Stuff to look at this week

Between work (transitioning), the weather (rain and hot), and my ambition (none) I've not been in the garden as much as I'd like to be.  Weeds are starting to take over.  I'll need to do something about them soon.

Cimicifuga sp,

'Great Star' Hydrangea

Purple Leaf Ligularia

Can't think of it at this moment.

'Little Lamb' Hydrangea

Containers on the patio

'Sugar Daddy' Petunia

'Pinky Winky' Hydrangea

Wish List

The cannas in this year's containers are cast offs from a local plant sale.  But they have me in the mood for better ones next year.

Horn Canna Farm

RAIN!!

Stuff to look at this week

Here's whats of interest this week in the garden.

'Phantom' petunia

Sweet potato vine

Japanese beetle salad

Globe thistle

Ligularia 'The Rocket'

Hodge podge of stuff, including hosta flowers

Asiatic lilies in bloom

Syringa microphylla (I think)
-- a second round of blooming

'Little Lamb'

'Pinky Winky' and Japanese beetles

Daylilies continue

Home Garden Tour Volunteer

I'm a volunteer this week for the OBG home garden tour.  Tonight was the mandatory volunteer orientation and a sneak peak of the gardens.  I visited four of them on the tour.  Below are some shots- I won't give details as you'll have to go figure it out yourself.

House #1: The Boss's House

Great example of how to use a simple plant palette.

Always good to find a shady hosta spot on hot days.

House #2: If only this guy would tell us it would rain (hint hint)

The front yard was amazing....

... but there were two champion trees that stole the show.

House #3: Extremely photogenic garden.

In addition to all these great vignettes to photograph...

... there was cool use of sculpture and art.

House #4: I've known this gardener for years but this was my first visit to her garden.

Wonderful use of whimsy with tropical flare.

Obama-Biden 2012.

No Rain

The lack of rain continues.  Sprinklers are going in the front and back yards and I still keep finding dehydrated plants.

Time for the rain dance.

10x10

Vegetables are a lost cause in the landscape.  All the prime spots for veggies is filled with ornamental plants.  Plus, the chipmunks have polished off every tomato before I could get to it.

So, a community garden plot it is.

In May, I started off with a cover crop of rye.

Two 10-foot long planks to serve as walk ways and to minimize soil compaction.

Now it is full of collards (3 large harvests so far), peppers, and tomatoes. 

More images as the year progresses.

Japanese beetle

The last three years Japanese beetles have been a non-issue in the yard.   I've hardly seen them and I've not bothered to treat or spray with anything.

This year they are back and are kicking my ass.

I've always described their infestations as little food/sex orgies, turning the most stately garden into a red light district bordello.

Seems you can hardly get a picture without one humping another.  Yay! Bug porn.

Stuff to look at this week

The intense heat of this spring had most of the garden in bloom before summer arrived.  Here is what is in bloom as of this week.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'. Planted in 2010.

Hydrangea arborescens 'Ryan Gainey'.
This has become one of my favorites in the garden.
Installed in 2008 or 2009.

Hydrangea arborescens 'Bella Anna' installed just a few days ago. 

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabell' with a lacecap variety in the background.   
Hydrangea paniculata 'Lime Light' (can't see it) is mixed in, too.

Hydrangea arborescens 'Incrediball'.
One of two in the yard, and the only one doing anything.
Both installed in 2011 with this one blooming the first year.

Garden phlox.  I think last year it bloomed in August. 

Daylilies are in bloom.

Lots and lots of daylilies.

More freakin' daylilies.