Last year I planted 3 Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ from Annie’s Annuals, and they’re putting on quite a show (seen above) in our back garden. There’s word that these might bloom longer than most Geums, and I’m looking forward to finding out.
With the little mini heatwave we just had, the tulips are speeding right on through their glory. With things cooling off today, I went out to capture some of their beauty before it’s all gone. They’re so fleeting, but so beautiful. All of these are in our front garden…
Up on the front porch, the low bowl container I planted for winter interest is now being overshadowed by the Sedum palmeri that are spilling out of the larger pot. I also replaced the centerpiece Chamaecyparis thyoides (aka Juniper) ‘Red Star’ in these pots (there’s another on the other side of the door) with Cupressus arizonica (aka Arizona Cypress) from Xera Plants last year, and they’re both pushing out some beautiful new growth.
We’ve officially transitioned away from the cold-season, reddish foliage of the Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’ into its fresh green spring growth.
And the last of my favorite tulip, ‘Queen of Night’, is putting on its amazing show. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but these seem to have perennialized for me — we’re on year 5 with this display.
And, of course, the gorgeous Pacific Coast Iris (also from Xera Plants — where would my garden be without them?!) are knocking me over with their beauty.
As we round the front path heading towards the gate, the various Dicentra are mingling with the Heuchera/Heucherella, and their warm color scheme makes me happy. I picked up a deep pink Astrantia ‘Star of Fire’ at Hortlandia this year to add to the mix — you can just make it out at lower-right below.
And the Clematis ‘Guernsey Cream’ is having its first really good year in our garden. This is year 3 (a Hortlandia purchase from years past) and it has multiple buds and is steadily heading up the steel trellis.
Here’s a wider shot, and we can finally see it from the front windows, which is glorious. There used to be a gate here in the fence that the neighbor used before we moved in, but I’m afraid I’ve reclaimed the space for plants — but it does mean the fence is a bit funny over here. There’s been mention of redoing this fence sometime & nothing would make me happier than not having to look at the weird redwood stain any longer along this side of the property. I’m a naturally weathered cedar girl, myself — probably nostalgia for my coastal New England roots.
