"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, May 30, 2011

End of May blooms.

First I wanted to say thank you to everyone for all your really nice comments on my recent posts!  I've been very slowly trying to make my way around to visit, it's been very busy here (as I'm sure it is with everyone else this time of year), but I'm enjoying seeing what's blooming elsewhere in the world.
Our weekend ended up being a great one, very productive around the yard.  The weather was mostly overcast, but at least the temperatures were in the low 60's and it didn't rain more than a few sprinkles.  The plants are slowly but surely catching up to where they should be.  I had wondered a month ago if June would look as good as it normally does in the garden, and it appears that it will be just as pretty as usual. 
Over the weekend we replanted many of our vegetable seeds, I'm beginning to think birds are part of what's causing the new sprouts to disappear.  Hopefully the bird netting will help with that.  It doesn't help that our dog and the neighbor's cat also enjoy lying on the warm soil in the raised beds.  I sowed many seeds with the Littlest Gardener; 3 types of Sunflowers, 2 types of Cosmos,  3 types of Zinnias and lots more.  I think I need more seeds we planted so many in just the new beds.  We also took a trip to the Antique Rose Farm and bought a new David Austin rose 'Harlow Carr'.  It will go in the entry bed, hopefully the rose will motivate me to start working on it.  We repaired and restained the raised beds in the side yard too.  Even better is that my husband seems to have adopted the front raised beds.  I see him out there checking on things, watering and he even came home from work requesting fish fertilizer and kelp after talking about vegetable gardens with a friend at work.  I knew the scientist in him would show up one day in gardening.

Here is some of what is blooming now:
Meadow Rue

Lots of Columbines with the Meadow Rue.  The yellow Columbine lives up to it's name 'Yellow Spotlight'.  I started it from seed last year, it's about 4 plus feet tall.

Clematis 'Miss Bateman'

Lilac 'Ludwig Spaeth'

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

Spanish Poppy (Papaver rupifragum) that I bought at a plant sale earlier this year.  I'm going to try to save seeds from it.  It reminds me of the color of orange sherbet, I just love it.

I think 'Gertrude Jekyll' will be the first rose to bloom this year.

The Pink Flowering Dogwood still has lots of pretty flowers left.

I added a couple Snow in Summer in front of the picket fence along the sidewalk.  It seems to love where it is.

White Columbines.

Irises, peonies, lupines, Clematises, roses and so much more are ready to burst open.  I hope you all had a chance to enjoy your gardens this weekend.
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

43 comments:

  1. Wow! Everything looks breathtaking..beautifull..so lush..and gorgeous blooms and as always ....a super magical garden!
    Wow!!
    Kiki

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  2. Awesome blooms! I'm in love with the Rue.
    Have a beautiful week.
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  3. Looking so good! That's a wonderful photo of the Clematis, with the sun and shadows on it, and the green stripe on the petals, so nice!

    Glad to hear your husband is taking an interest in the front beds. Fish emulsion and kelp meal, yep! Good stuff. Hope your veggies do well, it's so frustrating when the critters and birds make off with your sprouts.

    Let me know if you need any seeds, I have way too many.

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  4. I'm so impressed with all of your columbine! I'm going to have to get some seeds and plant some different ones. The white is excellent. Thanks for the tour. Nice to see everyone elses gardens.

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  5. Hi Catherine, Sounds like you had a great weekend. It was very hot here but we did get out and look at the plants in the yard. The previous owner left us a beautiful gardenia that has a wonderful fragrance. I love your lilac and wonder how mine at the old house are doing this year. I know you and the girls will have a busy summer. I look forward to following the success of all your seedlings.

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  6. It looks like your garden is moving right along by all your lovely photo. You are still ahead of me in the Falls. I too like your Spanish Poppy. I never have luck with poppy seeds, I guess our climate does not agree. Plants are fine and do come back.

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  7. Hi Catherine,

    It has been a very busy weekend as I am sure it has been for you. Your plantings are still ahead of mine Miss Bateman has not even budded yet. I have no roses going on yet just budding and lots of diseases this year.

    Eileen

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  8. I understand busy. And in case I haven't told you in the last 24 hours, I still drool over your pond. We did the rock edge today? I be so happy!!!!!

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  9. Everything is looking lovely. I like that fence behind the flower bed...it really shows it off.

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  10. Today's weather was much better. I know what you mean about the plants catching up and everything looking the way it should be. Interesting how nature works, isn't it? I think your photo of the Snow in Summer is the nicest I've seen. Just lovely. Well, all your blossoms are lovely. Have a great week.

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  11. Hi Catherine, I really love both of the yellow and white columbines....pretty sure I need more ;) The pic of the clematis is really pretty!
    So there is hope for scientist type husbands? Maybe mine will surprise me someday :) Hope you had a fun and enjoyable family weekend, around the garden and out and about ~ cheers, Jenni

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  12. I can't even pick anything to comment on, since every single picture is gorgeous. Great post Catherine!!

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  13. Hi,

    Beautiful photos of such amazing blooms, there's just so much to see at the moment!

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  14. Your weather sounds refreshing to me! Your blooms are so pretty, as usual. I have now in summer for the first time this year, from seed, perhaps it will bloom next spring.

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  15. That meadow rue is so pretty and all the columbines-wowser!

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  16. Nice pics! I really like the look of that Meadow Rue.

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  17. Love the frothy bloom of the Meadow Rue...so lovely...and all your Columbines are so charming...love the shot where you've combined them with the dark-leaved Penstemon (I believe)!

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  18. Wow! You've got great blooms right now, and the new rose purchase is exciting (but perhaps not as exciting as your husband adopting some of the beds and plants and "getting his garden on." Hahaha! Fantastic.

    I love your clematis, lilac, and the geranium photos in particular - beautiful!

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  19. I think you are queen of the columbines Catherine! You have so many beautiful ones. I'm thrilled with the double pink you gave me. I think I go out (just to look at it) at least twice a day!
    Your garden looks so pretty. I haven't heard of your new David Austin ~ I'll have to look it up. I think I'm in the market for a new one too but I have one in mind (if I can find it).
    Glad you had a chance to garden. It was cool and rainy here Sat & Sun then yesterday we had horrific wind. Not the best Memorial Day ever weatherwise.
    Have a great week!

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  20. gorgeous photos! I especially love the spanish poppy .... she looks like she could spin and twirl into flamenco if you turn your back :)

    thanks for sharing!

    http://milepost8.blogspot.com/

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  21. Beautiful flowers. I adore Meadow Rue and Columbine. My Meadow Rue grows lush but my Columbine struggle. I think I'll move my Columbine next to the Meadow Rue like you've done.

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  22. I enjoyed your end of month blooms Catherine. It sounds as if your husband is turning into a real gardener :)

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  23. Your garden is truly stunning, Catherine! All the thought and effort you put into it is repaying you handsomely! It is an absolute treat to come and visit you!

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  24. I love the Meadow Rue blossoms, they look like little fireworks, and the white columbines are gorgeous. The little blush of purple near the stem is lovely. My favorite though is that lilac, such a rich shade for a lilac. I bet its aroma is divine!

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  25. Oh, my goodness! It takes you a while to get rolling, but boy, when you do!!! Every photo topped the last. How do you do that? Such exquisite flowers and colors. Here's your gold medal!

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  26. Your pictures are gorgeous! I especially love the poppy. Thanks so much for sharing. I enjoy seeing pics of other gardens. :)

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  27. What a wonderful collection of spring blooms. Wow, that yellow columbine is amazingly tall! What fun.

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  28. Such beautiful blooms! You have so much going on already. I just planted a rue this spring. I sure hope it grows up to be as pretty as yours. Love the dogwood. Sounds like you have been very busy.

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  29. Your blooms are amazing as always and make me want to plant more and more!

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  30. Beautiful Catherine. Gorgeous dogwood - so frilly. Loving the Snow in Summer. My Johnsons Blue came up but isn't growing. I'll check it today. Love that huge lilac. I'm already to see temps in the 60's again. We are in a drought and a heat wave. Near 100 today.

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  31. Your garden looks so fresh, green and loaded with colorful blooms! Delightful!

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  32. I'm loving 'Miss batemen, the Spanish poppy and the snow in summer.. Lovely!

    I hope those poppy seeds work out for you because they are very unusual, I love the color.

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  33. Glorious blooms! I love the combination of the columbine and meadow rue. My little columbine is only a few inches tall!

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  34. Beautiful flowers, love the last photo of the white columbine.

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  35. Beautiful! Very interesting photos!
    Monica

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  36. Beautiful! I am so glad you connected with my blog, Catherine. I'm just getting started and your blog and lovely gardens are truly an inspiration. Here in South Central Alaska weather is still cool, and we finally got a good shower yesterday to water everything.
    Bonita

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  37. Lovely photos! Hope that you are keeping well,

    Jane

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  38. Catherine, I always love to see what's happening in your garden. I've never grown meadow rue, but I think I should consider it; that's a gorgeous plant! Your "Johnson's Blue" geranium is also looking beautiful. That plant is not very happy in my garden conditions, so I've been slowly replacing them with the blue "Brookside," which does better for me. -Jean

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  39. Lovely blooms...I am also trying to catch up with everyone's blogs...been busy with life and the garden...glad I was able to stop by

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  40. They're all so pretty Catherine, and your photos do such justice to them.
    I particularly like the White Columbines - they grow in a lovely spot.

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  41. wow what a wonderful collection of plants! I'm also starting up a collection.... so much fun! love your blog!

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