Musings of a Garden Lover: Back from Europe

Just back from Europe and seeing dozens of beautiful gardens. Found so much happening in my own garden though--just had to share more images from here before I put up all the ones I photographed in France.

The border in the front garden has filled in and plants have begun to intertwine for the woodland effect I've been striving for.

Gold Flame Spiraea (Spirae x bumalda 'Gold Flame') infiltrated by Serbian Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) with Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet'--the one that doesn't bloom) coming in from the edge.

The Spice Bush (Calycanthus occidentalis) is blooming--it isn't the scent of the blossoms that gives this native plant its name, but, rather, the leaves (when crushed).

Evergreen hydrangea (Dichroa febrifuga) is also blooming. This shrub is not a hydrangea at all but the blossoms look a lot like lacecap hydrangea flowers. It is happy in the shade like its namesake.

I am partial to Rhododendrons that are NOT pink. This one is a vivid red.

Rhododendron 'Tally Ho'

This Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice') is a favorite of mine. I keep it pruned to a height of about 4' and when it sends out a branch to root I transplant the start so I am developing a soft hedge along the street side of the front garden. The white blossoms are beautiful even as they fade into soft pastel shades. The fall color is spectacular and the leaves stay on the plant almost all the way through the winter months.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'

This deciduous Exbury Azalea came with us from our house in Oakland 12 years ago and puts on a spectacular show.

Sweetspire (Itea virginica 'Little Henry') is also putting on a show in the back garden. This variety doesn't get too big--we have it in the foreground near our blueberries--and has spectacular fall color (which I will try to post when I download the autumn images).

There are also plenty of annuals and perennials coming into their prime:

Breadseed poppies in bloom.

Papaver somniferum 'Drama Queen'

Papaver somniferum 'Lauren's Grape' - this one re-seeded itself from a plant last year.

Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri)--not a poppy at all, but spectacular. Often compared to fried eggs, the flowers are about 6" to 8" across on stalks that exceed 6' in height. They will not grow from seeds, but once you have established a plant in your garden, they will spread and spread and spread....so, place them where you want them to do just that.