Practice

One of the dwarf burning bushes was spotted sporting an interesting leaf today

maybe its early practice for the fall

Red Asiatics & LA Iris

While the yellow asiatics are the current center piece in the backyard, the reds haven't disappointed along the front sidewalk.

Deep, dark red, or brilliant bright red- depending on the degree of sunlight that is cast on them.

There's a few dozen of them...will wait till the fall to divide the massed clumps.

and, the Louisiana iris:

(the strongest of the 3)

CG hasn't been able to find the ideal 8-8-8 fertilizer, but they seem to be doing ok.

the beds are lacking somewhat now, CG will be keeping a keen eye for $1 specials on asiatics (need more late spring/early summer blooms)

Wednesday Garden Tour

New blooms this week include the yellow "Bright Pixie" asiatic lilys.

The outside dogs are doing a good job at keeping any would-be lily-munching rabbits away.

There are a lot more of these lilys compared to last year

(after the doggies received remedial anti-rabbit training)

the stella d'oro daylilys are performing amazingly:

the overly-elegant Peruvian Daffodils are still going,

maybe next year, a mass planting will be in order.

veggies are coming-on strong.

Vegetables

The cucumbers continue to do well, and the lettuce sprouts need to be thinned-out. The fresh salad is more than a few weeks away, and is being anxiously awaited.

Mid May Landscape Notes

1. was able to establish a good start of ground cover (ajuga & creeping jenny) in the side front bed
2. front yard grass is better than last year, but still too many weeds
3. debating on whether to move last large daylily in the farm bed, or, wait till the fall
4. May 9 thru May 24 is not an ideal time to be away for annual training (missing too many cool weather gardening days)
5. the river birch that was moved out of the front bed is about 75% when compared to its siblings...did some vertical fertilizing...hope it helps
6. crepe myrtles look good...anxious for more height and fullness
7. front bed lirope looks good...cut it back at just the right time (early february)
8. not sure if california poppies are worth the effort
9. would be nice if dwarf burning bushes could average 5' next spring
10. clematis growing and blooming within the azeala bush is a nice effect

Success!

The Peruvian daffodils not only survived, they're blooming!

CG planted them at least a month too early, and was afraid that all of them had transcended-on to greener pastures. He also thought a package of only 3 had been planted, but 5 PD's have been spotted. The blooms are delicate and appear fragile, but they have weathered a few severe storms without any damage.

(and the stella d'oro daylilys have started their summer-long blooming)

Wednesday Garden Tour

The surprise wine colored Louisiana iris have been the focal of the front bed for the past week.

CG really likes the color, foliage, and numbers.

to the backyard: no sign of the phlox that was planted

burning bushes are steady (encouraging more vertical growth)

california poppies are low in numbers

cannas are going full force

to the farm bed: clematis blooms are larger and more purple, when compared to last week

and now to the craziness:

what's a garden tour without the weird & wacky?

a peruvian daffodil has gone crazy with new growth

(and may bloom any day?)

(it was a few days and inches behind its sibling)

First Daylily

Daylilys have to be considered one of the hardest working perennials.

Without anything but roots, they put-out tremendous new growth and set new buds.

Then, after all of that work, each bloom lasts only one day.

One special day.

-and there will be many more special days to come!

Wednesday Garden Tour

the tall bearded iris probably reached their peak last week

siberian iris are just now peaking

louisiana iris would love to have more sunshine

asiatic lilys are performing well

vegetables are on pace for a nice salad in another month

Japanese Iris*

The Japenese Iris are now blooming in the front bed amongst the river birch trees. CG has never seen them bloom before, nor does he remember planting them. They might have bloomed last year while he was away on a business trip.

Now, CG is able to be at home and see the garden -almost everyday!

(there's that 'one weekend a month' deal)

(only 14 weekends to go!)

there was a 10 minute window when the sun came out this morning

we've had days upon days of rain!

the plants are loving the rain, but more breaks of sunshine would be most welcomed

there's probably a dozen of these iris blooming with more still budding

*CORRECTION:

these plants are Louisiana Iris (not sure how or why these were initially identified as Japanese iris, but they are of the Bold Pretender variety)

Cucumbers

Started from seed about a week ago, the cucumbers seem to be enjoying the planter box. They might have been able to grow in the farm bed, but it gets more shade than sun. The planter boxes (started some lettuce as well) allow CG and BL to evacuate the vegetable 'crops' during torrential rain and/or hail.

Heuchera

The mystery plant has been identified. AKA Coral Bells, it does well in full shade. The heucheras (both in pots on either side of the front door) survived the zone 7B winter, and have really filled-out this spring.