Don't blink or you'll miss it

The extremely hot and sunny weather we've been having has pushed flowers into — and quickly out of — their bloom cycle. From hour to hour I keep discovering something has suddenly opened. So here's a look at what I've been enjoying in the garden recently. 

. . .

This spring I cut Clematis 'Guernsey Cream' way back as I wanted to add a cylinder of chicken wire around the upper part of the wooden post that supports the climber. It doesn't have as many blossoms as in past years, but it has many more on the back side that I can see from inside the house. So I am happy with my handiwork.

The view west over the upper pool with lots of lovely new growth on the Serbian spruce and a clump of pale yellow iris that blossomed for the first time this year. The tiny green plant in the bare space by the iris is a baby species peony. In a few years it will entirely fill that area. 

The iris and spruce tree from the above view are in the back right of this image with an old Rodgersia enveloping its rocky neighbors. 

Lilies and Astrantia awaiting their moment to shine in the Sacred Grove. The old trees that inspired the name for this area of the garden, alas, are almost all gone now; victims of age.

Directly across the pine-needle path is Cyprepedium 'Aki Pastel.' This lady slipper orchid is finally settling in and giving me more than one flower. Quite exciting. 

Still trying to decide exactly which Trillium this is. Anyone know? Looks very nice with Hosta 'El Nino'.

Trillum luteum is always the last one to bloom for me. It held up to the intense heat amazingly well. You can tell how late this blooms because that is an Autumn fern coming up behind it. That fern is so late I mark it so I don't think something has died and left a hole to fill.

Nectaroscordum tripedale aka honey garlic! Absolutely adore these beauties. The only ones that have succeeded out of the 5 I've planted so far are these two. This is their 3rd year so maybe I should stop looking for the others. 

Lilium mackliniae, pink form, just planted this spring. It arrived from Far Reaches Farm in full bud.

I caged Geranium phaeum var. lividum 'Joan Baker' after I discovered the first flush of buds had been nibbled away. Geranium phaeum varieties seed a lot if you don't cut them back after flowering. But they are among my favorite plants, so I let 'em rip and pull out unwanted seedlings later. 

When I went out in the early morning last Thursday (5/24) the huge flowers on my rockii-type Peony had closed overnight. 

This is what they looked like later in the morning once the heat and light increased.

The last flower bloomed Sunday (5/27).

Lots of lilies are reaching skyward and should soon present a completely different scene in this area of the garden.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Despite all the heat and drought your garden is soldiering on. The clematis looks lovely going up the pole. It is so full. I can imagine the flush blooms on a more normal year. Maybe your fancy garlic will reproduce for you. The Lady Slipper is adorable. Those rascally rabbits...have chicken wire will garden.

[Kristin]

What gorgeous blooms you have right now! A friend gave me a baby Guernsey Cream from her plant, but it never bloomed, and finally has not come back this year. I need to order one. They are so lovely!

[Barbara H.]

You are so adventurous with your plantings, Linda. I admire that. I admire even more that you can remember their names!

[Peter/Outlaw]

Congratulations on your success with the lady slipper orchids! The amount of growth brought on by your recent high temperatures is impressive. Fingers crossed for a milder summer for you!

[Linda Brazill]

I heard the hybridizer of Guernsey Cream speak in Madison many years ago. He is a clematis breeder and lives on the isle of Guernsey.

[Linda Brazill]

Because I was a professional garden writer and speaker for many years, I kept and continue to keep good records. I can't always remember plant names when I am walking around the garden with someone but I know i have it in my plant file.

[Linda Brazill]

One of our former neighbors had a huge old lady slipper orchid. Once I saw it in his garden, I decided to give it a try on the assumption that my microclimate might be similar enough.

[Mya Anderson]

Linda, I just discovered your blog after your posts to Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society on Facebook. What an amazing garden you and your husband have created! Thank you for sharing all the "Odyssey" steps in detail. My husband and I have also been audaciously improving the garden we acquired in 2005 just south of Verona. I loved your comment about being on vacation at home. It is indeed a gift to see what thrives and changes each day.

[Linda Brazill]

Thanks for those kind words. I am loving the WHPS Facebook posts. Discovering all sorts of new folks and answers to garden problems as well.

[Nell]

It's the only Clematis I've grown, and it was a "clockwork" plant -- always blooming during Garden Week in Virginia (last week of April). The metallic seedheads that followed were even more appealing than the blooms.

It wasn't in an ideal location -- too hot and dry, so didn't survive drought during a long period of neglect (the 'I Blame Dick Cheney' years). Yours inspires me to try it again, in a better spot.

[Linda Brazill]

Seymour Hersh, who’s written excellent books on Watergate, the My Lai masacre etc, is working on a book about Dick Cheney. Can’t wait!

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

Your headline says it all. Things are changing by the hour now! I'm hoping the summer will be more "normal" than the spring was. Your Lady Slipper Orchids are gorgeous! I remember seeing them at The Ridges in Door County and a few other wild locations. Your garden is amazing!

[rusty duck]

Another vote for the Lady Slipper Orchid, it’s just fabulous. I know what you mean about the season going past so fast. Exactly the same has happened here. It’s another reason why my daily tour of inspection has become a must do.