Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Hot, hot, hot!

It's 34.5C and the flowers are flopping after a spring of refrigeration and spritzing.  More thunderstorms last night - perhaps even a tornado in Hamilton (about 25 minutes away).  I got through about half of the large island bed out front doing weeding and clipping.  When I crossed over into the sun from the shade, I decided it was time to stop.  Will pick up where I left off a little earlier tomorrow.

As promised, here are photos of the tree that was hit by lightning this weekend.  Talk about a close call. 


Perhaps this shot gives you a better idea of the size of the tree.


You can see how the branch has been supported since Sunday using a tree on the very front of the property.  I don't envy the arborists this job.


And speaking of trees, here is Gymnocladus dioicus - my Kentucky Coffee Tree that I started from seed.  It is hip height and many years away from being as large as that old oak.  It's planted in the spot where an old Maple grew.  It's taken a number of years, but it is finally taller than the hosta that used to border the trunk of its old predecesor.


Gratuitous photo of pretty shade plant - a favourite of mine Polygonatum odoratum variegatum.


I'm taking on all challengers for the best Black Velvet photograph - too much contrast = tacky flower photo against black background.  It is a White Rose sale table tree peony that has but one blossom every year.  (Yes, you get what you pay for sometimes!)



Sweet little Aquilegia canadensis next to H. June.


Day two of the three days of Bridal Wreath Spirea beauty.


Pinellia tripartita having it's nose pulled.   If you decide to grow this one, and it's pretty easy from seed, be sure to mark it.  It is one of the absolute last things to crack the soil in late spring.


Thalictrum aquilegia.

 
A poor little long-spurred aquilegia that I found hiding under some clematis.  Funny how the leaf miners didn't have any trouble finding it.  I moved it to the front of the class anyway. 

Black Seeded Simpson that re-seeded!

 Our second salad from the garden this season - yum.

4 comments:

Barry said...

Barbara:
The wind, rain and hail, not the mention thunder and lightning, made for a rather restless night! I was about to post on Mr. Pinellia, noting the same as you, but now I'm not sure if its P or A. draconitum.... come for a visit and see what you think!

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Barbara, We have been having quite the run of weird weather. That heat yesterday and the lightening storms! I think I heard that several homes hit by lightening burnt to the ground.
What a shame that mature tree was hit by lightening. Will they have to cut it down all together?
Your garden is looking good. I have a purple Thalictrum aquilegia and would love to get a white one like yours.

Knatolee said...

Beautiful photos! I love Bridal Wreath Spirea. We had a particularly beautiful in the yard of the house I grew up in. When I look at the one in our current garden, it always reminds me of my childhood.

Barbarapc said...

Barry, can't believe it, but after this windy dry weekend, hoping for a bit of rain today. We'll see!?
Jennifer, Davey's crew managed to take off the offending arm and leave the tree intact. I believe the white one I did from seed so it's quite easy and of course self seeds like crazy - if you're in Oakville, let me know and I can pot one up for you.
Knatolee - when it's at its peak, there is nothing prettier. We didn't see it as much where I grew up in Montreal - but all my Ontario buddies have a spirea story from their childhood - it's a real memory plant in this part of the woods.