Seasonal confusion...

Martagon 'Russian Morn'

I'm having a difficult time sorting bloom cycles out this summer... I don't recall things being quite like this in the past. Most years there is a general marching order of what blooms when in relation to each other blooming plant. It seems like the order is off kilter this year and it perplexes me. I've never kept a garden journal and that is perhaps one of the biggest mistakes of my gardening life. The closest thing I have is about 40,000 pictures with their dates from the last few years since I began seriously photographing the gardens. I know something strange is happening but it's not an earth shaking situation... it's just enough to throw me off balance as my expectations aren't quite jiving with real time flowering.

Japanese tree Lilac

I realized something today... when it comes to perennials and the "really big show" one needs to plan up to three years in advance.  For example, the past 3-4 years have been marvelous in terms of my lily bloom. The orienpets last year were amazing with stalks to 8' in height and blooms to match. Alas, that is not the case this year... a huge number of the lilies have disappeared... was it the rain and immediate freeze in January, could it have been voles partaking of the roots, should I have divided those huge clumps last fall. Actually, it's probably a bit of each of these things... but for whatever the reason, some of the gilding will be off the lilies this year. There is a bright future ahead however, as I have been planting lilies that will shine in a year or two. In fact, there will be a number of transplants that will be ok this season, so all is not lost.

There will be a big show this year in an entirely different range of plants. The delphiniums that I began researching some years ago will finally come to fruition. It all began with an overpowering desire to grow New Millenium hybrids out of New Zealand since they are said to be much more perennial than the cultivars I have used in the past. My first attempt involved purchasing seed from New Zealand and was not very successful at all. I then moved to purchasing a lot of plants... many were lost this past winter but a great many have also made it to maturity... the reward is at hand.

You have heard me say in the past that I despise having to stake plants... so much so, in fact, that when I make an exception, the plants must be exceptional. I can say with certainty that other than my rare Tinka Philips peony, delphiniums are that exception. I adore their vertical spires combined with my clematis plants... for me the next couple weeks will be a highlight of the gardening season.

Persicaria polymorpha (12 feet wide)

They say when one is inactive, one loses a tremendous amount of strength at a phenomenal rate... I can attest to this after being on activity restrictions for a month and a half with my three surgeries. I honestly wondered after returning to my gardening if I would be able to continue in this endeavor many more years. Literally every joint and muscle in my body hurt tremendously on a daily basis. Well... that situation improved this week... tonight for the first time in weeks I can move about without being stooped over... I can get up from a chair without groaning in pain and I feel renewed, full of excitement about all the things I want to accomplish in the future here in the gardens. When one has arthritis the only solution is to work through the pain, especially if you can't take anti-inflammatories as is the case with me. I feel vindicated as I continue to espouse 'never give in'.  For me; gardening , if not a life saver, is at the very least a life extender.

William Baffin rose

Alexander macKenzie rose

This is an exciting time of the year and I actually begin to see the garden maintenance saga coming under control... I may actually rediscover other aspects of my life as garden chores dominate less of my and Sarah's time. If you're a gardener you do understand... it's all worth it. I've never enjoyed exercising for the sake of exercising... I love to work and I love to see results of the energy I expend... few things are more fulfilling than realizing you have been a part of creating something of beauty... 
Larry

Sundrops

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