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 ...
Phillip tell me about the rose campion. I just ordered seeds of a white rose campion and would love to know how it does for you. Sun or shade? Self seeding? Any info would be helpful. I am really focused on filling in the white garden here.
ReplyDeleteDavid, it is a wonderful old fashioned annual that reseeds freely. It does fine in my garden with just a little sun - maybe 3 or 4 hours a day. It may pop up in surprising places but you can easily pull it out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty. Any nibbles on your house?
ReplyDeleteVery nice Phillip! Any bites on the house yet?
ReplyDeleteLisa and Carol, a few lookers but nothing serious yet. I am afraid the garden is going to be a liability. :(
ReplyDeleteI love that China Doll rose! I like it combined with the bright Rose Campion.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious?? It's CRAZY that your beautiful garden is seen as a liability.
ReplyDeleteIs it because people are intimidated by the idea of maintaining it? Or do that many people really prefer a sterile lawn?
As for rose campion, I feel like a failure because I've tried direct sowing it a few times in the garden and have never gotten any results. (Either that or I've mistaken the seedlings for weeds and accidentally killed them, which of course is a possibility.)
I probably need to find annual seedlings someday, plant them and then let them self-sow...
the right person will come along. one that will take good care of it!
ReplyDeleteAaron, I am sure it would be the maintenance! There are not a lot of people that enjoy that! haha
ReplyDeleteBeautiful roses :)
ReplyDeleteHave you decided if any of your roses will be coming with you when you move?
Not really Emily!
ReplyDeletePhillip, You shared a rose with me several years ago and I believe it is the weeping china doll. It is very ruffled and I used it to make some beautiful arrangements for a church luncheon. You weren't sure at the time what rose you were sharing. Just wanted to say thanks. Sherry
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