I have a tendency to make garden beds with a dominant color, but white isn't one of them. And yet, everywhere I look I am finding white flowers; drama queens all.
Trillium grandiflora
Clematis 'Guernsey Cream'
Rhododendron 'Yaku Anagel'
Paeonia rockii type from seed
Diphylla cymosa
Over the years I've planted three different Paeonia japonica; each one from a different nursery. They look identical to each other until you look into the flower. No idea if these variations mean they are indeed different types of Peony plants. Despite growing these three for a number of years, this is the first time my attention was captured by these differences, rather than the beauty of the flowers.
Mark went out late Saturday afternoon with his camera after he glanced up the steps into The Moon Garden and was intrigued by what he saw.
The opposite side of the path in the above photo.
Paeonia japonica
Malus 'Tina' at the peak of perfection.
The Yin Yang bed and the path to the West Gate on the right.
Looking back to the east side of this upper garden.
I clearly posted too early yesterday as it turned out to be a lovely day. It was cool, cloudy and rainy for much of the day. We got .52" which was enough to make the garden sparkle. The rain, coupled with the recent hot days, has the garden on overdrive. I walked around a number of times just marveling at the beauty.
As much as I like flowers, nothing beats the greens of spring. Up or down there was something lush and fresh to enjoy.
And, yes, there are lots of plants in full bloom like this unknown Peony. Last year I noticed a small stem on a mature species Peony whose leaves were clearly different from the main plant. I separated it and decided to watch it. This spring it shot up with a big bud that is opening into what looks like a gorgeous flower.
In the morning I got together with my garden gal pals to brainstorm some trees and shrubs that one of the members of our little group could add to her garden for winter interest as well as screening views of her neighbor's property. All that garden chat is always a boost.
When I got back home treats had arrived in the mail: The 30th anniversary edition of Gardens Illustrated magazine.
I've been reading this mag since it hit the newsstands. I used to have the first 50 issues. I still have plenty of back issues, but now I only keep the ones that I really want to look at again — and again. This one is the second issue published. Also in the mail. was a box of plants from Odyssey Perennials. Mostly different Primula varieties.
This is Aquilegia viridiflora var. atropurpurea, one of the mail order plants. This is the nursery website photo as the plant is quite small. I'm going to put it with a group of Geranium phaeum whose flowers are deep violet and whose leaves have splashes of the same color. Despite my cranky start to the day, it turned out to be pretty perfect.
It rained most of last Sunday (4/16), eventually turning into snow. It was so wet and miserable I decided not to go out and cover any plants — despite the fact that the overnight low was going to be quite low. All week the forecast kept going down.
When we got up Monday mooring it was 27°F and snow covered the garden. We left the house at 6:30 a.m. for Mark's first cataract surgery. Got home around 10 a.m. which is when I took the snowy photos. All the gravel and stones melt the snow quickly.
But the plants were still well covered. Hellebore 'Jade Tiger'
Fritillaria 'Raddeana' on Monday morning.
F. 'Raddeana' at 10 am Tuesday morning. The snow is mostly gone but these flowers are only standing up by virtue of their cages.
Just about complete recovery by 6 p.m.
That's pretty much the case with the plants I was most worried about — like Paeonia 'Nosegay' pictured in the a.m. and p.m. yesterday.
This very early blooming Peony is a second generation cross between P. mlokowitschii and P. tenufolia. I adore it. A 2014 purchase from the late, great Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery.
I'm hoping everyone stands up straight again and that their buds haven't been fatally frozen. I went back in my records to 2018 and discovered that I'd covered plants to protect them from April frosts a good 4 or 5 times in four out of the five years. With climate change it seems our weather is more unpredictable than ever. I am thus moving toward an attitude where the plants have to survive without me.
As I write this it's 39°F (3.88°C) but feels like 33 °F. (0.55°C) Rain is forecast for 6 out of the next 10 days. I'm good with that; less happy about the overnight lows that are forecast for this coming weekend.
Every time I check the weather, the forecast has changed. Rain has turned to chance of light snow or frozen mix despite daytime temps barely dropping below 40°F for the next ten days. Monday and Tuesday were mostly sunny and we hit 50°F both days, so there has been progress in the garden — just not with the snowdrops. Most still have barely appeared. But other things have.
Paeonia japonica. I aways leave Peony stems in place in the autumn to mark the location come spring. Since they arrive early I want to be sure I don't step in the danger zone.
Paeonia mairei, a Chinese woodland Peony that blooms very early and can take some shade. I like Peony buds as much as the flowers.
Since I planted a few Tulips acuminata in this bed last fall, that's what I am assuming these leaves represent. I caged them as soon as I took the photo. No other spring bulbs are showing anywhere else.
Last spring, I planted three Galanthus 'Mrs. Macnamara' "in the green." Whether the other two will flower is unclear.
At the same time I planted two bulbs of G. 'Wasp.' Clearly they are very happy. I'll be happy when they opens their "wings" and look more waspish.
Hamamelis vernalis is the spring-blooming witch hazel. Alas, it is not a Wisconsin native as I assumed when I planted it. Very insignificant flowers and a poor shot by the gardener. But you get the idea: The Carex growing beneath it is more interesting.
One of the drawbacks of Witch Hazels is the fact that they hold their leaves for a long time which often obscures the flowers. Luckily this is the only branch with foliage still on it. The green ribbon marks a tree that our aborist is treating.
The seedpods on Paeonia obvata var. Alba are starting to open. Red seeds are infertile. The blue-black seeds are fertile. Yes, this is the real color and they are this shiny.
'Mr. Poppins' has done his work as both my Winterberries (Ilex verticillata 'Berry Poppins') are covered with berries. Their color will continue to deepen as autumn progresses.
I planted my first Auricula-type Primula last year in the rock garden. P. auricula 'Argus' is a delicate bit of drama in the front garden that thrilled me when it sent out flowers this spring. I planted four different ones and nothing has touched them in a year. Fingers crossed.
At the far end of the garden — almost to the back lot line — is the polar opposite flower and plant. I have one Itoh intersectional hybrid Peony and I've always wanted another. This year I found it at K and A Greenhouse in Madison.
I was lucky to find a three year old plant with one bud on it. P. 'Creme a la Orange' is already a winner in my book. A pricey plant and worth every penny.
Our prolonged hot weather has meant that many flowers are blooming together which do not usually appear at the same time. I've been cutting them to enjoy indoors rather than let the heat do them in as soon as they open. Thus I am combining my vases with Bloom Day.
Itoh intersectional Peony ' Border Charm' with Heuchera flowers
Peonies are satisfying at every stage from emerging foliage to seed pods.
I moved the vase away from the gold Japanes screen on the wall to get a photo of the true color.
This is a Victorian brass vase on a stand, probably Chinese. I thought it was a good match for the flower which has a bit of an over-the-top Victorian flavor.
Heuchera flowers don't make much of an impression in the garden, but I love them in a bouquet.
Allium 'Forelock'
Lilium martagon 'Claude Shride' in the red room. Another impossible location to take a good photo. But I can never resist the red on red effect.
This glass vase by Richard Jones of the late Studio Paran has different designs on the front and back.
Both sides, however, have a thin red line which makes this my go-to vase for red flowers.
A Peony whose petals are gone and is quickly turning to seeds in the center. Love this moment with Peonies.