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.

April 15, 2013

Bloom Day - And It's a Busy One

     Even though this is the first spring in 16 years in which I am not working 6 days a week, there has been little time for blogging. When the weather is good and I have the energy, I am in my garden, and it is such a nice change to have that time in spring. I am also trying to get ready for a tour that is coming to see my garden next month, which has put much on my to-do list.  When the weather isn't nice or it's dark out, my computer time has been spent working on a new kayaking blog, which has not been formally launched yet, but you can check out the progress by clicking the link in my sidebar. I also now have a regular writing gig in Virginia Gardener magazine, and it is taking up more time than anticipated,  In late March I started the Virginia Master Naturalist training program, which I am loving, but it involves class time and field trips. We also have a new canine member of the house, Isabel the Plott Hound, and though we love her, she is not quite ready to be left unattended for long periods of time.  However, I did find time to take some photos of the garden this weekend, and to come up with a Bloom Day post.

Rhododendron x 'Red Ruffles' (Red Ruffles Azalea)
Rhododendron x 'Red Ruffle'

Corydalis heterocarpa var. japonica
Corydalis heterocarpa var. japonica

Stachyurus praecox ''Mitsuzaki'
Stachyurus praecox ''Mitsuzaki'

Viburnum x juddii (Judd Viburnum)
Viburnum x juddii (2)

Viburnum macrocephalum (Chinese Snowball Viburnum)
Viburnum macrocephalum

Euphorbia helioscopia (Madwoman's Milk) is an invasive weed that blooms late winter to early spring, but I do love the color.
Euphorbia helioscopia

Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'
Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'

Hyacinthoides hispanica (Spanish Bluebells)
Hyacinthoides hispanica (3)

Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Phlox subulata (2)

Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' (Redbor Kale)
Brassica oleracea 'Redbor'

Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl'
Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl'

My Camellia japonica 'Cherries Jubilee' has so many flowers on it right now, it is almost touching the ground from the weight of all the blooms.  It has been a remarkable year for camellias in this area.
Camellia japonica 'Cherries Jubiliee'

This is the first year I have grown Calendula officinalis (Pot Maridgold). This cultivar is 'Costa Orange' that was left over from some we grew at work.
Calendula officinalis 'Costa Orange'

I know you all are probably sick of seeing this quince (Chaenomeles x 'Hime') in each Bloom Day post, but it has bloomed each month since November of last year.
Chaenomeles x 'Hime'

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' (Forest Pansy Eastern Redbud)
Cerics canadensis 'Forest Pansy'


Under the Redbud


Tulips on the Side

Canis domesticus 'Penny' and 'Isabel'
Penny and Isabel

If you want to see what is keeping other gardeners busy this spring, then you should visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who hosts Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th of each month.

31 comments:

  1. Lots of beautiful blooms!
    Cute pups, too!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

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  2. Great blooms Les! Do you find Hyacinthoides hispanica invasive there? In the pacific northwest, it is a thug. I've really enjoyed seeing your quince bloomig its head off all winter & will look for one to plant in my own garden! Congrats on your new additon and on your new gig! Isabel looks like a sweetheart!

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    1. Hyacinthoides is not a thug here, but it is vigorous and does spread. I have deliberately planted some on the city's right-of-way next to my house, hoping it will spread.

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  3. Stachyurus praecox ''Mitsuzaki' is a new one to me...looks fabulous!

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    1. It is fabulous. I have attempted to prune it in such a way that it drapes over my pond.

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  4. So much glorious colour, I am glad you found time to share it, given how crazy-busy you are with all your new ventures. I love that Corydalis, and the shot of the blossom on the 'Forest Pansy' is heart-stoppingly beautiful. Happy GBBD, hope your new canine companion soon settles in.

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    1. I really like the Corydalis as well, but it is very prolific, maybe even promiscuous.

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  5. Les, you have sooooooo much going on in your garden and your life. I think this is the first time I've ever seen your pond. Oh, I decided take your advice and increase the number of Camellias in the garden. I added three new ones last week. :0)

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    1. I wish I had more room for camellias. Between the sasanquas and japonicas, and the early, mid and lates - I have had them blooming since November.

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  6. Great shot of the redbud against the sky. You sure are keeping busy!

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    1. All of the redbuds in this area are looking good this year. I am not sure why, but I am not complaining.

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  7. Zounds! Beautiful hounds!
    The Corydalis looks great too!

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    1. I love my hounds. My son wanted to know if I would ever consider another type of dog, to which I quickly said no.

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  8. So many wonderful blooms! Redbud is always one of the highlights of spring, and yours are lovely. The pot marigold and Spanish bluebells are particularly beautiful as well.

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    1. For years the redbud was plagued with brown scale. I was finally able to get rid of it, and the tree has thrived.

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  9. But what a quince! Hope to see it again next month too. I hear Virginia has an awesome Master Naturalist Conference in April each year...maybe I'll see you there sometime, but not this month.

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    1. I don't know about the state, but I am loving what I am learning from my chapter. So far the most interesting training program I have had was on entomology, which surprised me how much I was fascinated. Now I want to know more.

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  10. I always go crazy when I see all your blooms! Last year with our incredibly warm spring, our Forest Pansy bloomed for the first time. Don't think it will happen again but we grow it for the leaves so that's OK. And I simply can't imagine a quince blooming for months. We live for the couple of weeks ours flowers. I am clearly living in the wrong climate.

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    1. I am sure your climate has its charms, I have seen your husband's lovely photos as evidence.

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  11. I love the lovely Pot Maridgold.. Great shot, stunning images.

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    1. I planted the Calendula in late fall, it is a winter annual here. I know I will add more next year a companion to the pansies.

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  12. Les,
    Do you happen to know the the cultivar epithet of the creeping flox?

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    1. I wish I could tell you, but that is one of the few plants I kept that was planted by a previous owner.

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    2. I can't believe I spelled that with an "F"! Sorry... I was wondering because it is similar to mine. I was able to identify mine this week though and it's 'McDaniel's Cushion' :0)

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  13. We are all clearly living in the wrong climate. My garden is mostly brown, so I had to zoom in quite close to come up with anything for blooms day, let alone an overly abundant quince. Happy blooms day.

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    1. Brown is a color too, and I know your spring will be here before you know it.

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  14. I'm a few days late stopping by, but I wanted to let you know that everything looks great!!

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  15. Awwww, such cuties! I notice the dogs in a lot of your pictures. Wow on the camellias! I bet you are enjoying the not so overload work now.

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  16. Oh Les. So lovely. I can't wait for spring.

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  17. You have been busy. I wish I had taken the Master Naturalist Class in VA. The one here is based an hour away...field trips are further.
    Lovely blooms.

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