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 ...
Your fall colors are amazing. I really like the Euonymous albomarginatus and your new Zenobia pulverulenta 'Raspberry'. But the plant that made me look more than twice was the milkweed. Looks like something left over from halloween!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly do still have some autumn beauty in your garden. So much color! My garden has been hopelessly frozen. We have had record cold here this month. Just today we were able to get out and mulch leaves. The trees, maples mostly, are curiously holding onto their leaves. All else have dropped and gone to sleep. I am amazed at all the plants you can grow that I can't. I get a bad case of wants when I read your posts. Keep em coming. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Pheasant's Tail Grass has stunning fall colors. I'm not familiar with this grass; I'll have to investigate it further. You have trouble with reseeding?
ReplyDeleteI finally broke down and bought a small 'Fine Line' Buckthorn. For now it's in a pot and I hope to find it a permanent spot in the next couple of years. It's such a cool little tree.
I posted a photo of the Pheasant's Tail grass on Facebook and someone commented that it reseeded a lot but then a few others said that they didn't have a big problem with it. I will keep my eye on it and see what happens. I love the buckthorn too, it is so unique.
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