Bogturtle's Garden- June 21 to end, 2023

 

Opuntia humifusa is the only species of cactus one meets in the wild areas of S. Jersey. My only specimen spends all year in a pot on the top of the potting bench. Not at all attractive if allowed to become a patch on the ground. When in bloom it may get moved to the Irish pot where the little rockgarden meets the main perennial area. 

Two different dwarfer clones of the Oakleaf Hydrangea are opposite each other on the exit drive from where we park the vehicles, and another sort of Hydrangea, with much smaller blooms is starting, also. This year I sprayed with Deer repellent faithfully. I just think they take a careless munch as they walk by, if not repulsed by the odor or taste, and individuals seems to learn. 

A unique situation. The Southern native, Stokesia laevis, Stoke's Aster is one of the most successful perennials here. Super easy from seed, I believe I got the seed a lifetime ago from Park Seed, and think they don't offer such unique plants, now. Did not check. This is the normal purplish bloom, but one seed volunteered in the stones where we park the vehicles. Always wondered if I had hit it, as I parked there, but no. And it has bloomed. Now I will move it the foot or so into the main perennial area. I have many starts in the propagation and rehab area. Most of those from seed from two unusual clones that I plan to show in bloom any day. 'Divinity',the white, and 'Mary Gregory', the straw yellow. The plant just likes my sandy, acid soil and less than all day Sun. 

Alchemilla mollis is just interesting for its foliage, not the yellow green flowers that may come. The foliage is unique in shape and water beads on the foliage like silver jewels. 

Along with the lance-shaped foliage of a Stokesia to the lower right, this photo includes the mottle leaves of a Ginger called 'Asarum splendens' and another two shade tolerant perennials. (Downright annoying that people that know far more than I do may now have this plant listed as a Hexastylis, not an Asarum.) The Japanese Painted Fern, Athyrium japonicum, and a Lamium with white on the leaves and white blooms called L. maculatum 'White Nancy'. 

Likely to be replaced, this photo shows the shade tolerant, yellow bloomed Lysmachia punctatum and a Hosta. But I always thought the Lysmachia p. had a black mark on each petal. So I am in doubt as to the correct scientific name. 

Overshadowed by a Winterberry deciduous Holly, this is the deciduous Azalea 'Weston's Lemondrop'. 

Here is Stokesia 'Divinity'. Many more blooms to come. The seed gathered, last year, may not yield white flowers, as both the straw yellow Mary Gregory and the most common violet colored sorts were also blooming and white may be a recessive trait. 

Really cannot imagine having too many Stokesia, and the plant is evergreen.

Here is a clearer photo of Lysmachia punctata, while some flowers are still to open.

In the shade near the little pool this tiniest of perennials is holding on. I moved most of it, as it was not thriving, and have new little ones potted up. I just think it needs more Sun, but the moist soil is probably a necessity.  This is also a Lysmachia but  L. minutissima. Probably a Japanese species, and I wonder how it survives anywhere. Has to be one of the world's lowest groundcover plants, able to have many more 1/8 inch blooms all over the carpet of green it makes.

Just a section of the main perennial bed between the pool fence and where we park the vehicles. Relatively weed free after tedious attention. The typical lavendar or purplish color is shown on the one Stokesia, with several blooms open on the clone 'Divinity. The lemon yellow Evening Primrose, Oenothera missouriensis is another seed grown plant that seems super easy to grow and keep. Just beyond that is a small yellowish dot that is the opening bud of Stokesia 'Mary Gregory'. The Japanese Roof Iris, on the lower left, shows how a recent dry spell was bad, but we are getting days of on and off rain, now. For years a patch of Arum italicum, which grows in Fall, and lasts until Spring, alternated in that space with Stachys betonica 'Helene Von Stein'. Now only one or two seed stems of the Arum are showing, and may well turn tomato red. And a new wooly gray leaved S. 'HVS' is there to replace the one that suddenly disappeared. I could not have grown the replacement from seed as I do think 'Helen Von Stein' never blooms. A plus in my mind as the spent  flower stems would just have to be cut off. 

Just opened, and each bloom may double in size. This is Stokesia 'Mary Gregory'.

Azalea 'Weston's Lemon Drop' again.

Some weeding done, and the bare areas have yellow string beans and green, planted.

The splendid little tree placed so we can see it right across the yard through the center window of the bank in the addition. Unfortunately with two proper, scientific names. Pseudocamellia japonica or Stewartia pseudocamelia, to my knowledge. Graceful in form, producing a brief spate of grand flowers, and fine Fall colors to the leaves. I repeat myself all the time. It would be a grand patio tree if it did not litter the ground with all the flowers for the entire two or three weeks of blooming. Mine are not a problem, as I mow the lawn. 

Just every morning now. The big female and the two accompanying fawns. This is, by size, likely one of the fawns, which always seem together. 

Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet' is the only sort still around. They wander too much, perhaps. But this taller sort is limited by border shrubs around it, and does not seem to be in the main perennial bed any more. It does get mildew, where other red sorts are said to be more resistant, but it is spectacular. 

And in the same shrub border that hides the pool deck, across the yard from where we eat, is Crocosmia 'Diablo'. Equally brilliant. This plant is also in the main perennial bed next to where we park the vehicles.