Cut-Flower Bed

The cut-flower bed's perennials are nearing maturity. 

The planting area has filled-in nicely and will require extensive thinning in the Fall. 

(plenty of iris to trade/give away)

A crepe myrtle (Acoma, semi-dwarf) was planted in the middle area of the bed a few weeks ago.
This will provide some fast-growing height and structure.

Elsewhere: an autumn fern has been established 

under the canopy of the burning bushes

and, under the most dense part,

(very shaded -had to utilize a flash)

-a sprig of irish moss (Sagina subulata 'Aurea') is being tested

...hopefully, it will find the conditions to its liking,

and thrive & multiply!

(a few more sprigs will be added next Spring if all goes well)

Finality

(the final iris bloom of Spring)

Asiatic Lilys

Bog Planting Area

The bog planting area is enjoying its first-ever blooms!

The two different varieties of Louisiana Iris have really taken-hold.

 Maybe a later-blooming variety will be added in the future.

 But these still have at least another week of color.

CG is very pleased with the results.

 By late July, August, CG will have to divide these

and have some to trade/give away

(will be looking-up this variety of L.Iris)

afortunado

Satisfied

CG did not have anything bloom in the bog bed last year.

Finally, some satisfaction:

-with the bloom of the first Black Gamecock Louisiana Iris.

(a view from directly behind the bog bed -looking towards the back of the house)

in a few more years, the burning bush in the background will make 

the front of the house area more complete

the fabulous Bleeding Heart

the Bold Pretenders are in full bloom!

the ideal balance of durability & delicateness 

Finally Sunshine

After back to back weeks of torrential rain,

a cloudless sky was warmly welcomed.

Early May is the beginning of some of the best blooming in the River Birch planting area!

left -Louisiana Iris Bold Pretender

right -Feng Shui Zen Rock

a feature in the backyard-

a dark blue Siberian Iris

but, CG's favored nod goes to the Louisiana

also in the backyard,

a variety of perennial ferns have been introduced to the burning bush bed 

moving a few BPs to the bog bed is also an option

the variety of bearded iris has increased in numbers over last year

BPs are hardy, durable, colorful wonders.

Need hundreds more of them!

Natural Pesticide

Be Green!

Aphids beware!

Lady beetles are voracious feeders and may be numerous where prey are plentiful and broad-spectrum insecticide use is limited. Lady beetles need to eat many aphids per day so that they can lay eggs. The convergent lady beetle may eat its weight in aphids every day as a larva and consume as many as 50 aphids per day as an adult. Sevenspotted lady beetle adults may consume several hundred aphids per day and each larva eats 200 to 300 aphids as it grows. Once the adults and larvae have eliminated an aphid colony, they will search for additional food.