You may recall a couple of posts during the spring where I talked about how I was removing a large Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata) from the southwest corner of the Back Garden, right next to the gate that opens up to the alley.
Yesterday we saw what the Front Garden had on offer at the beginning of July. Today we head to the shady back garden, under the dappled shade of Silver Maples and other mature trees.
All of a sudden, it’s hot out and feels like summer. But the garden is still clothed in the blues and whites of late spring, especially out front. The reds, yellows, and oranges (but especially yellows) of summer are gathering force, not yet ready to bust out. They are delayed in part because of the cold spring, in part because some plants were cut back hard.
I’m trying something new this year: Bush’s Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe bushii). This is a close relative of Wine Cups (C. involucrata), in fact it used to be considered a variety of that species. My understanding is that Wine Cups will spread out more expansively.
A single Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) goes a long way. It’s a big plant – ours grows about 5 feet tall with a 4 foot spread. It’s a perennial but looks more like a small shrub. But if you have the space in a spot that’s moist and shady, this plant has a lot to offer. It makes a frothy splash in June, after most woodland flowers are just a memory.
Back in May I was congratulating myself for doing such a good job on growing 20 Caladiums from corms (which are like bulbs except that they’re different) on the back porch. You know how expensive it is to buy Caladiums in pots at the garden center? I forget exactly, but it’s expensive, especially if you want 20 of them.
The River of Salvia is an annual high point for Chicago’s Lurie Garden. This year, though, by the time I was able to visit the river had started to dry up, with most of the Salvias no longer in bloom. But even after the river peaked, there was plenty of excitement at the Lurie Garden when I visited today.
So Judy and I got home around 8 pm this evening after spending 5 days in Denver, where we took part in the Garden Bloggers’ Fling. As usual it was superbly organized. The backdrop provided by the Rocky Mountains and the big Colorado sky did give this year a different feel. Also, I thought it was remarkable how we could visit so many gardens without the experience becoming repetitive, as each one tended to have its own distinct personality.
I’m going to wait until fall to write more detailed posts on the individual gardens, but in the meantime I wanted to provide just a few of the many highlights from this year’s Fling.
So guess where I am? I’m in Denver, attending the Garden Bloggers Fling, that’s where. But I’m still going to do a quick post, because I am intensely dedicated. Or obsessive compulsive, one of the two.
Anyhow, last weekend Judy took some pictures of Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) with Catmint ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Nepeta x faassenii). I think they make an attractive couple.
This is going to be a short post. I just want to tell you about my favorite Peony as well as a new Allium in our garden.
gardeninacity 