Backyard Blooms on Fertilizer Friday.

This was one of those weeks that I can't believe is over already. I've been working on filling containers and getting the vegetables planted. I always end up with a random grouping of container plants left over that don't seem to go together. I'm not very organized with my containers like the Gardener on Sherlock Street (she has lots of great ideas, and if you haven't visited her yet you should). She has nice organized lists with what she wants for each container and then follows it, unlike me who just grabs random plants. Every year I tell myself I'll plan what I want in the containers, and every year I just feel overwhelmed with the choices and put a bunch of plants in my cart and hope that I can make them look nice. I definitely think there is an art to container planting, one which requires patience and creativity, both of which I lack in that area. Actually a couple look like they might look pretty good once they start to fill in.
While I wait for them to grow a bit we're lucky to have lots blooming in the backyard.

I love having Fuchsias hanging near the house so we can see the visiting Hummingbirds. My sister told me about a nearby hardware store that was having a sale on hanging baskets. Apparently they got one thousand too many and now they're trying to sell them off. I found 2 huge ones for $10 each, now I wish I would've bought more. This one is 'Bicentennial'.

Irises from my sister. There are several clumps in the front yard which are still several days from blooming.

Clematis 'Nelly Moser' seems to be doing a little better and has more flowers coming. I've noticed they start out darker pink and then fade quite a bit. Clematis 'Josephine' and the one I think is 'Piilu' are both starting to open.

Most of the Heucheras are either blooming or just about to. I don't remember the name of this one here. The Golden Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius) behind it is also just starting open it's sweet smelling flowers. I seem to have quite a bit of this purple and gold in the backyard now.

And a view down the path shows that the big red Rhododendron is blooming. It gets just huge and needs to be cut back every few years so not every year blooms as well. This is probably the most flowers it's had for a long time. On the right the Geraniums 'Wargrave Pink' are blooming. On the left side the Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) are still blooming, further down are Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) and Meadow Rue (Thalictrum). At the very end the purple Rhododendron is just starting to bloom.

Every Friday Tootsie at Tootsie Time hosts Fertilizer Friday. Visit her to see what flowers she and other gardeners are flaunting, or to join in yourself.

New surprises - Fertilizer Friday.

I've been looking longingly out the window most of this week, just dying to get outside and garden. I've been reading the forecast everyday, hoping there was some sort of miraculous change in the weather coming, but it never happened. In fact we set a record for our lowest high in May a couple of days ago, it only made it to 48 degrees (our average is the low 60's for this time of year). While yesterday was still cool, the sun actually came out and stayed there for most of the day. I could feel my mood lifting as the day went on, especially seeing that the weather should be gradually improving over the weekend.
I did my usual garden walk through and found some nice new surprises as well as getting a chance to enjoy some flowers that I haven't been able to take pictures of yet.

The big purple Rhododendron in the backyard has just started blooming. The Littlest Gardener calls this the plant with the "twisty branches" because of the unusual way it grows. When it's in full bloom I'll share a picture of the whole shrub.

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a real favorite of mine in the path garden. The green foliage and bright white flowers really lighten it up. It does spread rather quickly, especially is the soil is moist. Luckily for me it's mostly in dry shade areas so hasn't been a problem.

One of the many surprise Columbines (Aquilegia). This is a new one to bloom this year, I haven't had any ruffled solid purples ones before. I love the surprises that come after years of Columbines mixing with each other.

This Columbine I remember planting at one time, but don't have the tag anymore. It's probably one of the few I've bought in a very long time, I usually have so many that have reseeded I don't need to.

This Columbine is the prettiest lavender color.

Very exciting is this Allium which is getting close to opening. It's quite a bit further along than the others which were planted right by it.

One of my favorites that I can always count on to bloom all summer is Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber).

This small Dogwood (Cornus florida) is having it's best bloom year yet which is surprising since I transplanted it in the Fall. I've promised the tree that this third spot will be it's final place. I've seen birds sitting in it's small branches. I always get excited when I see birds sitting in shrubs or trees we've planted, not sure exactly why, but I do.

This tiny Heuchera 'Petite Pearl Fairy' is doing great now and just starting to bloom. I was afraid it hadn't survived the winter. 'Marmalade' is right behind it. So far I've resisted any more Heuchera purchases this year, but it is only May...

Fertilizer Friday is hosted each Friday at Tootsie Time. Tootsie has an amazing greenhouse loaded with plants she's started. Visit her to see who else is "flaunting their flowers".