Don't Blink!

April, already! This is the time of year when you dare not blink or you'll miss something. Plants are waking up, stretching and smelling the coffee in the form of warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours. It is my favorite time of the year with everything still fresh and new and alive with promise. Except for my 'Chandler' blueberry plant which looks scary-sad. But we won't discuss that today. Instead we'll, enjoy the positive. 

Taking advantage of the "free shipping" in February, I purchased several plants from Annie's Annuals. Included in the lot was Eccremocarpus scaber 'Pink Lemonade'. Look! It has already started blooming! 

Eccremocarpus scaber 'Pink Lemonade'

It's still in a pot because I was worried about a late frost. With the predicted 85 degrees (F) predicted for Thursday, I'm thinking we might be finished with any cold threats for the season. So, where to plant it...

Boxed tulip bulbs from Winco (grocery store) last fall are vibrant and lovely and fabulous! 

This tulip has been in the garden for several years,
despite my consistently errant trowel.

One of my favorite shrubs, Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red' has been in my garden since 2001. It never fails to wow me with its fragrant, spring flowers. 

Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red'

Every year I have a little contest to see which of my rose bushes will bloom first. This year, the award goes to this little thing--Rosa chinensis 'Angel Wings'. I grew it from seed last year. It was surprisingly easy. 

Rosa chinensis 'Angel Wings'

The 'Angel Wings' rose bush, about 2 1/2 feet wide and tall.

Last year I purchased two of these cute, white-flowered Primulas for a shady border. They are performing really well. 

Primula sieboldii 'Late Snow'

My only surviving Loropetalum is blooming right on cue. I'm not sure which species it is. But it doesn't really matter because it's perty. 

Loropetalum sp.

I've also finally figured out how to grow all the new Daphnes being introduced to willing gardeners--leave them the **** alone!  No transplanting, no over-primping... just plant it and sit back.

Daphne x rollsdorfii 'Wilhelm Stacht' 

Only one new Clematis vine (so far this year). Typically I go for summer-blooming varieties, but this cute spring-bloomer had me at first sight.

Clematis alpina 'Constance'

I LOVE the genus Dianthus. Here is the first bloom of the year. I'm not sure which variety because I have so many. 

Dianthus sp.

Visiting my sister in Woodburn last month, I purchased this cute Viola at Al's Garden Center. It's super fragrant. Although it's a hybrid, I hope it will reseed and come true. 

Viola x  'Hip Hop'

Speaking of fragrance, oh goodie! It's almost time to perfume the room with Lily of the Valley blossoms. 

My containerized Lily of the Valley plants... Convallaria majalis

I'm loving the foliage on my 'Lemon Wave' Hydrangea.

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lemon Wave'

But, my favorite Hydrangea foliage is on Hydrangea 'O Amacha Nishiki'.

Hydrangea serrata 'O Amacha Nishiki'

I know Plume Poppy is a spreader but I love it anyway...

Macleaya cordata or Plume Poppy

Ultra-compact, Acer palmatum 'Ben Hime'

Persicaria runcinata 'Purple Fantasy'

I love the fuzzy foliage on this little Salix...

Salix nakamurana var. yezoalpina

I'm seeing 'Spotty Dotty' Podophyllum all over now. It wasn't that long ago when I thought it was "rare." Such a cool plant for the shade garden. 

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'

And now, lookie! Flower buds...

Look at all the white leaves on my Fatsia 'Spider's Web'

Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'

Fortunately I'm finally seeing some green on my hardy Banana. I was starting to think it was a gonner. 

Musa veluntia 'Dwarf Orinoco'

And now for some yard shots:

For about the past year or so I've been collecting river rocks. I really like green jasper or other green-hued ones. For now, they're making their new home right here along this border.

The White-Striped bug master.

The neighbor's dog Tucker.

I hope you're enjoying your gardens!

Blissful Confusion

Let me explain. When it was sunshine and cloudless, blue sky day in and day out--the typical Oregon summer--it was a given that I needed to religiously haul the hose around and provide much needed hydration for my plants. But then clouds rolled in and teased me with ideas of downpours and soggy soil. Empty promises, mostly. Despite the rainy-looking clouds, I'm still hauling the hose around. Just not as often.

Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy' in front of Calamagrosis x acutiflora 'El Dorado'

Dahlia 'Sayonara' I think

Dahlia 'Fatima'

Dahlia 'Mystic Dreamer'

Dahlia 'Wildcat'

Dahlia 'Ivanhoe'

Dahlia .... can't remember the name...
I like the variable petal colors.

See? Some of the flowers are pure white.

Here's another NOID... the petals are dark purple underneath and lighter up top.

It has nice form but I'm not sure if that color is bright enough (or pink enough) for me.

Dahlia 'Dutch Explosion' or is it?

Dahlia 'Juanita'
I love that this blossom is exactly like the pink one above,
only deep red.

Dahlia 'Otto's Thrill' I'm not sure if it's my thrill though...

Clematis 'Haizawa' has been blooming since June. 

I have been cutting off the seed heads and keeping the soil moist.
And this is my reward!

Clematis heracleifolia

Clematis heracleifolia

Epilobium fleisheri

Geranium pretense 'Double Jewel' and Leptodermis oblonga

Both are reblooming!

Pelargonium 'Apple Blossom' before the little bud worms took over

Fuchsia 'Olympics Sunset'

This is one of those impulse purchases. Obviously a double fuchsia which I don't typically
go for. But I love the colors. The name of it escapes me.
I hope it's hardy.

Fuchsia magellianica

Fuchsia 'DeBron's Black Cherry'

Fuchsia 'DeBron's Black Cherry'

Amaranth from my friend Annie

Pink Baby's Breath Gypsophilia repens 'Rosea' 

Four O'Clocks are going crazy this year. (Mirabilis jalapa)

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'

A few more blooms on this Loropetalum

Oreganum x 'Bristol Cross' has been blooming nonstop since June.
The bees love it.

The Asters are starting to bloom

Kiss-Me-Over-The-Gate (Polygonum orientale)

I'm very impressed with this Veronica that has been blooming nonstop since May.
Veronica spicata 'First Love'

I've pulled out most of my annual Impatiens glandulifera but a few low-growing
late-bloomers remain to satisfy the bees.

And of course it's time for the Sedums to bloom!

Last week, before the predicted rain was supposed to hit, I picked most of my
Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa' blossoms. 

However, I left the rest of my hydrangeas.
Here is Hydrangea macrophylla 'Glowing Embers'

Now I understand the reason for the name. This photo doesn't do it justice.

Here is Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky Winky'

 And now, for some garden shots:

Lots of amending to do in this border.

Look at my new scrap yard score! It's the lower part of a vintage, White sewing machine.

And finally, Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata) through the Seven-Son Flower's Trunks (Heptacodium).

I hope your garden is giving you many late summer pleasures!