Dancing Oaks...Just a Few More Photos

IF YOU DON'T MIND, I thought I'd share a few more photos from my jaunt through the garden paths and greenhouse aisles of Dancing Oaks.

I took this photo in the tropical greenhouse. I'm not sure, but this could be a Fuchsia. 

I just love these guys creeping over the rocky edge. 

Isn't this little thing a cutie pie? 

These little Shooting Stars were in a trough hiding under a Japanese Maple. 

I don't know why I never think to write anything down. I'm guessing this is an
Agave, right, Loree? 

Astrantia--this is for you, Scott. I know you said you couldn't make it
to Dancing Oaks so here you go. 

A pretty bi-colored Iris hidden within the Pulmonaria. 

The upper ponds. 

I'm wondering if this is Dictamnus or Gas Plant before the flowers have opened.
Does anyone know? 

I'm not positive but this might be a Darmera peltata. The leaves on mine are slightly different so I'm not sure.

A tree peony, past its prime but still pretty.

Cool pots!

I love Dogwood blossoms. These were really small and oh so delicate. 

Finally, can anyone ID this plant? The tag below is for a neighboring one.
I looks a lot like a hardy geranium but, I'm not sure and Fred was otherwise occupied thanks
to a hefty turnout that day.

Fortunately, there is a lot going on in my own garden these days. The roses and honeysuckles are beginning to bloom and the fragrance is wonderful. I'll probably post photos next time, unless I get strong-armed into going to another nursery, which is highly likely since I'm such a sucker. 

Is It Almost June?

Despite the increasingly pervasive chill in the air, my plants seem impervious and happy. I could learn a thing or two from them, couldn't I? 

The Jupiter's Beard is beginning to bloom. 

 Clematis 'Multi-Blue' is putting on a nice show. 

 Clematis 'Nellie Moser' is putting out her first blooms. 

 Clemmy 'Josephine' looks mighty fine. 

I'm doing a cheer for Erysimum 'Constant Cheer.' 

Silene has a sunny disposition.

Silene and Allium make a nice duo. 

 Astrantia and Anthriscus, also a handsome duo, if I do say so myself. 

Spring Bloomers

The rain is back today after a nice stretch of sunny, warm weather so I can't really complain. Besides I'm not suffering from tornadoes as so many are. My sympathies to those who are affected. I thought I'd share a few of my May bloomers.

 Phlox asurgens 'Wagon Wheel' is a creeping phlox. I keep it in a container. 

It puts out its main bloom in May and then sporadic bloom throughout the summer. 

 Thalictrum aquilegifolium is a spring bloomer with great foliage. 

I like how it reseeds. 

 Syringa x 'Tinkerbell' is just finishing up. I was blessed by its sweet fragrance. 

 I photographed this a few posts ago but couldn't resist a repeat photo. 

I just love this Jacob's Ladder. No fragrance, Catherine but it's got everything else. 

 Heucherella 'Sun Spot' 

 Native Bleeding Heart [Dicentra sp.] 

 A native iris blossom. 

 My very first rose of the season, 'Therese Bugnet'

 Solomon's Seal

 My first blossom of pink California Poppy. 

 Verbascum. Ooh I love these!

 More Verbascum. 

 Variegated Weigela. Btw, this plant makes a splendid, fragrant cut flower.

I've got some next to me right now. Yum! 

 Lewisia cotyledon 

 Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' is a Zone 8 perennial and blooms nonstop. 

 These are just some overwintered snaps that were in a pot I purchased at a garage sale. 

 Geranium 'Samobar' 

And finally, Argyranthemum

Before and After

If a person [me] is going to show an improved island bed, she must first swallow her pride, [mine] and show the icky "before" photos. She must allow people to see her imperfections. Her warts. Her foibles...

Here's what this bed looked like last August.  

 This bed is a mess. No definition, no purpose. Just a mass of plants, true? 

  In case you're not convinced, here's another angle. 

Don't you just want to grab a trowel and start digging? 

 Blah, blah, blah...

 This is the opposite side of the island bed. It's a tiny bit better. Maybe. 

 And one more angle. I'm just mortified. But you know how it goes? 

Sometimes the inspiration just isn't there. Until now. 

 I dug out the weeds and many of the overgrown plants. Added a few elements. 

 I planted up a vintage wooden army ammo case that I got at a garage sale for $5 a year ago. 

 I dug the ornamental grass out from this round container and added it to the ammo case. 

I left the Spiraea, on the left, and the creeping Dianthus, right. 

Added an ornamental Oregano, a Heuchera and a hardy Fuchsia.

 Look at all the space between the plants. Maybe I'm cured of my spacial denial. :)

Finally, I had to share this photo. Isn't he cute?