May Showers Bring June Flowers

Clematis 'Proteus'

This is turning out to be a peculiar spring, cooler and wetter than we've experienced in the past seven years we've lived here. People who've lived here all their lives say that it used to rain up until July 4th but that is certainly not the case these days. June has always been dry but here we are with an atmospheric river on Sunday and damp and dreary since. Warmer and sunnier temps start tomorrow.

We did luck out and had nice weather on Saturday for our open garden. It was cloudy but remained dry with only a slight drizzle right at the 10am opening time. 

I don't think it has been warm enough to really wake up the perennials and the containers are still kind of pathetic. On the other hand, there are plants were abundant blooms this year, particularly the dogwood trees and roses.

Here is 'Wolf Eyes' which is prettier than it has ever been. Check out all those flowers!

And not to be outdone, Cornus kousa 'Celestial Shadow' in the front garden has has an equally profuse abundance of blooms this year -

As I said earlier, the roses are taking off. Not all are blooming yet, but most are.

'Phyllis Bide'

'Buff Beauty'

'Cornelia'

'Cornelia'

'Plum Perfect'

'Marchesa Boccella'

'Crown Princess Marguerite'

'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'

'Darcey Bussell'

'Gertrude Jekyll'

'Gold Medal'

More beauties -

Clematis 'Samaritan Jo'

Clematis 'Nelly Moser'

Climbing Hydrangea (anom petiolaris)

Persicaria 'Golden Arrow'

And I leave you with a photo of us taken by a garden visitor on Saturday - do we look happy or just tired?

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy