Friday, May 15, 2015

Mid-May Blooms for GBBD

An old friend texted me this week and asked if he could stop by: "I want to see all your flowers." I knew what he wanted to see--all the different tulips I had been posting daily on Facebook the last few weeks.  Unfortunately, I wasn't going to be home that day, and in my reply I explained that all the tulips were finished for the year.  "What? The tulips are gone?"  How do you explain to a non-gardener that spring blooms are fleeting, that you must enjoy each day because a garden is not static, especially in spring?



I'm always a little sad, too, to see the end of tulip season, but now I'm eager for their complete demise.  The late ones are still standing erect and green, but headless, and most are withering away, their papery, brown leaves cluttering up parts of the garden.  I'll be glad when I can clean up the last of the remains.  I did find one tulip in the shade garden that I thought looked rather pretty in its dying days.  This is a tulip new to my garden this year, 'Blue Spectacle,' which was advertised as a true blue tulip.  It was a pretty double tulip, but I was sure disappointed that it was lavender, not blue at all.


I did find a few late tulips still blooming in the roadside garden,  I don't remember the name of this one, but I do know it's supposed to be lavender.


While the tulips may be gone, other flowers are beginning to take their place on this May Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.  Behind the lavender tulips, the Baptisia is blooming.  It's smaller, though, than in past years, and I'm not sure why.  In fact, the spring display in this small garden area was a disappointment--only the newest tulips bloomed, and one lone allium appeared.  I noticed when cleaning up this bed in March that it looked like the soil had been really disturbed--perhaps interlopers like deer or other wildlife dug up some of my bulbs and plants.  The good news is the lilies and coneflowers are growing like crazy, so this area should have a better display come summer.


The warm weather the previous two weeks kick-started many of the later spring bloomers.  While I was busy admiring the tulips, I neglected taking photos of these until almost too late.  The 'Purple Sensation' Allium in the arbor bed, for example, are already past their prime.


The perennial geranium in the Arbor Bed still has a few blooms, but not as many as a week ago.


The same is true of the lilacs.  My huge old-fashioned lilac is no longer blooming, but a few blooms remain on two newer and smaller varieties.  This is a new compact lilac I bought last fall, purely because of its name 'Scent and Sensibility.'


'Bloomerang' also is quickly fading.  It wasn't such a pretty sight this year as it is still recovering from the winter of 2013-14.


A new plant in my garden this year--Camassia.  I am kicking myself for not taking a photo when it was in full bloom.  Only the very tops still have petals, but these were such cool-looking plants when the whole stem was covered.  I think I might have to find a place for more of these bulbs this fall.


The irises are just beginning to bloom--the first to bloom was this purple passalong from my aunt.


'Immortality' was a close second.


Mid-May to early June is a time of transition in the garden as spring flowers fade, and summer flowers have yet to bloom.  I like to fill in the gaps with colorful annuals, and I've spent a lot of time plant shopping--one of my favorite activities of the spring!  I've only begun, though, to start planting all the containers.


One of my favorite annual combos--'Raspberry Blast' petunias, with Persian Shield and Helichrysum.


There are more perennials beginning to bloom, though.  One of the welcome signs of spring, Phlox pilosa, better known to most people as PPPP, thanks to the generosity of blogging friend Gail of Clay and Limestone.  Gail kindly sent me a few starts several years ago, and it is now spreading through the Butterfly Garden, much to my delight.


Another spring favorite of mine is Amsonia; this is Amsonia tabernaemontana,
 but my Amsonia hubrichtii is starting to bloom as well.


'May Night' Salvia, one of many salvias in my garden.


A new plant in the shade garden last year, Sweet Woodruff. 
 I'm surprised how much it has already grown since last summer; I hope I don't regret planting this.


Speaking of the shade garden, my intention was to divide more hostas again this year before they got too big.  Oops, looks like I'm late once again.  The poor 'Georgia Peach' Heuchera barely visible in the center of the photo has to be moved soon before it's completely overtaken by one of my favorite hostas.


'Sweet Tea' Heucherella, fortunately, is at the front of the border where it isn't as likely to be swallowed up.  I've noticed several of the Heucheras are sending up blooms already.


While there isn't as much in bloom right now as a few weeks ago, there are promises
 of much more to come very soon.  Above, the spireas are covered in buds.


And a bud I am very excited about--the first peony about to open up.  This is a new one given to me by a friend as a bare root last fall.  I was not expecting it to bloom this year, but I can't wait to meet 'Scarlett O'Hara'!

What is in bloom in your garden in this merry month of May?  Join us at May Dreams Gardens, where hostess Carol welcomes you to share on this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

46 comments:

  1. Here in upstate New York, we had an accelerated spring, and our lilacs are in full bloom, days early. We should have irises any day now. Unheard of, for mid May bloom. I enjoyed your "coming attractions". Now that you have aggressive sweet woodruff, you will just have to start making potpourri. Happy GBBD. Alana - ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. That baptisia has amazing color. I particularly envy you allium and the irises, because I never seem to have much luck with either. But all of your May blooms are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  3. so much pink and lavender/purple. I'm in love!

    ReplyDelete
  4. One of the joys of gardening is enjoying today's blooms while you anticipate tomorrow's. I'm sorry your friend waited so long to decide to visit the tulips. Love your Lilacs. They can't set blooms here for lack of winter chill.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OOOOoooooo Peonies. I don't have any of these. I have a tree peony but it hasn't done much as yet. Everything looks so lush in your garden Rose. Fun to see this. I have an iris blooming in my garden that Becky thinks you gave me. ??? I don't remember this. Hmmmmm.... No matter. Happy GBBD.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, I'm pretty sure I didn't give you an iris, but if it was more than a year ago, I could have forgotten:)

      Delete
  6. Such a lot to see in your garden. Beautiful!!!
    Have a wonderful day Rose

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a lot to see in your garden. Beautiful!!!
    Have a wonderful day Rose

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful blooms. Your shade garden shot is spectacular! Ms. O'hara looks like she'll be a beauty and even Mr. Butler would give a damn! Nice that she bloomed in her first year with you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. As I said last time, I can't believe how much life there suddenly seems to be in your wonderful garden. All so beautiful.


    ReplyDelete
  10. How nice to see these beautiful flowers !!
    Fantastic photos ! Greetings !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very nice. We had an exceptionally long tulip bloom this year with the cold/cool weather in April and early May. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, you are surprisingly very far ahead of me this week. Must be the warm weather you had, and the cool weather we had last week. Love that 'Georgia Peach' Heuchera! I have that 'May Night' Salvia, too, but mine is far from blooming. I suppose it will happen fast during the next couple of weeks. I love to see the shots of your garden that show all the plants arranged together. It looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe I will show more long shots of my garden, Beth, when I get all the weeding done:)

      Delete
  13. Dividing plants tends to be something I put off until too late, I'm not sure why. I am a couple weeks behind you, as you say. The Amsonia and Baptisia has probably a couple of weeks to go before they bloom - they are running late, while the peonies seem to be running early.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely garden Rose.
    Your lilac is in bloom, so you're right - your plants are ahead of mine. Pretty geraniums, Heucherella, Rose. It's pity that mine is dead after this winter.
    Happy GBBD!

    ReplyDelete
  15. We are a bit behind you except for the iris --I have three kinds already blooming. Two of them are in a garden I'm abandoning (too much interference from the Black Walnut trees and too difficult to water) --they're doing better than they have in the past several years, of course :-)

    My creeping phlox is still blooming, but it's on the north side of the house, and that garden always takes longer to warm up. Other than that, I have native columbine and lily of the valley blooming, and that's it. Baptisia have buds, my amsonia has shoots, and my peonies are only just now thinking about making some buds. Oh I do have a bleeding hear that isn't doing nearly as well as the last couple of years --I did manage to top dress it with some compost, so I'm hoping it'll be happier next year.

    We also got some containers planted, and Emma created two fairy gardens in containers. I'll have to get some photos of those and put them up on the blog :-) Your photos are gorgeous, as usual. They always inspire me :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for those sweet words, Cassi. By now, your garden is probably bursting into full bloom.

      Delete
  16. Hi Rose,

    I love sweet woodruff but be warned it will take over the world if you let it :) I have a bit of a do as you will policy in my garden, but I know you like to keep things under control.

    Love the lavender tulip....such a pretty colour.

    Camassia is a favourite of mine. They increase each year. I have the deep blue, pale blue and white and they are stunning....planting in groups they look beautiful :)

    Your garden is coming on in leaps and bounds Rose. You are way ahead of us. It has been so changeable here, the plants do not know if they are coming or going.....neither does the gardener :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the warning on the sweet woodruff, Cheryl. Maybe I should move it to a place where I really do need a good groundcover. Our weather has been up and down, too, temperature-wise. I'm sure the flowers are a little confused.

      Delete
  17. I enjoyed your May time flowers Rose. You're certainly ahead of me. Here the alliums are only just opening. I wonder if there's such a flower as the blue tulip - sometimes these bulb companies tease us and we fall hook, line and sinker :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna, I can't help but think the blue tulip needs more acidic soil than I have. My "blue" hydrangeas always turn pink, too.

      Delete
  18. Looking great Rose! Beautiful pictures! That spiraea is a keeper for sure. The color contrasts wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rose, I may copy your Petunia pot combination. I still have plenty of pots to fill this year with annuals, and I just haven't been able to find the right combinations. I'm a sucker for pinks - so yours will go nicely in any of my pots!
    Your Amsonia is much bushier than mine. Do you cut it down after it blooms to get it thicker?
    I laughed about your Heuchera - I have the same issue this with the same plant. I put it in a pot to rise it above the hostas, because I like the combination. I hope it survives the winter in the pot.
    I'll watch your comments on the Sweet Woodruff, it's been on my 'Maybe' list for a long time.
    Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like the combo, ShellE. I have a couple of containers I plant with the same plants every year. But I always like to try something new and spend a lot of time figuring out what would go well together. The last two weeks have been so chaotic here, though, that I'm just sticking plants in pots, hoping they'll turn out well:)

      Delete
  20. OMG - Scarlet O'Hara looks so exotic! And she hasn't even bloomed in full yet! Lovely flowers as usual. Our lilacs are just beginning to bloom and my garden smells heavenly! Yes, I'm also sad to say good-by to early tulips, daffodils and crocuses.
    I love your header! We also have apple, cherry and dogwood trees in full bloom here. They are magnificent! Oh, and the magnolia (we must have a hardy variety up here in Canada) are so pretty now too.
    How do you find the time for both FB and blogging? Once done with FB, I"m tired of the computer. LOL. Anyway, nice to come back and visit.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scarlett only had one bloom this year--and I didn't even get a photo of her in full bloom:( Lately I've had so much on my plate I can't find time for Facebook, let alone blogging.

      Delete
  21. Oh, I forgot to mention the iris. Stunning! Must be a later variety, as they are long gone here.

    ReplyDelete
  22. We have many of the same plants and flowers! I just added 'Georgia Peach' and need to take some pics of the lilacs before I forget. I have 'Miss Kim' and they have been spectacular this year. It makes up for the leaf sucking critters that are destroying my phlox. Love that peony!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Immortality is blooming here too. You have my favorite colored petunias. Mine aren't planted yet because nights are still very cold here. My tulips look like yours, the color is still there but the petals are pretty far gone.

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's all so pretty, Rose! I'm so sad that I didn't have ANY tulips this year--I thought they were safe, planted within the confines of the vegetable garden fence, but not one bulb sprouted! Turns out we have voles! I cried for a couple of days! I'm trying Camassia for the first time this year too. They have buds, but haven't opened yet. I'm looking forward to seeing how I like them. Sweet Woodruff keeps showing up on people's blogs--seems like it might be a good addition to my lasagna garden, but, I told myself that I am not going to buy anything new this summer (except annuals of course!), but just let what I have get established and then take stock again next year. At least that is the plan, LOL! Finally, I love that 'Sweet Tea' Heucherella! Happy gardening! -- Kimberley

    ReplyDelete
  25. It is rather sad that tulips don't last longer. Mine are still flowering, but we have had quite a few days of cooler (if not cold) weather. I know this is a Bloom Day post, but one image that really struck me was your shade garden. I love the mix of all the green with the peach of the 'Sweet Tea' heuchera. The bad news is that Sweet Woodruff is quite a spreader. I have it in a shady spot where I am happy enough to have it as a ground cover.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Spring is such a lovely time of year.
    Take time to enjoy all the different species, shades and scents that make up our colourful world.

    Lovely photo's ... thanks for sharing.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks so much for visiting, everyone! I don't have time for replying to everyone nor for reading too many blogs at the moment as my mother has been in the hospital. Gardening is going to have to take a back seat to helping her recuperate and adjust to some limitations.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I too miss when the tulips leave. I wish they would stay longer. Amsonia is a fav of mine too and it is just starting to bud out. Your garden is far ahead of mine with some of what you have blooming. Your weather must be much warmer. We had frost yesterday and the cold sets back a lot of plants. They sulk, but a few warm days will spark them right back. Your garden is wonderful and I bet the lilies and coneflowers will be spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a beautiful post, Rose! Have you enjoyed this Spring as much as I have? It seems to be holding out for a little longer. However, we have recently been receiving quite a bit of rain, lately. I have been otherwise held captive in the house (a project that must be finished soon!). Ha. Otherwise, I am feeling "antsy" to get outdoors to work!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  30. All those beautiful blues and lilacs - the colours I love in my own garden
    Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love spring seasons. i really enjoyed your post. You have created a beautiful garden and website. Thank you for sharing it.

    Flower Arrangement

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Rose,
    I had to laugh at what you said about not liking it when the tulips fade, but when they get to this point, you are ready for them to be finished. I feel the same way about them and the daffodils. They take too long for me to die back, and I am tempted to go ahead and clean them up before they are dry. I enjoyed seeing photos of your garden and blooms.

    Thanks for you comment on my Wildflower Wednesday post. How is your mom doing? Yes, all of the flooding has been hard to see on the news. Did your daughter's area fare OK? We've had some flooding near us, but not as severe and sudden. Yes, it is sad. I hope people are able to rebuild.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Your garden is lovely Rose in this transition between spring and summer, at this time of year one can almost hear it growing! It is true that sometimes it is hard for non-gardener to understand how quickly things change in the garden, what’s here one week will be replaced by something else next week. And Scarlett seems to look like a pretty lady!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I feel your pain with the smaller baptisia -- I nearly lost a prized one to voles this past winter. Now that Prissy has retired from hunting they go crazy over the winter without even snakes to keep them in check. And the thing about tulips is that although they are gorgeous so many creatures love to eat them!

    The picture of the Camassia is beautiful even if it is a little past its peak. I have one of those too and love it.

    ReplyDelete
  35. How quickly the spring bulbs seem to come and go, especially with the weather being warm! You have some beautiful plants blooming, though. I also love the Petunia and Helichrysum combination. I planted seeds of those this year in my big whiskey barrel planters. They are still so tiny, especially the Helichrysum,so I must not have started them early enough or something. I do hope they grow enough to make a display at some point!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tulips or not.... your garden is a blaze of colour and a credit to you.
    Love the little ladybird captured on the Camassia!
    My Paeony is well and truly over. I guess we are a little ahead of you.
    Maggie x

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment. I'll try to reply here, but I'll definitely return the visit.