April Bloomday
I managed to get some photos this morning before rain returned-I'm not complaining , though I have to say I was on a roll in the planting-weed pulling-mulching department. At least now it is still light for a couple hours after I get home from the office so I can get some things accomplished mid-week.
The spring bulb-y action is pretty much a done deal here, and the late spring plants are just coming into bloom. Cistus 'Mickie' however is in full boom, with it's bright white flowers , sunnyside up above the bright variegated foliage.
Only one flower kinda-sorta open on the Phlomis.
Sideritas cypria is in a new location this year -dry and relentlessly sunny. The plant looks absolutely perfect right now and I will be curious to see if it exhibits the behavior of it's previous site. I'm hoping not-it was that lambs-ear-ish crappy beige foliage at the base.
I've had this iris for many years-It's a dwarf so it's out of bloom presence is a bit less ratty looking. I wish I had the space to plant lots of bearded Iris , they are so spectacular in flower , but the post-bloom awfulness does not work for me in my small garden.
I'm afraid I allowed the Cerinthe to get a bit out of control this year. I seem to have a grove.
Still , these blooms are worth looking at in all it's exotic glory-and it's so easy to pull up you may as well let it have it's way for a while.
Niobe is usually the first Clematis to bloom here, but due to a change in it's support structure which required a draconian early spring pruning , this noid from the late great Chalk Hill has stepped up to the plate.
The excellent Arabella is not far behind
Speaking of excellent , Geum 'Totally Tangerine' will be likely to figure in Bloomday posts well into fall. It's a machine.
I planted Orlaya last spring from plants purchased at Annies' , and hoped it would re-seed. Reseed it did , and this is the first flower to open.
Another white flower (I am very attached to white flowers) is this Silene uniflora. It is reverted from the variegate form I planted originally.
The blooming of the Weigela variegata is somewhat fleeting, but the bright foliage holds its own all summer.
And every single Gasteria I own is blooming right now, with not a photo to share. But, there is significant sharing going on at Carols blog May Dreams Gardens
The spring bulb-y action is pretty much a done deal here, and the late spring plants are just coming into bloom. Cistus 'Mickie' however is in full boom, with it's bright white flowers , sunnyside up above the bright variegated foliage.
Only one flower kinda-sorta open on the Phlomis.
Sideritas cypria is in a new location this year -dry and relentlessly sunny. The plant looks absolutely perfect right now and I will be curious to see if it exhibits the behavior of it's previous site. I'm hoping not-it was that lambs-ear-ish crappy beige foliage at the base.
I've had this iris for many years-It's a dwarf so it's out of bloom presence is a bit less ratty looking. I wish I had the space to plant lots of bearded Iris , they are so spectacular in flower , but the post-bloom awfulness does not work for me in my small garden.
I'm afraid I allowed the Cerinthe to get a bit out of control this year. I seem to have a grove.
Still , these blooms are worth looking at in all it's exotic glory-and it's so easy to pull up you may as well let it have it's way for a while.
Niobe is usually the first Clematis to bloom here, but due to a change in it's support structure which required a draconian early spring pruning , this noid from the late great Chalk Hill has stepped up to the plate.
The excellent Arabella is not far behind
Speaking of excellent , Geum 'Totally Tangerine' will be likely to figure in Bloomday posts well into fall. It's a machine.
I planted Orlaya last spring from plants purchased at Annies' , and hoped it would re-seed. Reseed it did , and this is the first flower to open.
Another white flower (I am very attached to white flowers) is this Silene uniflora. It is reverted from the variegate form I planted originally.
The blooming of the Weigela variegata is somewhat fleeting, but the bright foliage holds its own all summer.
And every single Gasteria I own is blooming right now, with not a photo to share. But, there is significant sharing going on at Carols blog May Dreams Gardens
Wow, that's a lot of Cerinthe! I thought mine had gone missing but I found a couple small plants last week; however, by comparison to yours, that's still nothing. I'm envious of the gorgeous Clematis too. I bought Orlaya from Annie's myself this year, only to discover they'd been eaten to the ground overnight immediately after I planted them. Apparently, bunnies have discovered my garden after 7 years in residence here - in fact, I chased one away just this evening. The Orlaya are now caged - and not blooming.
ReplyDeleteHappy GBBD, Kathy! If you would, please encourage the rain to move down this way.
Bunnies, oh dear. That one affliction (besides deer) I don't think I'll ever have to worry about here.
DeleteI love all the purple!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Purple is good !
DeleteOMG! Cerinthe as far as the eye can see. Your Geum 'Totally Tangerine' has me tempted to add a few...
ReplyDeleteI bought another TT last fall so now I have two. It just goes and goes.
Deletecan we get that grove of cerinthe to move next-door to the geum! That's amazing!
ReplyDeleteIf I let it, it will move next door to everything. It's a hussy.
DeleteHoly Moly, that Cerinthe! My California poppy makes a carpet like that. The Geum is pretty fabulous too.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's in the hell strip no less !
DeleteYou guys got a good spell of rain, and we got nuthin'. Your garden looks gorgeous so maybe it's okay. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be around 16 inches through March and another 3 in April-through I don't think I got 3 at my elevation. Our normal is about 25. I'm happy if I don't have to water til after the 1st of May.So far , so good.
DeleteWhat wonderful color! And the anticipation of more blooms is exciting!
ReplyDeleteSoon there will be roses.
DeleteI used to have that Silene, or one similar as it was never variegated. You’ve reminded me how much I liked it. Geum TT was made for California, it never does that well for me!
ReplyDeleteSilene is so exquisite I think-those perfect little oval leaves and the elegant white flower with it's bulbous backside. I have always thought of Geum as one of those plants that excels across the pond-I feel a bit triumphant I must say.
DeleteI too am attracted to white flowers, especially at dusk when they seem to glow. Your garden is beautiful and I enjoyed the tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry.blogspot.com
Nice photography! I especially like the Clematis next to the knotholes. The Orlaya is a new one for me — very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in here John. I visited your blog and what exquisite flowers you share ! I will be sure to stop by often.
Delete