Friday, June 15, 2012

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - June 15, 2012

GBBD_June_2012 copy
I cannot believe June is already half over...I want a re-do!!! Seriously, work has been so crazy for the past 3 or 4 weeks that I've barely spent anytime in the garden during the week...so it really feels like the garden is "happening" without me getting to really witness it. I took a few minutes over the last few days, however, to get out there and get some quick photos and try to sum up what's going on.

How can you not love June...especially in Portland...where we get a nice mix of warm, sunny days and cooler days with rain. As a result, the plants are surging with growth.

geranium rozanne and anementale  1735
A reliable favorite, Geranium 'Rozanne' can be a bit of a brute at times, but generally she mingles nicely with other plants around her, as she does here with Anementhale lessoniona (New Zealand Wind Grass/Pheasant's-Tail Grass).

geranium kanterine adele  1734
Geranium 'Katherine Adele' is huge this year! I think it may be that she REALLY hated the spot she used to be in, on the front slope (which is the WORST soil in my garden...and has claimed the lives of many a plant). She seems to love being in the north parking strip, surrounded by the semi-evergreen sheaths of Pennisetum macrourum (which I am SO looking forward to blooming). I think the Pennisetum helps keep 'Katherine Adele' upright, as she has a tendency to sprawl after blooming.

allium geranium sanguisorbia  1681
How fascinating are the blooms of Allium christophii...TOTALLY AMAZING! When I look at it, it's so intricate and geometric, I'm amazed nature came up with something that looks so much like cut-metal artwork.

gold and purple tapestry  1692
Somehow, this little area of the garden has morphed into a chartreuse/purple area...I've inadvertently used ONLY those colors here! Still, I do love them, but think a little contrast would be nice...I may move Persicaria 'Golden Arrow' later, and replace it with something with silver or blue-ish foliage.

salvia purple rain  1710Salvia and Agastache  1662
Salvia 'Purple Rain' is one of those plants I wanted for the longest time before I had a garden of my own. I found a few plants 3 years ago at a Big Box Store on clearance for, like, $3 each! They looked awful, of course, but I knew they were tough plants, so bought them anyway. They bloomed and bloomed all that summer. Last year, they were just as good, and a bit fuller, which made me happy. This year, they are ENORMOUS...like TRIPLE the size they were last year! I love them. In the pic on the left, you can see one of the nerdier things I planned out this spring...how the Agastache in the background echoes the shape/color of the Salvia in the midground. Yup...that's how nerdy I am...I PLANNED that effect, which can only really be appreciated from ONE spot in the yard ;-)

verbena bonariensis  1678
It seems earlier than usual for the Verbena bonariensis to be blooming, doesn't it? I could swear they usually ramp up in July. I have SO many this year...they've re-seeded all over, but I'm not complaining, they are care-free and gorgeous.

rodgersia superba  1697rodgersia rotlaub  1698
Even though I would never list their blooms as much of a point of interest in conversation, I have to admit, there is a delicate beauty to them.

verbascum  1701
I really love how well the Verbascum chaixii album are doing this year...they are blooming their hears out...and I love that little purple/orange combo in the center of each bloom. A bonus...bees adore them!

sedum rupestre  1674
Another plant that I never think about the flowers of, until they bloom, Sedum rupestre.

sanguisorbia  1714
I get so fed up with how the Sanguisorbia flops all over every year, that sometimes I forget just how lovely and dainty those flowers are. I actually like them even better after they fade...they become a rich, russet color, which contrasts so wonderfully with everything else in the garden. Next year, I'm going to be ready with the stakes and twine for this beast.

Allium atropurpureumiris gerald darby and astrantia ruby wedding  1741
The Drumstick Alliums aren't quite blooming yet, and 'Purple Sensation' is done, but Allium atropupureum is still going strong...love that rich, deep magenta-violet color. Iris 'Gerald Darby' has wonderful, subtle blooms on almost-black stems...and pairs wonderfully with anything pink or silver...here it is in a romantic pairing with Astrantia 'Ruby Wedding'.

red lupine  1721
This photo of the front garden is a bit of a cheat because it's from last weekend, before my Joy Pye Weed collapsed and flattened this poor red Lupine...still...at least I have this photo of it's brief moment of glory, right?

pimpenella  1694
Pimpinella is one of those plants that I can't help buy love...I'm pretty much a sucker for anything in the umbel family...and that delicate coloring is great...especially in part-shade.

knautia macedonica  1703
After they all did so well last year, I've grown to really love the Knautias. I actually got the ones above from Joy Creek Nursery a few years ago, and finally moved them to a spot where they would have better drainage and more sun. They've rewarded me with much more vigorous growth and are now blooming happily. I love how variable the blooms are...in a nice mix of reddish-pink tones.

knautia melton pastels  1728
This is one of the few plants I grew from seed, Knautia 'Melton Pastels'. I was hoping for more variety in color, but most of the ones that sprouted were the light pink ones. Oh well...maybe there will be more variation in the ones I planted in the front parking strip this spring...only time will tell. still...I really like these, they are very vigorous and TALL (over 5')! They are very informal and I love how they kind of twine in and around other plants.

Iris Gerald Darby Group
A shot of Iris 'Gerald Darby' mixing it up with Knautia 'Melton Pastels'...LOVE this combo!

persicaria polymorpha  1680persicaria inverleith  1683
Above are two Persicarias that could hardly be more different...Persicaria polymorpha, on the left, which is already over 6' tall and in full bloom (and it's only JUNE)! On the right is Persicaria 'Inverleith', which is my favorite Persicaria...very compact and clumping...and blooms forever.

agastache blue boa  1711
While it's a little early for Agastache to be in bloom (most are a week or so away from really blooming), the ones I planted this spring are, or course, blooming already! 'Blue Boa' is a new one for me, and even though I swore I didn't need any more different Agastache, the rich, saturated color of these caught my attention.

agastache purple haze  1712
Agastache 'Purple Haze' is one that proved itself last year in the back garden, so I knew I wanted more of those sultry purple blooms out front too.

Aristea majorSaxifraga stolonifera bloom
After attending Annie Hayes presentation this spring, I decided I really wanted to try Aristea major...and figured I'd wait to find some until we go to San Franciso this fall. Fellow blogger, Ryan Miller, found out that Cistus (a local nursery) actually had some in stock! They looked pretty scrappy when I planted them...but hey, these are Iris relatives, so you KNOW they are tough as hell! I was surprised a few weeks ago to see they were actually blooming! On the right is Saxifraga stolonifera...which, to be honest, I didn't even realized had flowers...let alone such lovely flowers!

centranthus corydalis persicaria  1717
Centranthus ruber (Jupiter's Bear) is one of those plants that I remember being astounded by when I first moved to Portland years ago. I just remember loving how gorgeous they were for such a long time...and with absolutely NO CARE!

blue lupine  1702
I love my blue Lupine. I do hope its foliage stays fresher-looking than it has in years past. Aphids...keep away!

astrantia roma  1671
Of course, as Grace Peterson will tell you, one of my plant obsessions as of late are the Astrantias...I just can't get enough of them! Above is one of my faves, 'Roma'. As long as they get a bit of shade and enough water, Astrantias are totally tough-as-nails...love 'em! They also seed around a bit...which I'm hoping will create some interesting hybrids and nice, serendipitous combos.

Astrantia Star of Beautyastrantia maxima and star of beauty  1690
More Astrantia goodness, 'Star of Beauty' on the left and Astrantia maxima & 'Ruby Wedding' on the right.

Front Garden
Well, I think that covers most everything (I'm sure I've left out a few things), so I leave with you a few wide pics. This is the front garden from the North.

front garden v  1732
The Front Garden from the South.

backyard june 14  1742
The Back Yard from the North...not a lot blooming just yet...but give it another week or so!

Back Garden From South June 2
And the Back Yard from the South.

Check out all the other blogs participating in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Garden. Happy GBBD, everyone!

72 comments:

  1. Love that pink Astrantia! As always, your photos are just gorgeous! I hope the aphids leave your Lupine alone.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful GBBD post, your flowers and combos are superb!

    Just when I was wondering about your garden you show us this and how it looks so very good. Getting a little more privacy from the party house too since it all grew in fast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shirley, yeah, I've been a little bit of a slacker on the blogging front...and yes, can't wait for the privacy!

      Delete
  3. Your photography is perfect! I need to up my game after seeing all these shots. Damn they are good. My fave is the Centranthus. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha...thanks, John! Don't you love the Centranthus...such a great, tough-as-nails plant!

      Delete
  4. Looking so wonderful! You have so many plants that made me hit Google, only to find that most don't do well in hotter climates like ours here in St. Louis.

    Doesn't Jupiter's Beard reseed for you all over the place? I had it a few years ago and it always flopped over then seeded everywhere. It also doesn't really like my climate I think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've seen it reseeding all around town, but my Jupiter's Beard has never reseeded that I can see. It DOES tend to flop though, so I put it in the parking strip where it NEVER gets water...which seems to keep it from flopping as badly.

      Delete
  5. Hi Scott,

    How beautiful; totally in awe and wish I had your garden!
    So many combinations and colours that I love and I really must get myself one of the darker red Astrantias - I've got pinks and whites but no deep shades yet!

    I really need to get some Pimpinella too! I love the umbels too and want to get some cow parsley.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG...you'll love the Pimpenella then...that's exactly what it's like! The darker Astrantias are so very lovely, especially planted in and around the lighter-colored ones...the contrasting tones of red/pink are wonderful.

      Delete
  6. B-e-a-utiful garden! The garden is erupting in blooming madness. Its lush nature is inspiring, and I'm envious of such a garden. I adore your chartreuse geranium! Love your garden, Scott!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brian...glad you enjoyed it...June really is when things start to look like a garden! That's 'Ann Folkard' Geranium...and it's a winner...I love it too :-)

      Delete
  7. Things look great Scott. I am limited in the Agastache that will be perennials in zone 5, so it looks like Blue Fortune is the one that wins, others have gone away. Your Astrantias look great, I have had trouble with them so I am not sure they are in the correct growing conditions. We are all having these giant plants this year, my roses were huge.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually had a bit of trouble with some of my Agastaches this year too...'Golden Jubilee' and 'Blue Fortune' were over two months late for some reason...they are just NOW a few inches tall...usually they are already 2-3' tall and blooming by now! I'm convinced the weird weather this winter is what's causing all this weirdness.

      Delete
  8. wow, everything looks really great Scott. I can't believe how quickly that new back garden filled in. I really love Persicaria 'Inverleith', thanks for showing that off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know...it's kind of crazy, right? I love 'Inverleith' as well...and am thinking of digging up a few more seedlings and growing them in pots for a year or two, then replacing the MUCH bigger/rougher 'Firetail' with them...they are just a bit more refined, to my eye.

      Delete
  9. Your garden is really filling out, lots of lovely blooms. Where do you find your Persicarias, anyway, Scott? I ask for them at nurseries and they give me a blank look like they've never heard of them. Except Red Dragon and Painter's Pallet. And now I realize it's getting toward the heat of summer and no longer a good time for transplants....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's funny you mentioned that, Hannah...they really are kind of hard to find. I got most of mine at Joy Creek Nursery...and the remainder at a few area nurseries...but I've never seen them for sale before or since :-(

      Delete
  10. So much beauty! I hope my lupines grow up to look just like yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For real...and I hope they don't get Powdery Mildew!!!

      Delete
  11. I am with you- where did the time go??? I threw together a post today for GBBD, I just grabbed the camera and shot what I saw in the beds blooming. At least I got it done right??? hahaha You on the other hand- WOW. I love to see your posts and see all the neat new things that we don't have here. Your garden is always amazing. I love how you have paired everything and how everything seems so happy. The photo of the Astrantias is stunning. You could frame that. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Kacky...I'm terribly flattered :-) It always makes the effort it takes to put these together seem worth it, knowing you and others enjoy them so much :-)

      Delete
  12. I love how sculptural the allium are, too. Your back garden is filling out nicely. I hate when the month flies by and you don't have time to take in the garden and what's blooming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they rad?!? Isn't it crazy...it seems like just yesterday I was cutting back all the grasses, and now some of them are taller than I am.

      Delete
  13. Nerdy is good--especially in your garden! You really must submit some of these photos in a contest, Scott, or display them at a photo gallery. I can see why Astrantias are a favorite, and I can see your devotion in your camera angles. Some great shots of Lupines, too--one of my personal favorites. Incredible gardens, incredible photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha...thanks! You'd totally laugh if you saw me contorting myself to get different angles for some of those shots...oh, my poor neighbors, they certainly get an eyeful ;-)

      Delete
  14. So glad you included some wide shots, which really show the skill with which you've put it all together. Wonderful plant choices.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the tour of everything. Raindrops are quite the radical concept...that and the light make everything practically glow. That is interesting your plants are ahead of typical times, but maybe your milder winter made up for what I keep hearing termed "Juneuary", that the PNW is having now!

    You call it nerdy, I call it great plantsmanship.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG...it's definitely a departure from the desert, I guess ;-) It's so funny, I keep hearing these mopey weather reports about our unusual rain and cold...but we've actually only gotten a little over 2" for the month...which doesn't seem like a lot. Honestly, I think Portlanders are just kind of spoiled, weather-wise ;-)

      Delete
  17. You have some beautiful bloomers, Scott. That Astranta 'Roma' is just gorgeous (and I'm not even a pink person) and I'm a sucker for Jupiter's Beard myself. But what's really special is how you've combined all your plants so well. I'm particularly impressed with your back garden: I can hardly believe it's the same space you showed early this year! Thanks for the lovely tour of Rhone Street gardens in June!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed your visit, Jane :-) I agree...Astrantia are something special...they are so delicate, but very structural in detail!

      Delete
  18. I can see that the agastache season has started huh? I hate you. And I hate the nerdy echoing too. And what about the drifts of astrantia? Awful. The only thing that makes me glad is that your lupin has been smashed to ground. :)
    you know I'm joking, needless to say your garden looks great! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ouch, Alberto!!! Hahahaha...yes, I don't blame you one bit...our long, mild springs make for lush plant growth. Then again, I envy your space and amazing grasses!

      Delete
  19. Your gardens are lovely. Lots of pretty color and plants packed in to look great with one another.

    Cher Sunray Gardens

    ReplyDelete
  20. Everything looks simply beautiful, Scott! I love all the close-ups, especially seeing some of the plants that I don't have and wish I could grow, but the long shots really show off how lovely your whole garden is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rose...I try to remember to always include a wide shot during these posts, to put it all in perspective, which is so hard to get across, otherwise :-)

      Delete
  21. I love the light pink astrantia! Your photography is stunning, as always.
    Your neighbors must love to pass your beautiful property!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so funny, they actually do stop to comment when they catch me outside, saying how much they enjoy walking by...it always makes me kind of flustered!

      Delete
  22. Wow Scott that back garden looks like it's super established all ready! You must be loving it, well, when you have the chance. Hopefully you're getting all the crazy business at work out of the way and your summer will be a breeze...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your garden looks absolutely fabu Scott..first rate plant selection, design, everything ! I snickered a bit on your comment re the aphids and the Lupine; that is precisely why I don't grow them anymore.They are big fat green ones here, and love the Lupines most of all. I swear I'm going to try them again sometime.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't aphids the worst...a few isn't bad, but it seems like they just explode in population overnight and plants are practically crawling with them...argh!

      Delete
  24. I am always in awe of your blooms. I need to have paper and pencil when I read your posting---you have some stunning blooms that I would love to have in my garden. The picture of the purple umbrels against the dark green is just amazing.
    I have some Geranium 'Rozanne', four emerged this spring and I chalked up the loss of one as the standard fare....then, one more came up almost a month later!! hooray.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaha...oh Janet...that story about your 'Rozanne' sounds very familiar...I have some plants that came up 2 full months later than usual! I had already purchased their replacements when I saw that they had FINALLY emerged...crazy winter weather!

      Delete
  25. One trick I learned with mixed seed like your Knautia pastel mix is when you pot up the little seedlings don't only save the most robust ones. Be sure to keep some of the little weenie ones. The big hardy ones are likely all one dominant color that is stronger.

    Beautiful bloom day pictures! You have so much in what seems like a rather small space.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good to know, Kaveh...I'll have to remember it. Amazingly, these four Knautia plants were the ONLY seedlings out of 3 batches of 12!!! I know, crazy, right? I think I must be really awful at winter-sowing, I'm much better at direct-sowing. Cross your fingers for the ones this year....hopefully I'll get a mix ;-)

      Delete
  26. Holy smokes, your garden exploded! Everything looks awesome. I think you may have triggered an Astrantia obsession in me--wow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha...yes, it's slow out of the gate in the spring, but once it gets started, it's kind of an unstoppable juggernaut! DO IT...Get some Astrantias!!! You'd have great luck with them in your shady backyard :-)

      Delete
  27. Spring has obviously been good to your garden. I am with you on Allium christophii and let my long spent blooms remain, after they should have been cut down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely, I can't wait to see them all dried this fall...I'm totally planting more for next year :-)

      Delete
  28. Some really gorgeous photos of you plants - great shadows, colour and texture. Your backyard area looks really well too. Happy Blogger's Bloom Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it...spring is so fabulous, isn't it...and the backyard is crazy, jungly all of a sudden!

      Delete
  29. Wow, Scott. Your signature plant--the Astrantia looks amazing as usual in your garden. I think I might have to go on the prowl for 'Roma.' Of course your photography prowess is evident on every photo. That shiny green bee on your your Knautia is so cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Grace...I think of you any time I'm out admire the Astrantias now...I can try to save seeds of 'Roma' if you like...but I'm not sure it comes true from seed. I actually got my plants at the Oregon Garden last summer...I had never seen this particular variety for sale anywhere before, so I snatched them up!!!

      Delete
  30. This is only the second time I've seen Astrantia maxima. Yours is shaping up to be quite the "collection". The close-ups are wonderful, but thanks for stepping back for the overviews, so we can see how beautifully executed everything is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Astrantia maxima is really quite wonderful...and such a nice contrast to the Astrantia major. The larger, very silvery-pink flowers just shimmer amidst the deeper, more saturated colors.

      Delete
  31. Great looking photos and garden, as usual. I envy your astrantias. Rabbits ate mine for two years, then I gave up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, James...maybe you'll have better luck with Astrantias in your city garden?

      Delete
  32. Your garden is spectacular in June. And I love those moments when a plant thrives in a spot few others will. Enjoy your garden!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely...it is so rewarding to finally get that "Right Plant, Right Place" thing right!!!

      Delete
  33. What a lovely garden, and such beautiful photos! Thanks for letting me have a walk-about, will be back again :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any time, Helene...so glad you enjoyed your visit :-)

      Delete
  34. Stunning as always, Scott. You have so many of my favourite plants, showcased beautifully. Funnily enough I picked up that same Saxifraga last weekend at an unusual plants fair - the flowers are beautiful, like white flags.
    Sadly most of the bareroot agastaches I planted in the autumn don't appear to have come up though. I think our wet winter did them in. :( I'll have to try a few from seed perhaps.
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't you love the little Saxifraga...so adorable...and such lovely foliage too! So sorry about your Agastaches :-( I have to say, it was a weird winter for them here too...I think they all came back, but some of them were fully TWO MONTHS later than usual...so yeah...something weird happened.

      Delete
  35. Scott, You are my kind of nerd. Hooray for planned color echoes.:) I just got S. purple rain this year.

    So many beautiful flowers this month... just gorgeous. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaha...thanks!!! I hope you like 'Purple Rain', as I just adore it...those smoky purple spires are just stunning!

      Delete
  36. Please can I come and live in your garden? Please? It looks like my idea of paradise! Colours, textures and foliage all in perfect combination! Just awesome! :D

    ReplyDelete