Monday, June 3, 2013

A Few of my Favorite Things

Progress on getting the gardens put together for the year has been slow this spring. Between two weeks vacation in April (when I should have been cleaning out the borders and moving things around) weeks of cold rain, and this past weekend three days of 94 degree temps and humidity I've not made as much headway as I'd like. Today the hot spell ended with an overcast sky and temps in the 70's, halleluiah!  I'm finally getting to the end of the containers that need assembling and arranging the container borders to my satisfaction. 

Anyway, I took a walkabout with the camera this afternoon to capture a few thing that are looking very nice at the moment.... Some are very old friends like my Hydrangea petiolaris that has been climbing my old oak tree for eighteen years.
 

This is a Rosa rugosa that was a gift from a friend's garden twenty-five years ago. About fifteen years ago it threw an enormous cane that was much longer and stronger than the rest of the shrub so I thought I'd do an experiment and try to standardize it.  I was told by another garden friend that "you can't make a standard out of a Rugosa" so the challenge was on. I'm happy to say that yes, indeed, it can be done if one is persistent and patient enough.  It's looking quite lovely this year and is covered with blossoms and buds.  I don't know how much longer I'll have it as I have no idea what the life span of that original cane will be.


I like to pair this with one of my fuchsia standards (Beacon Rosa) because the two forms complement each other.  It's always a bonus when they are blooming at the same time.

The Rhododendron 'Minnetonka' is in full bloom right now and is putting on quite a show. I love this variety as it is very well behaved and is easy to keep to a reasonable size.

This outstanding begonia is a new one in my collection and rapidly rose to the top of the favorites list.  It was one of my great 'finds' last summer. I bought this gorgeous, large begonia for $15.00! Eureka! I had to ask the clerk if it was a mistake but I was in luck and this year it is bigger and better than ever. It produces large, extravagant panicles of pink flowers. Between that and the beautiful, glossy serrated foliage what's not to love?

I had to include this pot with my "favorite things" list. Doug bought this beauty for me for my birthday about five years ago. It's an imported English limestone planter. Just love the relief design on the sides. So pretty! I try to plant things that don't trail over the edges so the sides can be seen and appreciated. This year I'm trying Caladium 'Florida Beauty' Hopefully they'll live up to my expectations.

The newest addition to my list is my bromeliad 'tree'.  I had this old oak branch kicking around the garden for a few years and I thought it would make a great presentation for some of my bromeliad collection.  I'm loving this up against the Japanese Maple.

This was just a quick walkabout and there are other gems to add to this list so I'll have to do a sequel to this post as soon as I get the rest of the pots done....




15 comments:

  1. The garden is coming along nicely, and love that Begonia and especially the Bromeliad Tree (clever idea!) :)

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    1. Many thanks Mark and Gaz, Wish I could send you cuttings of this beauty. It didn't come with an ID tag so I've no idea what cultivar it is. It looks very much like B. 'Anna Feile'.

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  2. OMG....the containers are to die for..not from walmart like mine are..haha.rhododendrons are amazing and the bromiliad tree is awesome!..japanese maple....covet!fuchia....angel wings WOW!need to sit a while with a lemonade!

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  3. Love that Bromiliad tree Deanne ! Between Sues opening the screened porch and your Hydrangea petiolaris, I know that garden season is in full swing.

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    1. It has turned into an annual Idyll garden milestone hasn't it??? Thanks Kathy!

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  4. I was enjoying the bromeliads leaning into the photo here and there but when you got to the "tree"...wow! That's pretty fabulous.

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    1. Many thanks! I was able to trade work for greenhouse space this past winter so I had time to put that bromeliad tree together. I'm hoping I can get greenhouse space again this coming winter or I'll have to disassemble it in the fall

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  5. Deanne, I all looks fabu, fabu as always. I love that you continue to add interesting things to your garden each year such as the bromalaid tree. I like to challenge myself that way as well. You have such incredibley cool ideas though. Thanks for the lovely tour.

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  6. Looking great Deanne. I love your standards.

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  7. Your garden always looks delightful! You've got so many interesting favorite things in this post! Love them all!

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  8. I really love the plants in your garden. Your bromeliad 'tree' is such a great idea. Standardizing is a lovely way to train plants into neat and lean shrubs. I'm always striving to do that with almost any sort of plant too. And that Rhododendron 'Minnetonka' is simply stunning!

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  9. So great to see the climbing hydrangea in bloom again. I'm amazed at how fast and thick the bromeliads are appearing in your garden. I'm been wondering where to put a brom "tree," but mine is going to be a sparse one for a while. Glad those temps finally cooled down -- way too hot for May and getting stuff done.

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  10. "..Hydrangea petiolaris that has been climbing my old oak tree for eighteen years." WOW! amazing indeed. Why is that your garden always looks so delightful! I'm jealous..

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  11. I love to visit your remarkable gardens. You truly are very gifted...

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