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Hidcote - pt. 1

I'm just now getting around to organizing the photos from my trip to England back in May. As I've said a million times, this was the trip of a lifetime, and I had an incredible time. This was a 3-week trip organized by the HPSO (Hardy Plant Society of Oregon) during which we visited 35 different locations. Most all of these were gardens but there were also a few castles and villages thrown in, as well as the icing on the trip - the Chelsea Flower Show. This tour focused on the southeast region of England, notably the Cotswolds and Cornwall. I've watched so many programs and read so many books about England and the gardens there that I was afraid it would tarnish the image I had built up in my head. I'm pleased to say that it not disappoint. The trek from London to Bath by train was not the best first impression. However, as we gained distance from the city, the rolling green countryside gave me glimpses of things to come. After arriving in Bath and finding my hotel, I m...

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - May 2021

Parahebe perfoliata and Cotinus (Smoke Bush) 'Golden Spirit'

 
The May garden is coming along nicely despite the record drought. It always amazes me how things change in just under one month. This is such a busy time in the garden and elsewhere that it seems like I barely have to time to keep track of all the blooms. Do you feel a twinge of guilt when you've failed to notice a lovely blooming plant? I do!

So here are blooms that I have noticed this week -
 
Exbury Azalea 'Klondyke'


Peony 'Shima Nishiki'

 

Enkianthus campanulatus 'Showy Lantern' - one of my favorite shrubs but very slow growing.

The first ever bloom on the Honey Bush (Melianthus major)

Ceanothus 'Black Diamond' (or is it? - the tag read that but I can't find any mention of this cultivar anywhere. A mis-label or just something rare?)

Lilac 'Palibin'

Peony 'Boreus'

Peony 'Paula Fay'

Exbury Azalea 'Mandarin Lights'

Million Bells (Callibrachoa)

Columbine (Aquilegia)


Rose 'Gertrude Jekyll'

Rhododendron 'Jean Marie de Montague'


Rose 'Olivia Rose'


Rhododendron 'Percy Wiseman'

Saxifrage 'London Pride'



Rose 'Darcey Bussell'

Pacific Coast Iris 'Lavender'

Persicaria 'Red Dragon' and Rose 'Darcey Bussell'


Rose 'Playboy'


Visit May Dreams Gardens to see more garden photos from other bloggers.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. You've got some beautiful blooms Phillip, and that ceanothus is magnificent.

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  2. I did a google search and several entries popped up. This one says it is varigated. https://plantlust.com/plants/17483/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-black-diamond/

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    Replies
    1. Barbara that is it - thank you! I don't know how I missed that. So it is 'Black Diamond' (it is variegated). I laughed at the size dimensions of 5' - ours is at least 8.

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  3. The blooms in you garden are amazing. I make rounds in my gardens everyday, but there are always the more demure plant blooms that get overlooked at times until I see the seed pods forming. Your Rhododendron 'Percy Wiseman' is gorgeous.

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  4. So many beautiful plants that I can't grow ;) I can grow Ceanothus, though, and wish I had one like yours!

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  5. Hi Phillip, I'm so glad it was the right plant. I wonder if you had a typo when you searched that created a problem finding it. I highlighted the name in your post and right clicked to search with Google and got hits right away. I'm glad I tried - I almost didn't but I guess it was the years working in the library that made me try.

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  6. That Canopus looks like a fake tree with those blue blooms. I haven’t seen such a plant before. Gorgeous.

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  7. Wow, these are fantastic flowers! Great colors.

    Feel free to share at My Corner of the World

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