Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - May 2013

GBBD_May_2013
We're already half-way through May, can you believe it! This spring has been one of the oddest I've experienced since moving here...and definitely the weirdest since I started gardening here. Usually, we can count on cool, rainy weather until at least the middle of June...but we've been lacking in rain this year. I heard on the news the other day that this has been the driest year on record...and I believe it. We actually almost hit 90° a few days in the past few weeks...ugh.

Luckily, for the most part, the garden seems no worse for wear...but I really hope we return to something akin to normal weather next year!

Purple and White Iris
If April was all about Tulips and Daffodils, then May is about Alliums and Iris. This purple/white beauty is one of the Iris I inherited with the house...love it!

Allium and Geranium 2
You know I love Alliums...I just wish they were a little more reliably perennial. This is Allium 'Early Emperor' paired with the wonderful chartreuse foliage of Geranium 'Ann Folkard'

Allium and Amsonia 4
As luck would have it, the bloom time of Alliums coincides with the Amsonias...which makes for some nice, subtle combos.

Amsonia hubrichtii
This is the oldest and largest of my Amsonia hubrichtii...now in it's 4th year...and it's ENORMOUS! I've never been wowed by the blooms before...but where there are this many, it's pretty awesome!

Rhazya orientalis
An asian Amsonia relative, Rhazya orientalis...love the darker blue blooms...can't wait for this puppy to get bigger.

Gladiolus byzantinus 2Iris Ominous stranger 2
I totally forgot that I had planted Gladioulus byzantinus around my Persicaria 'Purple Fantasy', they make a smashing combo, don't you think? I bought this Iris, 'Ominous Stranger' after visiting Schreiners Iris Farm last spring (and I'm totally going again in a few weeks). The color, depending on the light, is either that of a dingy tissue, or aged Victorian wallpaper...still, I kind of like it :-)

Knautia Melton Pastels 3
One of my favorite plants, Knautia...this is the variety 'Melton Pastels', which has a nice variety of colors, from the standard reddish-pink to palest mauve.

Knautia Melton Pastels 5
I think the plain reddish ones are still my fave, though!

Geranium Rozannd
I can't tell if this is early for Geranium 'Rozanne' to be blooming...but I'm pretty sure it is earlier than usual.

PhlomisAllium and Panicum
I'm so excited that the Phlomis my friend Ricki gave me is going to bloom...and even more excited about the seed heads that will follow...thanks, Ricki! On the right is the go-to Allium for most gardeners, 'Purple Sensation'. Again, I just wish it would reliably come back every year.

Centranthus ruber
You can hardly top Centranthus ruber for easy color. This plant pops up all over town, it's proclivity for reseeding ensures it will always be around.

Astrantia Roma h
Perhaps my favorite Astrantia, 'Roma' starts off almost white and will darken to a silvery pink color over the next few weeks.

Allium christophii
My favorite Allium, Allium cristophii...love those amazingly intricate blooms, like an elaborate metal sculpture.

Yellow IrisSanguisorbia closeup
This is the first year that I've had yellow Iris...and I know I didn't plant them...so they had to have been here all along, just waiting for a chance to bloom! On the right is a new purchase, Sanguisorbia menziesii...I'm so hopeful this Sanguisorbia won't flop like the Saguisorbia officinalis I already have.

Erysimum Bowles Mauve
After years of killing this plants, I've come to realize that Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' wants absolutely no summer water. I have it planted in an out-of-the-way spot along the fence where I totally ignore it and it blooms practically all year long.

deep purple iris with rainchicken
Another mystery inherited Iris wet with rain this morning...and one of the neighbors chickens...romping in the Astrantia maxima.

Columbine Tequila Sunrise
I bought a bunch of Columbine 'Tequila Sunrise' a few years ago, and they have all but disappeared, but their progeny remains. The nice benefit of these seedlings is that they appear randomly in a nice mix of colors...this one is mostly yellow.

Allium Early Emperor
A new Allium for me this year, and one I'm really loving, 'Early Emperor'.

Susnset Iris 2Agastache Blue Boa
Another inherited Iris, and mauve/lavender bicolor...with the added benefit of being intensely fragrant. Taking photos in the garden while it is blooming is entirely intoxicating! On the right, can you believe that I have an Agastache blooming already...in MAY!?! This is Agastache 'Blue Boa', which never went fully dormant due to our lack of any real cold this winter.

Allium Gladiator
Another great Allium, 'Gladiator'.

Bicolor Iris 2Bicolor Iris 4
This is a new Iris I got from Schreiners last summer...I think it might be 'Standing Ovation'? Whatever it is, its fabulous...love those rich, wine-red falls...and the contrasting orange beard!

Hello Darkness
Another new Iris from Schreiners, the aptly named 'Hello Darkness'. I'm just totally crushing over those inky purple flowers.

astrantia ruby wedding 3
Another Astrantia, 'Ruby Wedding', just starting to bloom. The blooms will continue to darken over the next few weeks, eventually turning blood red.

Mystery Dark Iris 3
Another Iris that came with the house, but has just bloomed for the fist time this year...what a great surprise!

monarda bradburiana 2Devon Skies 2
I planted Monarda bradburiana, on the left, last year out of curiosity. It's supposed to withstand heat/drought better than most Monarda...and it's a dainty little thing...love it! On the right, a plant I got from Heather at the last Plant Exchange, Sisyrinchium 'Devon Skies', which I'm kind of in love with right now...why did I not have this plant already!?!?

Geranium Ann Folkard
Another wonderful Geranium, 'Ann Folkard'. Sadly, the weather this year hasn't been to its liking...it grew big and tall...then flopped open. Sigh.

Persicaria affinis
A new Persicaria...one used mostly as groundcover, Persicaria affinis. I fell in love with it at Joy Creek a few weeks ago, due to it's wonderful red foliage (a winter trait), but the blooms are nice too.

Lupine and Euphorbia h
In the category of "almost blooming" is my Lupine 'Gallery Blue'. It's the only Lupine of the six I planted years ago, to return every year...and I'm so glad for it...the color is fabulous. There is a tiny Lupinus 'Thomas Church' next to it, which is also going to bloom...but it super-tiny.

Front Garden From South
Wrapping thigs up, heres the front border looking North.


The front border looking South.

Backyard from South
The Backyard looking North.

Backyard from North
The Backyard looking South.

house and garden
And the whole shebang. For more bloomerific goodness, check out Carol at May Dreams Garden...and Happy GBBD!

BloomDayBoot

138 comments:

  1. Scott - your garden looks fantastic! I'm totally drooling over those dark purple mohawks on that 'Hello Darkness' iris. So cool! And I LOVE the Alliums too. I sense a pattern here - what is it about purple fuzziness...?

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    1. I love those purple beards too...I can't explain it, either, they are just cool :-)

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  2. your garden is looking so fabulous and so many blooms, already...

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    1. Thanks, LInda...I didn't think there was much blooming at first...and then I started taking pictures...oy!

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  3. Garden looks great! Love the Iris and Allium.

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  4. Despite your lack of rain, everything looks fabulous! Funny, I planted a Geranium 'Ann Folkard' tonight. It's one of my favorites as well. Happy GBBD!

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    1. 'Ann Folkard' is amazing, Sue...that foliage and those blooms...yes!

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  5. If 'Standing Ovation' is the right name, it earns it. Wow! I just wish Iris blooms lasted longer. Love that Allium cristophii!

    I was hoping to have some Allium seedlings from my 'Purple Sensation', but I didn't notice any. I think I have about the same number as I did last year.

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    1. Me too, Alan...luckily, I seem to have lucked out getting a bunch of varieties with different bloom times, so I get a good 2-3 months of bloom altogether :-) I wish Allium seeded about more...I had a bunch of seedlings this year...but they seem to have shriveled up during our heat wave last week :-(

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  6. Love the alliums and the chicken portrait. Do you pinch agastache?

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    1. Ha...me too, David! Yes, absolutely pink Agastaches...especially the blue-flowered ones...keeps them shorter and bushier...and some of them really need that!

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  7. Beautiful pictures, as always. I love all the different Allium. I too have been disappointed that it's not tremendously reliable about coming up in successive years. My 'Purple Sensation' are just starting to open this week. I also have some larger ones, 'Globe Master,' I believe, which all have big buds, and I also tried, for the second year in a row, 'Moly Jeannine,' and, for the second year in a row, there's no sign of them yet. You are probably two weeks ahead of us here in northeastern Pennsylvania.

    So much to learn every time I pay you a virtual visit!

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    1. Glad to know it's not just me having bad luck with the Alliums...still, they are so pretty, I guess I'll have to plant them over and over...I can't quite give up that color!

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  8. hahaha! You know i've always been a fan of your photography, it's always a delight looking at them. Then i will linger and keep thinking 'how did he do this', what are his settings, etc, etc. The very simple and unattractive becomes so awesome and spectacular, and all of the shots are my envy. I was so serious throughout, then suddenly you drop that big surprise...you're amazing.

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    1. Hahahaha...I forgot about that picture of Boots, and when I stumbled on it while doing this post, I just had to use it ;-)

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  9. Your garden is looking fantastic. The Amsonia is really breathtaking, and combines so well with 'Purple Sensation'! So many gorgeous irises as well.

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    1. Thanks, Jason...Amsonia really do get better and better with age, don't they!

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  10. Your garden looks fabulous. I love every single one of your gorgeous Irises. I have a white Sanguisorba that flops, I thought maybe it wasn't getting enough sun with too many other plants all around it. I'm hoping it does better now that it's more out in the open. We'll see.

    Happy GBBD!

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    1. Glad to know it's not just me that has floppy Sanguisorbia...I'm giving these a try...but I'm not getting my hopes up ;-)

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  11. Wow, what a beautiful collection! I LOVE your irises, especially the purple-and-whites. LOL @ your dingy tissue description--definitely go with "aged Victorian wallpaper"! :)

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    1. Glad you like the Iris too...I'm such a fan of them :-)

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  13. Look at all the iris! I really need to bring in some iris again. It all looks wonderful, Scott.

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    1. They are fabulous, aren't they Denise...I keep adding more and more!

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  14. Seriously stunning pictures!!! Every bloom looks like I can reach out and touch it through the computer screen. Absolutely gorgeous!!!

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    1. Glad you liked it, Toni...I certainly enjoyed spending so much time taking the pics ;-)

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  15. Stellar as always, Scott! Your iris are so gorgeous, the allium geranium combination is way cool, and everything looks so good. You clearly have too much talent for one garden so you can always come work in mine!

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    1. Hahahahaha...be careful what you wish for, Peter ;-)

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  16. Stunning! I'm putting astrantia on my short list. And that chicken portrait made me laugh out loud. :)

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    1. You should...it's a great little plant that only wants moist soil and will thrive (and re-seed) handsomely!

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  17. You weren't kidding about your love of the iris were you? Wow! So many beauties. (that chicken looks to be giving you the stink eye)

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    1. Haha...guilty as charged...and yes, that hen was PISSED that I dared to disturb her!

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  18. Scott, such incredible iris! Wow! I can't believe you've got blooms on your Ann Folkard already. I'm so excited the blooms have begun. I always enjoy your bloom day posts. Cheers, Jenni

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    1. So excited you have 'Ann Folkard', Jenni...it's a fabulous plant with such a long season of interest...and such a nice habit.

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  19. And a Happy Bloom Day to you too! Spring may have been weird there (it certainly was here too) but also good to see how advanced the season is there already compared to here. So many beauties as usual!

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    1. I guess weird weather is pretty much the norm anymore, right...who knows what we're to expect in the future...eek!

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  20. I'm glad you spoke about Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve', I'd love to grow it but feared it needed more water than I was prepared to give it. Love all your Irises, I'm a newish convert to them - they grow so well for me in my very free draining soil that they are no bother at all and spread quite quickly. I've posted a few times about them during the last month. Love all your combinations with the Alliums too, they aren't reliable returners for me (they need more spring rain I think). We must have had all your rain this spring, it hardly seems to have stopped (that's not true, but that's what it feels like) Still can't seem to subscibe to see all your posts, any ideas what I might be doing wrong. I want to receive them by email if possible. Christina

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    1. It took me a while to figure out the Erysimum...it seems to want the opposite of what I want to give it! Hmmm...does the email subscription button thing up above not work? I 'll have to test it out...maybe it's buggy?

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  21. Absolutely gorgeous blooms right now! Love the amsonia (grow a few myself) and was truly impressed by the macros of the various aliums in your garden. Those photos made me want to go out to buy lots of them.

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    1. Alliums are such amazing plants...I want more and more of them...and the Amsonia is definitely a plant that needs to get settled in before it does much...but once it does it's amazing!

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  22. Beautiful pics! Love the irises. I'm growing more and more of these.

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    1. Aren't Iris amazing...can't get enough of them...just need more space to grow more ;-)

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  23. I am in awe of your fabulous photography skills!! I, too, have noticed I am missing quite a few of my alliums. Your iris are stunning!

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    1. Thanks, Heather! I know...I looked at photos of last year at this time, and I had TONS more Alliums...most of the 'Purple Sensation' from last year didn't reappear...so I guess I'll have to plant more this fall...BLURG!

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  24. Fabulous and beautiful pictures ! I love all... ♥♥♥

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  25. WOW! Breathtaking. I love those Alliums. They are gorgeous. I have to admit I get a little jelly when I see all the beautiful plants you can grow up North. I will just have to live vicariously through your blog:)

    Cheers from TX

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    1. Aren't Alliums amazing, Steph...I'm sure there are plants you can grow with ease that I would have no luck with...there's always something to yearn for, right ;-)

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  26. The iris have been beautiful here this year and yours are stunning. Guess what? I may be visiting Oregon in a few weeks!

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    1. I've been so pleased with the Iris this year...if only the weather had been slightly cooler, like usual, they would have lasted even longer...oh well! So excited you might be heading up to our neck of the woods, do stop by if you get the chance :-)

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  27. Superb photos as always--even your chicken photo is perfect--and the same thing here: 90'sF far earlier than usual, with the same reaction: ugh.

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    1. OMG...I do NOT envy you that weather...that's harsh!

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  28. Great garden and excellent photos! With the high temps and lack of rain, mosquitoes shouldn't be too bad I hope. I'll be in Portland next week actually, visiting lots of farms and gardens, including Oregon Perennial, Sebright Gardens, Raintree Tropical, Gossler Farms, The Rogerson Clematis Collection Botanical Garden, Buck Canyon Gardens... (that's my pared-down list.) Have I missed any? (besides yours lol)

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    1. OMG...that's the crazy part, Jean...the mosquitos are awful...I'm getting eaten alive this year! Hmmmm...if you get a chance, you should make the trip out to Joy Creek Nursery...it's my fave, and they have a beautiful display garden as well :-)

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  29. Hey Scott,

    What a lush display you have on your hands. I envy your visits to Schreiners. Don't recall seeing a post last year so I do hope you report this time. Your 'Standing Ovation is just marvelous. I got my favorite ever, the award-winning darkest blue 'Dusky Challenger' from them and most impressive iris I've ever seen. Try to scout out at your visit.

    Keep up the great work and imagery,

    Patrick

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    1. OMG, I should have linked to that post...it was a highlight of my year, Patrick...here it is!
      http://www.rhonestreetgardens.com/2012/05/schreiners-iris-garden.html

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  30. i'M WITH YOU ON THE aLLIUMS, BUT A COUPLE THAT COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR ARE THE DRUMSTICKS AND Siculum bulgarica (I guess no longer considered an Allium. Sorry, I didn't mean to shout...just hit the wrong button.

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    1. That's so true, Ricki, the Drumstick Alliums come back every single year...I need to plant more of them, for sure!

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  31. You have a beautiful garden and all of your flowers are looking gorgeous, but I especially like the irises. So many unique colors. I'm going to be looking for 'Standing Ovation'! My 'Rozanne' geraniums barely stopped blooming all year, and I don't mind if they decide to take over the whole bed. I really love their blue color!

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    1. This is definitely the time of year that the Iris shine, isn't it? And YES, I love 'Rozanne' and would be lost without her!

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  32. I'm not entirely sure what I was impressed with more - your Alliums or your Iris. They are all lovely, that's for sure.
    You've plenty of some of my favourite plants going on there and so many I just can't grow but love also. Agastache and Erysimum are two that I've struggled with and given up on!!
    I love that little ground hugging Persicaria - I turned down the chance to buy some previously but am on the look out for it again!
    Happy GBBD!

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    1. Hi Angie...believe it or not, I've passed on that Persicaria a few times, but it just caught me in the right mood this time and I'm super-excited to see how it does in my garden...I hope you can find it too :-)

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  33. Your photography throughout is just stunning. I am very envious. And that purple and white iris is gorgeous! (Well, all of your blooms are, really.)

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    1. Thanks, Dorothy...that's one of my new favorite Iris (although, they are all my favorite as they bloom)!

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  34. Your flowers are to die for! Love them, especially the amsonia along with the alliums - what a winning combo! I'm not familiar with knautia - will have to research it and see how it might perform in Memphis.

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    1. I think you'd like the Knautia, Beth...not sure how it would fair in Memphis. The heat wouldn't be a problem...but the Humidity might...give them a try, they are easy to grow from seed :-)

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  35. Your Irises are stunning! The purples are my favorites, all of them.

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    1. Me too, Nell, I'm such a sucker for ANYTHING purple!

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  36. Hi, Scott. First-time visitor - thanks for stopping by my blog. Your garden must be a real treat for your neighbours. You remind me - must plant more alliums. Here in the UK, ours haven't emerged yet and we're still damp and cold.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Helen! I can't believe how very cold you've been again this spring...this weather, ugh!

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  37. Hi Scott,

    It looks like your garden is really benefitting from all the crazy weather where a lot of others are suffering with crazy late snow etc etc.
    I do hope you get some rain soon though and like you, I also hope that our weather goes back to normal soon :)

    Beautiful photos, I love all your Iris; no sign of any here yet but at least the Alliums are beginning to open now :)

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    1. So true, gwirrel, and luckily, we've returned to our regular spring weather (THANK GOODNESS) just in time, as I was getting sick of watering so early...and having to turn on the a/c already! Granted, you are so right, it's far better than having all that snow and freezing temps that others have had to put up with!

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  38. Beautiful irises! It certainly has been a different spring from last year--I think we must have gotten all your rain this year. Sunny days to work in the garden have been few and far between. Your garden is full of lovely blooms already, and your photos are fabulous--love your cat especially:)

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    1. These past few years have had such crazy weather, haven't they, we poor gardeners (not to mention the plants) have no idea what to expect anymore!

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  39. I love the irises. I tried them in my garden but sadly they won't grow there.
    Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!

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    1. That's so sad, Rowena :-( I'm glad to share mine with you any day :-)

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  40. Scott your garden is magic...and your pictures are stunning...they are beautiful works of art...I adore allium and mine are just starting...I love how yours pop up soft and lovely...Happy Bloom Day and have a great weekend.

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    1. Aren't Alliums amazing, Donna...so glad others love them as much as I do :-)

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  41. Your Irises are better than mine! When I should find kind like in your garden? Chicken flower is nice. It's my favorite animal.

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    1. Thanks, Boriana! A lot of my Iris actually were here when I moved in, they were planted by the Previous owners. The newer Iris I got from Schreiner's Iris Farm outside of Salem, OR...they are a huge Iris breeder here!

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  42. Hi Scott, your garden is absolutely stunning!
    I'm so envious of your alliums. I planted 20 or so last year and mice have had the lot! In England, as Helen has said, it's still so cold and wet, I've just one Iris in bud. Yours are just fantastic. I love Astrantia too. I have Ruby Wedding about to flower, but Roma is doing nothing as yet.

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    1. That's so sad about your Alliums! I have to say, only a fraction of the ones I planted have actually come up...but I'm grateful for every one of them! Aren't Astrantias the best...at least they like the cool, wet weather :-)

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  43. Such a lovely garden and your photos are lovely. I can't get enough of those irises, I have made myself a note on my plant wish list, in big letters, FRAGRANT IRISES! I will get some this autumn, some of the colours you have are spectacular, makes my mixed Dutch collection of irises look pretty boring....
    Amazing to see your Geranium, 'Ann Folkard' in bloom, I bought mine last autumn and it has just started to develop some growth, flowers are weeks away, and flopping would probably be months away!
    Take care, Helene.

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    1. I think you would love those Fragrant Irises, Helene! A lot of them are the old-fashioned varieties, the blooms aren't as big as the newer ones...but the fragrance is DIVINE! 'Ann Folkard' was slow to get going for me...the first year or two, but now they are enormous!

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  44. Every time I read your blog for GBBD I say to myself "how does he cram all those plants into that plot?" And now, neighborhood chickens? I've only been to Portland, Oregon once and I was only in the downtown area (over 30 years ago). You are going to make me visit one day. My Dad was born and spent part of his life in Brooklyn (NYC). It was meant to be!

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    1. Hahahaha...I actually wonder that myself...it's a special tactic I call "crowdscaping" ;-)

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  45. You certainly maximize your space!. Great blooms for Bloom Day...as always.

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    1. Indeed, Layanee...I really need more space, though...I'm starting to cycle through plants!

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  46. Your gardens are off to a really good start despite your weather and you really outdid yourself with the photography in this post. I just got another new camera and am trying to get photos like these! I always so enjoy visiting. Happy GBBD!

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    1. Yay for your new camera...it's so fun, learning how to get the most out of a new camera!

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  47. Centranthus ruber is really something, and like you say, easy to grow! Allium and Amsonia...always an "ooh" for me.

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    1. It's super-easy, David, the only drawback is that it can often get infested by aphids...it doesn't outright kill them, but they do look dreadful for a bit.

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  48. Ha! Cute kitty pic at the end. Who doesn't appreciate photos of Alliums photographed with indirect light? Stunning! The 'Early Emperor'/Geranium combination is perfect!

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    1. Aren't Alliums the best...I never get tired of photographing them :-)

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  49. Your garden is already stuffed (not to mention your comment box) and it's only spring. What happens in summer???
    Ray

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    1. It gets even MORE stuffed, Ray! I actually am very careful in these spring posts to shoot from angles that don't show the bare grand (yes, there really is some)! Later on, it's totally wall-to-wall plants!

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  50. Happy Bloom Day to you! Our bloom this year is all over the map. Some early. Some late. All beautiful.

    See you next month.

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    1. So true...it's crazy this year, but, amazingly, still manages to be beautiful :-)

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  51. Hi Scott,
    You are definitely ahead of us. I love all of your blooms. You sure have some awesome colors of iris! I'm glad you showed the wider views as well. Your neighbors must really enjoy walking by your place. I hope some show their appreciation.

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    1. Thanks, Sue! Yes, amazingly, all of our neighbors (well, the adults, anyway) really seem to respect the garden and I've been happy that there has hardly been any vandalism, with a few exceptions.

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  52. Wow and wow! I think I need to retire so I can spend much more time playing in my garden and drooling over your blog pictures! I just discovered it and have only read this entry, but I'm hooked! I can't wait for my June trip to PDX!

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    1. Yay for trips to Portland...and June is a great time to visit!

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  53. I know I love your garden in late summer when all the grasses are swaying, but I have to say that this early-green-phase-with-flower-heads is pretty gorgeous! What I still don't quite get, even after a physical visit to Rhone Street Gardens, is how you get all those blooms into your limited space... The knautia and the astrantia are plants I'm never tempted to grow, yet you make me wonder - why not? Love your description of I.'Ominous Stranger''s color. I've had a few of those in life!!

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    1. I feel the same, Jane! While my heart will always gravitate toward the late-summer, early-fall abundance, the freshness of spring is intoxicating, isn't it! I try to just enjoy every last minute of it :-) My secret to fitting all these plants, magic ;-)

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  54. Wow what a diversity of plants you have Scott. I hope you excuse me for the bad english but it's more than 30 years ago since I learned it at school. I am jealouse (positive way) about your weather. Overhere we had only 2 beautiful days and now it's still cold, grey and rainy, but thats also the reason I think that is so green in my country. I am your latest follower and wish you a wonderful weekend.
    Gr. Marijke

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    1. Your English is absolutely fine, Marijke...better than mine, at times :-) I hope you get a good run of nice weather, soon :-)

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  55. You gardens are so full and lush compared to mine already. You have so much blooming and looking wonderful. Love the Iris. Been getting photos of my own here for next month's post.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. Hi Cher! Aren't the Iris amazing...and that's only the early and mid-season ones...I'm still looking forward to the late-season varieties...Viva Spring!

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  56. You have such an interesting diversity of plants Scott. I especially love all your iris - fabulous.

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  57. My goodness you have a lot of beauty going on in your garden. The Knautia is really cool, new to me too.
    Surprise in the chicken. I had to pause and look at that again, "yes, a chicken!"

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    1. Hahahaha...the chickens always catch me by surprise, little devils!

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  58. Everything looks so happy and gorgeous! I love all those blues and purples. That purple and white Iris is stunning. You must be in heaven every time you look outside.

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    1. You can definitely tell I'm a big fan of Purple, can't you!

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  59. Thanks for paying a visit to my blog! Your garden is just lovely. Also, I was excited to see the photo of centranthus ruber. One of my walking buddies has been trying to ID this plant without success. Thanks and great timing!

    I'm also a big fan of alliums, but so far none of mine have come back this year. I didn't realize it was a problem in other gardens as well. :) Maybe if I keep planting a few every fall there will be some that decide to stick around...I can hope, anyway.

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    1. Glad I could help with that flower ID, Linnae! I think that's exactly what I'm going to do about the Alliums too...always plant a few more, expecting that the ones from previous years might not be back.

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  60. Happy to find your Blog today. So wonderful your pictures! I want Astrantia, but it's still rare around here. Your garden is just gorgeous! Of course, I'm the newest follower:)

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Keity! Really, up until a few years ago, I never saw Astrantia for sale here, either! It's only recently that nurseries have started really stocking them :-)

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  61. Stunning! Garden and photos, both. Now I want to plant lots of iris and alliums and maybe some Byzantine glads.

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    1. Thanks, Amy...you should go for it...they don't take up too much room!

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  62. You have an amazing selection of blooms, and your photos of them are very well-done! I especially love the Alliums -- they remind me of fireworks, but made out of flowers. Hope you're having a great weekend, and a happy Bloom Day to you! :)

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    1. Exactly, Sarah! I actually did a post last 4th of July, comparing them to fireworks :-)

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  63. Beautiful photos. And so many blooms that I don't know! But I'm taking notes - so, thanks for introducing me to some new-to-me plants!

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    1. It's always a pleasure to share some new plants, Holley...glad you like them!

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  64. Wow, you get a lot of flowers out of a compact space. Your pictures are tack sharp too! I also like Allium a lot and the one that has caught my eye right now is Allium litwinowii which is developing nice deep blue flowers. I've ordered from Schreiner's many times in the past. It must be nice to go out to the fields and see them in person, though kind of overwhelming I would expect.

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    1. OOOOh...I've never heard of that Allium before...I'll have to look it up! Yes, Schreiners is completely overwhelming!

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  65. The flowers are great, of course, but that neat old neighborhood reminds me of my childhood. Norman Rockwellish for sure.

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    1. Thanks, Randy! Yes, I really like our little neighborhood...it's a little blue-collar enclave in the city :-)

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  66. Wonderful photos as always!
    Greetings from Estonia!

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  67. Your garden looks fabuloso. I'm putting Ann Folkard on my list - even if it does flop.

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