! Your garden is just beautiful...great Bloom Day you had!

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  21. Sweet Home and Garden CarolinaApril 26, 2008 at 4:39 AM

    Beautiful bloom day post, Phillip. My neighbor has the snowball viburnum. The way to prune it is right after it blooms, cut it back by a third to keep it in good shape.

    I am passing on the E for Excellent award to you so come visit me and collect it.

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  22. UnknownMay 8, 2010 at 3:20 PM

    Wow, I was just doing a search for variegated Jacobs Ladder because I have one that's blooming and I love it.... and came across your amazing blog. Very inspiring! Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete

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