Rekindling a Romance

The presence of water in the garden is so….. cooling and refreshing, but at this rate it will be used this evening when I continue with the watering regimen. Reading other weblogs it would appear that for the most part many gardeners are in the same predicament. I did garden maintenance this morning and was slightly [I underestimate myself….. I was green with envy and jealousy!] covetous of the fact that the watering system draws water directly from the river! There is no wonder how everything there is so green and lush looking, including the weeds which are multiplying like crazy! The combination of water every morning at 4, and the heat of the afternoon has ensured that I am kept busy while I am there. I had to prune a lot of the shrubs for exactly the same reason.

Closer to home… I want to say Clematis ‘Blue Boy’ but then after witnessing Marie’s collection, I am not so sure! Could it be that I am simply sublimating my obsession with the colour blue onto an unsuspecting somewhat blue Clematis? Sounds like something that I would do come to think of it! What do you think Marie?  

 Joy, one of my Canadian partners in crime when it comes to garden weblogs, made mention in a recent post that there is sudden predominance of the colour green in the garden at this precise moment in the gardening year. As she mentions, some of it is intentional, such as this composition in the Rare and Unusual Border where the only smattering of flowers are blue – imagine that - [Corydalis ‘Wildside Blue] red, and yellow, [Spigelia marilandica.] Speaking of ‘Spi Guy’ – this year my clump has easily trebled its size over last! In a true moment of plant geekdom, I counted the blooms…… one hundred and eleven! [You did what? God, it would appear that your twelve step programme….. hey wait a minute, you have been going to the meetings, haven’t you?!?]

Moving right along…..

I have waited, and with much impatience I might add, for Salvia sclarea var. ‘Turkestanica’ to make his biennial reappearance. Last year I was worried that I was going to have to repurchase seed and start again this Spring, but, thanks to the watchful eye of my true partner-in-crime M, I was thrilled to discover a dozen or so seedlings that were doing their best to root amongst the cracks in the drive. I quickly transplanted two of them this Spring and this is my reward!

 And yeah, I’m the whack job who actually enjoys the somewhat pungent odour that the plant emits when you bruise its foliage or rub its distinctly square stems! When you know that these amazing papery bracts will rise close to 2m revealing the periwinkle Salvia shaped flowers….. Hell, my work shoes are worse when they get soggy!

‘Oh Sweet Jesus, he’s hit his head on the ‘Golden Shadows’ and has fallen to the ground! Call 911!’ Relax people! I’m just experimenting with this delightful companion planting! If I work this right, you might see the variegation of the Cornus and have the gloaming’s fading sunlight as a backdrop! I’m going to keep experimenting with this duo!

One of two Hydrangea serrata that reside in the garden. This one has fabulously chartreuse foliage in the Spring, sometimes persisting until the plant actually blooms – creating a drop dead gorgeous visual effect! This year, sadly not so much! I was worried that it wasn’t going to make a return, but its pulled through once again!

    Hey Joy, here’s some more green for ya! A little on the dramatic side don’t you think? The stalks on this particular Arisaema are at least 1.5m tall this year! I absolutely adore the whorled starburst effect that its foliage brings to the ‘Walk of Hidden Treasures’ – formerly known as the ‘Shaded Walk’ – and renamed at the behest of garden writing friend Barbara who, later this month, I will have the privilege of meeting on a rendezvous to Lost Horizons! Danger Will Robinson, Danger!

And lastly, Deborah, you know what I would gladly take one for the team when it comes to the survival of your newly installed Acer campestre ‘Carnival’ at Kilbourne Grove. Please tell me that you have someone in the area that can go in and ensure that he gets the minimum water  needed to make it through until your return in August. They sell rubber bags that hold water and are used specifically to ensure newly installed trees maintain the proper levels of moisture. Fingers and toes are crossed for his survival dearheart!