Back At The Pond

I try to make a yearly summer visit to my brother's and sister-in-law's garden which has a main feature, "the pond."

It is a little less clear this year, and we are not sure if the cold winter was the cause.  This is a concrete in-ground pond constructed in the 1930's.  You can see asters in the front (not blooming) and Persicaria Polymorpha in the background.

Capone, the Boston Terrier, is the trooper who guards the pond.

 

Behind the Persicaria are glass art tiles.

Addie is Barbara's mother and there is a garden dedicated to her.

Addie Branch Smith Daylilies

Faux wreaths encircle containers

Plants in drawers on the deck

The Magellan Zinnias were started indoors from seed and are all around the pond in a variety of colors.

 

 

 

 

We are on our way out to the front of the house with plantings and vintage milk pails flanking the side door.

 

 

 

 

Birdhouses have been added to the front planters.

 

 

The original pond posting is at the bottom of this blog (2011) with subsequent ones last year, and 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lily Love

The lilies are beautiful this year and the fragrance magnificent.  I have mostly Orienpets with two varieties in my front garden. 

Conca d'Or

 

It is self-supporting and does not fade.

 

Lilies look better with their legs covered, Blue Paradise Phlox with daylilies in front, lots of layering allows each planting to look its best!

 

 

 

 

 

Orienpet Lavon

 

 

These are two of the shorter Orienpets, about four feet tall, strong stems that do not need to be staked, great fragrance and take up very little space in the garden.  I trim them down about one-third when finished blooming, stems stay green and blend in with other plantings.  When they turn brown in late fall, trim to about six inches so you can see where they are in the garden.

An Impressive Garden Season

The backyard grass is finally filling in, probably will be beautiful by fall.  Lake Michigan has higher water levels because of all the snow and rain, and I have not had a problem with indoor ants or seen a Japanese Beetle yet!  Oops, just saw them today!!!

Superstar Petunia with Lavender Rose Calliope Geraniums

A visit to Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin displayed an unforgiving winter with many plants damaged or lost.  However, a gardener's life goes on and there is much planting to do repairing a wondrous garden.

Northwind

The phlox is massive this year and only Blue Paradise is blooming right now (it is the first and last to bloom).  I am not really sure what all of these varieties are that have filled out so much, I wait with much anticipation.

More than one variety of phlox together

The lilies are just beginning with my only Asiatic the first to bloom.

Graffiti

I have mostly Orienpets, love the size and fragrance.

Orienpet Altari

 

Lilies ready to bloom in front border

 

 

 

 

 

Allium Summer Beauty

 

Kim's Knee High Red in back border

 

Back south border (lots of layering)

 

Back middle island

 

 

Comtesse de Bouchard on north side (first year plant)

 

Miss Amelia with Arnie's Choice

South side raised bed

 

I ordered some of my container plants from Park's this year, already in combinations and sent as plugs.  They have all done great!  I have just about given up on pre-planted containers (only one this year as a gift).

 

Hayracks with succulents this year

 

 

Superfina Petunia Heavenly Blue (blooms all along stem)

Ordered as plugs from Park's

 

North By Northwest

This was one of my favorite movies but it also applies to the north side of my home.  A few years ago I had nothing but grass on one side and hosta and bleeding hearts on the other, boring!  It has taken a while to get things right, and I am still making corrections each year.

The north side of the path actually gets more sun than the south side of the path, moved plants around quite a bit.  I love astilbe but have resisted planting any more because in our recent heat spells it does not hold up.

Lady In Red Fern does well in sun along with the daylilies, still working on a few of the hostas that are getting quite a bit of sun, petunias in the baskets.

 

This is the north side garden looking to the west, Green Sheen Pachysandra on the left has done well in the shadier area.

 

Always good to have a view through a gate!

 

Sedum Matrona

North side leading out into almost full sun

 

Amsonia Northwind

Cut down after flowering to fill out for a fall color display

 

Paul's Glory Hosta needs to be divided.

 

Many ferns like the sun, such as Lady Fern and Lady in Red.

 

I have used a lot of the Sunpatiens this year both in sun and part shade.

 

Visions Astilbe with Interrupted Fern

 

Astilbe Chinesis Visions

This is the best year because of the rain.

 

 

Astilbe Sprite

 

 

Even the lighter colored clematis does well on the north side, blues, pinks, white.

 

I will end with Endless Summer, one bloom this year, can't believe I still have them!