Far and Near

BY SKEETER

 I am forever showing close up photos of blooms in my GEORGIA GARDENS. Close-ups give glory to the bloom while the plant seems to be lost.

 So today, I will change things up a bit and show some plants currently blooming. Hydrangeas are new to me as I have only been adding them to my gardens the past two years. I knew nothing of the plants but know they are a staple in a Southern garden.

 McCorkles Nursery (Giant Plant Sale) has Hydrangeas at such great prices that I decided to give them a try. I just love this "Mini Penny" above in my newest of gardens.

This Mini Penny is a Repeat Flowering Hydrangea and has hints of a creamy yellow with the blue coloring. 

 This Mini Penny is in the Semi-Formal Shade Garden.

This Mini Penny is the same plant as in the before plant but has more Blue to its flowers. More pine straw in this area for sure. 

 Midnight Duchess, as well as all my hydrangeas, had a rough start being planted during the peek of our 3 year drought. I really babied the Hydrangeas in my small collection during the drought. 

 Plentiful rains during Spring and into Summer have them shining. I really do like those purple-black stems on Midnight Duchess!

 Vitex  or Chaste Tree was added a couple of years ago and is doing great! 

 Bees love these blooms. Can you see the 2 bees in this picture?

 Rose of Sharon is a favorite of mine as it reminds me of my childhood home in Tennessee.  

 Here you see Sharon in the color of purple. I also have her in the colors of White and Pink. See the bug on this bloom?

 Balloon Flower has been with me for several years but will not seem to fill in for me.

 Even though it seems to be a slow grower for me, it does bloom each year. Am sure the recent rains are helping to make it stronger as the drought is finally over! Well, for now...

 I have 2 Trumpet Honey Suckle that are doing wonderful.

 Their bright red color attracts many pollinators.

And they are producing the most beautiful berry's as well.

I almost removed this Lantana from my garden this spring. It was late to return and I was clipping what appeared to be a dead bush when I spotted new growth. YIKES! 

I am so happy I spotted that bit of growth. I would have missed out on some beautiful blooms had I kept cutting the bush.

 Crepe Myrtle is now blooming. This tree is in the mending stage as it is "Miss Myrtle" that did the Splits on me in 2011. Click HERE to see that mishap.

She is bouncing back and blooming FAR AND NEAR, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Clematis Collection

BY SKEETER

 Before we talk about Clematis today, I want to show you something I had been hoping to see here in my GEORGIA GARDENS. The Red Honeysuckle and Yellow Jessamine blooming simultaneously!

 The bright yellow Jessamine has since faded but I was so happy to see the two playing together!

 I have never had luck with Clematis in the past. Looking back, I have learned that I may have been too quick to assume the vine was dead. Thus, they were more then likely pulled from the ground before they awoke from a Winters Nap. I have learned my lesson. Here you see Ernest Markham. This one is located on the left side of the Garden Swing.

 Here you see a Multi Blue mingling with another Honeysuckle vine. These are located on the right side of the Garden Swing.

I love this shade of purple. I hope in time that the Honeysuckle, Multi and Ernest shall meet in the middle and mingle a bit. May have to update these beauties next year.



On the same vine, a bloom a bit older showing a whiter center. Or is this a different vine? Could be, as I planted several last year and I may have lost track of a second one in this area.

 Clematis 'Allanah' a hybrid is located in the Semi-Formal Gardens. It climbs a Shepherd's hook to a Birdcage. 

 After a drought year with me, they all appear to be happy. I hope to add more in time but for now, this is my CLEMATIS COLLECTION, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Swamp Jessimine mingles with Honey Suckle

BY SKEETERThe Calendar now officially says Spring. But the HEAT in my Georgia Garden says SUMMER out there! I am trying to get the fast growing weeds in control but the heat is getting to me. Headaches, heat rashes, sunburn, etc. And it is just Spring? Geesh...As you can see, by the weeds, I have yet to get to the Semi-Formal Flower Garden. I am slowly working my way around the yard with this being the last Garden to tackle. 6 Bricks are laying by the entryway making it a bit longer and inviting. I shall get those bricks embedded into the ground and add more pea gravel. But this will have to wait until the weeds are pulled.
The Swamp Jessamine is doing great on the Arbor! The bright yellow flowers seem to glow in the sunshine. Heck, they glow without the sunshine.
The lone Honey Suckle plant that I added last fall survived our mild winter. The Red and Yellow look great together and I hope the Honey Suckle will work its way across to the other side.
Here is that other side. A bit difficult to see but the Dogwood is in full bloom in the background.
Ah, now we can see the Dogwood in the background better. Also a boat that continues to wait for the lake to rise. Our past two years drought has the lake so low. We are having some nice spring rains and hopefully, they will continue. Not only to raise the lake but to make SWAMP JESSAMINE MINGLE WITH HONEY SUCKLE, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden