Remember the daffodil border back in April? It is now the peonies border. The first photo was taken last week and the other two, just this morning. The cool temps and (not so heavy) rain we've had really prolonged the blooms. You know that floppy, messy look peonies tend to get when they start blooming..? My secret weapon....peony hoops! They come in different heights and, as you can see, they really help keep the stems upright. I also try to pinch out side buds to keep them from being top heavy.
Notice there is only one white among all the pinks. I need to add another on the end, I think. I find the white to be most fragrant, too. The shortest is the deep magenta.
In another week, these actually will look pretty messy but, right now, they sure are beautiful!
And the best part, deer actually leave them alone!
I wanted to show these "Gladiator" aliums. They obviously bloom much later than the smaller varieties. When I went to pry the blooms apart, it was impossible! They are so tightly fused together...Oh hey, I didn't even notice little Bandit there..lol! And that lavender rhody in the background....
Here she is! At least 10 ft. tall and 15 yrs....she gets prettier with age.
Here she is! At least 10 ft. tall and 15 yrs....she gets prettier with age.
This cute little flower (an inch in size) really grabs your attention. It's a geum named "Mrs. Bradshaw". I also grow it in yellow.
Yellow baptisia...a cultivar called "Carolina Moonlight". I ordered this through Better Homes and Gardens 4 years ago and it has clumped up very nicely.
Some late blooming bulbs. First is wood hyacinths. Next is camassia...this white one blooms much later than the blue camassia and is taller and sturdier too. It reminds me very much of a tropical bloom called tuber rose. No fragrance, though.
I would guess this pink flower to be in the dianthus family...she has been in full bloom for over a month!
Bloom time is usually short (2 wks) for bearded irises but there are many on the market now considered to re-bloom...I'll have to wait to see if these are as they are new to the garden. I love the bold contrasting colors and they are fragrant too!
Oriental poppies...isn't this pretty in salmon? Funny that darker pink bloom is from the same plant...
A view of one corner of the garden to the other. Roses are blooming great but I need to spray again as the beetles have done a number of the foliage.
The best part of being a "temp" is the time I can request off. Now I can really get to work in the garden. Anyone care to help me dig a pond?....PLEASE???
