Garden Blogger's Bloom Day for May 2018

Spanish Lavender, Barberry 'Orange Rocket', California Lilac (Ceanothus 'Black Diamond')

Spring is officially here (or is it Summer - it was 90 yesterday, ugh) and seemingly overnight, the garden is full of so many blooms that I can hardly keep up with all of them. An embarrassment of riches or a hot mess, I am not sure which I have. One thing is for sure - plants grow fast here in the Pacific Northwest.

I am pleased that there seems to be very few losses in the garden. We did have a mild winter. The advice from local gardeners that excellent drainage is the key to success for a wide range of plants is well taken. We have good drainage on our property already and I always add lots of additives as well as planting slightly above ground level.

The terraced beds are elevated and very dry although our clay-ish soil probably holds more moisture than I realize. Here are some of the plants in that area -

Cerinthe purpurascens (Honeywort) is a new plant for me. I got it at last year's plant swap. It is very happy in very average soil mulched with gravel and in full sun. The color of the flowers is intense!

Helianthemum 'Fire Dragon' (Sun Rose) trailing over the pathway like I hoped it would.

Lewisia cotyledon 'Regenbogen' (Rainbow) - They keep dying on me and I keep trying. This is planted in
pure gravel with just a little soil. 

Dianthus 'Rose de Mai', a purchase from Joy Creek. It hasn't done much until this year and it now covered with double, soft pink flowers.

Parahebe perfoliata, another new plant that I stumbled across last year at the nursery where I work. 

Cistus crispus 'Decanso'

Another dry and difficult area is the hellstrip along the street. However, most of the things I planted there have returned with the exception of a few tender plants, like lantana and Mexican heather. The only blooms in that area now is Verbena 'Homestead Purple' which makes a wonderful groundcover.

Verbena 'Homestead Purple'

The front garden is ablaze with color -

Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps' (California Lilac) takes center stage.

Lupines being overtaken by the Ceanothus

Ceanothus 'Black Diamond' has variegated foliage.

Papaver orientale (Poppy) - I think this is 'Allegro' although it was labeled as 
'Beauty of Livermere'. 

Clematis montana 'Freda' tucked into the fence corner

Allium 'Gladiator'

Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke', the first one I planted.

Mimulus cardinalis (Monkey Flower)

Korean Lilac 'Palibin' (Syringa meyeri)

Euphorbia characieas wulfenii

On to the back garden -

Potentilla 'Gold Star'

Geranium maculatum

Camellia 'Donation'

Prosanthera rotundifolia (Purple Flowering Mint Bush)

Rhododendron 'Jean Marie de Montague' - I find this color impossible to photograph correctly.

Peony 'Coral Sunset'

Meadow Rue (Thalictrum 'Black Stockings')

Sweet Woodruff (Gallium odoratum)

Brunnera 'Jack Frost'

Lilac (Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation')

And finally, the roses are just beginning -

China Rose "Mutabalis'

David Austin Rose 'Lady of Shallot'

Grandiflora rose 'Gold Medal'

Noisette Rose 'Buff Beauty'

Sorry for such a long post! Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Check out what is blooming in other blogger's gardens around the world. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy