We’ve reached the point in the year where the windows are open more often than not, sunscreen has taken up permanent residence on top of the dresser, and it’s been possible to go without sleeves. The patio umbrella is out, and eating meals outside can be a regular occurrence. Basically, it’s all the stuff I dream about longingly in January! And the garden has responded to the long days and increasingly warm weather by exploding into growth. We’re past the tulip phase and into irises and alliums. There are buds on the roses. And less and less soil is exposed seemingly minute-by-minute, which is wonderful.
Here’s what’s happening in our garden right now…
We’ll start with the hellstrip, which is quite narrow, but I’ve packed as much interest into it as I can without creating too much of a hazard.
One of my favorite combos in the hellstrip is the Stachys with the Callistemon.
Here we have the battle of the hellstrip ground covers, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
I moved this variegated Hypericum to the hellstrip last fall and it struggled at first, but it seems to have rallied and is putting on a good show.
We’ve moved from the hellstrip to the front garden, and this Agave ovatifolia rising up out of a sea of mixed ground covers is making me really happy.
The Silene uniflora is having its moment with a profusion of white flowers.
Moving over towards the north side of the house we start to get the dappled evening light on a mixture of shrubs and perennials, plus the just-emerging allium flowers.
Here we get the magical evening light as captured by my phone.
The Clematis ‘Guernsey Cream’ is still going strong with its best flower display yet in our garden. I just love it.
This tiny Asplenium is steadily increasing in size, but is still dwarfed by its neighbors. I’ll be excited when it can hold its own over here.
Long ago I saw a story on one of Martha Stewart’s gardens where she had a series of climbing hydrangea clamoring up the trunks of a collection of trees. Ever since I wanted to grow a climbing hydrangea up a giant tree, and our neighbor’s cherry makes a perfect host for this Hydrangea anomala petiolaris ‘Miranda’.
We also acquired a new garden fountain with the loveliest sound. It’s below one of our kitchen windows so we can hear it from inside too.
This Aquilegia ‘Black Barlow’ is a favorite and I’ve been able to create a series of new plants from it to spread around the garden.
You may start to sense my love for all things deep purple, and this Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’ has been a staple in our back garden for years. I’m going to let it seed around to see if I’ll get some new plants.
In a bed in our back garden that was created last year we’re enjoying some self-seeded Nicotiana from last year’s display, and also a white-flowered salvia and a threadleaf Nandina. I’m enjoying the combo.
And, of course, the series of things I have yet to plant. Most are headed for the front garden next to the driveway in full sun.
This Pacific Coast Iris from Xera Plants is just finishing up its lovely blooms.
The Rosa glauca is sprouting its stunning new foliage, which I just can’t get enough of.
This is one of the short irises I’m trying out, and I think it’s a keeper. I mean, just look at it!
The one and only rhodie I grow is for the foliage (Ebony Pearl) and these flowers are just too much. Honestly I look at it and think to myself, “how dare you?!” But it’s not long for this world as I’m unwilling to use chemicals to combat the lace bug. C’est la vie!
And that wraps up our garden for early May. So many things happening simultaneously that I spend a little time each day just wandering around noticing everything new!
Lovely post. And I like having the link on Facebook. I need all the reminders I can get.
Cheers
Thank you! I feel like in May it’s easy to do the gardening blog proud, now I just have to work on being inspired for the rest of the year 🙂