I feel like the blue in this dianthus’ foliage. I’m cold. After several days in the mid-80s, we’ve dropped to a chilly 48F. However, while I shiver, I remember it’s been too warm for much of April. Therefore, the lilacs and tulips are mostly not themselves. The spinach is trying to bolt, and I was almost tempted to plant green beans and corn. I stopped myself although I did set out my tomatoes. I like a bit of a gamble I guess.
Tonight, we’re supposed to get down to 35F. All of the tropical color plants I bought at Bustani Plant Farm are going to come inside for the night. This weekend, we should be out of the woods. Although it isn’t a freeze, it is too cool for a tropical, Southern Hemisphere lovin’ coleus or variegated tapioca.
Spring is a fickle friend, which we should all remember.
On the 15th day of the month, Carol from May Dreams Gardens invites us to join her in a celebration of blooming plants, so, here are my beautiful if cool bloomers this fine day. I took a picture of the newest border, but the flowers in it aren’t really fair because they were all greenhouse blooms.
The colorful tomato cages are not some form of expressionist art, but deterrents for our chocolate monster, “Tap,” who in his latest form of destruction was tugging the Netafin hosing from the bed facing the street. (Yes, I could have killed him.) For some reason, Tap stays away from the tomato cages. I hope to move them to their proper use as tomato support as soon as these plants get a bit bigger. Tap only digs in “empty” spaces, silly dog.
Clematis love this kind of weather. They don’t mind the cold, and they really appreciate a bit of cloudiness in which to show off. Mine are just starting to bloom with ‘H.F. Young’ leading the charge. A tip I learned years ago from watching an Ohio gardener on A Gardener’s Diary, famous for her clematis. She attached green spray-painted chicken wire to her fences to give her clematis support. At Ace Hardware in Edmond, I found chicken wire coated in green plastic which I attached a year ago. Because of the color, it is barely noticeable. Cool huh?
- Clematis ‘H.F. Young’ Isn’t he a pretty thing this year?
Even after the big trim, ‘Cl. Old Blush’ is blooming. I just hope she isn’t too traumatized by last winter’s harshness. Some roses look better than others in my garden this spring.
This is what she looked like last spring. C’est la vie.
In one of the lower beds, the native, yellow Senecio obovatus, a bright pink heirloom dianthus and a yellow baptisia just beginning to team up as a springtime bouquet.
In another bed, Phlox divaricata steals the show.
Another spring favorite is the shrub, Weigela florida ‘Variegatus’ or variegated weigela, which always reliably blooms in April. It is a very pretty plant and stays nice even after the flowers fade.
Finally, here’s a view of the lower garden where you can really see that most of it is still that fresh beautiful spring green. Next month, it will be full of blooms.
48 is cold… hope it warms up for you soon. I rather like the tomato cages although the bed would just as lovely with or without them! I can sympathsize about the dog; we have a JRT who could dismantle a new bed in 15 minutes flat if you didn’t watch her.
It’s good to know that Old Blush can take that kind of cold and not die outright. Yours will bounce back in no time. I remember it from former years.
Love your Phlox photo! It captures that sparkling many-hued blue color perfectly. Those lovely spring greens are wonderful aren’t they?
Gorgeous gardens, Dee! It is still quite cold and snowing off and on here in the Colorado mountains, so all your colorful blooms are a delight to see!
I don’t have much luck with gardening here. The bunnies are too “helpful” when it comes to pruning. 🙂
Happy week to you,
Zuzu
I love your colored tomato cages. Saw them at Meijer the other day – they look awesome! ::want::
Dear Dee, What a truly lovely walk around your garden, today. You have so much going on. I can’t believe you have clematis already. All your blooms are beautiful, and you made some great purchases. P x
Loved seeing al the pictures on your blog. Just beautiful!
The pinks look luscious, whatever their names. All your garden looks so neat and happy. I can relate to the exuberance of the dog and the problems it causes.
Dee your Spring gardens are looking so beautiful. The clematis is so pretty twining along the fence.
Dee the gardens are lovely…happy GBBD
Everything is looking so colorful in your garden, Dee. The phlox divaricata is such a lovely shade of purple/blue. Even the tomato cages add some bright color! Thanks for the tip on the chicken wire; I bought some green coated wire last fall for another project and have plenty left over for a support like this.
It may be too cold to check your tags- I’m just too lazy this month! Cheers from Southern California!
Your garden’s looking great! Is the Dianthus in the first photo ‘Fire Witch’? I was just at a client’s where I planted it a few years ago – love the blue-green foliage.
Everything is looking lovely, but the Clematis steals the show. I must look for the coated chicken wire. Last year I used plain silver for my Clematis and I wasn’t best pleased.
Your blooms are lovely, but I’m really coveting trees with leaves. My allergies really only act up while the trees are budding and at the moment I’m just miserable. I really like the colored tomato cages too. I have not seen those here, but will keep an eye out.
It is looking lovely, dear Dee, and what a nice brick walkway! That really dresses up the new bed there. Thanks for the tip about the chickenwire for the clemmies, I could see it at all in the photo. May your roses bounce back. I have plain Old Blush, not the climber, just coming into bloom. It is sweet, like you. 🙂
Frances
I think the dianthus is “maiden pink”, as my firewitch is not quite there yet. Hey I’m really spying that phlox. Need those in my garden. Saw those down the street and thought it looked like a phlox. How are they on mildew. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks for the visit to Wife, Mother, Gardener!
Yes, I have read C. Lloyd’s letters to Beth Chatto. Fun read! Great example of how our gardens can display our different personalities. And they are both amazing (they & their gardens).
I love seeing your clematis! Another month to wait for me. And such a pretty view down to the lower garden!
Thanks,
Julie
Oh, that Tap! Having a yellow lab puppy I know just what the problems can be. When is your last frost date Dee? Here it is mid to late May. Lots of chances for more frost although I hope the snow is over. The garden looks spring glorious!
The dianthus is “Firewitch”? So jealous of all your blooms, when all I have on tap is more snow! See you soon.
Rhonda, it probably is. I’ll go look for the tag when the weather warms. I have so many different ones I don’t even try to keep up with the dianthus anymore. Thanks for the I.D.
Dee your garden looks lovely at this time of year. A yellow Baptisia?? I am not familiar with this and it is blooming so early. Hmmmm Must check into this. It is that time of year. The nurseries here are just beginning to get some things in. Of course annuals are available. I am not ready for them though. I feel some cold nights coming yet. Happy GBBD.
P.S. My previous dog, a chocolate lab, was trained to stay out of certain beds by putting up that little cheap hoop fencing. He realized he shouldn’t tread where those fences were installed. It didn’t take him long to learn this. They were short enough that he could step over them but enough of a barrier to remind his itty bitty brain that he wasn’t invited there. Good luck.
Yes, there are lots of golden baptisias. One is B. sphaerocarpa. Another named cultivar is ‘Carolina Moonlight’ which I found and added to the side border this year. Thanks for the heads up on the fencing. He’s a mess, but we love him. I’ll try that.
Wonderful post your home and yard are just lovely. I truly enjoyed! Seems I’m extra busy here at the ranch prepping for #g2b and haven’t been by to visit : ( I can’t wait to meet you in Arkansas Annie
Thank you so much Annie. I can’t wait to meet you either. I’ve been swamped also, so I totally understand. How are the sals of Moo Poo tea going? It’s great stuff for gardens.
I love the Clematis ‘H.F. Young’ – very pretty!!
Thank you so much Christine. Happy Bloom Day!
Dee, I always love seeing that brick walkway of yours – it’s so perfect next to the side garden. Your woodland phlox is just fantastic – mine kind of pokes along – maybe it needs more sun?
Thanks so much Cyndy. I may end up putting brick all around the house. I think in your climate it would need more sun, but it’s not a super grower anyway. Takes years to get established. When it seeds, take the seed from the heads and spread it around. See if that helps.