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Wednesday 18 May 2016

Mishaps and Marvels

I have been in such a funk ... I have been taking pictures of the garden but seemingly overwhelmed by them and not being able to choose either pictures or words to illustrate how my garden is springing ? into Spring ?
Weather has been a BEAST .. not near enough rain but thank heavens Garden PA is the saint he is and has watered for me .. we BOTH can't wait for that irrigation system to get going !

I am now looking at what losses have happened ... I lost a small colony of Ostrich Plume astilbe which was one of my favorites and I can not for the life of me figure out why ?
I have never had anything like that happen before especially with astilbe .. they are so reliable.
I have a big sad vacant patch

A garden friend of mine had a fun trip to Sheridan Nurseries yesterday and found some goodies .. Among them was an astilbe called "Mighty Chocolate Cherry" ... now she has me thinking THAT would be a great replacement .. but finding an exact plant here could be problematic .. hope ??

Other plants that have suffered are my small Japanese maples ... some look quite sad .. but I am hoping they will respond with water and kindness ?
My HUGE tulip planting of Queen of the Night surrounded by Antoinette is looking amazing and we are so hoping it flowers the way I saw it in my head when I thought of it last Fall.
It is hard to see but Antoinette's foliage has a thin white lining and multiple flower heads.

Other garden goodies
 Epimedium "Niveum" is glowing in the shade
Primula
Wood Phlox
A new dark foliage astilbe Chocolate Shogun Astilbe




My ancient Jacob's ladder is still hanging on and looks amazing each Spring still.
I know most of you have been here done that already with your Spring bulbs but that is how far behind we have been with the rest of you gardeners ... but ?
I have a big box from Hortico that I have to open and plant so my next post will be on that.
In the mean time just "Spring" still dancing in my garden ?




11 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I hate that you lost your favorite astilbe. I can't grow them very well. The ones that have survived here die back in the summer when it get hot and dry. I always think that they have died forever but then they come back out in spring. So I guess you can say they go dormant. Like a lot of spring ephemerals. I love the color of that Ninebark. I might have to source that one. The Ninebark that I have isn't looking any too healthy. It is blooming nice now.
I love the quote on your header. Spring has sprung even in your area. Everything looks good.

MWebster said...

I feel for you. Every Spring it's sort of a "bated breath" thing, isn't it? Especially after a bad winter or during a grumpy spring. Here in Alberta it's too dry; we were hoping for some rain this afternoon, but no luck...Hope the marvels considerably outweigh the mishaps in your garden!

Abby said...

You have such a lovely garden! I just wanted to let you know I live in BC and I lost my TWO
astilbes. Very odd!

Nadezda said...

Oh, dear! I'm so sorry your astilbe. What to do? It's nature. I say to myself. I count my losses every day after terrible icy winter. Yesterday I noticed my Japanese maple its bark was completely dropped. I had to sow it, so sad, it was 10 years. But you have a big box with new plants, that's wonderful.

Angie said...

Our gardens are not too far apart by the looks of things Joy. I love the foliage on that Ninebark - it's stunning! I am scratching my head as to whether or not I could fit one in.
I always thought Astibles were pretty indestructible sad to read that you've lost yours. However, the foliage of new one is just lovely.
Looking forward to reading what's in that Hortico box, new plants are always guaranteed to lift our mood.

Jennifer said...

Hi Joy, I have been away for a couple of weeks and now I am struggling to catch upwith the garden among other things. I went home to help my folks move to an assisted living facility. Together we paired down a lifetime of possessions into what would fit into a one bedroom apartment. Very stressful for my folks and tons of work for me! Now I'm back home and the garden has leaped forward.
Odd that you lost astilbe. As you wrote, they are pretty reliable. I' m sue you'll feel in the space quickly enough.I planted Queen of the Night out front based on the fact that it is a late bloomer. Well hasn't come along at the same time as my orangey-red tulips! The combination does look a tad odd. So much for planning! Have a most excellent Victoria Day long weekend eh!

Linda said...

Despite the plant losses your garden is looking good Joy. I sure wish we had some soaking rain, it seems so early to be out watering each day. I'm simplifying the gardens and eliminating all annuals and perennials that are high maintenance. I must be getting lazy in my old age :)

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

I enjoyed all the pictures. Sorry your astilbe are not doing well. I have one and it is not growing well at all. I think we are to hot here for astilbe but I had to try. I need to move mine somewhere else.
All your bulbs look great though(-: It is so fun to see how far ahead we are here with the season.
I also love those butterflies in your banner(-:

Rose said...

You're right--all my spring bulbs have long since faded. But I love them, so it's a delight to see all of yours to remind me of my favorite time of year. Sorry to hear all that you have lost due to the weather. We've had the opposite--lots of rainy days. I shouldn't complain because it means the garden is looking pretty lush, but I am so far behind in garden work as a result, and the weeds are growing like crazy.

Casa Mariposa said...

That ninebark is amazing! It reminds me of an astilbe I added to the garden called Amber Moon but I love that Chocolate astilbe, too. As for rain, we've had tons and one of my honeysuckles is dropping leaves it's so soggy. Everything looks great and a big box of plants is always a great way to cheer up. :o)

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Thank you all so much for dropping by and commenting ! I really appreciate it : )
I am just so worn out for working in the garden I have to do a mass Thank You and try to get to your blogs to say hello back !!!