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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day - April 2020

Camellia 'Unryu


April 15th is here and it is time for Gardener Bloggers Bloom Day. Head over to May Dreams Gardens blog to find links to more blogger's posts.

It has been a beautiful week here with temperatures in the 60s and bright, sunny days. I have started my main project of the year, a garden wall to separate two areas. It is absolutely horrendous at the moment and any decent mason would get a big laugh at it. I can never get anything level and true to form, the entire wall is currently going downhill. More on that later. In the meantime, here are some blooms for the garden this week.

I am starting out with a new plant. This is Camassia and it is a native.


Dicentra 'Gold Heart' (Bleeding Heart) popped up really quickly. I swear it was nowhere to be seen last week.


Mukdenia - a plant that I thought had died but here it is -


An epimedium - possibly 'Sulphurium' -


The rhododendrons have started to bloom. This is 'Taurus' and it has doubled in size and bloom count from last year.

Rhododendron 'Taurus'



Here is another red one - 'Hill's Bright Red'. I purchased this one from the Rhododendron Society when I visited the Molly and Cecil Smith garden last year.


This is a small one called 'Ramapo'. It lives in the front garden by the front window.


'Blue Baron' has the most dramatic color. The shrub itself, however, is very puny.


A lot of people dogged the Schipka Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis') when I posted a photo of it on Facebook. They said it smelled bad and reseeded everywhere. I'm not complaining about it yet. I actually find the smell pleasant and haven't noticed any seedlings. The blooms are quite stunning and the bees love it.



The Purple Wallflower (Erysimum linifolium 'Bowles Mauve') -


I also just planted a red wallflower that was so beautiful in the greenhouse at work. Since putting it in the garden, the color has faded to a dusty orange.


I am leaving you with tulips. I have a varied selection. I thought I was planting all orange tulips last fall but it turns out not all are orange.





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver

Comments

  1. Those big rhodies are beautiful. Since you posted about the blue rhodie I read up about it. It doesn't seem that many people who have planted it likes it due to the puny plant. That blue captures many imaginations. It seems like this year I have read more about people planting a certain color of tulip and getting something else. Must have been in the packing last year. Doesn't really matter to me they are all beautiful! Happy GBBD.

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  2. I love the rhododendrons and the large-flowered tulips, although I can't grow either. That 'blue Baron' rhododendron is incredible! Best wishes with the wall project.

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  3. I am envious after seeing so many varieties of tulips growing at your place Philip since I have failed miserably many times in growing tulips at my area.Those rhododendrons are startling wish I could grow them here but they won't survive our harsh summer days.Happy blooms day.

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    1. I formerly lived in a hot and humid climate and rhododendrons certainly don't do as well in those conditions.

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  4. Oh, I do love that bleeding heart. I really must add one to my garden. And those rhododendrons are the star of the show, aren't they? Lovely!

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  5. Your blooms are all lovely. You are a bit ahead of us with Rhododendron and Skip Laurel so I am enjoying the preview of what's to come. Happy Bloom Day!

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  6. I have some white Camassia - (they do not do well in part shade.) But blue - you have much blue in spring.
    -Ray

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  7. Dang - for some reason, I can only read your text, and not view your gorgeous photos. So, for now, I have to rely on my imagination. Will try to check back later. Happy Spring, Phillip!

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    1. Anna, apparently it is an issue with Blogger. Hopefully they will get it fixed soon.

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