This is an exciting week for me.
Not only is the garden truly coming to life, but my new book Seed, Grow, Love, Write will be available for purchase within the next few days. This go-round we’re doing a hardcover, a softcover and an e-book version. Hopefully something for everyone.
I have some giveaways planned and some other cool ideas I hope you’ll like.
Stay tuned.
On to the garden.
A better view
The Clematis ‘Scented Clem’ is in full bloom.
Now I need to figure out how to properly adhere to a trellis. All of the blooms are at the base of this trellis and along the ground.
I’ll get there. Don’t any of you worry about me.
Flowers galore
Geranium ‘Espresso’ looking good. And hot damn that foliage color, right?
Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) is truly a mad bloomer. And not too aggressive as of yet. Want to buy some? Try here.
Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ is truly a carpet of blue. Even better is all of the weeds that are suppressed.
Iberis ‘Snowflake’ (Candytuft) not feeling it this year. Although it looks healthy and thrives in this dry spot. Maybe the only dry spot in my entire garden.
These are Ornithogalum nutans (Silver Bells). These bulbs were planted last fall so I’ll give them some time to get established. A few actually bloomed a few months back when the weather warmed temporarily.
Hyacinthoides hispanica ‘Excelsior’ (Wood Hyacinth), bulbs also planted just last fall, are now showing signs of bloom.
Carex ‘Grayi’ are making their presence known with the emergence of their club-like seed heads. These plants love some wet soil and actually stay semi-evergreen in our zone 6B winter.
On their way out
Later Moss Phlox.
On their way in
Amsonia hubrichtii on its way.
Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ as well.
New foliage growth
While the new growth on this Tsuga ‘Moon Frost’ is yellowish right now, soon it will transform to white and that is when this evergreen truly shines.
Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ looking solid.
Well hello my lady
A welcome sighting of Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’. This Northern Sea Oats has not been the least bit invasive and I cherish that variegated foliage. It’s working in a partially shaded location which is most excellent.
Oh deer
Yep, they got my Lady’s Mantle.
Time to take all of the necessary precautions.
Watch for a future post where I test a whole bunch of methods and products.
Game the f’ on.
Canada Thistle
It’s only getting worse.
Like with the deer, I need to take immediate and long term action.
More to come.
Well that’s cool
This volunteer Penstemon has one red stem. I’ve only planted ‘Husker Red’ to date and the rest have been volunteers and now we have a cool looking hybrid.
A non-invasive Chasmanthium latifolium??? NOW you tell me.
You’re right Erin! For all I’ve complained about NSO, I should’ve upped my praise for this one. But hopefully I don’t now jinx it. Ha!
I know, right?? This is the year I have decided the Northern Sea Oats is not worth it: it has seeded itself everywhere, even through perennials that I now have to dig up just to get the grass out. But this variegated one is lovely… maybe a nice replacement.
Your garden is beautiful! I’m very envious …
Thanks so much FS!
I hope this doesn’t jinx me but my Vermont deer haven’t ever touched my Lady’s Mantle. Fingers crossed! Love seeing all your plants. My moss Phlox is just starting to bloom.
Same here Gay. This is the first time although it’s possible it could have been the rabbits. Either way … GRR.
Have you tried Plantskydd for the deer? Working for us. Good luck!
I haven’t yet Becky but I’m up for giving it a try. Thanks for the recommendation!
I bought a new amsonia this year that I am LOVING: amsonia tabernaemontana “Storm Cloud.” The stems come out of the ground black/deep olive, very dramatic. I’ll see how large this one gets over the next couple of years, and perhaps add more if there is room. I love the faded blue color. Oh, and the ornithogalum nutans (Silver Bells) is so underused. Such a lovely, ghostly, almost pale gray color. I don’t have any in my garden yet, but plan on correcting that this fall. 🙂
Would love to see pics of the Amsonia Susan. I hadn’t heard of that one. As you probably know, I’m obsessed with Amsonia and their year-round interest. Thanks for sharing.
I look forward to your analysis of deer repellents. They have not touched the Lady’s Mantle, but nearly everything else in the salad bar is fair game. Either I have illiterate deer or they are not reading the same books as I do. Sigh.
I just went outside and they ate all of my allium blooms. It is now war. Ugh.
Let me know your ideas for the deer! My fence fell and I’ve been using dryer sheets, soap, deer off, and a red sensor light. Also, I’ve had some yellow leafs at the bottom of my Veronica Speedwell. Any ideas? Suggestions?
Thank you!
LL from MD
Those ideas will be coming in a post in the very near future. Time to nip this in the bud, pun intended. I get the same with my Speedwell. I’ll often cut them to the ground for fresh foliage but I think this is common. The blooms stand out but the foliage kind of needs to be hidden a bit.