First Views, May 2012

In the midst of emptying the greenhouse of container veggies, I went out and made First Views pics for Town Mouse's meme. Pretend that you came to visit and caught me unaware -- nothing deadheaded, nothing swept or edged, just green blousy trees and other delights of Spring.

The Upper Garden with Oakleaf Hydrangeas left, 'White

Dawn' Rose in the middle and 'Little Gem' Magnolia in the

distance at right. Smells good out here.

Moving in closer, you can see spots of color including 'Silver Veil' daylilies.

I went back and changed these to a size that doesn't hang over the sidebar.

You might click on one if you need a closer look.

I can't decide whether to change the layout for bigger pics.

Looking to the right, you see blueberry bushes to the left, pear trees and some assorted shrubs including loropetalum. The thin dark green ribbon along the tree lines is 30 acres of corn. Perspective is lost in the distance.

 Looking left you see the path to the Front Garden.

We are going to walk around this little semi-circular

bed where we're standing on the Oval Lawn to

see a surprise.

Last month I showed two Cycad pups that had put out green fronds.

The biggest pup that had one old frond from last summer when it put on first roots has decided to show just what it could do.

Cycad fronds!

Echinacea in the shade is not yet making much of

a show. It's blooming in the Front Garden. 

Echinacea in the sunshine has started to show up well with

Salmon Sheen daylilies in front of Carefree Delight Rose.

It was intentional to put the golden cones of Purple Coneflower with Salmon

Sheen daylilies. California poppes are just an added bonus.

I tried to keep to broad views; this last one just tasted too good not to share. 

Now That April's Here GBBD

Spring came quickly, left soonest. We had a few cool nights this week but it feels like summer. The glorious spring bloom fest is over. All the bulbs, all flowering trees are done. Summer's Hydrangea quercifolia is coming into bloom early.

Confederate jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides hangs heavily on the air.

Maybe it's overpowering because there is so

much of it.

Pentas and Verbena bonariensis.

I've been planting out Pentas as they come into bloom. Next fall I'll label all my cuttings. I can recognize they are Pentas but forgot that I might want to plant by color. Three more of this pale pink have bloomed to add to this bed next week.

A mild winter did little to encourage fall-sown annuals. Poppies

are not as plentiful this year, except for California poppies,

here with Salvia farinacea 'Victoria' and Echinacea.

Daylilies are blooming early this year.

A daffodil walk becomes a daylily walk as daffodil foliage fades and daylilies come into bloom. My daffodil/daylily walk here has daylilies outside on the driveway side. On the inside are yellow roses, beginning to make a show with white Pentas.

Happy Bloom Day with 'Julia Child' -- my fav yellow rose.

Join the fun for Bloom day at May Dreams Gardens.