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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 ...
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Hydrangea "Amethyst"



Here is another hydrangea that would be on my top 10 list. It is a compact grower, no taller than 3 feet and wide, with large, tight blooms. Most books say that the flower color is pale pink to violet but in our garden, it is a bright robin's egg blue. It is in a bed lined with bricks and sided by concrete steps. I don't know if that affects the bloom color but I suspect it does. The flowers have white centers in the early stag of blooming and the sepals are serrated.









Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Becca's DirtJune 17, 2010 at 9:51 AM

    That is a beautiful hydrangea. I love the deep blue.

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  2. Roses and LilacsJune 17, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    The color is beautiful. Nice, big blooms on a relatively compact plant.
    Marnie

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  3. DarlaJune 17, 2010 at 10:46 AM

    Very nice specimen. I know that aluminum is necessary in the soil to produce blue pigment.

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  4. AaerelonJune 17, 2010 at 11:00 AM

    I really like these blue hydrangea. I did however see a really tacky display of them which left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm trying to get over it, but it's going to take some time.

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  5. Lisa at GreenbowJune 17, 2010 at 11:03 AM

    What a sweet plant. It looks like a baby Niko blue.

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  6. LonaJune 17, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    It is a beauty dress in its blue. The compact shrub makes it very appealing for small gardens.

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  7. F CameronJune 17, 2010 at 12:10 PM

    You are torturing me with these gorgeous hydrangea blooms and vignettes! :-)

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  8. Dave@TheHomeGardenJune 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM

    Very nice! I sure with I had more shady spaces for hydrangeas like that. Of course then I'd be providing a deer buffet...

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  9. Mr. McGregor's DaughterJune 17, 2010 at 2:38 PM

    You sure have the touch with the Hydrangeas. The frilly petals are so pretty.

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  10. SheilaJune 17, 2010 at 4:26 PM

    The concrete steps would add alkalinity to the soil which would turn the blooms pink. That is our problem in So. Cal. with highly alkaline water, we can't get those beautiful blue bloom like you do. It is lovely!

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  11. debsgardenJune 17, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    Your hydrangea looks perfect by the steps and birdbath. I like hydrangeas planted along a path, so I can enjoy the blossoms close-up as I walk past. I am planning to add more hydrangeas to a path which already has several varieties. I will keep this one in mind!

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