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, years ago I visited your blog in Alabama a few times. It's nice to see that you are still blogging. I used to have Hot Lips years ago, but she didn't do well with our heat and wind. Yours looks quite happy, though, and that begonia is really something special!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a plant that does better as the season progresses. It starts looking really good around August and September.
DeleteI love all those shades of purple!
ReplyDeleteHappy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Thank you Lea!
DeleteLooks great! I really like your Agastache. We had some at our old house and it was a great plant.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca!
DeleteYou have one of the prettiest gardens in the blog kingdom - well-grown colorful plants, seasonal interest. It's always enjoyable to see what you've got.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane!
DeleteStill so many blooms in your garden. Impressive. I'm particularly envious of your Agastache 'Electric Punch'; I've tried to grow it several times with no luck. The color variation from orange to bright pink reminds me of sherbet ice cream.
ReplyDeleteI got it at the Plant Swap and just stuck it in a really awful place and forgot about it until I found it blooming later. I have lost several of them but this one seems to be happy.
DeleteI love that coreopsis. I need, really need, to get a red one for my garden. Coreopsis is such a non-stop plant once it starts blooming.
ReplyDeleteI had never had luck with coreopsis in our former garden but it grows like crazy here!
DeleteI recall following your Alabama garden, Phillip - this one must be such a different experience for you. I'm in love with your asters, which I have a hard time growing in SoCal. I wish I could grow Salvia 'Amistad' too but despite multiple attempts, I've yet to get it to survive more than a single season.
ReplyDeleteKris, 'Amistad' is an annual here too. I like it so much that I buy one if I can find it.
DeleteI love begonias but they don't ever look as good as this one. I haven't found an agastache that does well in my garden either. Hmmmmm. All looks so pretty. Happy GBBD.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I have to give Michael credit for the begonias. They are in pots and he cares for them. He waters and fertilizes on a set schedule. He is meticulous about it!
DeleteHi Phillip, I recently searched for Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', hoping to add it to my own garden. No luck locally. If I want it I will have to order it. Glad to see how lovely it looks in your space. I also love that red coreopsis!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, what a joy! I think you need a greenhouse--imagine begonias that perfect year round...
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ReplyDeleteWhat a wondrous variety of colors!! Wow!
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