Out of control, overgrown, messy, overwhelming, crazy-making, even oppressive are all words that I'd use to describe my garden or maybe my attitude toward my garden recently. This morning there was no blue sky backdrop for blooms in my garden, just clouds and a light sprinkle. As I wandered around, the warm wet scent of roses mingled with a strong curry fragrance of Escallonia viscosa which gave way to Valerian, sweet magnolia and others, all floating atop the heady fragrance of rain on dry earth. Thoughts of bringing in heavy equipment to rip everything out and start anew began to fade (well, there's still the Phyllostachys vivax trying to take over the planet...) and today, just for a blessed still moment as I strolled taking pictures of blooms, I didn't hate my garden. In fact, despite the mess and the undone work, mother nature had worked her magic on my cold, dark, little heart and thoughts of love somehow came bubbling up. Here's a little music to set the mood as we look at some of what's bloom in my garden this month.
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day is hosted on the fifteenth of each month by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Click over to her blog to join the floral fiesta!
Joseph's Coat rose looking a little battered but the clematis finally bloomed at the same time this year.
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day is hosted on the fifteenth of each month by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Click over to her blog to join the floral fiesta!
Because of our mild winter, the hardy fuchsias have begun earlier this year than usual.
Not hardy but was on sale so now I have a hanging fuchsia on the front porch.
Zephirine Drouhin Rose, hardy fuchsia, Iris pallida 'Variegata'
Tropaeolum speciosum
Double impatiens.
Meconopsis lingholm
Iris pallida 'Variegata' was added after I admired how beautifully they grew in Chava's garden.
Deutzia
Cecile Brunner rose.
Rose de Rescht (brief history)
Allium
Calycanthus x raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine'
Calycanthus chinensis
An herbaceous peony bud.
Valeriana officinalis
Allium schubertii
Kolkwitzia amabilis
Weigela
Joseph's Coat rose looking a little battered but the clematis finally bloomed at the same time this year.
'Fragrant Cloud'
Camellia
Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'
Rhododendrons
Kalmia in bud.
Crinodendron hookerianum
Tuberous begonias
Another rhododendron
Iris confusa
Rosa glauca
Abutilon vitifolium
Magnolia macrophylla
Rosa rugosa 'Yankee Lady'
Fremontodendron
buddleja globosa
Carpenteria californica
Hesperis matronalis
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace'
Hot Cocoa blooming despite being in less than sunny conditions.
Argyrocytisus battandieri
Penstemon 'Electric Blue'
Melianthus major
Matthiola incana
Clematis and Billardiera longiflora
Abutilon 'Victor Reiter'
Abutilon megapotamicum something or other
Happy GBBD everyone!