Saturday Splendor

At the end of another marathon day in the garden, I took some time before the light faded to wander the back gardens with my camera. There's a lot blooming back there: roses, phlox, verbena, bluebonnets, linaria, poppies, iris, freesia laxa, purple columbines, banana shrub, alyssum, violas, larkspur, delphinium, byzantine gladiolus, and blackfoot daisy. The Gulf Coast Penstemon and Louisiana Iris are gearing up for their big show so y'all will be seeing them soon. Tomorrow the Head Gardener is hoping their will be more poppy blooms to share: the red Oriental poppies out front are about to bloom, she says!

Both the HG and I are delighted to see blooms on this Bletilla striata. Although we planted this Chinese Ground Orchid 2 or 3 years ago, it has never given us anything more than foliage. I'm not sure if it just needed time or the cold weather is responsible.



The HG insisted that I lie down on the sidewalk and shoot upwards for a better view of the blooms. At least she didn't insist that I get up gracefully!

We're also thrilled to see the blooms on this Clematis: it could be H. F. Young or it could be Ramona. We've bought both in the past. Or it could be something else entirely that we don't remember!



This Verbena's blooms are all a blend of pink and white. We have Plantation Rose Verbena elsewhere in the garden, with solid pink blooms, so we're wondering if this particular plant got a little too cozy with the Serenity Mix hybrids.


This white blooming variety of Phlox pilosa is named 'Forest Frost'. Look at the pure clean white of those blossoms ... that alone would be enough to recommend this plant.


Now look at the plant itself. A tidy, mounding habit and prolific blooms make it even more of a winner! Gail at Clay and Limestone has long extolled the virtues of PPPP (Practically Perfect Pink Phlox) but I submit that PPFF (Phlox pilosa 'Forest Frost') is equally delightful!

I love the more delicate colors of Linaria too but they can be hard to capture on camera. This color combination screams for attention, though.


The Head Gardener knows as well as I do the perils of planting David Austin roses in our climate. But she agreed that they are well worth the risks and disadvantages. The way we see it, we can spend $20 on 2 dozen cut roses that will last us maybe a week, if we're lucky, or we can spend $20 on a David Austin rose bush that will give us at least 2 years' worth of beautiful blooms with heady fragrance that makes us swoon. The rose below is Glamis Castle, planted today in front of a Sweet Bay magnolia.

My final shot before heading inside was an overview of the poppies in tandem with a Carefree Beauty rose, Serenity Mix verbena, bluebonnets, larkspur and Linaria.


I'll be spending tomorrow celebrating Easter and spring with the Executive Producer, our two delightful offspring, and the Queen Mum. Whatever your plans for the day, may it be a blessed one!

Comments

LindaCTG said…
What a beautiful garden you have! I simply must try that clematis. Your byzantines are ahead of mine, but they are worth the wait. I had wonderful luck with David Austin's, until they got too much shade. I agree, they are worth it for as long as they last.
I would sure love to take a stroll through your garden one day! It is SO pretty! Do the poppies come back every year? You have so many things already in bloom. I am sooo very happy spring is here!
Anonymous said…
This year for Easter, we are staying home. We've been invited to a next door neighbor (who is a fellow gardner). Between all the great food, I hope to get some helpful tips for our neighborhood.