The tag on this viburnum, which I purchased in the fall for its vibrant red foliage, claimed it was ‘Pink Beauty’ and the photo bore that out. I was pleased as punch when these white snowflake flowers appeared instead, but now I am in the dark about what to call it.
The deer like it too, They did quite the pruning job before I noticed and sprayed it with my foul smelling spray. They are in for a surprise the next time they visit the salad bar.
I say this a lot, but Saxifraga geum dentata is here purely for the leaf shape. The dusting of fairy wand flowers is welcome, though. Thanks Loree.
Lily-of-the-Valley, Convallaria majalis, multiplies rapidly. In this study in green, I like the way the textures play together: frothy juniper top left, anemone ‘Honorine de Jobert’ top right, with the smooth swords of the Lily-of-the-Valley coming up through a carpet of baby tears. In another year’s time there should be plenty to pick a highly fragrant bouquet and keep the sparse look of flowers as punctuations.
A welcome touch of blue is added here and there by Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’. I use it extensively because it is a tough and rapidly spreading ground cover. It has even volunteered in our so-called lawn.
A no-name red bargain Rhody is finally coming into its own, set off by a carpet of Acaena inermis ‘Purpurea’.
It’s hard to capture the red-orange sparkle of Helianthemum ‘Henfield Brilliant’, but I’m including it anyway because I love it so.
More fireworks come from Euphorbia ‘Fire Charm’.
May is iris season. This one is ‘Immortality’.
The blushing Iris is ‘Beverly Sills’, flanked by NOID bronzy numbers and some Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’. I tend to use the fence line as kind of a testing ground for new iris varieties, then introduce them into beds and borders (always thinking about next year).
It’s hard to resent buttercups’ invasive ways when they so cheerfully dot the grass between mowings. This from one who spent two whole days fighting back their onslaught into borders with no end in sight. If gardening is the slowest art form, this might have something to do with it. May is exploding with colorful blossoms, but I will quit here and send you on over to May Dreams Gardens for more…much more.
That viburnum looks an awful lot like the one I have, which is Viburnum plicatum var. Watanabe. It’s pretty, whatever it is!
It all looks great, Ricki. I swear your ‘Fire Charm’ Euphorbia is a dead ringer for my ‘Great Dixter.’ Do you think the plant breeders have been fooling us?
I need to plant my Saxifrage soon. The pot they’re in is getting crowded. They’re such cool plants, aren’t they?
I love your “Study in Greens.” My Lily of the Valley is also contained and needs to be let loose. However, the buttercups under my pear tree, just the opposite. They’re planning to take over the world. 🙂
Enjoy the sunshine.
I am so glad to see the Saxifraga geum dentata is doing great in your garden. I was afraid mine got trampled in the privet removal but now see it’s fighting back like a champ.
Surely that bloom does not go with that Euphorbia! If not, to whom does it belong? Your viburnum is quite the mystery – looks like it’s got some lacecap hydrangea in its parentage.
Heather~Hah! I have one of those in the woodland (is it doublefile?) but it never gets the flaming fall foliage color. Maybe that’s a result of too much shade.
Grace~ I planted a start of Great Dixter right next to Fire charm, so maybe there’s a combo going there with little to distinguish one from the other.
Buttercups must have gone to the same school as kudzu.
Alison~You’ve been going great guns, so no wonder you have run out of room. Time to get rid of more lawn?
Beth~The peony/iris combo was a bit of an accident, but I do like it.
Loree~I have so many things from you that are thriving. Maybe you deserve a post.
Sarah~I have a couple of other Viburnums with the lacecap type flowers. What do you mean about the Euphorbia? I guarantee you that is its flower.
Love the saxifrage! That viburnum does look like some kind of Viburnum plicatum. I’m sorry you have to deal with deer, too. They defoliate my Viburnum davidii every winter, though it leafs out just fine in spring. I wish deer would learn to read so they can read the lists of plants that are supposed to be deer resistant!
Evan~Each new season brings deer with different tastes so it’s just about impossible to second guess them. Good thing they’re so entertaining.
Wendy~Welcome back…haven’t seen you here in a while.