A pretty May day

Just a photo of one of our few nice days this spring.

Clearing brush to gain access to stream

I've been clearing out some brambles and branches and other debris to gain access to the stream from the upper garden area, in the lower part of the hillside. Here is a peak at the stream from here. I added some rocks enhance it. A fun little project to work off stress!

Spreading compost

I spread compost around many of the plants on the hillside. The soil is very poor - mostly dirt from house construction that was moved to the hill. It was a blank slate four years ago, and I selected plants that would do well in clay soil on a hillside in part sun or shade. Most of the plants are native shrubs. There are also about almost 20 viburnums (double-file and tinus), which are thriving in this environment. A few rhododendron and azalea are doing fine, even though the soil is not very well-drained.

I will post a photo when the double-file viburnums get into full bloom, as I think they will be spectacular in a couple weeks.

Container planting

It is finally time to plant your containers for summer show! Well, all except some of the more tender annuals, such as sweet potato vine (Ipomea), impatiens, and begonias. These will stay in my garage for another week.

I over-wintered non-stop begonias (in vermiculite in my storage area). In March I planted them in pots and brought most of these inside. They will stay inside for another couple weeks.

I've brought all the over-wintered plants outside, except for the angel's trumpet. I repotted several plants, such as pony-tail fern and abutilon. They just seemed to be calling out for fresh potting soil.

Red Apeldoorn Tulips

Have you experienced frustration from tulips not coming back the second year? Try planting the Red Apeldoorn Tulip. They are readily available in the fall. I bought mine inexpensively on two different years in big bags at one of the box hardware stores. These tulips come back better each year!

They appreciate our wet fall/winter/spring weather, but don't want much water during the summer. Well, that is great for our climate!

Try planting a patch this fall!

Spring garden images

Here are a few photos showing parts of my garden in early May. This dogwood is just starting to bloom.

I appreciate the beautiful light green shades of new growth.

A new hanging begonia with emerging perennials behind.

 Berm between the driveway and the little stream, showing some small rhododendron, blueberries, coral bark maple, vine maple, hydrangeas, evergreen huckleberry, and hebes.

A pot of tulips by the upper driveway. Even though they will not come back next year, it is worth planting for the spring show. This fall, I crowded a bag of double tulips in the pot. I planted another bag of yellow tulips in the hillside rock garden (which needs more plants!).

Today I've been clearing brush to the area on the right and behind the steps. This will give easy access to the stream. But I got into some kind of bramble that gave me a rash on my arms. Had to come inside to wash up and apply anti-itch cream. Fortunately it worked right away!

We are going to have some bigger stones set for a more solid set of steps up to the hillside. This will provide safer access to this part of the yard.

Native plants - Elderberry and Red Flowering Currant

Here is a picture of a red-flowering currant that I took last month. Yikes - I've been remiss about posting. I planted dozens of various native plants in February 2010. They came as small plants from the county conservation society, but they have grown quickly and are thriving. Most of them are not in irrigated areas, so get watered infrequently - or not at all.

 

This is the native elderberry. My "native" landscape areas are doing great in poor soil with almost no attention. The red-twig dogwood is another winner in dry or moist soil, and in sun or shade.