Soggy Then Sunny - The Perfect Combination

Lots of comments about this bearded iris (Iris germanica) in our English cottage garden. We've lost track of the variety but each spring I find a greater appreciation for irises in general. It will be exciting to display 500 varieties in the coming years. They will undoubtably run the gamut of colors and include some of the latest and greatest in iris breeding efforts.

Today was quite rainy this morning, then overcast, then sunny. We needed the precipitation to keep things lush and the gardens should dry out for the outdoor weddings tomorrow. Marv and Terry continued work on some limestone steps among other things. Jenny, Marianne and Janice accomplished myriad other tasks. We still have a full yard of plants to go in the ground but can't forget about the day to day "tidying" out in the gardens.

The image to the right is of the golden Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Fenway Park') which was actually found as a mutation/sport at Fenway Park in Boston. I've been waiting for this vine to take hold and it's wonderful working its way up a brick wall. This is a shady corner and the chartreuse foliage helps illuminate what would be a dark, geometric corner. Check out this close-up of my 'Twisty Baby' black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Twisty Baby') in bloom. The flowers of black locust are very fragrant, particularly at dusk. This tree has grown very quickly and has a contorted appearance with every branch, branchlet, stem and leaf twisted and/or curled. It's a very showy tree. For those in regions where black locust grows natively, you'll see white bloom clusters thru early June. If you haven't visited yet, you're missing the alliums!!!!