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The Newt (Somerset, England)

After Stourhead , the second garden on the tour that day was "The Newt". Talk about a change in garden styles! As I review my photos, I can appreciate the beauty and style of this garden, but I must confess, it was one of my least favorites.  I remember mostly the heat (it was one of our warmer days), the glaring sun with few trees in sight, and the commercial feel of the whole enterprise. But then again, this was mainly a vegetable garden and I was having an "off" day (I had just toured Stourhead, where I missed some of the main landmarks). The entrance took us through an area with gift shops and display areas (nice thing about photos is you see things you missed - I had not noticed the intricate ceiling design) - We did have an actual tour guide at this one, and he led us through the entire garden - Down a winding, blinding white walkway, towards the large vegetable garden - Leaving one vegetable garden, we headed up a grassy avenue with water features.  Along th...
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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day May 2022


This is the first Bloom Day post I've done this year. We are having a very late Spring. The weather has been cold and wet with a record amount of rain in April and I'm thinking that the same will happen in May. I am not going to complain about that. It is difficult to anticipate the best dates for open garden days and such. I've tentatively scheduled an open day on the last Sunday of May but I'm thinking now that I should move the date back. We shall see.

I view the blooming of the pink dogwood as the start of spring here in our garden. This dogwood was the largest tree here when we moved in. It is a beauty although for the past two years - including this one - the blooms are heavier towards the bottom and sparse at the top. I have no idea what causes this and have failed to find an answer either on the Internet or asking around. If anyone knows why this happens, I'd be interested to know.

Dogwood - heavy blooms at the bottom but thin at the top



The peony buds are opening -

'High Noon'

'Shima Nishiki'


The only azalea in the garden - 'Cherry Drops'



Borage - I put it in a pot after hearing about its aggressive behavior.


Picea abies 'Pusch' - not really blooms but worthy of inclusion!



Clematis montana 'Freda'


I like the way it compliments Barberry 'Rose Glow'


Geum 'Mango Lassie'


In a pot - Euphorbia 'Martinii' and pansies


Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

Daphne 'Carol Mackie'

Rhododendron 'Unique Variegated'


Visit May Dreams Gardens for more garden bloggers who are sharing May blooms.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 15, 2022 at 9:17 AM

    The bloom pattern on the dogwood is peculiar. I hope someone could comment an explanation. I love how you match up Euphorbia 'Martinii' and pansies in a pot. Very cool.

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  2. AnonymousMay 15, 2022 at 11:02 AM

    Dogwood is so beautiful. There's one on my street, just finished blooming, but still a nice round tree. Oh, borage! I wouldn't count on it keeping to itself in a pot. The seeds will still end up all over the place. My original two plants have multiplied each year, but they're where I don't mind.

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  3. hbMay 15, 2022 at 2:01 PM

    Here if the top growth (flowers and foliage) on the top of a tree is sparse, it's not enough water. But of course my climate is very different! Was your last rainy season a dry one? The Dogwood is magnificent nonetheless.

    Really enjoy seeing all the plants we don't see here: Daphne, Rhododendrons, Spruce, herbaceous Peony.

    That combo of the Euphobia and Viola is striking, too.

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  4. Dorothy BordersMay 15, 2022 at 4:27 PM

    Oh, wow, that pink dogwood is just incredible! You have so many beautiful blooms. I am full of envy.

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  5. Kris PetersonMay 15, 2022 at 4:34 PM

    You have a good showing for what's effectively early spring there, Phillip. I love the dogwood even with its sparse top. The Picea is gorgeous too and, like HB, I was struck by the Euphorbia/Viola mix. While you're understandably annoyed with the cold, wet conditions up your way, I can't help being envious as our drought situation grows uglier by the day.

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  6. ksMay 15, 2022 at 8:38 PM

    Borage ! I pulled up 3 of them today. The seedlings are easy to ID and pull though and the bees love the flowers so I make sure I always have a couple around. Love your E. martinii with the pansies--a knockout combo !

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  7. HorticatMay 16, 2022 at 4:40 AM

    Hi Phillip, your Clematis montana 'Freda' is so thick and lush looking. It's clearly very happy in that spot. And I agree with others that your euphorbia / viola combo is something special. Lovely.

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  8. LeaMay 16, 2022 at 5:25 AM

    Beautiful! I especially like the Euphorbia and Pansies together.
    Have a blessed day!

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  9. DebbieMay 16, 2022 at 8:47 AM

    I am looking forward to your open garden again! I know we need all this water, but really, THIS much? The blooms and combinations are beautiful. Our pink dogwood did that same thing one year, but came back the next. This year it is full of blooms to the top. I wish I knew the answer....

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  10. Lisa at GreenbowMay 17, 2022 at 10:27 AM

    I think it is amazing that your barberry doesn't pop up everywhere. Around here they are considered invasive. The clematis growing up in yours looks great with the barberry.
    We have a magnolia that does what your dogwood does in years where there is a late frost or freeze. Maybe yours was frost bitten.

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