Bogturtle's Garden- 5/21 to end, 2026

 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 video of the Ruby Throated Humminbirds at the feeder a few feet away from where I sit. I am not quick enough to turn the camera on, zoom in, and put the camera on 'video'. And they are very shy. I have seen some sitting on peoples' hands, in other videos. 

Shown before, this has to be one of the lowest growing ground covers available. The flowers are about a quarter of an inch wide and pale blue violet. Evergreen, I think. Now spread over by the little pool. A New Zealand native.  Blue Star Creeper, Pratia pedunculata. Of course I would want the rarer form with white flowers.

Within half an hour drive, perhaps, our New Jersey Pine Barrens harbor acres of Kalmia latifolia, the Montain Laurel. Most bloom pink or near white. Like clouds floating in the woods. I found this sort, dirt cheap, somewhere. A named Clone, Selection, Variety. Battered by last night's rain, but still looking good. This is the first year I have really noticed the blooms, while it is at the edge of the woods, across the lawn from where we sit. Probably here 10 years. Totally Deer resistant Its called K. l. 'Richard Jaines' and cost me $5. Cannot recall where I bought it. 

Tradescantia virginica, which was locally called 'Noonsleeps' does, actually, close individual flowers by the afternoon, except on rainy days. The lanky plants bloom all Summer, in an endless succession, and the plants would take over, here, if they could. Originally purchased in a variety of color, but the original blue-violet only shows up, now. With a few plants having doubled blooms.

The mower is in the shop, until a day ago. Here the foot or two tall meadow is now cut. First cut since the final one in Fall. The Knockout Roses have just started blooming. 

Another Lonicera, or Honeysuckle is blooming. L. periclymenum.

This true Geranium, not the Pelargonum everyone knows as Geranium, is hardy, and usually blooms wine colored. Of course I chose the white. Geranium sanguinum 'Alba', I think. And the species name relates to the normal color being red, like blood. Alba, of course, means white.