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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 ...
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Fall has arrived





After a few weeks in Alabama, I returned home earlier this week to find that autumn was in full swing. Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s during the day and it has been damp.

 I've got a lot of chores to catch up on, mostly getting the pots inside and some pruning.

 A quick look around the garden - 
Persian Ironwood (Parrotia), much more colorful this year than last. 


Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), planted last fall. 

Mountain Gordlinia, just planted about a month ago, showing vibrant red leaves. 

Ginkgo 'Princetown Sentry', planted last fall in the front garden, just gets better and better. 

Another view of the gingko, with the Sourwood (Oxydendrum) in the foreground. 


Acer 'Sango Kaku' (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Stewartia


Burning Bush (Euonymous 'Rudy Haag') under the Sourwood tree

One of the potted Japanese Maples - 'Dancing Peacock' 

Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii)

Dwarf Birch (Betula 'Trost's Dwarf') 

Geranium 'Rozanne' and Pennisetum 'Hameln' 

Snakeroot (Eupatorium 'Chocolate'), Aralia 'Sun King' and hydrangea
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Catawba')

Japanese Blood Grass ( Imperata cylindrica)



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Jane StrongOctober 18, 2019 at 4:25 PM

    So much beauty. Best ever pictures of fall color I've seen this season, maybe ever. You must collect these trees that show color?

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    1. Phillip OliverOctober 19, 2019 at 7:49 AM

      Jane, fall color is a chief factor in selecting a tree for me.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 20, 2019 at 4:04 AM

    Your fall color is spectacular. What a beautiful sight to come home to.
    I did cringe a little when I saw the Burning Bush. It has become an invasive in our area. It pops up in the woods and along roadsides here. Scary.

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