The first of the blackberry lilies (Iris domestica, below, aka Belamcanda chinensis) is flowering this morning, the first from seeds gathered in late summer two years ago. Reports of flowering in the first summer are likely to be when seeds are started in a heated greenhouse, while mine is not and tiny seedlings are planted…

Despite a dry late spring, the garden’s Japanese maples are thriving. Red leafed maples have faded slightly in July’s heat, but these are shaded a bit so color does not fade as much as maples in more sun. Green and variegated leafed maples show little change from spring, though the Floating Cloud maple (Acer palmatum…

In this garden with areas that are consistently damp I am occasionally alerted to plants that thrive in dampness by ones growing in the shallows of the koi pond. Unsurprisingly, Joe Pye weeds have established here, but more curious is a panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata, below) seedling that has grown for several years in the…

In early July I continue to be frustrated by rabbits that are nibbling tall perennials, particularly ones that are newly planted and most in need of foliage to survive. Yesterday, I was confronted with an additional concern as I crossed paths with a youngster, and of course this is what rabbits do, breed and nibble….

Here, neatness counts very little. Rambunctious growth is the goal in the garden. No doubt, this can go too far, paths disappear, and occasionally a favorite is overwhelmed by an exuberant neighbor. Editing is required, but to the barest minimum. With neighboring plants encroaching, few of the garden’s plants would display well if dug and…

The garden is not irrigated, and no way am I dragging hoses around when it turns dry, as certainly it will in summer. While new plantings are watched (often not carefully enough), everything else is expected to make it on the somewhat regular rainfall that comes once a week in this Virginia garden, though sometimes…

The Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata, below) is officially off the short list of the garden’s least favored plants. Sufficient ground is now covered within the radius of its seed drop so that there are few of the annoying seedlings that once grew by the thousands. I don’t expect golden rain will ever become a…

No matter how I resist, I curse rabbits that inflict increasing damage upon new plantings in the garden. My inattention to caring for tender newcomers is a challenge, but a newly planted sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina) has been nibbled in half, twice, with the damaged stem left behind. I understand damage by hungry wildlife, but this…

I am pleased that the Seven Son tree (Heptacodium miconioides ‘Temple of Bloom’, below) planted a year ago has grown vigorously, but most importantly it is now developing flower buds for its August bloom. After a large Seven Son was lost in a summer storm several years ago I was determined to plant another, so…

With fresh memories of stifling heat and humidity, this weekend has been an absolute joy. Forecasts days earlier promised cooler temperatures, but Virginians know that mid seventies can be joined by high humidity to be much less comfortable. Stepping outdoors early Saturday morning I could hardly believe the cool breeze. I hesitate to say cold…

Undeniably, I’m an addict. The first step towards a cure must be admitting the problem, but I’ll proudly fess up and continue planting with no hope for rehabilitation. Knowing that I will not stop, my wife suggests planting on the neighbor’s property, but still I can find plenty of places to plant in the garden,…

I don’t recall when the ‘Moonlight’ Japanese hydrangea vine (Hydrangea hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’, recently in the genus Schizophragma but helpfully changed to Hydrangea, below) was planted, but not in the recent past. Newly planted hydrangea vines often do not flower for several years, and whatever the timing a year ago was the first time it flowered….