We have some really old (like 75 years o more )white iris that bloomed early this year and the yellow daffodils lasted almost three weeks, maybe more.
I have no idea what the blue flower are. I couldn't bring myself to mow over them. I don't seem to be able to overwinter delphiniums either Midwinter. I think one actually made a second summer, but that is it. My daffs have lasted an awesomely long time. The Tahiti daffs, along with the random daff, that I posted pictures of last Sunday are still going strong - and when I took the pics, had been in bloom at least a week. The crabapple tree has also had staying power this year. Sure, it is a bit past prime, but still pretty.
I was going to say that as well. They self seed all over the place and are so pretty at this time of year.
Azalea Ground phlox Shade garden Spirea Perennial bed by door Lily of the valley Bleeding hearts White bleeding hearts That bed had become overrun with varigated solomon seal. I rescued the pink bleeding hearts today. The white ones, tomorrow. And... Just cuz.
I’ve always loved seeing wildflowers in fields. This year I picked a spot out back and got some wildflower mix, 5 pounds of a 50/50 perennial/annual and 1 pound of a perennial mix. They are supposed to be varieties for our area and also to attract bees. My hopes are to bring in the bees for the rest of the gardens and have some nice scenery. Managed to get the seed down yesterday and now we wait.....
the two lots next door have been cleared of all the broom, alder, blackberry and salmonberry and then swiped level. It is really tempting to run out and sprinkle my small package of wildflower seeds. I think they are going to plant grass.
I don't think I have ever seen white bleeding hearts. The pink ones are wild around here popping up where you don't expect them.
That Solomon seal. I take it is a comes back each year. How fast does it spread. Also the phlox. Think I am going to be needing them in the future. Can the two grow in the same area?
My patch of phlox, is about 10yrs old. Guessing 4ftx4ft. The solomon seal(SS) is nice, but I consider it to be invasive, similar to gooseneck loosetrife, which I also have around the yard. The SS roots are finger-thick and an inch or so deep. Fairly easy to pull out, when needed. They are like tall ground cover. IMO. I'll leave some of the SS, because I like it. I now have a bunch of bare roots, drying out, before adding to the compost bin. I'd like it to not grow in the compost. I will probably pick an area or two around the yard and put some of the roots in and see what they do. Once established, I'd say the SS spreads 5-6 inches/year. 12-15inches tall. Both are perennials and come back every year
There will be a bank from what I can tell where the barn is going up. Won't be and area that can mow and I don’t even want to think about weed wacking it.
That is a good sized area. I'm on year two covering our septic field area with wildflowers. The top fill was pretty boney and dried out. I added mulched leaves and grass, composted horse manure and it is looking so much better. I've picked dead flower heads from last year and shook the seeds out. Also ordered native aster seeds from Maine. I made another area closer to the street that needed help. Otherwise dried patches of grass have little benefit. This is from last year, well into the summer.
Solomon's seal likes shade and moist soil. Mine doesn't spread as aggressively as Mike's do. I'm sure it can adapt to other types. Creeping (ground) phlox does well in sun/part sun and likes normal to dry. Phlox is an evergreen but will go dormant when it is too dry. When the conditions are right the phlox can spread pretty well. To give an idea, this garden bed has been in for only 4 years. Top pic is from July 2017 when I created the bed and there are 5-6 phlox plants along the rock wall. The second pic is from this month. Phlox spread by roots as well as by broken off pieces but will politely grow around other plants. If that slope will be sunny, dark hostas will do well also and they are pretty flexible growing in dry to moist conditions. If the slope is more shaded, you can use lighter/white hostas. The larger the hosta is supposed to grow (width wise), the better as it will shade out grasses and weeds.
According to the info that I got with the seed they recommend high mowing after a hard frost and everything has died off. I will probably end up with a big dirt patch again. We shall see....
The white BH, lives! There's actually space between the other plants. The Japanese Painted Ferns are now visible. Roots to the left to dry for the summer, foliage to the left. The SS and green ferns were the majority of what was removed. The SS roots/tubers And...just cuz. I'll do some raking and mulching next. I'm sure there's dozens of SS root pieces in there. I'll decide about those next spring. The heavy roots extended through some hostas, leaving me with several smaller plants, where there was one. I'll decide if I want to transplant them, in the fall.
They probably recommend that so any plants that self-seed will fall back in the soil before winter. I read last year to leave all plant stalks up and let the winter knock them over. This way any stalks, grass and leaves will make tunnels under the snow for insects and small rodents that will be part of the food chain versus a flat mown area. But, yes, a dirt patch again in the spring. Rinse repeat.
