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 GardenRain-dappled yellow canna at the side of the house.Pink anemone and few echinacea in the Secret GardenNameless 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.
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 greet me at the back door.
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 gardenRed Knock Out Rose in the rose medallion in the lower gardenWhite Dome Hydrangeas just beginning to bloom, with a red cannaAnnabelle Hydrangea full of buds with marigolds and a new purchase from the Reed’s Lake Art FairHansa 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 openEast Friesland Salvia and Jean Davis LavenderEast Friesland Slavia and Rose Campion given to me by a neighbor several years ago.Kousa Dogwood in full bloom, with Caramel Coral BellsA 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 AmsoniaVarious Heucheras in the Secret Garden under the KousaPeaking out behind the Francee Hostas are a few late Bleeding Hearts in the Secret GardenNew Dawn Rose climbing along a fence and into the old dogwood in the Secret GardenA 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.
