An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

June 15, 2012

Bloom Day: Two Flies in the Ointment

This month's Bloom Day has been kind of odd here at A Tidewater Gardener.  On the one hand, an extremely mild winter and abundant recent rains have meant that I have a lot to show right now.  On the other hand, parts of my garden are a mess.  Sometime in early May work began on my street replacing perfectly good, 100 year-old granite curbing so that the corners comply with ADA guidelines (I will not say what I think about this).  I called the contractor to find out how long I had to get my plants moved, and was told about a week.  So I dug and potted everything I wanted to keep and put the plants on the porch for what I thought would be a temporary stay - that was over a month ago. Then as some of you know, there was an automobile accident in front of the house in early June, with one of the cars ending up in my garden.  When the car was pulled out, many of my plants came with it.  Why couldn't the scene of the accident and the future construction zone have been one in the same?

This has been an especially prolific spring for two of my favorite plants, hydrangeas and daylilies.  Before we look at those two, let's see what else is blooming.

Verbena bonarensis and Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'
Verbena bonarensis and Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'

Gardenia jasminoides 'August Beauty'
Gardenia jasminoides 'August Beauty'

Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed)
Pontederia cordata

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
Echinacea purpurea

Lantana 'Miss Huff'
Lantana 'Miss Huff'

Clivia miniata
Clivia miniata

Betty Boop Rose with Red Cascade Below
Rosa 'Betty Boop'

Now some hydrangeas. First up is Annabelle (H. arborescens 'Annabelle').
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' and Acanthus mollis

H. macrophylla 'Ayesha'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha'

'Bluebird'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bluebird' (2)

'Frau Kinue' (Angel Robe)
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Frau Kinue' (Angel Robe)

'Mariesii'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii'

'Sungoddess'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Sun Goddess' (2)

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Sun Goddess'

Here are the daylilies (I'll name if I know 'em). This is 'Smoky Mountain Autumn'.
Hemerocallis 'Smoky Mountain Autumn'

'Milk Chocolate'
Hemerocallis 'Milk Chocolate'

Hemerocallis (Unknown to Me) (3)

Hemerocallis (Unknown to Me)

Hemerocallis (Unknown to Me) (2)

'House of Orange'
Hemerocallis 'House of Orange'

Thank you once again to Carol of May Dreams Garden for hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, held on the 15th of each month. You should pay her a visit.

23 comments:

  1. We went through getting new curbs too. They also put in a new asphalt road a few years back at the same time. This is the cause of our Norway Maple decline on our street. Six trees fell down since. So I know why you might feel bad about the new curbs. Things will never be the same. I love all your photos for June. It is such a good month for blooms. Happy GBBD, Les.

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  2. Dealing with city officials is always a headache. The hydrangeas are beautiful. Mine have been great this year too but unfortunately, I haven't had time to get out and take photos.

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  3. Dealing with city officials is always a headache. Your hydrangeas are beautiful. Mine are nice this year too, I just haven't had time to get out and take photos.

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  4. The flowers are lovely, of course, but I want to tell you how much I appreciate your skill as a photographer. These are simply stunning shots, beautifully composed and skillfully executed. I couldn't be more drawn to them if they were photos of food!

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  5. I could almost smell the gardenia from your photo! And you highlighted several of my old favorites: the lace cap hydrangeas, and Black & Blue salvia. Last of all, I surprised myself by falling for your Smoky Mountain Autumn daylily. Beautiful photos of gorgeous flowers, all. Thanks for sharing them.

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  6. Outstanding photography here... I adore all Hydrangeas and you have the most interesting day lilies.

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  7. I have to echo Michael's comment. Incredible photos... You really are talented. Chin up, by next spring you won't even be able to tell any damage was done to the garden.

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  8. Despite the mishap and the construction, your garden is looking very colorful, Les. The hydrangeas are all pretty, but I was especially taken with 'Frau Kinue'. The wide range of daylilies are also terrific.
    Unlike your area, we have had little rain here in Ontario. We will soon see how that has effected the flowers on our hydrangeas and daylilies.

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  9. The color and detail you capture in those hydrangeas is amazing. Are you holding the camera or using a tripod? The colors are just stunning.

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  10. Love the hydrangeas. Now that I have a deer fence I can finally put in hydrangeas. I added 'Bluebird' H. serrata this spring and the flowers are coming out pink. I didn't think this was the species of hydrangea with the pink blue thing. I also planted 'Preziosa' and absolutely adore it. What an amazing habit.

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  11. Love the day lilies Les -- especially the first one.

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  12. There's something so cheerful about big, floppy Annabelle Hydrangeas, and yours looks like a fine specimin.

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  13. You have hydrangea heaven there. Oh, to grow 'Ayesha' but alas, not here so I will enjoy yours. Lovely blooms all.

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  14. Thanks for the beautiful tour Les. You know accidents happen in threes. Whoops, didn't mean to make fun of your troubles. he he.
    The blues are mighty fine.

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  15. Hi Les,
    I was with the garden club group that visited Smithfield a couple of weeks ago. Everyone really enjoyed your lecture on trees. Your hydrangea and day lilies are beautiful but I must comment on your blooming Bears Breeches 'Acanthus mollis' This year I have three bloom stalks also, however, it's the first time this plant has bloomed for me and I've had it for over 4 years! Your garden looks beautiful. Vikki

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  16. I really like the dark day lilies, such rich colors. My Clivia is blooming now too...which I found surprising -- thought they were to bloom in October time frame.

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  17. Needless to say, your garden is beautiful, and you have made your thoughts about the new curbs abundantly clear :-)

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  18. Not an easy spring Les. I'm terribly sorry. My husband is a contractor, and we're often amazed at what the government will do to comply with ADA. I have seen perfectly good and new brick sidewalks replaced with stamped, colored concrete (which will heave with our weather.) My mom is handicapped so I like a lot of the ADA, but some of it, 'er no. Also, contractors are notorious for time lags. Sometimes, it's their fault. Other times, not. Your hydrangeas are sublime. I wish I could grow more of them successfully. Not enough shade.

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  19. I love your hydrangea and lilies :) The garnet colors are stunning!

    Happy Gardening!!

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  20. The sun goddess and the milk chocolate are my two favorites of this fabulous colorful series! I must admit I love them all.

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  21. Your blue hydrangeas are beautiful, although my favorite shot is of Annabelle with the. Bear's Breeches.

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  22. I'm with some other posters -- beautiful photos of beautiful flowers and plants, but the Acanthus mollis is the star of the show!

    As always, thanks for sharing.

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  23. Beautiful pictures and the layout is great!

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