The Garden of Bogturtle

Astilbe 'Bridal Veil' and the white edged Hosta grow in the space between the walk and the garage. The only Sun comes when it is as far North as it can be. All over the property and I blame this fawn for a great deal of damage, including budded up flowers, and if they survive, I will have to wait until next year for the blooms.  The female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, shown above, will rest on the little stands by each opening, but it seems the male will not . Too bad, as he is much more colorful, and I am still waiting to catch the brilliant gold that will show in the male's throat feathers, as well as the expected red.  If anyone wants the classic Hydrangea quercifolia, the Oakleaf Hydrangea, they should choose the Princeton U. old release of 'Snow Queen'.  The species is an American native.  So totally disappointed in camera results, this year. This fine, blue violet Veronica should show up brilliantly. A standard sort that seems quite long lived.  The large tu...

Once again, how to get rid of photos mistakenly posted remains a mystery to me.   Viburnum dentatum, the Arrowood Viburnum, is one of the commonest native shrubs in these woods. But this may be the unusual cultivated form called 'Blue Muffin'. That cultivar has true medium blue berries. The native is also called Wild Raisin, and the berries are blackish. Edibility? I have no idea.  The shrub grows in the bank of them edging the lawn in the back. Also in that line of shrubs wrapping around the lawn area is Itea virginica, variety 'Henry's Garnet'. If this native has a common name, I don't know it. Thought it nice in bloom and, supposedly, it colors nicely in Fall.  Not here. And then I heard some kid repulsed by the flowers, in that they looked, to him like worms. Can't win em all.  This vine hides the area where we store the trash and recycle cans and other messy stuff.  No thought from the namer as to practicality, spelling or pronouncing the name they gave...

  The wall of greenery that I see out the bedroom window. We bought the Rhododendron when we moved in and it is now, I guess, about as tall as any I have ever seen. Getting new plants is simple. I scrape the bottom of outside branches, that naturally tend to rest on the ground, and cover them with soil for a year. Then I can cut them off with the shovel, dig them up, as they are well rooted by then, and move them where I want.    Fothergilla 'Blue Shadow' was an immediate choice, and now in several places on the property. It blooms nicely and even colors in soft orange in Fall.    As I walk around I see plants that are losing out and need rescue  Above is one. Lamium 'White Nancy' should be thriving here. It likes a bright, shady place. I will have to move it or get other plants back from it. Maybe it likes less acid soil. Sometimes sources let you know preferences, and some plants can be very fussy. It should be a fine low ground cover, covered with white ...