Because I just can’t help myself, here is a look back at RDR’s late spring and early summer in 2010 going backward in fact. I’m working on an article on annuals, so this morning, I’m perusing my summer photos.
This is an old arbor we found. I think it is so beautiful with Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' no matter what the season.
This shot looks good because the creamy white blooms of H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ echo off the rusted, white arbor. Several years ago, Bill bought two arbors for me on our wedding anniversary. A hint, always ask for garden goodies you wouldn’t buy for yourself for holidays. Then, go with your love to pick them out. You’ll receive something you’ve always wanted for the garden while making a lifelong memory in the process.
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' in November.
In fall and winter, Annabelle’s now brown blooms pick up the color of the leafy path and the rust on the arbor. It’s a win-win year round. Color echoes are so important don’t you think?
Spiraea bumalda 'Anthony Waterer' with an assassin bug beneath. Pretty photo. Hate the bug.
When I took this photo of Spiraea bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’ in June, the assassin bugs were already on patrol. I know they are supposedly beneficial bugs, but I don’t like them, and honestly, I cut some of them in half each year with my pruners (before they can fly and bite) because they eat a lot of bumblebees and butterflies which angers me. Sorry to all those who think I’m an Assassin bug assassin. Bwah ha ha. ‘Anthony Waterer’ is an older variety of spiraea, but you can still find it at Forestfarm. If you don’t get their catalog, you should because they have wonderful beautiful things, and they package their plants as if they were sending them to their best friend. (I get nothing for saying that by the by. I just like them.)
Back garden on a June morning
This shot is taken from the lower part on the north side of the back garden on an early morning in June. It isn’t too early though because the daylilies in the foreground are already fully open. They need heat to open well. You can see the back of our log house.
Pictures like these make my heart yearn for spring and early summer. I can almost smell the roses, peonies and daylilies. Did I mention I planted several peonies last fall?
I bought them from Klehm’s Song Sparrow nursery because I wanted more for the narrow pink and yellow daylily borders below the deck. Please note in designing your own gardens, the borders should be wider so don’t do as I did. These are this narrow because the path was retrofitted to the space. I still like them.
Yellow and pink borders witht he other wedding arbor. Because I straighten this photo, the walkway looks flat, but it is at a slight angle.
My selections were pink and had names like ‘Angel Cheeks,’ ‘White Cap,’ and ‘Flying Pink Saucers.’ As long as I was there clicking, I also bought two tree peonies, ‘Guardian of the Monastery,’ hybridized by William Gratwick. His father built their country home, Linwood Gardens, outside of Pavillion, NY, and the younger William created beautiful peonies there. I also bought ‘Shintenchi’ which means New Heaven & Earth. Pretty names for very pretty flowers. Years ago, Roy Klehm gave me a long interview when I was writing about Br. Reckamp and his daylilies. Mr. Klehm sent me a beautiful tree peony, ‘Brocaded Gown’ because he said I would love it. I have been a loyal customer ever since. They also package your plants as if they were precious cargo.
Common peony 'Karl Rosenfield' doesn't look very common at all does he? I planted these peonies about eighteen years ago. They will live long after I'm gone.
The peonies usually bloom in May with the tree peonies blooming a bit earlier. I’ve heard La Pivoinerie D’Aoust peony nursery in Quebec, Canada, is another wonderful place to buy peonies, but I’ve yet to buy from them. Need more places to plant peonies I guess. For those of you who grow peonies, have you tried the Itoh’s yet? I just haven’t been able to justify the price, and I hope once they are a bit more popular, their tags will come down a bit.
Vintage watering can point the way down the garden path?
Aren’t vintage watering cans the most photogenic of things? You can put one in any picture, and suddenly it speaks of warmth, home, times gone by, and good gardening. Something to consider when you see one in the flea market. Of course, you’ll have to beat me to it.
The last photo was taken in mid-May last year. It’s not so long until then my friends. Mere weeks, only thirteen in fact. While the weather is better this week (in the south anyway), let’s get out there and do a bit of fluffing to save us so much work in spring.
Thanks for this early morning garden walk. I REMEMBER this wonderful garden fondly. Every minute of the love and knowledge you give it shines back a hundredfold.
Love to you,
Sharon (I’m cruising through catalogs today-I know I’ll end up buying too many seeds)
I just got the Klehm’s catalog and it is full of temptations. What a beautiful catalog! I wish I had more room for peonies. Considering the cold weather we’ve had this winter, I should think that they will be spectacular this year.
Knowing you have such beauty to look forward to in May makes getting through winter a little easier. Not a lot, but a little! I think I need to visit you when the peonies are blooming … mercy, they’re beautiful.
These photos are such a tease. At least we will have good weather this weekend so we can get outside and pick up sticks.
As always your garden looks beautiful. It is nice to look back during winter isn’t it? And amazing to see how green everything was!
Where did you get the arbors? They and the fencing and the paths all flow wonderfully together. I can’t wait to see those new peonies when they bloom, with those gorgeous peonies you have now.
I really enjoyed your colorful tour. The arbor with the Annabelles really is a great find, it looks perfect in that spot. I too have a watering can very similar, and mine gets left ou for display like yours. They are great in the garden.
Great look back at your garden. I love peonies too. I did buy an Itoh this past year, but I was a bit disappointed in it, the flowers were really small. Bought it at a local nursery, it wasn’t that expensive. I want a tree peony!
Thanks for the live link to Klehm’s, I want one of everything they sell.
Oh, Dee! You had me at Hello, peonies.
The -17 degrees you had a couple of days ago is pretty daunting, but you also sure can grow an enormous range of plants in your Oklahoma garden. I love the browned Annabelle hydrangeas!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Oh yes, spring please. We seem to be yearning even harder than usual and February has been going on forever hasn’t it? I think it is under forty days to calendar spring. One day at a time, one foot in front of the other…thanks for the review of these glorious days in your garden.
I was longing for spring even before I saw these great photos. I love your paths! I have a lot of peonies and I can’t think of a more satisfactory plant!