An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

April 15, 2012

Bloom Day - 2BZY2TRN (too busy to talk right now)

I spend too much time at work, I have insanely agreed to have my garden open for a tour in two weeks, and life is happening. There is little time for idle talk, so let's get right to this month's offerings.

Rhododendron x 'George Taber'  - George Taber Azalea
Rhododenron x 'George Taber'

Rhododendron x 'Mrs. G. G. Gerbing'  -  Mrs. G. G. Gerbing Azalea
Rhododendron x 'Mrs. G. G. Gerbing' (2)

Rhododendron x 'Formosa' - Formosa Azalea
Rhododendron x 'Formosa'

Salvia x sylvestris 'May Night' - May Night Salvia
Salvia x sylvestris 'May Night'

Hyacinthoides hispanica - Pink Spanish Bluebell, Wood Hyacinth
Hyacinthoides hispanica

Unknown-to-Me Allium
Allium

Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ - Frisia Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’

Phlomis fruticosa - Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis fruticosa

Unknown-to-Me Bearded Iris
Iris germanica

Hydrandea quercifolia 'Little Honey' - Little Honey Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey'

Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'

Euphorbia polychroma - Cushion Spurge
Euphorbia polychroma

Tradescantia x 'Blue and Gold' - Blue and Gold Spiderwort
Tradescantia x 'Blue and Gold'

Stachyurus praecox ''Mitsuzaki'
Stachyurus praecox ''Mitsuzaki'

Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' - Royal Purple Smokebush
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' (2)

Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' - Royal Purple Smokebush
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

x Heucherella 'Golden Zebra'
x Heucherella 'Golden Zebra'

Weigela coraeensis
Weigela coraeensis

Unknown-to-Me Dwarf Bearded Iris
Iris germanica (2)

Unknown-to-Me Dwarf Bearded Iris
Iris germanica (3)

The above Heucherella, Weigela and Iris
Corner View

Even if you too are too busy, please make time to enjoy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day hosted by Carol at May Dreams Garden.

30 comments:

  1. From this post, I think your garden tour will be a success.

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  2. Your photos are stunning this month. I love the lighting and it makes each bloom shine. Sorry...a pun.

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  3. George T. is about my favorite Azalea. As usual, your photographs are gorgeous. The Cotinus photos are the best! Just enjoy the tour, everyone will love your garden.

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  4. I've never seen the Stachyurus praecox ''Mitsuzaki'. It's a very pretty shrub for this time of year. I'm amazed how far advanced your spring is compared to ours. Cotinus hasn't even thought of leafing out yet. Great photos, as usual.

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  5. Hi Les,
    Inspiring as always (both the blooms and the photos). When you say you agreed to open your garden for a tour, is that a public event? I would love to see your garden in person. -Sharon

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  6. Such pretty blooms and great foliage! I can imagine how stressed you must be working so much and then having a garden tour on top of everything. Don't worry - based on these lovely photos, it will be wonderful. I hope you and your guests all have a great time, and that the weather is cooperative.

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  7. Mary,
    I sure hope so.

    Nell,
    Thanks!!!

    Donna,
    Puns are acceptable here.

    Hoover,
    I think George T. is my favorite azalea as well.

    James,
    You may be able to do Stachyurus, it is hardy to zone 6, and a great addition to the late winter landscape.

    Sharon,
    My garden will be open to the public as part of Riverfest which takes place along the waterfront in my neighborhood. My garden will be part of the Riverstar Homes tour from 10 - 4 and you and anyone else are welcome to visit.

    Holley,
    I just hope I have something blooming then. Everything that normally is in bloom by May 1st is in bloom now.

    Les

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  8. For a guy with no time to spare, you did real good. Wish I could be there for the tour.

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. Love your Little Honey Hydrangea. Do you carry them at SG's?
    Also, who is having the garden your that your house will be on?

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  11. Hi Les, i love the way you made that beginning acronym! And your blooms are so beautiful, i most love the iris and the spiderwort colors.

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  12. Love the close up pic of the Smoke Tree bloom about to open. Your garden is gorgeous as always.
    Enjoy the garden tour, they will love your garden.

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  13. Aha! I planted that very same Black Locust last year and the deer ate it up. Those leaves are lovely.

    I also like the blue on that Spiderwort...

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  14. Georgia (local ecologist)April 16, 2012 7:28 PM

    I am impressed every time!
    favourites: Acorus gramineus 'Ogon',
    Unknown-to-Me Allium, and the first two Rhodos.

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  15. I really like that allium, and all the irises! I love them when they are in bloom, but I don't plant many because the blooms tend to be short lived, at least around here.

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  16. Beautiful! And it looks like we have the same unknown-name iris :-)

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  17. Good luck on your garden tour. It must be loads of work to prepare. I think it will be a great success with all of the lovely plants and blooms you have in your garden. My favorite is the Spanish bluebells...gorgeous!

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  18. If there was a way to freeze time in a garden, it should be done now. How could your garden be more perfect than the present? Wish I could be in Virginia for the event...

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  19. Les, It is always such a treat to pop in for a visit! I know there will always be beautiful things to look at and this post is no exception. My favourite shot has to be the Smokebush flower. The light and mix of colors in that shot are exquisite. As far as plants go, there are many interesting ones in your post. The Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’ - Frisia Black Locust caught my eye. Love the combination of the yellow iris and the heucherella! Good luck with the tour. They are going to love your garden!!

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  20. My heavens, your photos and your garden look absolutely gorgeous. I would love to see more shots of your garden. The peek behind the yellow irises is just beautiful.

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  21. The Cotinus images are very good Les. I always enjoy your posts! Don't work too hard you might catch the flu.

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  22. Well, you're doing better than me! I am on a tour in a couple weeks, too, and I can't seem to find time to even do a post!!! So much to show, so little time to show it :-( Say, could your heucherella be 'Alabama Sunrise' instead of 'Golden Zebra'? Dallas Arboretum plant trials have great things to say about Alabama Sunrise, which is what yours looks like. Internet pics show Golden Zebra to have much more maroon color in center. Love that honey of an Oakleaf Hyndrangea!!! Have not seen that up this direction anywhere. I wonder if it is a little cold tender in DFW area. Best wishes on the tour! It is such a blessing to share your garden and your labor of love, and I'm sure all your visitors will be in for a treat! I hope you enjoy the day.

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  23. would love to see your garden in person. i bet the tour will be a good time for you and your visitors.

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  24. Oh Les, Your photography is just exquisite! What a parade of blooms and the light is pure transcendent. I wish I were close by . . . would love to visit your garden. Good luck with the show!

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  25. Love the last pix which let us see how it all goes together so nicely!

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  26. Truly stunning photos. I have LOTS of hucherellaa, but all one kind. This year I'm determined to add a bit more variety. You've convinced me that I've got to find some golden zebra!

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  27. Intoxicating photos Les.

    I am jealous that your Iris are blooming already. Sigh ...

    Sybil

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  28. Amazing images! Love that oakleaf hydrangea. Good luck with the tour! I would come over and help if I lived closer...

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  29. Beautiful pictures today. Good luck with your garden tour and I so want to get myself to Busch Gardens! Thanks for posting those beautiful pics....

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