Monday, May 25, 2015

Changes In The Garden

When you garden in a space long enough there are bound to be changes that occur. Plants mature, some die and need to be replaced. A person matures as well so we begin to think of changes to keep pleasure in gardening.  This thinking is what has brought me to this small change in the garden.

Our dear old apple tree had to be removed this spring. The tree was here before either of us moved into this house some 35 years ago. Even last year she looked pitiful. 
So back in March my Dearly Beloved took her out. While we were grieving our loss I shopped around for a tree I thought more fitting for the coming years. I am becoming smitten by conifers and evergreens. I think our latest addition, this Silverlok Fir is a good start.
Here she is ensconced into her new home. 
She must be pleased because she has new growth. The new growth is where she gets her name "Silverlok". The tips are actually white and they show as silver from a distance.
All around the little fir plants have grown up. 
When the sun is shining you can barely see her peeking over the top of the Soloman's Seal. 
When it is cloudy you can see her a little better.  Let's walk around the  edge of this bed to get a better look.  
On the way you can see a little Blue Star Juniper that was added to what is becoming a blue and white evergreen garden bed.
There she is. Looking quite happy in her new home.
Did I mention that she will have blue cones, is a slow grower and I am quite thrilled with progress so far? Oh yes, I am quite smitten. The only draw back that I could find, after reading more about her on the Missouri Botanical Garden plant site is that she might not like our summers. Have  you ever made a purchase of a plant with your heart and then live to regret it? This story will be continued.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - May 2015

I am happy to report that this May has started out so very nice and it continues with a good variety of blooms to share on Bloom Day. Bloom day as most of us know is encouraged by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

Now follow me into the garden for a look at what I find blooming today. This is the back gate and you know what they say about back gate visitors, they are the best of friends.
Clematis are giving a nice show here this spring.
I have always wanted a clematis that climbs up a tall trellis. I thought the one above would do the trick but it only climbs about 4 feet then it promptly squats and blooms. I forgive it though since it is so darned pretty. 
I have also always wanted one to climb a small tree. Ramona is such a good sport. She was on a shorter trellis and always balled up so this spring I took the trellis away. She didn't mind and she wound herself up the Japanese Red Maple where she is blooming happily. 
Now this Clematis I have nothing to complain about. I bought her for her name, 'Patricia Ann Fretwell'.  She climbed up to the top of this trellis and puts on a show each spring. If your peek around the left side and look across the garden you can see a few irises blooming and an amsonia.
Speaking of iris, I have a few scattered around the garden.
This Japanese iris is 'Gull wings'. It is so pretty and quite prolific. 
If you look across Kate who is having it's best spring bloom ever you can see this big white bearded iris. 
I have no idea what its name is. It came from my daughter's friend. These are huge and I am sure they wish they had more sun as they flop toward the sunlight. I have to stake them yearly to keep them off the ground. The heads are so big they just can stay upright.

Then the other side of the coin are the much smaller pale yellow iris that has a sweet little pinkish geranium blooming at it's feet. 
A couple other iris colors. These were also gifts.
It isn't just herbaceous plants blooming right now. I have several shrubs that are blooming their limbs off. I am showing only a small section of this Arrowhead Viburnum. It is just full of these lovely blooms. This shrub is huge and it is a bird and bee magnet.
A couple of my favorite weigelias are first this red blooming shrub. It is so old and gnarly looking when it isn't blooming I have threatened to take it out. Yet when it blooms like this it always makes me melt and I can't bring myself to dig it out. One of these years it will retire itself and I will miss it.
Secondly this young whippersnapper shows off all summer. First with these lovely pink blooms. Then it continues to be pretty with the green and white foliage. 
The Buckeye blooms shortly after the hummingbirds arrive. They just love the tubular blooms. 
This Ninebark always puts on a blooming show. 
And then there is the Baptisia that I planted last spring. It's pale yellow blooms look real pretty with the Tricolor beech tree and willow behind it.
In the fairy garden the fairy garden there are even blooms. Fairy Gardens you ask. Why yes, but they are a subject for another post. 
Thanks for hanging with me on this rather long post. Happy Garden Bloom Day to all of you. I hope your garden is blooming up a storm.


Sunday, May 10, 2015

May in Miniature

While May is flushing out and making the garden a pretty place to stroll.
I find that love abounds in the garden. The birds are singing. Flowers and trees are blooming.
I have also been refurbishing a few planters that had plants that were worn out. This is where the miniatures come in. FINALLY the nurseries around here have brought in some miniature plants. So new potting mix, new plants, a couple of new pots and I want you to know the fairies approved and have moved in for the summer.
I have had this above concrete planter for years. Luckily the plants in it have survived until this past winter. I guess the second winter in a row with severe weather was more than the plants in it could take. So it was totally replanted. 
This large red planter has been pretty good since it was planted several years ago. I lost a couple of plants that were in it but found a replacement for them. I think it is amazing how the miniature hostas thrive in pots over winter. They are tough little plants when they are situated in an ideal spot.
This is a new pot. Some of my inspiration to repot and to actually add pots was the fact that I found these minature plants. Like the tiny Evergold Carex Hachijoensis  and the tiny holly that was tagged as Rock Garden Holly Hybrid.What ever their names I enjoy the small sizes available. 
Yes these plants may grow up to be big boys and girls but  right now I am going to enjoy the tiny worlds they inhabit now. 
Now I am ready for our little neighbor girl to come and visit. She was asking me earlier in the year where all the fairies were. I had to explain how they migrated to warmer climates during winter and return when the House Wrens are heard in the garden. I am sure they will be calling her soon. 

Another planter I have planted up is not a miniature. I have tried to get hens and chicks growing in the garden forever but for some reason they don't like it here. I am trying it in a log planter this time. If the rabbits stop eating them they might make it.
As you can see the Maple tree seeds are numerous. I can't keep them picked up. I will be pulling maple seedlings for a long time.
I hope all is growing and glowing in your spring garden.

New Blogger, Old Blogger

     All I can say it is difficult to deal with change. This new Blogger format is not as user friendly in my opinion. I guess I will get us...