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Yesterday, I started my day by the open back door. I went and asked the bunny for advice, and he only said “out there…”. He’s a shy one. He was given to me by my Mother a long, long time ago. He now sits gracing a table, which belonged to my Mimi (Grandmother), and I love to look at his dark eyes glistening in the sunlight. Momma gave me the bunny on Easter morning. I had no front teeth and was wearing a pink dress and hat. The outfit was complete with pink knee high socks and black patent leather shoes. I didn’t feel so bad, as my older sister, Angie, was wearing a similar outfit. She also got a bunny. After all, you couldn’t give one child something and the other nothing, now could you? What lucky girls we were. She still has her bunny too. With our black hair underneath our white hats, we graciously accepted our lovely gifts. But anyway…where was my point? Ah yes…outside.

So, outside I went to find many glorious treasures of new growth, and much more green than I was expecting. It was early morning, around 8 AM (early to some, not so early to others!) and the light was hitting the leaves of the Viburnum (’Blue Muffin’) so gracefully.

This particular Viburnum is in the Arrowwood family, as well as being a ‘dentatum’ cultivar. That just means that it looks like an arrow and also has teeth-like ridges along the outer edges of the leaves. It’s pretty cool how these things have been named. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense! The ‘Blue Muffin’ has white flowers in spring followed by dark blue fruits/berries in summer. The birds absolutely LOVE this shrub. It offers protection and food. What better combo for a bird can you get?

I kept this metal sign that was on my Viburnum. There was one on each of the 4 plants I got, but this one was the least damaged and most readable. I keep it underneath one of the four that I have for identification. I love that someone hand scratched this and took the time to put one on each individual plant. The metal is so pliable and soft. I like it!

Another of my favourite newly planted specimens is the Hydrangea Panticulata ‘Brussels Lace’. It’s definitely more of a tough landscaping plant that it would seem. It’s not like it’s sisters, the mopheads, lacecaps and such, who need more shade and attention. This beauty stands out in the heat, sun and just blooms away! As long as it gets it’s fair amount of water, it’ll stand through 100F +!! This past week is testament to that!

This graceful baby sports scentless, white on white spikes of flowers surrounding smaller clusters of tiny florets. It’s dark green glossy leaves add a splendid touch of contrast that pokes through any shade to add a bright touch of white. An important element in my garden, as it’s a lot of mostly green plants…so far.

I think most people would want more fragrance than I search for. With myself, and my husband, we often can’t tolerate a strong fragrance in a garden, such as Lilies, without getting a blinding headache! So, I research and find the varieties that offer the LEAST amount of fragrance. If it is a variety I want and it does have fragrance, I at least make sure it’s a short-lived bloom or that it fades after the first few days. So, my ultimate goal is a Rose and Herb garden that makes no scents!

Speaking of Roses, my Fairy Roses are doing spankingly well. With new buds-a-plenty, they just keep growing new canes, new leaflets and new buds daily. Whatever I did, I’m thrilled they are so happy.

As you can see on this close-up of the new flower, the sun is making them less pink than they normally are. As I get more shade from surrounding plants, I’m sure they will be more pink in the future. I have also noticed that this second flush of flowers is less clustered than the first. It’s more single blooms. I don’t mind either way. I just like looking at them. They also offer very little fragrance

Then there’s my troubled Willow babes. This is the third time they’ve been moved, and we lost 4 of them when we moved them. The ones that lived are now doing much better than they ever have. This one in particular seems to be growing out as well as up! I couldn’t be happier about this. There’s something about this new soil that the plants either love or hate. The Willows are sure loving it. It seems to hold more moisture without making the plants have wet feet…which only a few plants truly like. This also keeps the roots cool and the top hot and sunny. A hard nut to crack in the garden world, but a true triumph when it happens. Again, more shade from other surrounding plants in the future will help nearly all the other plants, including the Willows.

Then there’s this freaky, sturdy little shrub. The Shoal Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus ‘Shoal Creek’). You can ignore it till the cows come home and it will just get more and more new growth! It requires very little water, attracts butterflies and loves a sunny spot. The leaves are slightly fragrant when you brush by them or rub them between your fingers. A very curious little plant that I’m glad I brought home with me. It sits perched on the back corner of the house waiting to greet visitors who meander to the back garden. I planted this about a month ago and it has so much new growth it’s ridiculous! I’m absolutely loving this one so far.

And then there’s Russel, my ‘October Glory’ Red Maple. No problems as of yet and he’s standing tall through the heat as well without a single day of wilting.

Isn’t the red on the veins and stems amazing? I’m so curious for the Fall colour this will provide. Then, I can save the leaves and make my own nutrient rich leaf mold. Always a bonus to give back to the garden with last years remnants. I named him Russell because he makes such a wonderful sound in the wind. How cheesy am I??

Well, my ladybug tells me of luck in my garden in the future. I hope she’s right! Anytime you see a ladybug in your garden, you know the garden is alive and well

I hope to plant a load of Roses, Peonies, a new tree or two and some varieties of Muscari in September/October. Join me then as I walk through that process of planting in the Fall. You may see my gardening helper who only shows up in the cooler months

Until then, I’m in the Garden!!

CB