The Garden of Bogturtle

  Growing on the Red Cedar Tree that is where we park, Lonicera 'Mandarin' looks better and better each year. Geranium sanguinium 'Alba' is shown again below.  I found out this Streptocarpus is named, for some strange reason, 'Siberia'. But the flowers do look just like the dark violet velvet. Here for many years, with no real increase, the unusual blue-green clone of the Southern native, Zenobia pulverulenta, is showing its little urn shaped flowers. Showing they are part of the Heath family. Oenothera tetragona, I think. And Evening Primrose that shows 4 parts in the middle of the flower. You are likely to always have this fine plant, if you plant it. I have to thin it, to control it.  Geranium sanguineum 'Alba', shown again. Looking wonderful. Red Knockout Roses were cut to about a foot from the ground, and are coming back wonderfully.  Not problem free, apparently, the one to the far end is beset with thrips, that hide under the leaves and eat, leavi...

 a More photos of the southern native, the Crossvine, Bignonia capreolata. As mentioned before, this vine will grow up, out of sight to the hiker, and bloom high where the Hummingbirds can get to it. A bloom of Clematis 'Ramona' is also shown. They soon bleach to a color like bleached out denim. The first Clematis I ever added, and now here and there, still much appreciated.  Very unsatisfied with the dark pictures this camera, or setting on it, gives. But here are a few of the small, bell shaped blooms of another Styrax tree, Styrax japonica. This is oriental, as compared to the previously shown Southern species, Styrax obassa A nice photo of the only Peony here. An old plant, maybe now to deep in the soil, after years. Only 3 beautiful flowers, and of the open Japanese sort of bloom. I recall it has some Japanese name, like Isani Guidi, but unsure. A feature of the main perennial garden between the fence to the pool and where we park the vehicles A daily effort to get a vide...

 I believe this plant, that appeared on the property, somehow, is called 'Star of Bethlehem'. An old fashioned gardening choice that is said to become a pest. The one may disappear, here, if I don't move it. Inch wide flowers on a plant about 8 inches tall., I recall it from my childhood in a nearby garden in the city.Ornathogonum nutans is my guess.  Among the tangle of vines on the fence that hides the sides of the above ground pool from where we park, an occasional bloom or two shows up from Clematis montana 'Mayleen'. Usually blooms about 2 inches wide.  A truly huge bush, now, overhanging the start of the exit drive. This is Calycanthus 'Hartlage Wine'. On a sunny day I will be able to photograph a more encompassing view.  Over by the toolshed, a Southern native, Styrax obassia has been planted. A small tree or large shrub.  I really wanted a red Rhododendron, and the only one I knew of is the old Ironbound red, that is so hardy. But a fine nursery offe...

Seemed to stress out the program, so I have to change the date and start a new group.  Really never noticed before, but the dwarf, red-barked Japanese Maple 'Fjelheim' is just about the color, now, it will turn in Fall.  Really difficult managing blogger. This Rhododendron, called  'Purple Passion' is actually a little deeper than the picture shows.  Not much to look at, but one of the first perennials I planted here. So dependable. And evergreen Geum called Geum borisi, or sometimes 'King Boris'. The Southern evergreen called a Leucothoe. A common name might be 'Dog Hobble' and any southern hunting hound would find it impossble to get through a thicket of it. Creamy white, urn shaped flowers show it is a member of the Heath family. After bloom, I will cut it to within 6 inches from the ground. I expect it to return as beautifully as it did, when I did that about 5 years ago. A heavy, wet snow, that broke so many trees, here, has it quite distorted now. ...