I D V
No, I'm not getting married.
 |
| Fatsia japonica flowers from two weeks ago |
When I was trying to decide which of my plants to include in this year's Infomaniac Garden Photos Event, I knew I wanted to show some existing specimens that didn't make it into last year's event ("Something Old") along with my latest acquisitions ("Something New"), and the plants I'd rescued or been given by friends & family ("Something Borrowed"). I've tried not to feature anything that appeared in the previous two years - so no pineapple lilies (Eucomis comosa "Sparkling Burgundy"), no Fuchsia "Blacky", and no Green Gate (the latter two didn't do as well this year, anyway) - but you may spot them in the background of a few photos (and they've already been featured in the GPE reminders leading up to this year's Event).
As for the "Something Blue" - I'm somewhat colourblind and they look pretty blue to me...
Something Old...
My potted Magnolia did very well this year, putting on loads of blooms. Here's a particularly nice one from early April.
The Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) did pretty well too, but I didn't take very many good photos of it - this one of the (relatively) large female and tiny male flowers (also from early April) was the best of the bunch.
Another early April bloomer, this pot-bound, neglected dog's tooth violet/fawn lily (Erythronium californicum "White Beauty") surprised me by producing a nearly a dozen beautiful flowers.
The wild flower border up my side return at the end of May - mostly foxgloves and toadflax.
The Astilbe in the Gardener's Retreat (AKA the shady patch behind the garage) didn't do very well this year - too dry, I suspect. This feathery plume in July was about the only one of note.
(It has since been split up, with half of it moved to the border next to the pond lake where I'm hoping it will do better next year.)
Protected from being devoured by muntjac deer, this double day lily (Hemerocallis somethingorother) up at the allotment was an absolute stunner! I'll be moving it into the gardens of Hexenhäusli Device in the spring.
Something New...
I debigulated myself to take this photo from underneath a new(ish - it was purchased last year, but hasn't featured on the blog until now) Acer back in May.
The not often seen North Lawn (with winter flowering cherry, left, and hawthorn, right) with its new uncut "meadow" area from No Mow May. Last year I left the whole lawn unmowed from May to October, but due to a couple of veiled comments from neighbours, this year I've mowed the edges so it's obviously deliberate rather than neglected.
I must admit, it did look rather scruffy last year - not helped by the nieces and nephew trampling through it and rolling down the slope onto the pavement.
These gorgeous, heavenly scented lilies (Lilium formosanum "Pricei") were a purchase in July. They're going to stay in a pot on the table away from slugs, snails and Bitey.
The August bloom from a new Agapanthus "Royal Velvet". In the border behind it is my existing agapanthus.
About the best of the early October blooms from my new, very late planted (late June/early July) gladioli "At Night". Almost all the other flowers were speckled with white patches and looked a bit stunted. As with the astilbe above, I don't think the gladis got enough water (they're in a pot).
Something Borrowed...
A pitcher plant (Sarracenia somethingorother) rescued from my sister, Inexcuseable, back in March/April. On the left is how it looked after being in my care for a couple of weeks or so, and on the right how it looked in mid-September (it's been in the pond lake since summer - and I've only just noticed the little frog on the far right).
Someone at work gave me a single, rather shrivelled silver squill bulb (Ledebouria socialis) - the only one she had left after thoughtlessly selling all the good ones. Here's how it looked back in April and September.
After I helped a friend split up and tidy her iris bed last summer, she gave me some of the offcuts. These beautiful flowers in May were the result. I'm hoping for more flowers next year.
[Note the damselfly resting on the top petal, far right - I only realised it was there when I put these photos together the other day.]
Something Blue...
"Love-in-a-mist" (Nigella) up at the allotment in July.
An Agapanthus I've had for years (that was spared being drowned in Bitey wee, unlike last year) managed six flower spikes in July and August.
I'm not sure what this is, but it grows near the pond lake. And I expect it's purple, not blue.
☙❧
Right. That's enough of that. Gardening season is over - at least it is here in the Northern Hemisphere (we'll hand over to you now, Dinah) - as this photo from Wednesday illustrates:
[It didn't last long - 20 mins, if that. A brief but surprising flurry at lunchtime.]
☙❧
So, that's it, the final garden of this year's Infomaniac Garden Photos Event. But the event isn't over yet. There's one more stop: The Finale, where we can look back on highlights, triffids, trivia, gossip, and maybe even some more Big Pink Bushery, so do join us in a couple of days or so for the floral fun!
Everything looks stunning, Mr DeVice! I love the Agapanthuses (Agapanthi?), and all the lilies - true or otherwise - and of course, the things we do not have sufficient light to grow, like iris and gladdies.
ReplyDeleteThat "silver squill" is an intriguing one - as it's a houseplant in our climes, I can safely assume it's huddled indoors by now?
Oh, and that "mystery blue-ish plant" is probably Sisyrinchium bellum. Another unusual specimen!
Keep up the good work, dear - you have hosted a most wonderful Garden Photos Event again this year, and for that we are all very appreciative. Jx
Thank you, Jon - most kind. I love hosting the GPE, fortunately!
DeleteLike the extensive grounds of Delores Delargo Towers, the vast estate of Hexenhäusli Device is shaded by those dreadful weed trees for nearly half of the year. All except for a narrowish strip near the house encompassing the Grand Paysho (and some of the Lake) which is where the irises and gladdies live - and that Sisyrinchium bellum (thank you for the identification).
Oh, and yes, the silver squill is safely ensconced on the kitchen windowsill now.
Gorgeous, sweetpea! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Savvy!
DeleteI love asian magnolias. And what a stunning gladiola.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year that the magnolia has produced more than a handful of flowers, so I'm very pleased with it. I just hope it can do the same next year.
DeleteAs for the gladdies, it's a good job you can't see the rest - very disappointing. I must remember to water them next year.
My goodness you've done splendidly this year! I love the Lilies especially - I actually really love your garden design - the wild places [foxglove corner] effortlessly blending with cultivated beds, paysho, and paths. You have an eye for garden design - as if that should be a surprise!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the garden event, Mr Devine!
Sx
Ah, thank you, Ms Scarlet. The garden "design" just came together by accident rather than being a planned whole. I would like the hideous stepping stones to follow the curve of the circular paysho and end this side of the bird table rather than where it ends now, but I doubt I'll ever be arsed to move them.
DeleteThe lilies had already started to flower when I bought them, so we'll see if I can encourage them to do the same next year!
Snow?! It hasn't even snowed HERE yet!
ReplyDeleteLoads of lovely garden photos here, Mr. DeVice.
Thank you, Very Mistress - I'm looking forward to next year's event already!
DeleteAs for the snow, well, Hexenhäusli Device is nearly eight degrees further north than The House of Infomaniac. Slightly further polewards than the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, in fact! (Although, this snow was unusual, and we probably won't get any more until January/February. And even then it will pale into insignificance next to yours.)
What cool ideas for your selections. That would be tough for me as I have no blue, or anything borrowed. Unless you care to visit me for several hours!!! But your garden is again a showstopper. I in particularly like the gladioli. Beautiful and the color is stunning. I also enjoyed the Agapanthus "Royal Velvet" and I also partial too irises. I didn't feature any of mine this year. Seems like another very good Garden event again!!! Now let's all get naked now and soak in the gincuzzi shall we?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maddie. And, yes, a nice relaxing soak in the gincuzzi after all this hard work sounds lovely!
DeleteI want to be in your wedding! I love this. That's what a garden/plants should be all about... I especially love the borrowed stuff. It simply demonstrates the sort of conviction a true gardener needs... and so resourceful. I love that backyard path. You've created a little sanctuary. And now I see where I got the idea for my little circle patio! And the magnolia! Thanks for sharing and doing this garden show. I look forward to it every year. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you like it, Mr Tonking. I expect your circle paysho gets far more use than mine - I think I've only sat at it a couple of times this year - mostly it's just used as a staging area for more plants.
DeleteSee you in the garden next year!
Love the potted lilies I too would have bought them, resisting the temptation to stick on a cheaper barcode. I'm quite fond of your neglected dog tooth violet too. Another triumph!
ReplyDeleteIt was last week's cold spell that turned my Brugmansias to mush but strangely my lemon trees have put on new growth, it rained all day on Saturday, yesterday was overcast but very mild and earlier today we had brilliant blue sky almost shorts and t-shirt weather, the old lass next door was seen clipping her bush in a short sleeve blouse, exposing her naked elbows!
I'm a bit concerned about your no mow in May front lawn, they is a woman who lives nearby with a similar looking lawn and people call her a slattern and that she is lowering the tone of the neighbourhood. Her net curtains leaves a lot to be desired too.
When I first saw those lilies, they were £35!!! A phrase you taught me sprang to mind: "rob dogs". After balking at such a price, I managed to ignore them every time I went into the garden centre until the day I noticed three slightly smaller pots (but with just as much growth and flowers) were only £8.99 each. I snapped up two of them - one for me and one for a friend who had also coveted them.
DeleteI hope my neighbours don't call me a slattern behind my back. I don't have nets though, so I might have got away with it.
Oh, and this is a family blog - we'll have no talk of naked elbows here, thank you!