Early June Walk-about

I went for a walk around the front and back yards this morning and there's so much is in bloom! I just couldn't wait until GBBD on the 15th, so I'll show you some of the blossoms now.

It's true that raindrops on Ladies Mantle shine like diamonds in the sun.

A delicate white Columbine is close to a new, smaller "not-planted-by-me " neighbour!!

The Slender Deutzia bush is in full bloom under the Magnolia tree.

The peonies are starting to open.

 The perennial Bachelor's Buttons (Centaurea montana) are in full bloom.

Here is a wild columbine Aquilegia canadensis

My Weigela is starting to bloom.

And my herb pots are planted: thyme, rosemary, parsley and chives.

Speaking of herbs and food, check out my recipe blog! Latest post is Cajun Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Pesto.

Top Perennials Part 1 (of many)

As you probably know by now, I am a Flower gardener not a veggie gardener. When we moved to this large property about 25 years ago, I envisioned endless beds of shrub/perennial combinations changing beautifully with the seasons.
Well…….. let's just say I have learned a LOT since we got here! Achieving this type of look involves a lot more than choosing favourite flowers and planting them close to each other. In previous posts I have talked about how important design is for a lovely landscape. This is most definitely true.
Design = good bones. The plants are the "makeup" and embellishments. But they are definitely the "fun" part!

There is certainly a lot to be learned about the plants themselves. I have experimented with many, many flowers and have had varying success with them. I wish I'd kept better records as to what I purchased and why a particular plant didn't thrive.

But I do know that some flowers prove reliable despite lack of experience and even neglect. Here are some that have never let me down. Part One of this series features the Columbine.

Aquilegia (Columbine, Granny's Bonnet) is a lovely spring flower that is known for its spurred petals.

I have had a number of columbines that have bloomed every year since we moved in. My favourite is a pure white one which grows about 18-22"( depending on the season's rainfall). It's in a front yard bed beside a wonderful small shrub called a Slender Deutzia, which coincidentally blooms at the same time. The Aquilegia blooms are long lasting and deceivingly fragile-looking. The stalks are strong and it even makes an excellent cut flower.

While on vacation last summer, I photographed two lovely columbines growing beside an old house.

I am not even sure anymore how I got the original plant, but one of the most interesting Columbines that I have is the self-seeding Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadansis). They pop up in different spots every year. They are very unique, growing 3 - 3 1/2' tall and being a strong red colour with a yellow inside.

Last spring I bought 3 pots of a new Columbine and planted them near the linden tree and rabbit statue.
Their official name is Aquilegia Clementine Rose (plant marker says: Clematis-flowered Columbine). "A unique series of Columbine, featuring fluffy double flowers that resemble a small Clematis bloom, held upfacing on stems, well above the lacy green foliage mound."
I am looking forward to seeing how they bloom this coming spring.

May 15 - Garden Blogger's Bloom Day

Here it is - May 15th! Another Garden Blogger's Bloom Day!!

What's blooming in my garden today? Lots of flowers and shrubs that usually bloom 

2-3 weeks from now. We're early this year. Therefore so many areas are already very beautiful.

Enjoy!!

Nepeta x fassenii - Catmint - Frankie, my neighbour's cat, just loves it!!

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Crabapple 'Profusion'

Bergenia cordifolia

Ajuga 'Black Scallops'

Red Twig Dogwood

Solomon's Seal

Bleeding Hearts

Violets

Ornithogalum - Star of Bethlehem

Viburnum f. plicatum tomentosum 'Mariesii'

Viburnum opulus 'Snowball bush'

Tulip 'Queen of the Night' (looking more burgundy than black!)

Lilacs….mmmmmmm…the fragrance!!

Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-summer) Can be a bad spreader but I have it in an isolated spot.

Slender Deutzia - a lovely small bush that usually blooms in late May

One tulip 'Estella Rijnfeld' - there should have been at least 6. I guess the squirrels had 5 for lunch!

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day is a Meme created by May Dreams Gardens http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/
Gardeners post images of what's blooming in their garden on the 15th day of every month. All are welcome to participate.

May 8 - Plant Combos Part 3

Well, it's certainly Full Speed Ahead at this point, isn't it! I've been out in the garden every day that it hasn't been raining. Not that we've had overly much rain but so far, just enough to get things blooming. It's also been a nice even temp of about 16 for the last while now. A number of posts ago, I promised Plant Combos Part 3 

so here goes:

Above is a fuschia-coloured triumph tulip (no name because it was packaged wrong), golden Euonymus, Aguja reptans, Hosta 'Paul's Glory' and a spreader I call baby Solomon's Seal.

Here is a closer look at the Euonymus, Ajuga and the Hosta.

There's Nepeta (catnip or catmint) under the peonies, which should be in bloom within 2 weeks. The Nepeta stays in bloom most of the summer.

Above you can see Aquilegia canadensis (wild columbine), several types of hosta, clematis 'Star of India (not in bloom yet) all alongside my favourite garden girl: Elaine.

White triumph tulip, Hellebore (still going strong!) and ferns…

I planted the Columbine "Clementine Rose' in amongst more common white columbines. Also I have here Iris foliage, Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and Sweet Cecily.

Texture is very important - here the long arching branches of Viburnum 'Mariesii' gently touch spiky daylily foliage.

In the front yard I have Bleeding Hearts, Sweet Woodruff and Periwinkle (with fallen pink crabapple blossoms on the ground)

Finally Lady's Mantle, Hosta 'Frances Williams', Periwinkle and Sweet Woodruff all together in the front!

Hope these combinations give you some ideas for your garden.