You might have noted that I have switched my label to "Summer 2011"... with temps ranging through the 80's and closing in on 90 degrees fahrenheit, the label does seem more than appropriate. We have also been concerned that the upper stratum of terra firma might be getting a bit on the dry side... no longer a concern as we received a downpour of some duration this morning which included hail up to a half inch in diameter, but so far I haven't noted any damage.
My last several posts have been about trees peonies in particular.... if you haven't seen the work of Bill Seidl... please check out yesterday's offering which includes many peonies that he has bred.
With that said... on to the early June Gardens. This cympripedium is my first attempt at a lady slipper orchid. In the soil about a year, it now has four stalks with a fifth on the way. You might ask how I know there is a fifth stalk on the way? I actually dug this out of the rockery (in bloom) this morning with several clump epimediums, burgundy lace ferns, and some primulas. My concern was initiated by a lack of top growth on 'Domino', an epimedium with evergreen ancestry. I contacted 'Garden Vision' where the plant was originally purchased and Karen's concern was drainage. While this area of the rockery has rich loam... it is also very heavy, despite the fact that it came from my mammoth compost pile. I know... that doesn't make sense, but it is how it is around here since I include any sod edgings removed from the garden's topsoil in that pile.
I also was concerned that the cympripedium had more shoots, but they were smaller than when planted last season.With that in mind I dug out all the plants from that part of the rockery at 5:00 a.m. this morning while it was still fairly cool and added numerous amendments including a lot of organic compost that I purchased from a landscape supply company, peat, sand, and even some pea gravel to the resident soil. Once this was all tilled together, and I liked the texture that I had arrived at, I replaced the plants whose root systems, by the way, were very large and healthy. Four hours later as I finished with the last planting, the rains came ... talk about good timing!
Since Domino's root system was so large, and it is my favorite epimedium, I divided it into two sections, each about 8" by 12". My first attempt at dividing clump epimediums... we'll see what happens!
The Primula sieboldiis are at peak in the rockery just now as well...
... and the Primula japonicas have developed their first tier of blooms...
Several dianthus are just coming into bloom throughout the gardens, including this diminutive cultivar, Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Bedazzled' in the rockery...
I grow several heucheras and keep many of them in the same area with hopes of creating a quilted effect eventually... several are just starting into bloom...
Hostas throughout the gardens look especially good this year due to the very wet spring we had... this is Blue Angel and others...
This bed contains many newer varieties of hostas which are just beginning to develop some size...
Liberty is an 'improved' Sagae... it is very attractive with more and a better yellow under the various conditions where I've tried it. I really like it, but it doesn't seem to be as sturdy as Sagae... then again, few hostas do!... both are pictured below with Liberty second...
Intermediate irises will soon be past and the bearded are in full attire...
In closing, lets follow a little path that heads to a protected area that I call the 'Rhododendron Glade'. We are not in a good area for rhodies... ph is a major concern as is drainage. Many years ago I decided to create and amend a protected area in the yard where I could try to have a few rhodies... this little path is one of a couple ways to reach that area.
It heads under a large white pine that I dug from a woods when it was only 18" tall. We also pass beneath a couple quite mature magnolias, Daybreak and Elizabeth, and a canoe birch clump. Past a couple sections of cedar fencing installed as protection against the winter sun and late spring drying winds, we reach this small opening, encircled with two mature Wada's Memory magnolias, as well as several other mature magnolias, many tall pyramidal arborvitaes, a River's Purple Beech, and other flowering shrubs. In the center I planted a Mountain King Hawthorn which I decimate when needed to provide adequate light for good Rhododendron bloom, and at it's feet several rhododendrons.... perhaps ten in number, although I really haven't counted in some years.
So that's some of what's happening here in east central Wisconsin... until next time, Larry
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