FIRST FLOWERS SPRING!!! Next time it might be summer!

That mountain mint looks interesting Cat; nice pics!

Wind, that hollyhock is gorgeous! How tall is it?

Holy Moly, Dianna!!!

I must be behind times---still just visualizing Hollyhocks as about 3' tall--
and chewed up by Spider Mites....

Was this one grown from seed? Did you seed it?

Impressive--is the only word i can think of... Gita

I don't know how tall it is... but it's very TALL. I'll measure it next chance I get. I did grow the HH from seeds. This is the second year for that one. It is so huge it is overshadowing the other ones I planted along the deck with it. I had no idea they could get that big. It has buds all over it.

Today, I did notice a few bugs about the size of lightening bugs on some leaves; the kind of bug that runs around the leave when you approach it?? almost like a magnetic field with the tip of your finger! do you know the kind I mean? Hopefully, they don't eat much. The leaves are huge too

Beautiful hollyhock, Wind! That's amazing it has grown so tall so quickly! Mine are still quite small. Maybe they need more sun?

The lattice: I actually have two of them tied to the old iron clothes line post, so lots of spaces to grip. I also kept poking Ms. Clematis's stems through and around the holes to keep her twining properly. Sometimes she does not comply!! ;-)

WOW look at that holyhock! I finally after 4 years of trying not only have holyhocks but they're blooming. I grew them from seed. Either the rabbits, rust or deer have gotten them every year. They're pink doubles. I'm so tickled!

I've been intending to get a picture of our Sweetbay Magnolia in bloom but I keep forgetting or when I remembered there wouldn't be any fresh blooms. This plant is a topper in our garden in the way of fragrance. Hands down the best smelling thing and it's got some stiff competition for sure. I have it in a mostly shade location and it's growing wonderfully.

Nice, Seq. I'm still debating about where to put my Magnolia 'Jane' once it's mature enough to plant in the ground. Right now it's in a container under the dogwood tree where it gets dappled sunlight, and it's leafing out there. It seems as though it is more of an understory tree?

Not sure on the Jane. I think the Jane is more of a large shrub than anything but probably full sun to part shade would be best. My Sweetbay works as an understory tree for sure. I did a lot of research as to what would be good for this spot. I had a Rhododendron Maximus there but the entire thing got phytophthora and died. So rhodies were out and I wanted something large so that eventually the branches would connect with another rhodo maximus across from it. If all goes well, it will form a nice bridge over a walk through area between gardens. The Sweetbay is about 4.5' tall now and the Rhodie 3.5' and they're about 10' apart.

1 I'm not in love with this astilbe. I'd prefer something with bolder color.

2. This astilbe's a cutie but really short! Barely 6 in tall.

3. Lily season is here!

4. Lily Dimension.

5. Monarda, with no bees on them. The lavender is always covered in bees, but the beebalm is surprisingly bee-free.

I think that Astilbe looks nice. Is that a Sekken Sugi Cryptomeria behind it? Your flowers look great. It will still be a couple weeks before I see a monarda in bloom at our house. Same with the lillies. That white one looks like a freebie I got from Brecks or somewhere several years ago.

Sounds like it will be a beautiful walkway, Seq!

SSG, what beautiful astilbe, lilies, and monarda!

Yes, it's a Sekkan-Sugi! Good eye! I searched almost a year for a local source, since most online retailers ship 2-3 footers at the most. They look a little goofy for the first few years but eventually fill out really nice. Do you have one? I think they're zone 6. I actually love all cryptomerias and am thinking about getting a Black Dragon next.

The lilies are from our group lily purchase (ADR) last spring. They multiply fast!

The middle lily is Elodie, which is supposed to be a double blooming pink. Mine's a single-blooming pale-pink/white. Apparently the blooms are single the first year, but this is their second year. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I didn't realize there were magnolia varieties that bloomed this late. I'd love a fragrant magnolia!

SSG, I love that Astilbe.

SSG: we have two Sekken Sugis. They are on either side of the front of our house. You can see ours in the pics below; they're from a few days ago. They are looking their best right now. Last winter was a little harsh for them. Luckily it was the first winter that I sprayed the one on the left with Wiltpruf. Man that stuff was a life saver for sure. The one on the right is on the SE of the house and is relatively sheltered. The other is on the SW and gets hit with the NW winds. These were planted in spring of '10 and they've grown quite fast. The last two pics are how big they were when I planted them. I had to top them this spring because both their leaders burned out from the winter. I love them though, they're beautiful and you don't see them around here much.

yehudith, congrats on your HH. would love to see a pic when you get a chance. ours put out two more blooms today, so now there are four open blooms on our giant

pretty blooms SS. I love your monarda along the fence. We have a red patch in the garden and a white patch by our front porch that bloom through July 4th. Like Seq, ours blooms later than you guys

Thanks, Wind and Holly! I'm still on the fence about keeping the light colored astilbe. They might be offered at the fall swap!

Seq, yours have grown so fast! I thought they were moderate growers, but it looks like yours grew at a least a foot a year. Mine's in half shade and in a protected spot, and maybe grew 6 inches in the past year.

Wow, I'd say mine have grown 18-24" a year. The one on the SW corner (left side) has grown taller faster but not as full as the other one. The SW one gets more shade though so maybe that's why. I even had a volunteer sprout summer of '12. Spring of '13 I dug it out and grew it in a pot. Then planted it at my in-law's house and that one has grown at least 4" so far this season. It's about 10-12" tall.

Whoa, that's much faster than I was expecting. I really don't have the room for a giant evergreen so I hope the dappled shade slows down its growth.

That is a pretty evergreen, SSG and Seq! I like the flowing look of it.

SSG, I think your pink astilbe is very pretty. If you're unhappy with it and bring some to the fall swap, I'm sure others would not object. ;-)

SSG - is that pink astilbe the 'Ostrich Plume' cultivar? It looks like it, and if so what a chuckle I'm having right now. I love pink and purple flowers to begin with (pretty much stay away from oranges, reds, and yellows), love astilbes because they tolerate shade and are deer resistant, and love the plume flowers that are so unique compared to other astilbes on 'Ostrich Plume' in particular. Last year, when Jill and I were going in together on an astilbe purchase and figuring out which ones to get, my first choice was 'Ostrich Plume'. Wouldn't you know it, she really doesn't like that one HA HA HA... How different everyone's personal tastes are :)

WOW, those Cryptomeria are gorgeous Seq!!! OK, confession time; I love 'em so much I had to email the Bossman and suggest to him that we should carry them at work. =) I learn so much stuff from you guys it's great, thank you. Ssg, I would love to see pics of yours when you get the chance. Also, if you really decide by the Fall Swap time that you still are not in love with that Astilbe, I would be glad to help you out. =)

Edited for grammar. ("those cryptomeria is..."!?!?)

This message was edited Jun 18, 2014 3:52 PM

Thanks, glad we could help you at your job :) There are a couple nurseries that carry them up here but I don't think they are really popular, probably because we are on the edge of their hardiness.

Yes, it does seem that, in your zone, one might almost want to find a happy little micro-climate to be extra careful. I love my zone, there's so much that can be done within it! :)

Yeah for real. I wish I was 7b :(

First thing I'd plant would be loropetalum chinense

... always making me have to look things up... **grumble-grumble**. < =D LOL!!!!!!! Wow that thing is pretty!! Hmmm, might have to pop another email off to Bossman. ;)

Speaking of having to look things up... we have a new employee at work who's SUPER smart and college-educated in botany and horticulture. He has decided to make it his mission to make sure I learn one new Latin botanical plant name each day. Yesterday it was Syringa Vulgaris. This is gonna be fun!! =)

Speedie, there's only one species of Cryptomeria, but numerous cultivars, from miniature to gigantic. I love them all! :) They tolerate shade better than most conifers, too. There's a fast growing screener type of Cryptomeria called 'Yoshino' that I think is much more interesting than thuja 'Green Giant.'

Aspenhill, the middle astilbe is actually a noid from a local swap. Did you end up getting the 'Ostrich Plume' anyway? I did get a couple of 'Ostrich Plume' bare roots from ADR last year, but only one of the 3 is blooming, and it's a brighter pink than the noids. I'll post a pic in a minute.

This message was edited Jun 18, 2014 5:33 PM

This is Ostrich Plume.

I like the color of the Ostrich Plume! It looks light pink but vivid.

That is a great pink, looks like bubble gum!

Watering endless carts-full of al kinds of shrubs today--I was reading all the tags
as I held the hose.
So many rang a bell because you all have talked about them here...
Now I cannot think of theames....

We had a bunch of Hydrangeas "Fire and Ice" in huge pots--about4' tall
and bushy--$25. I p/u 3 broken off pieces . have them in water just now,
They perked up a bit. Have to cut them shorter and see if I can root them.
Too much soft new growth at the top. Not sure these will root. I may cut off the
soft tip-growth and root the remaining stem below it. Whacha think--Paul?

YOOOO HOOO Paul!!! Need advice here....G.

SSG, yes I did end up with some 'Ostrich Plume' - still waiting for first blooms.

I KNOW I have a few new things to share.....

--1 Asiatic Lily "Dimension"--from Group Buy.

--2 Carpet Rose bloom cluster...cute!

--3 My OLD "Carpet Rose'--maybe 15yrs.?

--4 One of 3 blooms on my Endless Summer Hydrangea. I wanted BLUE!

--5 Pink DL.

I love that carpet rose bloom cluster, Gita! It's amazing how fresh and thick the blossoms are despite the heat! I'm afraid my rose bush is all blossomed out right now--the blooms all seemed to wither in the hot sun. :-( Maybe I need to feed it...

More.....

1--One of the multi-clumps of Clustered Bluebells.

2--"Tiny Ghost" Asiatic Lily--maybe 14" tall...

3--Chinese Regale Lily blooming

4--VA Bluebells (Campanula......???)

5--Maya brug going gang-busters!

Cat--we cross-posted....

When Allan Summers was at his peak (on the radio), he promoted certain
plants and products. I am still quite influenced with these.

The "Carpet Rose" was one of his plants to talk endlessly about.
SO--I got one--don't remember where--maybe at his place?

First it grew in the bed on the W. side of my shed. It, kind of, outgrew
that location--so I planted it at a front corner of my house--in the bed
where I did the rock edging Ric helped me with.

It has now grown huge--and is taking over the bed there.
Will cut it back severely in late fall--or very early Spring.
I DO like it--but there are other plants there that deserve their share of space too.

G.

A cluster of the same from last year....

I bet this Rose could be rooted! HMMMMMMMMMMMM...ideas.....

LOL Gita--hmm, yes, I wonder if it could be rooted... ;-)

Cat--you know--it seems to be the "Rugosa" type of a rose...
It would look nice the way it sprawls--but not much taller than 4'.

Maybe I will have to ask my Pakistani neighbor to do it?
Everything roots for her. Or--I will try it myself....there's so many branches!

What's a good time of year to take cuttings from a Rose?

G.

The one that I have right now is the Rugosa type and it's not blooming as well this year as it did last year. Maybe I should try the RoseTone?

Gita: I hear hydrangeas are really easy to root. I have no exoerience with them other than air layering. I would try one without cutting it and the other two I would only try and root the softwood part. In my experiences new growth roots better.