When visitors come to my garden at this time of year I really like them to come early in the morning. That's because there is no shade and when the sun beats down the flowers tend to sulk. So when I learnt my visitors this week would arrive around 2:30pm I was worried for how they would find it. I need not have worried because the sun never came out and made for a really nice showing.
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| Sunken garden with bluebonnets, blackfoots, skullcaps. |
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| California poppies, bluebonnets |
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| Hinckley's columbine, corn poppies, |
The Zephirine drouhin growing in the corner grew from a root of a potted rose that was in the corner. She is the most spectacular of the 3 Zephs. I have and has never been watered or fertilized. I let her do her own thing which is exactly what a rose likes.
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| Zephirine drouhin |
My visitors got to see both my Lady Banks roses. I bought a cutting of the white Lady Banks rose,
Rosa banksiae x banksiae from the Rose Museum in Tombstone, Arizona. The original rose was brought there in 1885 and was a cutting from the original rose brought from China by a Sir Joseph Banks expedition in 1805.
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| Lady Banks' rose |
My yellow rose in the front garden was at its peak this week and what a show with her clusters of tiny double yellow flowers.
Another big bloomer and at its peak this week was the cross vine,
Bignonia capreolata, tangerine beauty. Would you know there was a greenhouse hiding under here? This is the very same vine that I cut back down to the ground 2 years ago. As I pulled out a root from a standing position I fell backwards and ended up being unable to move for 3 days. I have to cut it back again this year but a cut-back is all it is getting.
Everyone got to see the Claret cup cactus. This clump had 20 blooms this year.
And in the herb garden the culinary sage was a mass of purple blooms.
I had a few ladies question me about the tiny plant pots on top of the bamboo canes. Do you know why they are there? So I don't poke my eye out!
Yes, my visitors couldn't have come at a more perfect time.
Oh, Rose, what beauties you have to show! The Claret Cup Cactus is stunning. I understand about poking out one's eye with stakes, and about trying to battle with vines. I think I'll let Wisteria fight it out with machinery this time.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning. The best I've ever seen it - truly. You and your hubby should be so proud of your beautiful creation.
ReplyDeleteJenny, it's absolutely wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI don't think your garden could have been more perfect. I've always had a soft spot for the Lady Banks rose and yours is spectacular. The Bignonia vine scares me - I struggled with one at our former house, only to inherit another with our current house.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, just gorgeous.
ReplyDeletePerfection. I am so glad the sun didn't come out for you, but I was glad it did here. We really haven't had enough sun.
ReplyDeleteStunning! Everything is just picture perfect. And I am so jealous of those claret cups and that Bignonia!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful Jenny. I may have to copy your idea with the pots on the canes because I'm always in danger of poking an eye out in the veggie beds.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your garden is beautiful, but that last shot is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat for everybody. Your garden spaces look absolutely stunning. Your lushly blooming plants are evidence of the advantages of good placement, great drainage and full sun in combination. How delightful that same sun ducked behind clouds to allow everything to be viewed in comfort and seen at its freshest. I suppose that is in part what is meant by seeing something "in its best light"!.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I don't how it could have looked any prettier. Your garden never ceases to amaze and inspire me!
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring to you. ~ Sarah
Lucky, lucky visitors! I'm going to take your example on the tiny pots. I just put a couple of short pieces of rebar in the ground as hose guards, and I've been worried that someone will trip over them or worse. A little pot "hat" would at least be a reminder that they're there, without being too obtrusive.
ReplyDeleteIt's all so amazingly lush, and I enjoyed spotting the agaves here and there and everywhere...
ReplyDeleteStunning photos of your gorgeous garden. The second one really made me squeel--so colorful. Oh, I am seriously missing color ! We're still "all brown" up here, though I think that is a BIG step up from white!! :D
ReplyDeleteHubby put plastic golf balls on the tops of my stakes after I nearly lost an eye to one. I think the little flower pots is a wonderful idea.
Oh my! So gorgeous! The first time I saw picures of your garden I was sure you lived in a place where the soil, water and sun was so much friendlier than mine. How surprised I was when I discovered your beautiful garden is only 3-4 miles away! Such inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSigh ...
ReplyDeleteEverything looks absolutely beautiful! What a spring!
ReplyDeleteStunning, Jenny. You must enjoy such peace in your garden though I know you work hard there.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy looking at garden and the photos your guests share on their blogs. Smart idea about the pots on the bamboo. What is that magenta flower among the bluebonnets in the second picture? I am also curious about ID of the taller flower of the same color on the left side of that picture.
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