Garden Tea Party

Me too! I have dozens of different varieties. According to the bloom times listed on the tags, I should have several weeks of blooming astilbes. But somehow it hasn't worked out that way - more than 90% bloom at the same time. Right now I do have pumila blooming and also my new Maggie Daley's. I'll have to get more of those two to extend my season.

Yeah, it seems like all the action in my garden happens in the last day of June and the month of July, and then nothing. My hydrangea was great about providing last color, but that has some big problems this year and I am trying to force myself to go out and prune it down to the ground, pretty much, which means losing all 25 gorgeous purple blooms. Maybe in two years it will look normal and bloom again, :( Ugh, maybe tomorrow.

Is that the all green Brunnera you have along with the Jack Frosts? I saw some recently at a nursery and really like that one. Pretty shade of green. I think I will have to lose my variegated Brunnera next year because they apparently are slug magnets (or something else that is devouring them)

Yes, I have one solid green Brunnera mixed in there with the Jack Frosts. That's too bad about your variegated ones. They are one of my favorite perennials - so stunning in the shade! I lost about 10 of them 2 winters ago (root rot probably from the very mild but wet winter), but I liked them enough to try again so I replaced them all. So far so good...

I have a hard time pruning a plant or shrub down to the ground too - even though I know it will be better in the long run I never want to sacrifice any blooms. So I feel your pain! Gardening is so therapeutic, yet sometimes it's also heart-breaking! LOL

Christina - thank you for sharing your lovely gardens and the elegant party for your niece with us. What a lucky young lady! The girls looked like they were really enjoying some elegance for a bit! Great photos and wonderful setting! Like everyone else has said, I'd love having tea in that gorgeous spot! Cute kitty too!

Louise

Thanks Louise!

Just found this thread, have NO idea how I missed it.
LOVE the idea, what a great yard to host a tea party in.