Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day: May 2016

This Spring in Zone 6a/6b started out on the fast-track to Summer, but then managed to slow down to a crawl. Some blooms were ahead of schedule last month, but now other blooms are a little behind this month. I’m fine with that — the more of Spring there is, the better, in my book.

Starting in the front of the house, here’s what’s currently blooming in my corner of NW Ohio:

0514-GBBD08

My front garden — aka my “cottage garden” — is coming along nicely. The candytuft in front is an established planting that I intend to propagate via softwood cuttings shortly. I love the boost of bright white color that it gives in the early spring.

0514-GBBD20

Peony-flowering tulip ‘Angelique’ pairs quite nicely with the candytuft. 

0514-GBBD19

Soon, the alliums will be in full bloom, too.

0514-GBBD18

I recently planted some seedlings in another spot in the front garden, and moved an established hosta. This photo is mostly to give me an idea of where the drip line is — now I have an idea why the Nicotiana sylvestris in the back corner (all are marked with twigs) didn’t make it. When I plant a butterfly bush cutting back here later, I’ll know where it goes.

0514-GBBD09

Another established planting in the front garden is this Camassia. I’m not a big fan of its placement, so I may move it come autumn… or I may find that task to be way down on my priority list, like I have for the past couple of years….

0514-GBBD17

Out front, along the front fence, the Amur honeysuckle is getting ready to bloom.

0514-GBBD16

I don’t think these irises have bloomed in the past three springs we’ve been in this house. Perhaps the deer repellent is doing its job this spring….

0514-GBBD15

I forgot to stake my peonies! I usually do it in late April, when they’re first making themselves known, but I let other chores get in the way this year. I still have time to fashion something around them before they bloom, though. I adore them, but they always get rained on and flop to the ground if not properly staked. Such are peonies.

0514-GBBD14

In the peony border, I found this little phlox volunteer. I may move it back to join one of its brethren in the back (photo farther down).

0514-GBBD13

In the adjoining border (the one dominated by pachysandra), I found this little columbine. I assume that’s what it is, anyway. I haven’t decided if I’m going to leave it here or move it someplace where it can be more readily enjoyed. Yes, my hand is out of frame here, tipping the flower stem so we can see the worms-eye view of the flower structure.

0514-GBBD12

This variegated Solomon’s Seal shares the pachysandra border. I love love love this plant. As you can see below, I surely have enough to divide and transplant to another shady spot come autumn.

0514-GBBD11

0514-GBBD10

Rookie container success! I have two identical planters flanking my front stoop, both sporting coral bells and heuchera I bought from the local garden center last fall, plus some tulips for some extra punch (and because 100 bulbs was a lot of tulips to find spots for elsewhere on the property). Yes, I composed this shot ever so carefully, to leave out the fading Angeliques that I haven’t deadheaded yet.

Now we come to the back yard:

0514-GBBD05

I once saw this garlic mustard while on a walk through a woodland park — some ten years back, long before I lived in this house — and I photographed it and posted it on my blog under the title, “Weeds I’d Be Happy to Grow.” Although it is attractive, I learned after identifying it that it also disrupts the growth of nearby native plants, and is a very fast spreader. I haven’t eradicated this particular stand yet, but I’ve been pulling the onesie-twosies I’ve found elsewhere.

0514-GBBD07

Lamium. I have the purple growing out by the front door, too, but the yellow also grows in the back border by the sunroom.

0514-GBBD06

Phlox! I’m convinced all my phlox are volunteers brought by birds or other critters, since they all come up singly and not massed for effect. Like I mentioned above, I’m seriously considering digging up what I find and moving them into a mass planting.

0514-GBBD01

Last, but certainly not least: the tree peony is nearly in full bloom! I adore this plant, and am glad that they can be long-lived. The blooms on this tree peony never cease to amaze visitors to my home in May — hopefully they’ll last long enough to be seen at my annual Memorial Day Weekend Shindig.

As always, many thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day each month!

One thought on “Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day: May 2016

  1. Really enjoyed your garden tour. Some of your notes made me smile, because you talk to yourself and make notes for later. We are the same. I’m glad I found you from May Dreams Gardens (GBBD). I just turned down an offering of Solomons seal, but after seeing your swath, I think I might take them. I have a few poking up here and there, but I now much prefer a colony. Thanks for sharing

Got something to say?