Catching Up...

Hardy Cyclamen, I believe it's Cyclamen coum...


Notice how much rounder the leaves are. This was a nice little find (below). I have tried this Sedum a couple times now, without success (Ogon)...however, check this:


Here are a few pieces that have overwintered. Yea! One of the things I like about sedum is that while it sits in my pot ghetto, it can be prone to dropping pieces which then root. Lucky for me. Maybe the pavers kept it a bit warmer here as well.

I am not a particular fan of spireas. I grew several while I lived in Washington (state) and yes, they were quite easy care...but, they just didn't deliver (to me) on their promise. However, for the last couple of years, I have greatly admired one that I see in spring while I'm down in South Carolina. I didn't buy it because it was much too large (I like small things....easier to plant...they'll grow). So, I ordered it...or so I thought. Sigh. These orange leaves are not the bright neon yellow I was expecting (like the sedum above)....maybe they will turn...if not, sorry, but I want the one I want.


This, flower friends, is a survivor. It is the simple garlic chives. Some years ago, a small bit (much like what is there now) came home with me from the Mary Washington House. I have, every year without fail, abused it. (not intentionally, mind you) I weed whack it completely, only noticing when my nose smells oniony-garlic and there appears to be nothing left. It's in a weedy area that perhaps this year I will gain better control of. I could have sworn that I inadvertently pulled it out numerous times (along with the chickweed, etc.)...yet, here it is:


I grow lots of regular chives (with the pink flowers) and couldn't do without them. Perhaps this year....finally...I will enjoy garlic chives. And, yes, I will be sure to cut off those white flowers (no reseeding everywhere here).

The Johnny Jump Ups are putting on a fine show...for the first time...here. Maybe because they have planted themselves here and there (vs my trying to plant them). The color variations are fascinating...






I like all their little variations. I'm still planting daylily seeds (inside) and working on moving even more outside into planting boxes...they seem to like growing in water....here's a picture...


*****

I am happy to report that I did get my lettuce planted but, alas, not the peas. I also rearranged some daylilies working toward clearing a bed for seedlings. Much more to do on that front. Rain yesterday, so no work outside.

I have...at last...acquired my much wanted Camellia Nuccio's Pearl! After waiting endlessly last year and finally being sent a different one by Wayside (so aggravating...not even hardy in my zone!....check that fine print when you order, by the way...places can be sneaky)....yesterday, I went to a very kind person's home....who received my camellia in error (so frustrating!)...and called me....I have the camellia in hard. It looks good....that pleases me....but what I had to go through to get it! (How hard is it to get one's name and address correct?? Pretty hard, apparently...) ....wish me luck! I think (yeah, right) this is the final camellia for me....space, you know...

Garden Trips: Blandy Arboretum

Mother's Day found me en route to the Blandy Arboretum. My husband and daughter were treating me to a day "all about me". While a visit to the Arboretum itself would be pleasant, added to this was the annual plant sale. A "two-fer" type day if ever there was one! I hadn't been to the Arboretum before and we could not have picked a more pleasant day, weather wise.


I was eager to see what was there! The shopping was good and I had the added attraction of a personal plant holder to accompany me. The first thing that caught my eye was an heirloom tomato, Missouri Love Apple. Isn't the name enough! I also found a new (to me) heuchera that has red edges, Eco-Magnififolia. I have been searching for one like the one I lost...I have yet to find it...it was an incredibly colorful one that I brought back from Seattle a couple years ago. This one isn't it, but I feel like I am getting warm. I also bought some Mycorrhizae. It's something I've been curious to try and so I bought it at this sale (I wasn't thrilled to find it online for a lot cheaper...but, at least now I know a source should I want more.). My purchases were rounded out with a few more tomatoes and a pepper. (One of these days...when I actually plant them...I'll list the tomatoes I'm growing this year...what would summer be without fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes!)

After enjoying myself at the plant sale, I walked over to take a look at the Arboretum itself. Such a beautiful day had brought out lots of families and there were folks wandering all over enjoying themselves. Some were grilling out or having picnics, some were over at the children's tables making projects and the rest were either cruising around (like me) or at the plant sale!

The Arboretum is famous for its boxwood collection:



Okay, given my previous post, I couldn't help but post this:


You know what it is...a Fringe Tree!

Here's where we make our way inside:


I was interested to see these very happy looking Iris Cristata in full sun:


Japanese Roof Iris:


I love finding cozy seating...this is in a small shade garden called a pollination garden.


Columbines were so pretty:


Shall we have a look?




There was a small collection of iris:





So, I see this group of people and I'm thinking that maybe this is where the elusive gift shop is...or at least something interesting, right? Did you figure this out (before me)??


Yes, this was the line for the restroom....

It struck me that this would be a great place to have a tour (the Arboretum, not the restroom!) and one of these days, I'm going to do just that. However, the Herb Garden was on my way and I just had to take a peek.



The flax was blooming:


Not just any iris, but Orris (where we get orris root):


Done with my touring, I made my way back to the car where my daughter and husband awaited me. We were off for a nice dinner! Interestingly (and I mean very) the car made its way to one of my favorite nurseries, Merrifield Garden Center. Wow! Naturally, there were a few things there to tempt me (a new dianthus and some double ivy geraniums). The back of the car was filling up quite nicely! From there, we did make our way to a nearby Bonefish Grill, a very yum restaurant. It was quite the Mother's Day! (Did I mention the huge bottles of a very nice perfume and lotion??!) Thank you, DH and DD!

Photos and More Photos

One of my favorite shrubs in spring:

Variegated Weigela even without the flowers has stunning foliage. It's one of those old fashioned plants and will take a lot. I suppose I should prune mine, it's gotten quite large, but I don't know...I rather like it dripping with blooms.

Here they are closer, you get pink and white together...



Needing no introduction, the first of the peonies:


I'm not really fond of the single ones and didn't realize I had any (I apparently have two...exactly the same!)...I'm going to blame it on mislabeling and/or my penchant for buying a mix (not so big on that any longer with space at a premium). Never mind, the doubles will be starting any day...and I will bring some of those inside!

Remember my white trillium(s) I was so proud of...Look what it/they did:


According to this site, these trillium(s)s do this after they have been pollinated. To my surprise, that which I thought gone...is here...and blooming:


Look above the fern (Ghost, if you're wondering), under the clematis (Polish Spirit) and mixed in with the bee balm (Raspberry Wine)...and there it is! I surely thought something had got it...so I'm very happy. The last/other trillium is not blooming but I found it hidden in the monkshood foliage...all present and accounted for. Next year, assuming I get them planted, I hope to have some other varieties. This white trillium (probably Great White) is much larger and taller than the now pink one:


The last daffodil blooming (still are a few buds to open as well):


Albus plenus odoratus...(it was blowing around, sorry for the odd picture)....for those not tired of daffodils (not me!), I will get to my review and will have pictures of some I haven't shown (just ran out of time)...with over 100 varieties (and still adding), I can go on for quite a while with them!

This will give you some idea of how large my sweet shrub aka Carolina Allspice is and why it is so deliciously fragrant (many buds!):



For those of you wondering, here are a few things residing together (I do cram)...how many can you find??


While mine is just a baby, it has started blooming...in full bloom, these trees, Fringe Trees, are stunning and fragrant:


I'll have to look as I believe I had pictures of larger trees from Maymont and Mount Vernon.

The first of the thymes to bloom...English Thyme:


Woodland phlox and Spanish bluebells:



A lone allium...when I moved things around, I apparently moved this one...good thing as I must have tossed most of the others with the bathwater:


Another Dianthus makes an appearance:



Anthemis just getting going also:


A new creeping phlox now residing under the Mohawk viburnum...aren't those variegated leaves adorable!



Speaking of variegated, how about these columbines (they're starting to seed around...which is fine with me):



And this one (sigh) growing in the weeds under...of course...the silver maple:




A cause for celebration...look closely, scapes on a daylily (Royal Eventide...usually my first)...I do have scapes on a couple of new arrivals, but I don't count those as they aren't home grown.


A cause for dismay...spiderwort! How did that find itself here??


Heucherella Sunspot....but what I really like here...look closely...poppy seedlings all around!


That'll have to do it for now...more, as always, to come. I'll just do a separate post of iris, clematis, ground covers...whatever! Still a few visits, too...Mount Vernon and Hahn Horticulture Garden...plus, I dug out a couple daylilies (REALLY need to do more of that...lol) and I'll show you how that went....I figured if I wrote/listed these...I might actually remember to do them!