Yellow Asiatic Lilly
New to me this year from Breck's
Orange Asiatic Lilly
Nothing says summer like the sunny, warm colors of these lilies. Enjoy!
Asiatic lilies are great for cutting. They will easily last a week with buds opening as full blooms drop petals.
For my office
I ordered these bulbs from www.brecks.com. They are very hardy and last for years.
Herbs for the kitchen garden.
One of my fondest memories is exploring the kitchen gardens in Colonial Williamsburg in my elementary school days. They appeal to all of our senses with color, aromas, taste, sound and touch. The field trip was probably my first time to see herb plants that had familiar names and flavors.
http://www.history.org/history/teaching/enewsletter/volume5/june07/gardening.cfm
This reference says that kitchen gardens were not the norm of colonial times due to labor requirements, watering needs and a likely aversion to vegetables. Regardless, the gardens featured in restoration projects are charming and delightful.
Oregano
Lemon balm
Chocolate mint
The weather this spring has been great for hostas. (Too much rain for peony blooms to peak.)
Antioch hosta
Golden Tiara Hostas with Autumn Joy Sedum
Westside Story
New start for Hyacinth Hosta
Westside story is the bed on the westside of the house with “Royal Standard”, “Guacamole” and “Elegans”. Last fall I divided three Hyacinth hostas into 18 gallon size new starts. We also have what I refer to as the hospital bed for varieties I tried to introduce and later struggled. Those varieties include “SunPower”, “Rainforest Sunrise”, “Remember Me”, “Fireworks” and “Golden Edge”. “Fire and Ice” is on the casualty list after three attempts in various beds.
As I surveyed my “south lawn” today, it occurred to me I should have a post crediting the vision, talent, resources available to me at Avon Gardens.
"South Lawn"
Karen Robbins and her staff are professionals. They prepared three curvy, island beds in a “sea” of grassy lawn which prolifically bloom spring to fall as well have interest in the winter. I estimate the square footage at 1800. The golden quartz flagstone patio off the master bedroom showcases a “moon” garden concept of white blooms of many varieties. The latest contracted project replaced our 23 year old foundation plantings with boxwood, Japanese maples, hydrangeas, knock-out roses to name a few specimens.
Avon Gardens is a destination to remember. Many wedding parties gather for outdoor weddings on the grounds spring to fall.
Pink Double Weeping Cherry
Redbud
Redbud too
Volunteer
Lilacs
Mother Nature dressed in her Easter Sunday pink and purple finery.
Survey of fresh mulch 4 cubic yards, 2 people, 5 hours each.....for starters
Forsythia
Forsythia, Close up
Unhatched 😦
Blue bird house
Spring cleaning
This blue bird house was purchased from Wildbirds Unlimited. www.wbu.com
Blooming crocus! The fountain has bubbled for a week. (It was unplugged for the winter.)
Crocus
Bubbling Fountain
The TO DO list for the next four weeks includes trimming the last remaining perennials of last year’s foliage, strategically adding (bagged) compost, mulching and taking photos to post!
elfcroft 