June 15: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

Posted on June 15, 2014 by garden337

East Friesland Sage in the Secret Garden. There is a family of wrens in the bird house.

Ah, June. It’s a happy month in the garden. The temps this year have been mild and we’ve had enough rain. I’m getting ready for my big shindig next Saturday which means I’d better hurry up and get the last of the annuals planted. I have a flat of purple petunias to put in and a few red impatiens. And there is a dwarf sweet spire that I need to find a place for. I’ve ordered two more chairs for the sitting area in the Secret Garden. And, I’m in the process of getting estimates for a new fence that separates my yard from the park. And, of course, I am enjoying my new brick pathways. What a lucky gardener I am…

Many thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day.

Alchemilla and Blue Ice Amsonia in the Secret Garden

Entrance garden. That is Walker’s Low Nepeta in the foreground.

Daddy Long Legs on Wild Berry Hansa Rose

Looking east in the Secret Garden. The Kousa dogwood is in bloom. The huechera in in bloom under the dogwood.

Heuchera in the Secret Garden

Looking into the Secret Garden. Those are red begonias at the entrance.

White poppies are almost finished blooming

Berry White Nemesia in the corner nook.

Purple Smoke Baptisia in the False Garden

Rose Campion

Walker’s Low Nepeta with a friend

Persian Star Allium. I didn’t plant this but found it in a well established day lily bed.

Bleeding Heart

Old white climbing rose in the corner nook

Looking through the Kousa dogwood in the Secret Garden

Lisanthus in the corner nook

The northwest corner of the Secret Garden

Tradescantia in the corner nook

Wild Spice Hansa Rose in the Lower Garden

Cranesbill geranium with annual geraniums in the Lower Garden

Corner nook, old white climber and bleeding heart.

May 15, 2014: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

Posted on May 15, 2014 by garden337

This is my first bloom day of the season! A shout out to May Dreams Gardens for starting this wonderful tradition of reporting out what is blooming in our gardens on the 15th of each month. I love going to her website and following the links to gardens all over the world.

Lots of life is happening in the garden.

Who doesn’t get a little melty over bleeding heart. This one is celebrating life in a sheltered corner with a zillion and a half maple seedlings.

I’m a little worried about the Sweet Autumn clematis. I’m not seeing signs of life yet. The arbor fell over during a wind storm a couple weeks ago. And, of course, we had a killer winter. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

The pink heather has been blooming for several weeks. This bed always looks a bit scraggly until the bark goes in and the later blooming plants fill in.

Lilacs along the north wall of the Secret Garden.

Jack Frost Brunnera blooming all by itself in the Secret Garden.

Hellebore near the back door.

Lovely deep pink hellebore that a friend gave me.

I’ve actually yanked out one large holly bush, and two more will be going to a good home, perhaps this weekend. But I’m keeping this guy.

Another shot of the holly that will be staying. Next to it is another Sweet Autumn clematis that I’m hoping is just sleeping.

The Foamy Bells have won the heuchera race. Actually, Foamy Bells are Heucherella, a cross between heuchera and tiarella. And, yes, those little bits of green are more maple saplings.

Walker’s Low catmint isn’t blooming yet, but it really, really wants to. I’m so in love with this catmint that I think I’m going to plant more of it in the Secret Garden.

The old cherry tree in the lower garden is starting to let its petals fall. Each spring I try and stand underneath it so that a few petals will fall on me.

The old magnolia in the front garden is just about finished with its blooms. Our rain has knocked a lot of the flowers to the ground, but this tree is beautiful in all seasons.

Sensational lilac along the north wall of the Secret Garden. LOVE this lilac, but I need to give it hard prune as soon as it stops blooming.

Madame Lemoine lilac along the north wall of the Secret Garden.

Belle de Nancy lilac in the Secret Garden.

September 15, Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

Posted on September 15, 2013 by garden337

Autumn is turning here in West Michigan, but on this rainy cold Bloom Day, the gardens are still kicking. And here’s a shout out for Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

The datura just keep blooming. And because it is a wet and gloomy day, last night’s blooms have remained open.

Sweet Autumn clematis is in full bloom, both at the entrance to the Secret Garden and in the lower garden. Notice that I have experimented with a few bricks.

My big news, though, is that in a couple of weeks my crushed limestone paths in the Secret Garden will become bricked pathways. I initially thought I would hire a landscaper to do the job. But my garden guru Dale has a neighbor who needed to get rid of more than a thousand bricks that were once a retaining wall. And, my friend Maja in Maine volunteered to lay the bricks. So, rather than the sterile perfection of a professionally laid path, I’m going to get something far more interesting and meaningful.

These lovely little stars send out a subtle fragrance and from a distance create a halo of white on the arbor and on the fence in the lower garden.

Sweet Autumn clematis taking over the fence and spilling onto one of the arborvitae.

And, of course, I’ve been playing with bricks. At first I thought I would need to get rid of the crushed limestone, but now I think it will create a good foundation for the bricks. This means the pathway will be a little higher than it is “supposed” to be, but I suspect that won’t be a big issue, especially when fresh bark is spread on the garden next spring.

The Walker’s Low catmint in the entrance garden are lush and on sunny days a lure for bees. There are several pots of rudbeckia and some yellow blackberry lilies ready to plant.

Helianthus and HIdcote lavender in the Secret Garden

Rain-dappled yellow canna at the side of the house.

Pink anemone and few echinacea in the Secret Garden

Nameless white climber in the corner garden.

This red Knock Out rose has been blooming like this all summer. And the Carpet Rose next to it has been doing almost as well.

White Phlox in the Secret Garden.

The Honorine Joubert anemone are blooming in the Secret Garden.

Aproximately 1400 bricks waiting to become a pathway in the Secret Garden.

August 15, 2013 Bloom Day

Posted on August 15, 2013 by garden337

The entrance garden with Walker’s Low catmint and cannas.

Here’s what’s bloomin’ on this mild August morning.

The Secret Garden today.

Looking east in the Secret Garden. The daylilies are just about finished, but the Datura is taking over the universe, again.

Looking south in the Secret Garden.

Marigolds, red glads, and Annabelle hydrangea

The old rambling rose that a neighbor gave me still cranks out late blooms.

The Knock Out Rose and the red Carpet Rose continue to give me blooms. The hansa roses in the background are getting their second seasonal wind.

Halcyon hostas

Limelight hydrangea

Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon with a few red cannas.

A mishmash of white liastris and purple coneflowers that a friend gave me.

A morning glory doing what it does best…being blue.

Hibiscus in the Secret Garden

Asiatic lily in the Secret Garden. This is its first season and it is doing beautifully!

White phlox and Fragrant Angel echinacea in the Secret Garden

Wildberry hansa rose in the Secret Garden with a few crocosmias. This clump gets more shade so blooms a little later than the other clump.

Tardive hydrangea in the Secret Garden

A shady little nook in the back of the Secert Garden.

The moonflowers are going bananas, as usual. And, there are few First Knight daylilies still blooming. In the bottom right are a few Moonbeam coreopsis.

Helianthus brightening up a sunny little corner of the Secret Garden

A neighbor game me a clump of rose campion years ago and it continues to do well. There are also a few White Dome hydrangeas here and the anemone that a friend gave me is just starting to bud out.

A nameless hosta that a friend gave me a number of years ago. It’s blossoms are wonderfully fragrant

This gladiola doesn’t know it’s an annual. It comes back year after year, probably because of the warmth that comes through the foundation wall. I didn’t plant this and spent a number of years trying to get rid of it. Finally I decided to just admire its will to live.

I cannot believe how much the Walker’s Low catmint has grown. I just planted this season. Those are yellow cannas in the back. Catmint. Cat statue. It’s called “a theme.” 🙂

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, July 15, 2013

Posted on July 15, 2013 by garden337

Crocosmia adds such a wonderful pizazz to the day lily bed. I love the way it drapes over the Garden Lady.

The temps rose yesterday to 90 degrees, but the heat isn’t unexpected. And, we are not experiencing a drought like last year. July blooms are on schedule and it seems like the whole garden is making up for last year. The cherry tree is still full of gorgeous red tart cherries. In fact, I picked 4 cups last night and made a cherry crisp. Last year I didn’t even bother with picking. The early warmth and subsequent freeze killed last years crop.

Blooming in the garden right now:

First Knight day lily, one of my favorites.

Zagreb Coreopsis and rose campion that a neighbor gave me years ago.

A few white clematis keep blooming. I didn’t get much of a show this year, but will take whatever I can get from this lovely vine.

The Garden Lady is framed in day lilies and crocosmia. The is the view from the entrance of the Secret Garden.

Annabelle Hydrangea putting on a great show. Last year Annabelle did not do much because of the heat.

White Dome hydrangeas and Zagreb coreopsis in the lower garden.

This is about as blue as this variegated lace cape hydrangea gets. Each year I ammend the soil with acid and it never seems to be enough.

The Francis Williams hostas in the front garden are starting to bud. Behind them are the White Dome hydrangeas that are in full lacy bloom.

I removed a lot of the Strawberry Candy day lilies in the front when I took out the Pana Rhododendrons. This is one of the only clumps left.

Newly planted just a month ago, the Walker’s Low catmint is doing very well in the entrance garden.

Red Knockout rose in the rose medallion seems to not only avoid disease, but Japanese beetles. Yes, they’ve arrived for their yearly feast.

Limelight Hydrangea is just starting to bloom.

Nameless dark lily doesn’t seem to be quite so dark this year.

Looking west from the eastern part of the Secret Garden. The Japanese Maple and various hostas seem happy.

Stitch in Time Hosta is starting to bloom.

Francee, Stained Glass, June, Great Expectations, and various heuchera.

Barbara Mitchell day lily in the Secret Garden.

Day lilies and crocosmia in a riot of bloom.

My Sweet Rose day lily.

Lavender Doll day lily, Cool Cat Nepetha, Jean Davis Lavender, purple cone flower from a friend, White Dome hydrangea.

Purple cone flower just starting to bloom.

Fragrant Angel echanacea with a friendly bumblebee.

Zagreb coreopsis and a purple coneflower that isn’t sure what she is supposed to look like. But she’s blooming in her own unique way.

Purple coneflower from a friend and Fragrant Angel echinacea.

Marigolds and purple petunias great me at the back door.

Marigolds and purple petunias greet me at the back door.

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

Posted on June 16, 2013 by garden337

Mid-June is such a wonderful garden moment, and this year it is particularly so. We’ve had a slower spring than last year and the garden seems to be grateful for this leisurely pace.

White Dawn rose climbing up the chimney in the entrance garden.

Walker’s Low Catmint newly planted in the entrance garden. Those are yellow cannas behind it.

Perennial geranium that, even when propped up by a frame, gets leggy and flops.

White Carpet Rose in the lower garden

Red Knock Out Rose in the rose medallion in the lower garden

White Dome Hydrangeas just beginning to bloom, with a red canna

Annabelle Hydrangea full of buds with marigolds and a new purchase from the Reed’s Lake Art Fair

Hansa Rose in the Secret Garden with Crazy Daisy Shastas just starting to open.

The last of the white poppies in the Secret Garden with Jean Davis Lavender beginning to open

East Friesland Salvia, Cool Cat Catmint, and Jean Davis Lavender

East Friesland Salvia and Jean Davis Lavender

East Friesland Slavia and Rose Campion given to me by a neighbor several years ago.

Kousa Dogwood in full bloom, with Caramel Coral Bells

A double flowering mock orange that is pretty but has very little scent, with the last of the very fragrant James McFarlane lilacs and Blue Ice Amsonia

Chocolate Ruffles Heuchera in the Secret Garden under the Kousa

Various Heucheras in the Secret Garden under the Kousa

Peaking out behind the Francee Hostas are a few late Bleeding Hearts in the Secret Garden

New Dawn Rose climbing along a fence and into the old dogwood in the Secret Garden

A single white clematis flowering on the arbor.

The little bed near the back door. The nameless white rambling rose came from a neighbor a number of years ago.

April 15, Bloom Day

Posted on April 16, 2013 by garden337

It’s pretty bleak in the garden, but there are signs of life. We’ve had a slow spring, and that’s just fine with me. A year ago the garden was seduced into early bloom. This spring the juncos are still around, but the robins have returned, and the cardinals are singing. And the hellebores are blooming!

Hellebore

August 15, Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

Posted on August 15, 2012 by garden337

Wild Spice Hansa Rose, with a couple of Japanese Beetles enjoying some PDA…Hansa roses are wonderfully hardy and very fragrant.

The entrance to the Secret Garden. The day lilies are spent and so is the crocosmia. But the Dahlias are blooming and so are the marigolds.

Wild Berry Breeze Hansa Rose, coming back after a hard pruning to curb powdery mildew.

An experiment with Dahlias

More Dahlias and an abundance of marigolds

White Carpet Rose

A second blush of Delphinium, a rather unexpected surprise…

Heuchera and a bumblebee guest

Stained Glass hosta with its lovely fragrant flowers

Zagreb Coreopsis, sending out some late summer blooms

A nameless miniature rose against white phlox.

one White Dawn bloom.

A nameless hosta that sends out lovely fragrant flowers.

Perhaps it is because of the heat, but this is the only Canna that is blooming. None of them this year got very tall.

Tardiva Hydrangea

Limelight Hydrangea

The single geranium flower…

Hibiscus, putting on a great show

Kim’s Knee High Coneflower

Annual geranium peeking through the dense growth of datura

The new red Knockout Rose

Red carpet rose

The miniature hostas I bought at Cedar Hedge Gardens in Interlochen. To the left is Maui Buttercup. In the planter, to the left is Hideout. To the right is Teaspoon. And on the bottom is Plug Nickel. To the right of the planter is Kaleidoscope. It’s not doing well…

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, July 15, 2012

Posted on July 16, 2012 by garden337

Wow, it’s still hot. And the garden is baking. The day lilies that were in glorious bloom just a week ago are now fading. I’ve begun removing bare scapes and scraping at the lifeless brown leaves that seem more prevalent this year than seems normal. The garden gets watered daily thanks to the in-ground system. Michigan, surrounded by water, rarely gets water restrictions. But the heat is taking its toll, especially on the hydrangeas. In fact, I may lose a couple even though I give them extra water each day. Sadly, there seems to be no end in sight. At best, we have a chance of thunderstorms this week. Weeks of 90 degree heat just isn’t what my garden is used to.

Veronica Spicata, Sunny Border Blue…the Great Black Wasps are loving this!

This tattered Purple Cone Flower has been a feast for Japanese Beetles.

Crocosmia, a nameless pale yellow day lily, and to the far right rear Barbara Mitchell day lily. All of these are weeks early. Man of the day lilies now have budless scapes that need to be removed.

A few Endless Summer hydrangeas are blooming, but the heat is really getting to them. Behind them is a pot of petunias. To the right is one of several Great Expectations hostas.

Nosferatu

At least the annuals will still be blooming in August…

Fragrant Angel Cone Flower

The old Rose of Sharon

Datura

A single geranium bloom

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, May, 2012

Posted on May 15, 2012 by garden337

May is an anxious time for me in the garden. I haven’t gotten the annuals in yet. And, the 12 yards of shredded bark have not arrived. So, the gardens look good from a distance, but up close, they are messy and there are bare patches where the annuals will go. Mind you, a little anxiety is good. It goads us forward. And I have no excuses to move forward because the watering system guy came this afternoon to hook everything up and repair the damage the snow plow did to one of the lines this winter.

Everything, of course, is early. The McFarlane lilacs are out, and so is the mock orange.

The cheddar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) are going crazy! I love how they brighten up this shady little nook under the old dogwood, especially since I haven’t shopped for annuals and baskets yet.

Cheddar pinks under the dogwood

The McFarlane lilacs and the mock orange are doing a great job of filling in this back corner of the Secret Garden.

The old dogwood in the Secret Garden

The old dogwood is host to birds, bees, and fuzzy clusters of tiny flowers. The kousa dogwood hasn’t quite arrived yet, but I suspect it will be gorgeous in a couple of days.

The Wild Spice Hansa roses have been blooming for a few weeks, though, they got nipped during a frost. Sill, nothing seems to deter them.

A volunteer tradenscantia

I was surprised to find a spiderwort (tradenscantia) blooming in one of the entrance gardens. I didn’t plant it. In fact, I’ve been trying, unsuccessfully, to get rid of the last vestiges left by the previous owner.

The heuchera and heucherella are looking really good. The entrance garden is further along than the heurchera in the Secret Garden, but the entrance garden gets full sun.

A dappled corner full of hostas and heucheras

Amsonia

The tiny amsonia stars are blooming, too. These were a lucky find at a garden center a couple years ago. I think they were $1 per pot. I’ve certainly enjoyed them!

This little columbine kept coming back year after year, much as I tried to get rid of it. It, too, was left over from the previous owner, and now I’ve decided I quite like its pretty pink and white blossoms.

Columbine

And how I wish that those saucers of clematis would bloom all summer! How can such delicate looking vines burst forth with such huge flowers. I remember the first time I ever saw a clematis blooming. I thought perhaps they were plastic flowers that someone had stuck on a piece of lattice. There are still a few bleeding hearts (dicentra) blooming.

Soon the old climbing rose that I got from a neighbor will take over this spot that is still clinging to a few bleeding hearts.

Clematis

Garden337

A garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Tag Archives: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

June 15: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

May 15, 2014: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

September 15, Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

August 15, 2013 Bloom Day

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, July 15, 2013

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

April 15, Bloom Day

August 15, Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, July 15, 2012

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, May, 2012

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