Garden Report

There is not much color in the front yard right now.  Several of the perennial are starting to bud but right now all that is in bloom is the weigela. 

In the back, though, the pinks and iris are in bloom; the snow mound spirea, the nine bark and the summer snowflake viburnum.  It's very lovely.

We have purchased our annuals and our vegetable garden.  Now to get all of them planted and get working working on other projects.

Snow Mound Spirea

I love those huge white bridal spireas.  They are all in bloom at this time of year and look wonderful.  So we bought some for the back of the lot that died.  Then we got these and they ave really struggled.   However, something strange happened the winter of 2014 that killed lots of our plants.  However, this plant started to really grow.  I don't know if the winter had anything to do with it, but this year it is spectacular.  Hopefully it will get to be 5' tall in the end.

Ninebark

Name: Ninebark Summer Wine
Variety: Physocarpus opulifolious
Type: Shrub
Height: 5-6'
Light: Full sun
Color:  White to light pink 
Bloom Time: Early Summer
Location:  East edge of property north of arbor

We purchased these last May at Meijers to replace the spirea that looked so terrible.  They are doing great, survived the winter and are full of blooms.   We are pleased.

Lily of The Valley

Name: Lily of the Valley
Variety: Convallaria majalis
Type:  Perennial
 Light:  Shade
 Size:  8"
Bloom time:  Spring
 Flower color: White
Fragrance:Sweet
 Plant location: Back Yard in the bleeding heart corner

 I love Lily of the Valley.  I think it's such a delicate wonderful flower.  I had a little garden in Saline and have been trying forever to grow these here.   I have purchased several pips (the starters) but to no avail.  Finally I begged these off of the Dunstans who have a lot.   And at last they are growing and blooming.  I hope they will increase in size of the next few year.s

Perennial Garden Purchases

My little garden is weeded and planted and looks great.  Now for the plants to grow. 

From the left--these are fancy iris that I hope I still have info about.  They were planted years ago, have struggled and finally have two blooms.

Next to the right--poppies.  They only produce one bloom and have been there for about the same time as the iris.  But every year they grow a bit bigger.  Maybe someday they will be in full bloom.  Under the poppy are balloon flowers.  They have been there for at least 10 years, they grow big and are  filled with blooms every year.

Behind the poppies are the new Veronica Royal Candle.  Let's hope they live up to their hype and are easy to grown.  They are a new purchase this year.

Next to the veronica in back are the old iris that Betty Taylor gave me.  We have split them again and again.  

In front of them are new Dianthus super trooper in assorted colors.   They have not been easy to grow...they do well for one year and then die

In front of those are the new Gaillardia Arizona Sun.   They are an award winner, so let's hope they survive as well.

To the right of the dianthus are the Stonecrop.  Back from last year they are hardy and healthy.  I expect them to have wonderful late summer flowers.

To the right of them are two hardy geranium cranesbill.  In front is the Biokova and in the back are the Perfect Storm--two more award winners.

Well, here is to another year.  Look forward to flowers and hope they survive the winter in style.

Potentilla

Name: Potentilla or Cinquefoil
Variety: Potentilla fruticosa 'Gold Drop'
Type:  Shrub
Light:  Full Sun
Size:  3'x3'
Bloom time:  June through August
Flower color: Yellow
Fragrance: None
Plant location: Back Yard west of waterfall
Care:  Fertilize in spring with flowering shrub stake.  Prune in fall to keep compact

Flowers In Bloom

Pictured are the Redbud tree in back, the Moss Phlox and the Lilac tree in front.  Along with the fushia moss phlox pictured at the top, the show has been spectacular.

White Spruce Tree

 
Name: White Spruce
Variety: Picea glauca
Type: Evergreen Tree
Height: Tall--50'
Light:  Full Sun
Size:  20'
Location: Back Yard back of waterfall
Care:   Prune dead branches at bottom as needed.  Mulch each year.   Fertilize with evergreen fertilizer stakes in spring.

New Purchase Crabapple Tree

 

Picture from hollyacresnursery.com

Name: Crabapple Tree Spring Snow
Variety: Malus Spring Snow
Type:  Tree
Light:  Full Sun
Size:  20' x 20'
Bloom time:  Spring
Flower color: White
Fragrance: None
Plant location: Back Yard west of waterfall
Fall color:  Yellow Leaves
Care:   Trim dead wood as needed.  Fertilize with flowering shrub spike in spring.

Flower Report

Outback the candy tuft are in full bloom as well as the red bud tree is spectacular.   The purple moss phlox and starting to bloom.  The lamium have started their bloom cycle as well.

The bleeding heart is still anemic from that bitter cold winter.  I am hopeful it will survive, but for now it has just small growth and a few flowers.  

It's time to spray for roses and the Julia Child has leafed out quite well.

Flowers in Bloom

Lots of plants have finally bloomed.   In the front the pear trees, the white moss phlox, the grape hyacinths.  The spirea are a pretty orange.  On the south the red tulips are out.