Fresh Blooms

I can't believe it has been almost an entire year since I last posted!  Time sure passes quickly when you are busy!  This spring was a little later then normal and has been quite cool up until now.  I don't mind the cool temperatures (even though it makes everything a little slower to grow) as it makes it more comfortable to work.  This spring has been full of edging, dividing, transplanting, mulching, composting, and plenty of weeding!  Out on a job site today in Cape Elizabeth I took a few photos of some really pretty blooms right now, the first is a 'Shasta' Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum).  This heavy late spring bloomer fills it's lateral branches with lovely flower heads.  In the fall the leaves turn a nice dark red-maroon.

 

 

 

The 'Firewitch' Dianthus (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) is another bloomer right now with amazing hot pink flowers.  The silver-blue foliage and subtle fragrance make this a good choice for a spreading groundcover along a walkway or at the front of a garden bed.



Summer is only a few weeks away and I'm really looking forward to some warm days for canoeing, bike riding, and swimming.  I have a few small design projects I will be working on as well as many ongoing maintenance projects.  In addition I've started up another small business growing organic soil-grown microgreens for restaurants called Chickadee Greens.  I've had my first two customers so far and it is very exciting!  You can get more information about it by checking out the new website here (www.chickadeegreens.com).

Early Summer Blooms

With temperatures hovering right around 90 the past few days it definitely feels like summer has begun.  The cool spring we had seemed to drag on for too long and slowed the growth a little bit on some plants.  This time of year sees many flowers coming into bloom including one of my favorites, the peony.  A large and stately perennial with gigantic blossoms, some of which smell so good!

Geraniums are another staple of the late spring/early summer.  There are so many varieties to choose from and can be used throughout the garden but are especially lovely along the border.  The geranium sanguineum mounds almost perfectly and is covered with pinkish-purple blooms.

Another of my favorites is Nepeta, or catmint.  The sweet smelling foliage and long lasting purple blooms are loved by both bees and cats.

I am also looking forward to getting some local strawberries too!  I've been seeing the pick-your-own signs out at a few farms in Cape Elizabeth and hope to pick some up soon, they are another one of my favorites this time of year.

Beautiful Blooms

Thought I would share a few pictures of some tree and perennial blooms that are really stunning right now.  Above is a Bradford Pear tree (Pyrus calleryana) which is grown mainly for it's blooms, as it produces no fruit.

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is a great early blooming perennial.  It is a quick spreader and looks best in a rock garden or creeping over a rock wall.

This weeping cherry tree (Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula') is one of my favorites this time of year.

The warm weather we had early on in March has put everything a week or two ahead of schedule, depending on location.  I've been keeping busy pulling spring weeds, dividing overgrown perennials, edging, mulching, and composting.  This work will continue through the first couple weeks of May.