Kirengeshoma koreana

Kirengeshoma koreana blooms 2 weeks earlier than K. palmata. To look at it, you wouldn't automatically know that it is in the Hydrangea family of plants. However, its leaves do have a similarity to other hydrangeas, it grows well in shade, and of course it is a bit of a water hog as I've mentioned before. With any luck, there will be a bit of a cross-over in bloom time and I'll be able to show what K. koreana and palmata look like side-by-side.

It's Big, It's Pretty & I Have No Idea What it Is

Well, I purchased this stunning Hemerocallis with a 'Hyperion' label about 6 years ago. Just before posting, I went onto the net to double-check to see that it is indeed 'Hyperion' - I found all sorts of other photos of 'Hyperion' day lilies that look nothing like this one. So, if there are any day lily lovers out there who might have an idea of what this stunner might be - I'd appreciate it!

St. Jude's Anglican Church & Garden

I took this photo yesterday while we were leaving the anniversary party for my good friend and teacher Stephanie Morris and her husband Don. Should you be in downtown Oakville, Ontario - take a quick detour to 160 William Street to stroll the wonderful perennial garden and see the lovely old church (late 1800s). The loving care of the parishioners, combined with the rain have made the gardens an absolute delight.

It's another Weather Channel sort of Day

Well, it's raining again - hence the quick snap from the comfort of my living room sofa. Am headed out to a vow-renewal ceremony this evening - reception in the church garden - what outfit will look best with my Dollar Store rain poncho and rubber boots?

Still no birdie takers for the berries on my Cornus alternifolia - the birds are usually all over it - stripping it clean in under a day. Also, the Amelanchier has barely been touched. Smaller birds seem to be missing from the population - lots of robins, cardinals - but sparrows and larger starlings are all m.i.a. - very weird.

Kirengeshoma is About to Bloom

I have had two varieties of this lovely shade-loving perennial in my garden for the last five years. Commonly known as Waxy Bells, it grows about 1 meter high and has spread about 80 cm wide. It takes some drought, but will look quite pathetic: the upper leaves hang and the lower leaves will fall off. It's an unusual shade plant in that it begins blooming mid-summer. This year with all the rain, I hope to have blossoms for the next four weeks or so. I'll take a few more photos over the next few weeks to show you how pretty it is in full bloom.

A Little Bit of Gardening Between the Rain Drops

I found a pot filled to the brim with water and realized that over the last few days we've had close to 18 (7") cm of rain. Just had a very Canadian thought -"well, at least it wasn't snow - because for every inch of rain - we'd be getting a foot of snow". Banish that thought! The sun has come out and I made a dash for the front yard with my camera to capture some of the day lilies - so pretty this time of year. Although the camera isn't all that accurate with its reds, I think you can get the picture of how colourful it all is.

Uncle.

OK, enough with the rain - was able to take one photo before it started again. Things that are supposed to be standing, are on the ground, and even an Inula that is on the Soon to Be Gone list looks like it has done the job for me, breaking off right at the base of the plant. The Japanese Beetles have moved in in number and somehow they seem to have a more effective purchase now that the leaves are soaked - making my tour around the garden with my bucket of death (bucket, water & a little soap) more of a chore than it was a couple of days ago. And don't even get me started about the twitch grass in the lawn!

Anyway, here's a photo of poor sad Hemerocallis 'Mary Todd' - one of my all time favourites - huge blossoms (15cm - 6"), pretty scent, a happy yellow colour - a lovely day lily.

The Garden is Looking Positively Tropical

More rain last evening and sticky hot this a.m. - what a wonderful year to be a gardener. My transplants that I did earlier in the week look just fine - I moved the Aconitum napellus into the front yard away from my pots of herbs.

As you may know, all parts of monkshood are deadly poisonous - and while I would know not to pick a leaf when collecting herbs for dinner - others might not - so it is now taking up residence in the front yard where it will look stunning when it blooms in the fall. The plant was also called wolfbane, because a potion made from the plant, was used on arrows to kill wolves. In its old spot, I've put another 'grab bag' clematis that I've got no idea of what it might be - will include a photo when it blooms. It's in bud now and in spite of the transplant still looks very good.

Great Rain & New Insect Damage

Last night we got a huge dump of rain in about 15 minutes - sufficient to perk everything up this a.m. It is still very humid and hot and the air seems to be textured with the nasty bits of industry. The poor trees must be working very hard this a.m. to filter things for us.

The cone flowers - Echinacea have really been hit hard with some sort of insect this year - a first for me. And, obviously a bit of a rarity, because most of the Google entries and my text books only combine the words disease, insects and Echinacea with the words "free from". It also seems that not all the Echinacea have been plagued by this bug. At first glance it looks like the species seem to be fine, it is the newer (and very expensive) varieties that have been nailed. Also, newer blooms on these plants seem to be OK - which might mean that the insects' life cycle is finished for the year, or they've found greener pastures. Would be interested to hear if anyone else has had this problem.

A Master of Disguise

Yesterday, when I was tackling my back garden, I found an odd patch of white fluff that appeared to be glued to a stem of an Aralia cordata. I lifted the stem to see how far the white stuff extended and was delighted when I saw this tiny wee creature leave the safety of its perfect home to scoot around the stem to the other side.

I checked my reference book and discovered that this is a woolly beech aphid, obviously enjoying the hospitality of this alternate host before returning to one of the many beech trees that grow in the sandy soil of this area.

Kwanzo in Bloom

Today is the first day of bloom of one of my favourite daylilies - Kwanzo. It's one of the first daylilies I bought about 15 years ago - I love its double blossoms; and the fact that this year it is one of the few lilies that doesn't appear to be bothered by thrips - a tiny insect that puckers and mars the colourful blooms of these plants. And, most importantly, it really is a great orange colour - what could be any better?

Beetle Count Still Low

Completely preoccupied with everything that is starting to bloom this a.m. and didn't notice just how much dew was on the lawn until I found my toes swimming in my shoes.

The Japanese Beetles are still at a civilized pick and squish number. The earwigs finally just have too much to eat. I've discovered that they like to hole-up overnight in the new leaves of the milkweed; so I'll just pull off the 3 new leaves at the top of the plant & I can count on getting 5 or so at a time that I can stomp on.

I thought the Sedum 'Matrona' was looking pretty this a.m. It takes a bit more shade than it would normally like in my garden and still manages not to flop. A really nice Sedum if you're in the market for one.

A Quick Trip to the Royal Botanical Garden

The sun came out Sunday in time for my and Norma's trip to the RBG in Hamilton/Burlington Ontario. The venue, which really had fallen on hard times, has picked itself up and is really looking very pretty. We brought a picnic lunch and enjoyed it on a bench in the Rock Garden; took a quick spin over to the Laking Garden - the perennials are looking fabulous; the grasses will be amazing in about 3-weeks time; and then it was off to the Rose Garden - Norma is on the hunt for a rose that not only is beautiful, but wonderfully scented.

Shall it stay, or shall it go?

I started this Inula several years ago from seed. This spring it was eaten by insects and looked ratty. It is blooming at the moment, and I'm not completely sold. Flowers have an interesting pattern, almost like a pinwheel. However, it's a little more coarse than I expected. Kevin likes the colour and the "cool" flowers.....I'm just not sure. Another Inula ensifolia is looking gorgeous, - blue/green tiny leaves - pretty bright yellow flowers; compact habit - aside from the bright yellow flowers, it's hard to see how they'd be related!

Yes, it Really is Blue!

It is always nice to find a flower that really lives up to its description; Catananche caerulea is a lovely flower that really is sky blue. It grows about 40 cm (18") and although it is listed as a short-lived perennial - those I started from seed many years ago are still blooming away. The crown of the plant is low-growing and quite inconspicuous - the stems and flowers give this plant its height. It pairs beautifully with grasses. I've got mine growing next to a Carex muskingumensis.

Because of its long stems it dances in the wind in concert with the grass. Apparently it was used in love potions - hence its common name of Cupid's Dart.

Hydrangeas looking Great - Bugs & Mildews Moving In

I cannot get over how beautiful the hydrangeas are this year. All those that are borderline hardy appear to be blooming, or are getting ready to bloom - and those that normally do well, are outdoing themselves. This is Hydrangea quercifolia - an oak leaf hydrangea - is over 10 years old and it is the best it has ever been. As you can see, I'm still having fun with my digital close-up.

Yesterday saw my first Japanese beetles - will have to be vigilant. Their primary target last year was a Hamamelis (witch hazel) - I kept myself entertained with my "bucket of death". Just an ordinary bucket of water and a bit of dish soap - I'd tap on the branches - they'd let go, falling into the bucket and drowning. Three days of this, and they'd pretty much gone through their cycle.

Also have mildew all over the peonies - have never seen this before - it isn't pretty. I've tried a spray of milk and baking soda in the past - looks like I'll have to hunt up the spray bottle.

Verbascum - A Long Blooming Perennial

Finding perennials that bloom for a long period over the summer is always a bonus. And if you can find one that has good form and doesn't need staking, you've really got it made. You've probably seen the wild form in dry scrubby fields. Commonly called mullein, it has soft silver hairy leaves and pale yellow flowers.

The cultivated forms come in many different colours and sizes. The tag for this one seems to have been raked to the curb - but what I can tell you is that it is in its second year, and started to put out bloom about 3 weeks ago.

The only real downfall of Verbascum is that it may not be all that long-lived. This plant has put out a second crown at its base - so if the current plant dies, I'll have a second in its place. I'll also let some of the flowers go to seed so I'll be well hedged in order to have these pretty blooms for years to come.

Grab Bag of Clematis Seeds Provides a Winner

I got a mixed bag of clematis seed from Gardens North a couple of years ago. I liked the adventure of not knowing what I was going to get. This is the first year that this plant has bloomed - and I have no idea what it is. These tiny white flowers - not much bigger than my fingernail - look great next to the blousy 'Josephine' and have a very old-fashioned look as they scramble through the cedar fence. What they lack in size I think that they'll make up for in number, as more blossoms open every day. It isn't as good a climber as are some other Clematis - it seems to prefer to look for the opening rather than for more fence to climb. However, a good poke back into position, seems to keep it where I'd like it to grow.