Garden shots!

High 49 F
Low  42 F

In reviewing today's pictures I realized that I took quite a few lousy flower shots.  I am left with overall garden shots which will have to do for tonight's post.  The above picture shows the pool border on the right and straight ahead, the barn garden is filling out. That white tree is the Carolina silverbell.  It is not quite  in full bloom yet. It does seem to be tilting to the left.  I could stake it and correct the lean but don't you think that gives it character?  This shot is taken of the left handed mitten garden and the Florida border down the middle of the lawn.  The lawn was mowed for the first time this weekend and while it is politically incorrect to sing the praises of the gas powered mower I have to comment that the sound of a mower is forever tied in my memory banks as one of the hallmarks of spring and approaching summer.  It's soothing drone is only second to the fragrance of freshly mowed lawn.  Green seems the predominant color right now but there are spots of color.  This is the Euphorbia polychroma in the background with the dwarf bearded iris next to it.  I like this color combination. The entry garden has the most color in it at the moment.   The tulips are blooming in their orange robes and the Iris cristata are in flower next to the purple leaved heuchera. The camassia are just coming out.  I am not so sure about camassia.  I haven't grown them before and I haven't decided if I like them or not.  I have two different species, Camassia cusickii and Camassia quamash which is deeper violet.  Have any of you grown these and what do you think?

Comments

[Gail]

I have mixed feeling about the Camassia, too. The first year they seemed so alive and colorful, but now they seem to be sparse and fading. I do like the darker purple and wish I had that one!

I do like your garden and think placing the Iris cristata with the Heuchera is brilliant!

Gail

[suz]

Layanee, I love the Camassias. The light blue of the cusickii is so soft, and it gets taller than the quasmash. They both multiply & you have lots of bulbs to give away to friends. Unfortunately, the deer got in earlier & ate the just emerging quasmash & I think they ate the buds. At the same time they ate 250 tulips just planted last fall which were just emerging. Thought they would still bloom even if deformed, but NONE have. The native americans ate the camassia bulbs as part of their diet.

[Annie in Austin]

Your garden looks so lovely in the May posts, Layanee - the river idea sure was a winner!

I grew camassia in Illinois and liked the colors of the flowers, but I was glad they were in a kind of wild area. Maybe they stand up better in very well drained soil or on a mountain slope but they sure seemed to get floppy and untidy in clay, lounging all over whatever grew near them.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

[Pam/Digging]

You have a barn! How charming, Layanee. I've never noticed it on your blog before, and it gives me a new idea of your garden. I bet the silverbell is beautiful in front of that blue when in full bloom.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I really enjoyed seeing your overall photos Layanee. Your garden looks so inviting. I grow the Camasia but I am not sure really which one. I didn't realize there were different varfieties. I should have known, there always are. I just love my Camasia. I have divided it because it was getting sort of thick where I originally planted it. It took where I moved it so I am pleased with it.

[Mr. McGregor's Daughter]

I planted Camassia 'Blue Melody' a few years ago. It bloomed well at first, then declined & stopped blooming. I thought it was gone last year, but all 3 plants have sprouted & look OK. It'll be interesting to see if they bloom.

[Frances]

Hi Layanee, I love the leaning fringe tree. Our neighbor has one that is in full bloom now and is the most magnificent thing, planted just a few years ago too. I love the colors that your barn is painted, very artsy. We planted the quamash last fall, it came up so late and has not even bloomed, so it cannot receive a glowing recommendation for this year anyway. Your garden looks lush and serene.

Frances at Faire Garden

[Layanee]

Gail: I am liking them better as they open. The pale blue one is delicate looking but sturdy.

Sue: We shall see how they do here as it is pretty well drained and I know they like a bit more moisture. Thanks for your perspective on these.

Annie: Thank you! I hope you had a nice trip!

Pam: The barn looks like a barn but it is really the Equipment Manager's private 'Man Town'! No barn animals in there.

Lisa: I am liking the pale blue Camassia best. The quamash variety is almost 'black light' blue/purple and a bit dark.

MMD: I'll have to look for 'Blue Melody'. My Epimedium 'Lilafee' came the other day and I can fault you for that one. Thanks! No blooms for this year but next year is something to look forward to.

Frances: Now is the time for lush and it is quite serene here at the moment. Just coffee, Tucker and my internet friends!

[Phillip]

I like camassia too. I bought some one year from a catalog not knowing anything about it and they has done wonderfully well for me. I just moved them this year because they was growing in a spot in the border where you couldn't see them. I will be anxious to see if it likes being moved next year.

[Phillip]

I like camassia too. I bought some one year from a catalog not knowing anything about it and they has done wonderfully well for me. I just moved them this year because they was growing in a spot in the border where you couldn't see them. I will be anxious to see if it likes being moved next year.

[kerri]

I haven't tried Camassia, but am seeing it on several blogs lately. I like the color and may try it.
Your entry garden is lovely. I enlarged the photo to see all the pretty plants. I can see how much work and care you put into your gardens Layanee. They're gorgeous, and the barn is a wonderful backdrop. The lean does give the Siverbell character :)

[eliz]

Lovely, as always. This is, in some ways, my favorite time of year—full of promise.