Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bloom Day-May 2010



From In the Garden

Peonies and irises are the word of the day for Bloom Day in Tiger Gardens this month. May is a wonderful month and when I see all the flowers I tell you, it is then that I realize how worth it all my hard work is. Then I start seeing the work I need to do...but we won't go there. The above picture is in the front yard. Believe it or not the pink Japanese peonies are in a bed right next to the road and the white peonies and maroon irises are in another bed. I've worked my gardens out that you can barely see any lawn when viewing them, but make no mistake, the lawn is there because I like the green lushness setting off the gardens. Now let's look at some more blooms in my garden. I am not posting pictures of all the blooms but will list them at the end of this post.

From In the Garden
Azaleas, irises, and chamomile in a front foundation garden. Some azaleas have gone by but these ones still shine.

From In the Garden
Rhododendrons in the Deck Garden. Also blooming are red and white colored ones. The ones pictured above seem to be the best performers here.

From In the Garden
Indigofera amblyantha in the Vegetable Garden. This shrub blooms like this all season!

From In the Garden

Clematis 'Betty Corning'. My clematis book tells me this clematis is a cross between Clematis vitacella and Clematis crispa. It is a keeper. I purchased it in Maine about 18 months ago. Its delicacy is unparalleled in clematis that grow in my garden. The big flowered clematis are also blooming in: purple, white, and red. Note that I have the birdhouse holes halfway covered with wire? The sparrows are persistent and pulled off the screen. Pesky birds but I will fix that. You can also see one of the two mosaics in the background of this photo. Those mosaics add so much to my garden so the hard work was well worth it.

From In the Garden
Knockout Roses and Catmint. I LOVE the Knockouts!


From In the Garden

'Raspberry Parfait' dianthus makes a nice splash when paired with 'May Night' salvia and a matching peony in the Front Sidewalk Garden.


From In the Garden
Another dianthus (unknown) makes a lovely pairing with catmint in the Front Center Garden.

From In the Garden
'Clementine' columbine. Also blooming are a number of other cultivars and colors of columbine.

From In the Garden
It has taken a few years, but the Meadow Rue in my Greenhouse Garden is finally coming into its own. It smells really good as a bonus.

That's enough photos for today. Here are some more plants currently gifting us with flowers here in my Tennessee garden: foxgloves, roses (cream and red), irises, verbena, coreopsis, evening primrose, pansies, impatiens, viburnum 'Mt. Airy', ninebarks, Encore azaleas, Spanish bluebells, Phlox pilosa (Thanks Gail!), alliums, balloon flowers, Love in a mist, several salvias, 'Dropmore' honeysuckle, heucheras, brunneras, bleeding hearts, waterleaf, strawberry begonias, red hot pokers, astilbe, hardy geraniums, and penstemon, .

What's blooming....

in your garden....
?

Thanks to everyone who weighed on the 'Fairest of the Fair Iris'. 'Full Tide' won out by a narrow margin. I have since moved 'Full Tide' up to my Sunny Perennial Border where it will shine in a place of honor. Thanks again!

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

36 comments:

  1. I'm SO jealous! Seems the few "bloomers" I have are later than even yards around me! I can't figure it out. Eventually, the DO bloom. I have a few iris that are just now opening; no clematis yet or columbine... Bleeding hearts just about done.

    I also like the non-flowering features in your gardens (the mosaic especially. I'm gong to follow your labels to see if I can see it up closer!)

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  2. We are just starting to be done with the tulips and redbuds, I can't wait for all the rest to look as beautiful as yours!

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  3. Love all your blooms Tina. Your white peonies are so pretty. We saw lots of peonies in Alexandria this past weekend, and the whites were my favorite.
    I am really interested in getting knock out roses. Do you think it's too late for this year? (in Texas)

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  4. Good Morning All.
    Tina, I am in awe of your garden. It is so lovely. And you have so much blooming. I have Amarillo & verbena {different colors] coreopsis & wind flower {I believe}. I also have 2 large geranium {hanging baskets} that brother brought me. And you wouldn't believe my jasmine. Blooms everywhere & the smell is out of this world.
    Have a great day all.
    Skeeter, I hope all is going well for you & your parents.

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  5. Good morning all!

    Rebecca, Do check out those posts. The mosaics are very unique and the post showing how to make them is one of my most popular. A mosaic would be right at home in your garden.

    Dawn, Thanks!

    Linda, Never too late for the Knockouts. I simply love those guys. I added the yellow ones last year and they are doing fantastically. I'd grab a few when they are on sale and put them in a visible place to enjoy the view and wonderful fragrance. You might need to water then until they are established but so worth it.

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  6. Lola, I'd so love to smell the jasmine! It sounds so awesome and you and Skeeter always rave about it. She called me last night. The house is now in the contractor's hands so all is going well.

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  7. I might have to try my hand at peonies. I tried years ago and it was a miserable failure. Maybe I can do better this time around. --Randy

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  8. Randy, It wasn't you. When I first moved here I was in shock that peonies grew here. I had resigned myself to not growing them due to their cold requirement. I was so happy they would grow when I saw them in a garden! It may be that your area is not cold for a long enough period. If that is the case no matter how hard you try they will fail:( But on the bright side you can grow some lovelies many in the north can't-camellias!

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  9. Your peonies are beautiful. A couple more weeks and we will have some here too.

    The Chinese indigo is sure pretty. Wish it was hardy this far north.

    Been searching locally for a Betty Corning for several years and can't find one. They are lovely and a little unusual.
    Marnie

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  10. I am having garden envy. I don't have nearly as many things blooming in my garden as you do. I do have some peonies, daylillies, salvia, and knock out roses. You've inspired me to do more. Carla

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  11. You should be thrilled with the results of your hard work! Your garden looks amazing. That clematis you got in Maine is truly a keeper. I have only pink and purple (Jackmanii) sizes.

    Freda

    PS We're flying out tomorrow and hope to have access to the net while away so that I can keep in touch. If not..I'll catch up when we return. Our house sitter is staying here full time, so Charm is in good hands....but, I've not asked him to take photos of my garden. I'll miss a few flowers this year as they are blooming earlier.

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  12. Awesome peonies. Mine are just buds still. Your photos make me want a big peonie bouquet to bring in the house.

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  13. Your garden is looking lovely! I love your Clematis and 'Raspberry Parfait'. I think the bell clematis are so graceful.

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  14. Tina you asked about the Baptisia -- I think the blue one is 3 years old and the purple one is at least 5 years old.

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  15. Love all your groupings, but especially the azalea with the chamomile. And do like the dianthus with the catmint. I was never a huge fan of dianthus, but they are growing on me--so much so I have two waiting to be planted out and I had no idea where--now I do... next to the catmint! :)

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  16. You have paired your plants perfectly! What a great clematis on the birdhouse!! Everything is so beautiful, I too, adore Knock outs.

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  17. Absolutely beautiful Tina - everything! You have such a beautiful yard with all of those gardens full of blooming flowers. I'm so envious but still trying to get it right!

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  18. Wow Tina! Your garden is beautiful. I love seeing bigger pieces of your garden. I didn't know Meadow Rue had a scent, guess I'll be going out to smell mine today. I love your Clematis too, wonder where I could plant one?...

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  19. Great site, I think we can all learn something from your idea.this is fantastic looking blog..and I love the way you write!I hope you pick up the blog again soon. I have blog about home gardening too, same like you, I love gardening so much.

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  20. Thanks for sharing these pics... They were sure treat to my eyes.... I wanted to settle down with the beauty of one, but as I scrolled the latter turned out to out-beat the previous..... Oh! how mesmerizing they all are???? KUDOS!!!! & God Bless!!!!

    Ash...
    (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

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  21. Oh my goodness, it's all so beautiful. I too love peonies and have quite a few. I also adore the knockouts. So glad I planted them.~~Dee

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  22. Well, EVERYTHING is a knockout! You have some gorgeous combos and that is one amazing columbine.
    I'm still waiting for my peonies- (sigh...)

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  23. Happy Bloom Day! My GBBD post is up early too. I can’t wait until my rhodies open. Thanks for sharing yours. Those peonies are gorgeous and the azaleas so lush. What an interesting clematis! I can’t believe this is just a small sample of your garden – amazing!

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  24. Your garden is just so beautiful now with all of the blooms. I love your Dianthus. It looks so pretty with the Catmint. Knockouts are so wonderful and I keep getting more to stick around.
    The white peony looks so wonderful. Very pretty beds Tina.

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  25. Loving these pictures Tina!!! I have roses and iris and a few more smaller flowers but wow ...I am loving that yard of yours! Your hard work is certainly paying off with all those beauties. Another field day tomorrow -homework to check and studying too -have a great night. And, thanks for the update on our Skeeter girl -sounds like things are moving in the right direction:) Ciao

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  26. You know I'm jealous of your azaleas and rhododendrons:) I'm kicking myself now that I didn't buy one of the 'Northern Lights' plants when it was on sale here a few weeks ago.

    Your 'Betty Corning' clematis is amazing--I can't believe you planted it only 18 months ago! I agree with you on the Knockouts; in fact, I just added two of the yellow ones to a new flowerbed. But I must be the only person who doesn't have columbine blooming--mine are teeny weeny little plants yet; I wonder why.

    Your garden shows why May is such a great month, Tina!

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  27. Tina, I haven't stopped by in a few weeks, but what a wonderful post to visit...your May garden is looking absolutely gorgeous! Yes, your hard work definitely pays off!

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  28. I am just about to purchase knockout roses for a spot along the fence in our backyard. Yours are the fuschia color I am looking for. Are yours double knockout? The singles I see here in the Midwest are red, light pink, or yellow. I see the gorgeous fuschia ones out and about, just not in the nurseries. I wonder if I'm looking for double not single?

    Mary
    Flat Rock Creek Notebook
    http://flatrockcreeknotebook.com

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  29. Ooooops, I forgot to mention that my knock out roses are blooming. Brother & wife brought me 4. 2 yellows, 1 dbl pink & 1 dbl red. I must say they are gorgeous. The yellows look different. I don't know if there is 2 different kinds. If anyone knows please let me know.

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  30. Tina, thanks for the update on Skeeter. I know she was very worried.

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  31. Marnie, Thanks! I am surprised you can't find 'Betty Corning' in the your area. We can't find it here either. It seems to be a more northern thing. Maybe someone will post where to find it up there.


    Carla, That is quite a lot of flowers-all wonderful!

    Cameron, Thanks, I am fairly happy with the garden but oh the work as you know. You have a great and safe trip!

    GSS, Those peonies will be blooming soon and in come the blooms-a wonderful thing!

    Sweetbay, Those bell clematis are so sweet indeed. Thanks for the info on baptisia-patience is the word.

    Monica, Gotta love the dianthus-so sunny each spring and yes-get to planting by the catmint:) or salvia.

    Darla, Those Knockouts rock!

    Linda, It's the journey that is the best!

    Catherine, Yup, mine is sweetly scented. It has taken forever for it to take off too like yours-but finally!

    Gardener, Thanks for dropping by!

    Ashkuku, So glad you like the blooms. Spring in Tennessee is a pretty nice time.

    Dee, Thanks and those Knockouts rock for sure.

    Jen, Right around the corner and those peonies will be blooming big...

    Sarah, I picked the clematis up at Dyers-a wonderful one. Glad spring has arrived!

    Lona, Thanks! Those Knockouts are sure keepers.

    Anonymous, Spring is fantastic this year. I plan to stop by one of these days and see those irises!

    Rose, May rocks indeed! Carol of May Dreams sure picked a good name for her blog as I always think of it when I think of May. Maybe your columbine are of a less vigorous variety? I'll send you some seeds of my purple ones. Those guys are tall and bloom straight up for a long time.

    Kimberly, Thanks and great to see you. I hope Florida is treating you well and is not as hot as Tennessee.

    Mary, Hello and welcome! I looked for a log in on my pink knockout and of course I didn't log it in so I have no idea what variety it is. It does look like a double though. I purchased it on sale. I love all the knockouts so you just can't go wrong with any of them along your fence.

    Lola, Boy those Knockouts are sure keepers. Aren't they lovely? And you're welcomed on the update on Skeeter.

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  32. It looks like summer-time there Tina especially sitting here tonight in the snow. boo hoo for me.
    'Betty Corning' is stunning! I love those bell-shaped clematis ~ I have five different ones so far but there's always room for more, right?!
    'Clementine' is beautiful too. I wish I could just jet over and enjoy the view in person (and warm up while I'm at it!)
    ps. The photo of your children (from the previous post) is wonderful. You have such a nice looking family.

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  33. Just wondering why you don't want sparrows in your bird-house? Who have you invited? Glad someone else is enjoying the 1 to 5 hearts game!

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  34. Just found your blog by Googling other middle Tennessee gardens! I'm a newbie looking for inspiration. Definitely in great awe of everything you've done. I look forward to keeping up with you and your gardens!

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  35. Kathleen, Thanks on the children. We are pretty proud of them all.

    Elephant's Eye, The sparrows overtake all the other birds in my garden and even kill some bluebirds. Very frustrating critters. I do like the new system at Blotanical.

    Melissa, Hello and welcome to blogging. You have so much free space to garden in-lucky you! Your blog is a very nice archive of it. Blogging is great in that way. I'm looking forward to seeing your garden progress as well.

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  36. Great post on Peonies! I'm fascinated by the interactions and relationships of flora and fauna-- and how often a harmony arises in nature between the two. There is a great debate in gardening with flowers regarding Peonies and Ants. I posted my experience about the relationship of peonies and ants (providing a simple and strong example of one case where pesticides would do much more harm than good) on my new blog: http://www.learnorburn.com and I would love to hear if you've had a similar experience with peonies and ants. I'm now off to hunt down more symbiotic relationships that are beneficial to humans. Cheers!

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