The more compact cultivar of Verbena bonariensis (Lolipop’) was planted in the lower rear garden a year ago. I did not necessarily require the shorter plant, and perhaps the taller variety growing further upslope would be preferable in the long term if the nearby Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) spreads another few feet. In the upper…

I was confused, but perhaps I’ve figured it out. When the worn-out garden area surrounding the new sunroom was removed to allow more room for construction, two clematis were chopped to the ground in October 2023, leaving the roots. The two vines, one purple, the other white, had scrambled through a tall nandina at the…

Closer to home, native mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia, below) faded from bloom several weeks ago. On the Appalachian Trail at three thousand feet and higher, flowers are at their peak. Barbara and I were surprised and delighted to see so much flowering along this trail long after spring ephemerals had faded. While temperatures topped out…

After inches of rain in recent weeks, the lushness of foliage in the garden fades in the afternoon heat. Redbuds plumped by damp soil show their misery by midday. Nothing horrible, but few plants or animals thrive in this heat. The garden is ready for the return of afternoon rain showers and a few cloudy…

Walking the stone path above the lower circle patio is treacherous at the moment with slick, sodden blooms fallen from the stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia, below). Many flowers remain in the tree far above, but several are visible from the few lower branches. Uppermost blooms can be seen from the sunroom through the clutter of Japanese maples…

I am pleasantly surprised to see the number of flower buds on bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). Most are cold hardier lacecap varieties with more substantial stems rather than soft wooded mopheads that were cut back considerably to remove winter-damaged stems and again following an early spring freeze. I have seen more buds forming on remontant…

Days of rain have delayed cleanup of the bigleaf magnolia (and other chores) that fell in a recent storm. I’m only complaining a little. Cutting logs and gathering branches is not the gardening I enjoy, but it must be done and then I can move on to create the new planting of the area. That,…

The cleanup of the Bigleaf magnolia lost in a recent storm has begun. Barbara suggested that I hire out the tree removal, but I’m certain she knew I would refuse and excuse that I could use the savings to purchase new trees for the area. Of course, she expressed concern for my health since I…

While Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) is indisputably the favorite of pollinators, it is another month before it begins flowering. So, what flowers do pollinators depend on until that time? Today, the answer is a single Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia, above and below) beside the koi pond patio. There are several more oakleafs in the garden,…

Flowers of Crested (Iris cristata, below) and Siberian irises (Iris sibirica) have faded, and today the many Japanese irises are nearing their peak. All are exceptionally easy, with Siberian and Japanese irises particularly useful for planting in clay and damp soils. Sadly, glorious Japanese irises (Iris ensata) that were planted in gaps between boulders surrounding…

Trees provide the structure in this tree-packed garden. They’ll be here forever, or at least for decades. Until they’re not, and sadly, today the cherished Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is gone. In fact, it’s still here, but it’s lying on the ground with its roots above ground. I remember the day. It was mid-July thirty-some…

Several revisions have been made this spring to the earlier spring revisions of the side garden. That’s how it goes, not all the time, but I wasn’t quite satisfied with the outcome the first time around, so changes had to be made. At this point, I hardly remember what was here that was torn out…