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A new shipment of statuary has
arrived. This is from one of the best manufacturers in the US. The
stuff holds up brilliantly.
14th Dec 2006 |
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One of the new poinsettia's
available. I visited the PA growers trials to check out some new
varieties. Visit my blog for more info
12th November 2006 |
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One of the most impressive
foliage plants for your garden. Fothergilla gardenii
12th November 2006 |
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This the Tradescantia called
Sweet Kate. It looks gorgeous in the spring with bright yellow
leaves and stunning blue flowers. It has returned to such a state.
I'm gradually spreading it underneath a forsythia.
6th September 2006 |
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One of the best shrubs for late
colour. This is the hybrid Hibiscus Diane. It's the beginning of
September and only a quarter of the flowers have opened. I think
this a year we will have flowers on it in October.
6th September 2006 |
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The Pennisetum Hamlin. One of
the most popular fountain grasses for a smaller area. It looks
great in the winter months too. There are even some smaller
varieties for the rock gardens.
6th September 2006 |
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Here you can see the Sweet
Autumn clematis in flower at the garden center. Here you can see
that there are two varieties growing here. They are a little mixed
up in the trade. 6th
September 2006 |
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A very interesting mix.
Rudbeckia Goldsurm, Amsonia hubrechii. Ilex verticillata and Itea
viginica. All kinds of things will be happening when it gets colder.
6th September 2006 |
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Destined to be a garden classic.
The geranium Rozanne is in full flower in my garden. I some times
have to gather up it's straggly branching. An occasional trim will
keep it in full flower well in to October.
6th September 2006 |
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A sultry color mix. The purple
is from Eupatorium "Chocolate" and the pink from a summer phlox (I
don't know which one) In the fore ground we have a daylily Merle
Kent which more flower buds than other varieties. In the back
is a green Amsonia. It has already flowered but will turn a
wonderful yellow color in the fall.
5th August 2006 |
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One of the mega Oriental Lilies
I have been using in the landscape. Once I have prevented rodent
damage. I can now enjoy an ever increasing display each year. Did I
mention the word fragrance? Fragrance. These are amazing scent
machines. Watch the orange pollen they will turn you orange if you
touch it. You shouldn't stick your nose too close!
5th August 2006 |
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A nice combination of the
geranium Rozanne and the taller Russian sage. Blues are are
excellent shades for the hotter months. These two will continue
flowering until late fall.
5th August 2006 |
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A much neglected beast. Amsonia
salicifolia. It's the size of a large shrub. It seems to be deer
resistant. It has a milky sap that repels eating. It has lovely
light blue flowers in the spring and turn a warm yellow orange in
the fall. 5th August 2006 |
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Peachies pick is a wonderfully
compact stokesia from down south. It is very hardy and doesn't flop
all over the place like the typical ones. I highly recommend it.
5th August 2006 |
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Our second shade house is
crammed full of the best hydrangea you can buy. Whether it's the
early flowering wood hydrangea Annabelle or the later paniculata's,
we have something special for your garden
5th August 2006 |
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Does it does it not work? This
is a trap I set up in the summer months to catch the gypsy moth
caterpillars as they returned up the trunk after being knocked off
during storms.. It caught some of the them and slowed the rest so I
cold knock them off. 5th August 2006 |
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My son Toli showing you
the size of the large perennial hibiscus flowers. This one is called
Kopper King and it's flowers are nice but its foliage is brilliant.
We are trying a new one this year called Fireball.
5th August 2006 |
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The second year for these rose
towers. We have all kinds of clematis climbing up them. I have them
in a cluster of three. It creates a gothic feel to this heavily
planted area. The towers are quite visible in the winter garden
8th July 2006 |
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After a few years grow these
clematis can be quite rampant. I have two purple varieties growing
here. This year I cut them down almost to ground level. There is a
rose at the bottom but it is recovering from some winter damage.
Clematis climb by using their leaves petiole to twin around things.
The more open the structure the easier it is to keep them maintained
well. 8th July 2006 |
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Here's an unexpected
combination. T In the back ground we have a clump of Spanish
bluebells. In the fore ground a planting of the hosta June
(With a little deer nibbling visible) The blues, turquoises and
yellows all seem to work together nicely.
June 20th 2006 |
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The start of my curved perennial
bed. It's quite clear that the border is full of perennials...What
isn't clear is just how full this bed becomes in a matter of weeks.
I have lots of variegated plants. The pallida iris and the
variegated feather reed grass are in this picture. Colorful foliage
can be vital to activate you garden well be fore the main flowering
starts. 10th June 2006 |
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This is the Woodside Columbine.
It's noted for is wonderful foliage as much as its flowers. In the
shade garden it can really bring things alive. This aquilegia will
seed itself freely and many of the seedlings being true to kind. I
would highly recommend this English import.
2nd June 2006 |
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I have to say that the
Rhododendron Ken Janeck is something very special. The flower buds
are pink red when they open. The fade to pink and then , eventually
a pure white. Talk about dynamic!
See picture below for pink
blooms.
2nd June 2006 |
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The low growing thymes are a
wonderful ground cover when there is plenty of drainage. I plant in
a mixture of 50% grit to ensure drainage. This is
especiallyimportant in late winter and early spring.
2nd June 2006 |
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Variegated foliage at its
best with Brunnera "Jack Frost".The flowers are very similar to
forget me nots! The foliage remains brilliant all summer.
18th May 2006 |
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The American dogwood remains one
of the most beloved trees. Unfortunately there is an anthracnose
disease that is causing major problems. You need to give the tree
the best soil and location possible to avoid this disease problem.
18th May 2006 |
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This is my front garden with a
whole mix of things going on. We have a blend of foliage and
flowering plants so the landscape remains vibrant all season.
18th May 2006 |
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8th May 2006
Dark purple with bright
yellow will create a color contrast that lasts all summer. The
purple leaves combine beautifully in our car park with the bright
gold of the Princeton Gold's Norway maple! |
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One of the best Yak rhodos. This
Ken Janeck and here he is is my front garden. The buds open red and
fade gradually to white. There is always a lot going on at one time.
The shrubs stay under three feet in Height.
18th May 2006 |
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Fresh from a local craftswoman.
Here are this year's supply of alpine troughs. Each one is different
and can be planted in a range of styles.
11th May 2006 |
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At the back is the classic
Sargent's Crabapple. It's a low broad variety. Sargent's flower
heavily every second year. They get covered with bright red fruit in
the fall. It's very attractive and a good source of food for birds.
11th May 2006 |
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The
Armeria or Sea thrift looks great growing in between rocks.
This variety has a darker leaf and pink flowers. White varieties are
available. 11th May 2006 |
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A view of my back yard, with
crabapple and Japanese maple splendid in the back ground. The front
perennial border is starting to emerge from dormancy.
11th May 2006 |
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This
tiny little creeper is a form of veronica. The light blue flowers
look great next to the grey fuzzy foliage,
11th May 2006 |
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I can see why Sunningdale
variegated Astrantia (Masterwort) is such a collector's item. It
just jumps out of the shade garden in spring and it has not even
flowered yet! 11th May 2006 |
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This is the Jack Frost Brunnera
in full flower. Look above and see the flowers become less
important. The foliage expands rapidly and makes quite a statement
in the shade garden. 11th May 2006 |
Time to prune the Forsythia.
Don't be shy if you do it now it will look great next spring
too! |
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Every year our display of
Leucojeum gets more and more impressive. Even though we divide
the clump on a regular basis it gets bigger and bigger. This is my
kind of plant! 11th May 2006 |
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The Royal Star magnolia looked
fantastic this year. The flowers can be damaged by late frosts. No
such trouble this year. The centennial variety flowers a little
later and is cold hardy to zone 4.
11th May 2006 |
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It's lilac time at my home. The
French lilacs have a urge to move everywhere. I have kept this one
relative small (12feet) by removing a third of old wood each year.
It's paid dividends this year as the flowers are everywhere.
5th May 2006
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The single variety of Kerria
japonica. This year has produced a bumper crop of flowers. The
singes are much better behaved in the garden. The pleniflora variety
suckers everywhere. There is a nicely compact variegated form
'picta" 3rd May 2006 |
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This is a view from my kitchen
Window. The forsythia has been in flower for weeks now. The purple
sand cherry adds a little pink and the ornamental cherry adds a bit
of vertical white. I love this time of year as there is so much
transparency in the garden.
3rd May 2006 |
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The oriental poppies are
growing rapidly. Plant them now for some amazing spring displays.
Remember that the plants die down in the summer leaving room for
something else. Brilliant!
27th April 2006
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I have a beautifully shaded
deck. I use a lot of hosta in containers to decorate it. I over
winter the plants by mulching them in my vegetable plot.
Much less work than annuals.
27th April 2006 |
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I planted some small lamium
under my pin oak. It's shay and dry and they are doing very well.
The flowers will follow soon.
27th April 2006 |
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The leaves of the pulmonaria
make a wonderful carpet. The blue and pink flowers can be
spectacular in the garden
27th April 2006 |
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One of the best new
introductions in recent years. The is Jack Frost. The leaves remain
fabulous all summer. The flowers remind me of forget me nots.
S27th April 2006 |
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The smaller hybrid magnolias can
fit into any landscape. This variety at my home is Betty. We sell
Jane as well. Jane has more pink in the flower. Both will only grow
to 12-15 feet.
27th April 2006 |
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Terracotta and Frost don't
mix very well. I forgot to bring this one in. See what a mild PA
winter can do. 25th March 2006 |
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to explode. Remember to cut back immediately they finish flowering
for a nice display next spring. Don't prune them late.
29th March 2006 |
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We had this Witch
hazel flower in Autumn as well as here in Spring. When it gets cold
the flowers are able to retract a bit.
29th March 2006 |
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these crocus bulbs are truly beautiful. It's funny how they pop up
in all kinds of unexpected places as you transplant things around
your garden. 10th April 2006 |
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A bank of Siberian squill.
This year the display is better than ever. We have massive
drifts all over our woodland walk.
11th April 2006 |
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willow become more and more fuzzy as the age.
11th April 2006 |
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The bones of our landscape
are revealed with the beautiful branching of the Japanese maples.
11th April 2006 |
| Down at Callaway Gardens,
Georgia to shot a new series of the Victory Garden. Here Joe Lamp'l
(DIY Channel) Stops me from Committing Crepe Murder!
www.VictoryGarden.org
www.JoeGardener.com
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Joe and I had a lot of fun
investigating southern gardening.
Watch the new series of the
Victory Garden to see all the action. |
| This forsythia has looked
fantastic for at least 3 weeks now. The yellow is gorgeous. With all
spring flowering shrubs, prune directly after the flowering has
stopped. You will get a much better display next year.
25th April 2006 |
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