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June Blooms

After a hot weekend, more pleasant weather has settled in and the long-term forecast shows consistent temperatures in the 70s. That is music to my ears, I just hope it lasts. We have been busy with the usual garden chores. Michael has been more adventurous than I and he created a small set of steps leading up to our shady path. He said he had been wanting to do that for a long time but didn't because of it making it difficult to move the lawnmower up to the top level. Well, we now have a battery-powered mower, a very lightweight, tiny thing which makes both of us happy. The steps are almost finished, just some more gravel needed to top them - Our new battery-powered lawnmower looks like a toy - In the garden - Autumn Fern ( Dryopteris erythrosora) is just spectacular right now. My favorite fern. Aruncus 'Horatio' has doubled in size this year and threatens to overshadow the shade garden.  Baptisia 'Solar Flare' blooms after 'Purple Smoke'  Jasmine 'Fiona...
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March Bloom Day 2018

Anemone coronaria 'Marianne Blue'

 Spring is springing here in south Washington and it is an exciting time. We have had some warm temperatures lately (warmer than average) and the garden is quickly coming out of its winter slumber.
Camellia 'Nuccio Bella Rosa' just started blooming today. I kept it covered during the recent freezes.

Of course, the daffodils are blooming everywhere around town. I planted a few along the strip next to the road and they are not making a huge show yet, but they are blooming. 

Euphorbia characieas wulfenii starting to unfurl. 


This beautiful Euphorbia was already planted here when we moved in. It is really striking.
Helleborus x ballardiae Gold Collection 'Merlin' has been blooming for months now.

Magnolia x loebneri 'Dr. Merrill' is one of the earliest trees I planted. It is in one of the terraced beds and I don't think it is going to be too big there once it starts to expand. I should have already moved it. The question is where?
Spirea thunbergii 'Ogon' - I never grew this variety before but loved it in one of the tour gardens last year. They had massed it to dramatic effect.

Viburnum 'Spring Bouquet' is another shrub that is probably ill placed. There are two growing along the hell strip border. 
Lily of the Valley Shrub (Pieris japonica 'Valley Frost'). This is one of three different varieties in the garden. My photos of the other two came out unfocused. This is a very popular shrub here and you see them everywhere. 
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Check out what is blooming in other blogger's gardens around the world and share your photos as well.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lynn HuntMarch 15, 2018 at 12:16 PM

    Beautiful Phillip! I have never seen that Lilly of the Valley shrub before! Thanks for sharing all your spring beauties.

    ReplyDelete
  2. bookwormMarch 15, 2018 at 4:01 PM

    Your photos are beautiful. It was hard to pick a favorite, but I would have to say the spirea. I live in the "snow zone" in the Northeast, so it was a treat seeing what was in bloom in your area.

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  3. LesMarch 15, 2018 at 4:04 PM

    Your blooms are about on the same schedule as ours, but we have hit a chill spell, which hopefully may makes ours last a little longer than normal.

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 15, 2018 at 4:55 PM

    You do have some beautiful blooms Phillip. As to those shrubs you are worrying about moving, leave them there. They look quite happy. Happy GBBD.

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  5. LeaMarch 15, 2018 at 5:47 PM

    Beautiful blooms! Great variety of colors!
    Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!

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  6. Endah MurniyatiMarch 15, 2018 at 7:25 PM

    I have never seen Euphorbia like that before. So beautiful

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  7. ConnieMarch 15, 2018 at 8:10 PM

    Love the Euphorbias, especially the one with the red-tint foliage.

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  8. outlawgardenerMarch 15, 2018 at 10:33 PM

    Your garden wears spring beautifully! Love Camellia 'Bella Rosa.' The symmetrical petal arrangement is gorgeous and the new red foliage is fabulous. Unfortunately, I forgot to adequately water one I planted last summer. It survived but lost some of it's fullness and isn't blooming this spring. Oh well, maybe in a few years.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anna KMarch 15, 2018 at 10:48 PM

    Those little blue Anemones always set my heart aflutter. I keep trying and failing with them. Maybe that elusive tease is part of the attraction? Either way, I keep trying...

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  10. Seraphinas PhantasieMarch 16, 2018 at 6:27 AM

    Marvelous photos of the different flowers. Such a beauty !
    Best, Synnöve

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  11. KatieMarch 16, 2018 at 8:55 AM

    Beautiful images Phillip. I can't wait to see your garden this summer! See you at work next week!

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  12. Barbara H.March 16, 2018 at 10:47 AM

    All your photos are stunning, as usual, but oh my, that anemone stole my heart.

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  13. AaronMarch 16, 2018 at 6:58 PM

    I'm not usually a fan, but I *really* like your Hellebore!

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  14. AlisonMarch 17, 2018 at 10:00 AM

    I've been looking for that gorgeous Camellia 'Nuccio Bella Rosa' to add to my garden. I don't have many Camellias, but that's one I think is worth trying. I wasn't a big fan of all the white Pieris when I first moved here, but I only recently realized there were quite a few with bright ruby-like drupes of flowers, which I love!

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  15. Ali, The Mindful GardenerMarch 17, 2018 at 1:27 PM

    Wow! These are utterly beautiful images. I love the euphorbia, especially. Do you mind me asking what lens you use on your camera? I am looking to buy a macro lens for my SLR; I want to take close-ups of flowers, with a nice blurry background.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverMarch 17, 2018 at 1:37 PM

      Thank you very much Ali! I use both a general Nikon 50mm and the Nikon 105mm. The 105mm is the more expensive lens. It can get really pristine images but I often having trouble focusing it (part of that is just me not knowing how to use the focus properly).

      Delete
  16. Kris PetersonMarch 17, 2018 at 2:48 PM

    Every time I see Viburnum 'Spring Bouquet' I wonder why I don't have it in my garden. I'm envious of the anemones and hellebores too.

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  17. AnonymousMarch 19, 2018 at 12:03 PM

    I love 'Ogon' spirea. It's one of my go-to shrubs in Oklahoma believe it or not. Also, the hellebores! Mine are finally doing their thing. Will you grow Daphne there Phillip? I love the perfume. It's often been blooming in February when I speak at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Happy Bloom Day!

    ReplyDelete
  18. JasonMarch 23, 2018 at 9:17 AM

    Love those blue Anemones. The bicolor Daffs look really good also.

    ReplyDelete

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