The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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Garden tour – May 14, 2018

Posted on May 15, 2018 by jmarkowski Posted in Spring .

This is an exciting week for me.

Not only is the garden truly coming to life, but my new book Seed, Grow, Love, Write will be available for purchase within the next few days. This go-round we’re doing a hardcover, a softcover and an e-book version. Hopefully something for everyone.

I have some giveaways planned and some other cool ideas I hope you’ll like.

Stay tuned.

On to the garden.

 

A better view

The Clematis ‘Scented Clem’ is in full bloom.

Now I need to figure out how to properly adhere to a trellis. All of the blooms are at the base of this trellis and along the ground.

I’ll get there. Don’t any of you worry about me.

 

Flowers galore

Geranium ‘Espresso’ looking good. And hot damn that foliage color, right?

 

Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) is truly a mad bloomer. And not too aggressive as of yet. Want to buy some? Try here.

 

Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ is truly a carpet of blue. Even better is all of the weeds that are suppressed.

 

Iberis ‘Snowflake’ (Candytuft) not feeling it this year. Although it looks healthy and thrives in this dry spot. Maybe the only dry spot in my entire garden.

 

These are Ornithogalum nutans (Silver Bells). These bulbs were planted last fall so I’ll give them some time to get established. A few actually bloomed a few months back when the weather warmed temporarily.

 

Hyacinthoides hispanica ‘Excelsior’ (Wood Hyacinth), bulbs also planted just last fall, are now showing signs of bloom.

 

Carex ‘Grayi’ are making their presence known with the emergence of their club-like seed heads. These plants love some wet soil and actually stay semi-evergreen in our zone 6B winter.

 

On their way out

Later Moss Phlox.

 

On their way in

Amsonia hubrichtii on its way.

 

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ as well.

 

New foliage growth

While the new growth on this Tsuga ‘Moon Frost’ is yellowish right now, soon it will transform to white and that is when this evergreen truly shines.

 

Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ looking solid.

 

Well hello my lady

A welcome sighting of Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’. This Northern Sea Oats has not been the least bit invasive and I cherish that variegated foliage. It’s working in a partially shaded location which is most excellent.

 

Oh deer

Yep, they got my Lady’s Mantle.

Time to take all of the necessary precautions.

Watch for a future post where I test a whole bunch of methods and products.

Game the f’ on.

 

Canada Thistle

It’s only getting worse.

Like with the deer, I need to take immediate and long term action.

More to come.

 

Well that’s cool

This volunteer Penstemon has one red stem. I’ve only planted ‘Husker Red’ to date and the rest have been volunteers and now we have a cool looking hybrid.

15 Comments .
Tags: ajuga, ajuga 'chocolate chip', amsonia blue ice, amsonia hubrichtii, Canada thistle, carex 'grayi', clematis, Clematis 'Scented Clem', golden ragwort, iberis, juniper 'gold cone', northern sea oats 'river mist', packera aurea, silver bells, tsuga 'moon frost' .

Iberis (Candytuft) ‘Snowflake’

Posted on April 2, 2012 by jmarkowski Posted in Uncategorized .

 I give you Iberis (Candytuft) ‘Snowflake’:

This super reliable and evergreen plant starts to show signs of new life in late winter, here in zone 6B:

The buds start to form soon after:

And before you know it, the plant is covered in clusters of flat, sparkling white flowers in mid to late April:

These blooms shine in the evening and would fit perfectly in a moon garden. I have two of them at the foot of my front steps so I can enjoy them each night.

The flowers last a good three weeks for me before they are spent:

And then I’ll cut them back by a 1/3 to a 1/2 and the needle-like foliage will look clean throughout the remainder of the year:

Some other bits of info:

  • Typical size is about 1′ x 2′
  • Prefers full sun but works in partial shade for me 
  • Most commonly used in rock gardens and as an evergreen groundcover
  • Prefers hot and dry conditions and well draining soil (still not sure how it is working for me)
  • Survives in zones 3-9

 
You like?

John  

10 Comments .
Tags: Candytuft, iberis .

Now the good news

Posted on April 11, 2010 by jmarkowski Posted in Uncategorized .

I just got back from riding over a rainbow with a unicorn and then we shared a sundae and listened to Wilson Phillips. So needless to say, I am oozing positivity and have left my prior post in the rear view mirror. Now that was cathartic and I am all the better for it.

Love one another and enjoy:    

I have 3 Pieris sitting in containers from last Fall and I am still debating what to do with them. One of the best features of this shrub is the brilliant red new growth as you can see here. I have only one spot where these will work and don’t know if they are “worthy” enough. TBD.
   

The Ajuga ‘ Chocolate Chip’ are now blooming which is a sweet burst of blue this time of year. To be honest though, I prefer how these look after they bloom when the foliage takes on a nice maroon color. It will fill in empty spots real quickly but doesn’t take over. As I’ve mentioned before, they all divide real well and you can triple your number of plants in no time.
   

The Potentilla ‘Verna Nana’ are blooming …. ummm …. ehhhhh … they help suppress weeds … they’re OK I guess.
 

Now this plant is FANTASTICAL … blooms early in the Spring … nice green clean foliage that looks great spilling over stones. Another plant that has divided well for me.   

The Iberis ‘Snowflake’ is blooming and I am still lukewarm on this one. I moved these to a new, better draining location this year so I will give them one more year.

About to bloom Malus (Crabapple) and the blooms are off the charts. Bring it.

More tulip blooms about to pop. Sweet.

These Leucojum (Snowbells or Snowdrops … don’t remember) have been a revelation this Spring. I would love to increase the number of these next year as I’m sure they look even better in large masses.  

My first and only emerging Hosta ‘Great Expectations’. I definitely want some more this year. 

The Phlox ‘David’ seedlings are everywhere this year and I’m not sure why but I am anxious to see how they develop.

I transplanted this Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’ this morning from it’s holding cell in my raised bed to it’s new location in the bed surrounding my driveway. What struck me as funny in this photo is the Spirea sitting in the grass that I took out in order to move the Itea in. I left it there for an hour – roots exposed and all. It got me thinking about how I don’t follow the transplant rules very well and also transplant on a whim. It is a typical “male” stereotype of just “doing” without “thinking”. That will be a topic of it’s own in a future post. 

And I’ll end with a question. How should I handle these small off-shoots growing on the trunk of the tree. Should they be snipped? I’ve read that this should be done immediately whenever they pop up.

I’m thinking about posting a video soon but not yet sure what it will be about. I am considering pulling in a friend who was a prior actor (not kidding … actually once had his SAG card). Be afraid … be very afraid … but also prepare to have your mind blown.

Chat with you soon my friends.

6 Comments .
Tags: ajuga, iberis, itea, phlox, potentilla, snowbell, tulips .

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