May long weekend.

Primula Vialii - Primrose Orchid in bloom.

The long weekend started out great. We took a three hour family bike ride on Saturday, along the Fort to Fort trail. Our son has a trailer behind my bike which enabled us to go on a long ride. It was around 32C / 89.6 F, so we made a Gelato stop after a slice of pizza.
Sunday was a day to relax under the gazebo, once our new wicker backyard set was put together. (many thanks to my husband.) I transplanted my tomatoes to their final homes. One had the honour of trying out the Topsy turvey II planter. It should be interesting to watch grow; as it's planted upside down.

By Monday rain was setting in.

The cooler weather has done wonders for last year's Viola.






'Harvest Red 'snapdragon is in
bloom.



This morning (back to school & work) we had a thunder and lightning storm that gave way to sunshine in the afternoon. The thunder was quite intense as I could hear the china rattle a few times. On my morning travels, I discovered a tea light lantern with dragonflies on it. Of course - I had to buy it!

Is it spring yet?

Looks like spring...


















The season is colder than normal ...
but there is colour.
Nemesia and diascia are sheltered some what on the front landing.









'Harvest red' snapdragon showing signs of the first flowers.








Impatiens, including the new Butterfly lavender variety, Hypoestes pink (polka-dot-plant) and Oxalis adenophylla . Plants that don't mind some shade, will happily grow on the wall near the gazebo.





And the verdict is... not sure, looks like a weed.

I believe Ralph Waldo Emerson noted "What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered."

Trying to stretch the garden season.

Today I took my son out to one of the local nurseries to get more plants.
Oh no! more perennials. Is this becoming a recurring theme? I am trying out mainly perennials with my evergreens. (in the front garden that is) I may leave annuals just for pots and hanging baskets next year.

Under the tree in the back yard the roots being very thick, forced my paving edgers out of line.(The tree is on a hill in heavy clay.) The only recourse, besides cutting the tree down was making a rock garden. Rocks were added to hold up what was left of the soil. I started planting the rock garden earlier in the spring. I pruned the Dusty miller and added a Spanish lavender Lavandula stoechas. The lavander has a pineapple shaped flower. (I like how silver, white and variegated leaves glow by the moon light) (The backyard faces east by the way)

I had a Dianthus 'Flashing Lights' (Deep red) which filled in nicely so I added another, a Dianthus 'Artic Fire'. ( white with a red centre)

Red Hen & Chicks Sempervivum 'Crimsonette', Dwarf Pincushion Flower Sabiosa columbaria 'Misty butterflies' (Lilac blue flowers), Sedum 'Angelina' (bright yellow foliage) and an Alyssum 'Mountain Gold' round out the bed.

Back to the front garden: I added 3 Cranesbill one is a (Geranium x Cantabrigiense) , Echevera's and Sagina subulata Irish moss a week ago. Today it's Ophiopogon planiscapus Black Mondo Grass, Echevera secunda in flower. (Red and yellow) I had some Sisyrinchium Blue-Eyed Grass beside the 'Extra Blue' Limber pine Pinus flexilis. a new trial is purple Primula x tommasinii called 'YOU and ME' in Purple. "It carries two pairs of identical flowers nested one inside the other" It's from Log House Plants in Oregon. I will post some pictures as they fill in.

Pictures from my garden

I have no formal training in Horticulture.
I garden for the sheer enjoyment of the hobby.


Black Viola ' Molly Sanderson'




'Green Zebra' tomatoes




Gaura 'Pink Cloud' in back garden
(top centre)



Calibrachoa 'Crackling Fire', 'Caribbean Sunset' & 'Callie Cream w/Eye.'

First Day

This is something new for me. I confess I like to talk, anyone who knows me can attest to the fact.
I hope at least some of what I do say is of some interest. Speaking of interests I enjoy Horticulture and long walks.

This year I tried a new plant Gaura Lindheimeri. It's a perennial with long flowering stems. The flowers look like tiny butterflies fluttering around. Very pretty, but needs some support in the garden as it grows to about 3 feet. It did great in a container and is still blooming. The one in my back garden is huge adding some needed height to the back.

I recently planted Cosmos atrosanguineus, dark chocolate scented cosmos. The flowers really do smell like dark chocolate in the hot sun. Who can resist! (Very hard to find though.) It's a tender perennial ,so if it takes the winter ok , I may see it again next year. We're Zone 8 here.

Black Viola's anyone? Another great perennial ( I seem to be into more perennials these days) I planted it around April and it's still blooming. I gave it a cut around June, so it's not too leggy. Hoping for more fullness next year. (takes a good 3 years I hear.)

Another fav is Calibrachoa. I like finding new colours. They bloom forever (at least until end of October here) if kept fertilized. I also plant tomatoes in pots every year. Not a good year - I did ignore them quite a bit (self watering pots helped) the result,very few tomatoes. A dozen or so Christmas grape cherries and a dozen Green Zebras. (there is next year!)