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10 June Favorites

Magnolia 'Kay Parris' With so much going on in the garden in June, it is hard to choose only ten favorites. I challenged myself and have done just that. These are plants that look good around the midway point in June, specifically from June 15-20.  I begin with Magnolia 'Kay Parris'. Believe it or not, having spent the majority of my life in the South, I never grew a magnolia. They are emblematic of the South, where magnificent specimens grace old plantation homes and stately homes in older neighborhoods. I always thought of magnolias as huge trees, not suited to a small garden, but things have changed, and more varieties are now available that are not supposed to grow as large.  We now have two magnolias in our garden, both of which were added recently. When one of the old photinias that line our back property line died, it left a gaping hole. I had been looking at magnolias at the nursery and decided a smaller one might make a good backdrop and create a good privacy s...
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Spreading Manure


It was a beautiful day to work in the garden - sunny and in the upper 40s. I was motivated to get out and move after stepping on the scales this morning and facing the grim reality of having gained 6 pounds. So I went for a long walk around the neighborhood. Upon returning home, I received a message from a lady who had posted that she had horse manure available. 

It turns out that she wasn't that far from me. The manure is absolutely beautiful and it was still smoking when I got home with it. I managed to spread almost all of it. I've had pain in my upper arm and shoulder for almost 3 months now but I didn't let that deter me and surprisingly, it is not bothering me at the moment. However, it hurts mostly after I go to bed.

There is still some beauty to behold in the late November garden.

This is the last Japanese maple to have most of its leaves. I planted two of these right off our deck shortly after we moved in. These were labeled as "seedling" maples. I guess you don't have to have a fancy name for beauty.


Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Miss'


Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'


Mugo Pine 'Aurea' (Pinus mugo)

Ceanothus 'Berryhill' and Parahebe perfoliata

Ironwood (Parrotia)

New Zealand Flax (Phormium)

The retaining wall along the driveway is a work in progress. I keep playing around and changing things. I'm finally getting good trailing plants. On the far left is a mandevilla and I'm surprised that it is still alive. I have not been successful with trying to overwinter them so I'm going to leave it. I'm also giving up, after two previous tries, of growing mandevilla up the mailbox. It blooms nicely but fails to gain much height. I don't think it is hot enough here for it to flourish. I would love to try bougainvillea but I suspect it would not do much here either.

Sassafras


Spirea 'Ogon'

And finally, this thing! This is one of those "spikes" that are sold at our nursery to go in mixed containers. It has overwintered for three years now and it is at least 5 ft. tall. I don't like it in this location so I don't know what to do with it.



 Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonNovember 30, 2020 at 11:09 AM

    I can't imagine spreading a truckload of manure, beautiful or not. I love the Japanese maple and so wish I had more of them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. sweetbayDecember 1, 2020 at 3:47 AM

    There’s nothing better for the garden. Now that my horses are retired that’s the most useful thing they do, other than being beautiful pasture ornaments.

    The Japanese maple is glorious.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 1, 2020 at 3:59 AM

    I see the steam coming off your load of manure, a hot commodity. I would love to have a load of that myself. Here is a song to entertain ...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlqB1SOjknM&ab_channel=PeteSeeger-Topic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverDecember 1, 2020 at 2:56 PM

      Haha! Thanks for that!

      Delete
    2. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 2, 2020 at 1:46 PM

      Now you will think about this song every time someone, including you, is slinging manure in their garden. ;)

      Delete

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