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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...

Mid February in the garden


While the pots await their new occupants, the mid-February garden is sleeping soundly. It has been cold and wet during the past weeks but we've had two days in a row with no rain and even some sun. Although it is cold out (low 40s for the highs), once you get moving about, I don't notice it unless the wind is blowing. Fortunately, it has not been windy either so I've been doing some winter pruning and transplanting.

Looking around the garden, there are some nice things to see -



Viburnum 'Spring Bouquet' (above) is an all-season beauty but it is especially stunning during the dead of winter.



Mugo Pine 'Aurea', one of our favorites, and we are a bit perturbed that Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps' in encroaching upon it. (On the other side of the fence is Viburnum 'Spring Bouquet', mentioned previously.


The pine 'Golden Ghost' (Pinus densiflora) continues to stun. I have to say this is one of the most beautiful plants I have ever grown.





Juniper 'Daube's Frosted' (above) is also very pretty this time of year. This is a low-growing juniper.



Pieris 'Valley Frost' (above) is another plant that looks great all year.


Spirea 'Ogon' next to Phormium (New Zealand Flax) 'Rainbow Queen')


And finally, the ornamental grasses are a winter favorite of mine. I could not bear to cut them down just yet. Maybe in a few weeks. This is Panicum 'Shenandoah'.



The asters are also quite attractive in winter. That is Pennisetum alopecuriodes 'Hameln'.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. That viburnum! Mine isn't showing any white flowers yet.

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  2. What beauty you have in the garden during winter. I keep forgetting you are in such a warm area. You are lucky not to have been blasted with the snow that has swept through your part of the country. Those empty pots look so promising. I can hardly wait!

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  3. Lots of pretty going on in your garden! Snowmageddon laid our grasses flat so they've been getting an earlier-than-usual haircut. Will you be coming up to the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival?

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    Replies
    1. No, I won't be making it this year. Maybe next year!

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  4. Both your conifers are stunning. They especially shine during winter's gloomy weather. North Seattle snow was/is slow to melt: I need to venture into the garden to see if my Spirea is starting to set buds.

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