Each Little World

Unexpected effects

I planted Thalictrum 'Black Stockings' late last summer to fill a hole where I had removed a plant that could not take the burst of late afternoon sun that typcially hits a few locations in my shade garden. It's performing beautifully already this first season. Even though I planted the meadow rue because it could take sun, I was unprepared for the effect of its flowers up at eye level catching that late light. I was equally surprised with the color repetition with the dame's rocket in my neighbor's garden which is just visible through our fence. Always a great feeling when planting ideas turn out so much nicer than anticipated!

Crazy combos

The unusual weather we've had this Spring has made for some strange combinations as plants bloomed early and off schedule. First there were daffodils and clematis blooming together, and now I've got my earliest yellow daylily (Hemerocallis 'Gold Dust') open at the same time as yellow Trilliums (Trillium luteum) and an Epimedium (Epimedium grandiflorum sp. koreana 'La Rocaille') that is now putting on a second show of flowers after the first flush.

Symphony in white

The garden reminds me of Whistler this morning: A Symphony in White. And like the painting, the whites in the garden are snowy, creamy, misty, milky, some perfectly pure and others blushed with pink, peach, and purple.

Narcissus 'Dreamlight' (below)

Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'

Paeonia obvata var. alba

Tiarella x cordifolia 'Running Tapestry'

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Spessart'

Clematis 'Guernsey Cream'

Convallaria majalis 'Hardwick Hall'

Trillium grandiflorum

Rhododendron yedoense poukhanense 'Alba'

It might be a stretch to include Arisaema sikokianum but it is that white throat that is so arresting.

Halesia tetraptera (Carolina silverbell tree)

Malus sargentii 'Tina' (Tina dwarf crabapple tree)

I break for plant sales!

Plant Sale madness kicks off this week with the Hosta Garden Companions fabulous Hosta sale at Tom and May Riddle's garden at 1809 Waunona Way, Madison. This event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning this Friday and running each weekend through May. I bought four Hostas from them last year at reasonable prices, but what was really great was being able to see each Hosta in a bed at its mature size and shape in a home garden setting. 

Then comes the West Side Garden Club's Sale. This group has been beautifying our community for 90 years as well as contributing to numerous civic projects, outreach programs, and scholarships (as do many of our local garden groups) via the proceeds of their annual plant sales. The gorgeous Japanese primrose (below) is one of many plant purchases I've made over the years at the West Side Garden Club's annual sale. It was grown in a member's garden as is the case with many of the items sold at local plant sales. As a result, this primrose has bloomed and increased for me to the point that soon I will be able to offer seedlings back to the sale! West Side Garden Club Sale: Friday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3918 Nakoma Rd. just west of Thoreau School and opposite Seminole Hwy.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens Plant Sale with the Pros is on Friday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Note the name of this sale: it is staffed with pros so no question will go unanswered. I could go on and on about this sale because it is always superb. Check out the link because they offer so many extras at this annual event in addition to wonderful plants. We've bought many of our best trees and shrubs at Olbrich over the years. I often donate garden books to the sale and usually take home a couple as well.  Not to be missed.

UW-Madison Arboretum Native Plant Sale is on Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the tent next to the Visitor Center. This is the premier event for native plant folks whether you have a woodland or prairie. 

The Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society is holding their annual sale on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station, 8502 Mineral Point Road, just past the stoplight on Hwy. M. The sale is held rain or shine and this is a covered localion so you don't have to worry about weather. Just before this sale last spring, I toured a WHPS member's garden where I saw more wonderful primroses (above). And then, there they were at the sale where I was able to buy some in each color pictured. I've also bought a number of Korean maples (below) at this sale. Again, these are plants grown in local gardens so you know they should also grow for you. Though this sale is held later than many, there's always something unusual and unexpected at this event so don't miss it.

Full disclosure: I am a member of WHPS and on their board. I am also a member of Olbrich and the UW-Arboretum, as well as being friends with many gardeners associated with these and other garden groups. But in no instance am I receiving any remuneration, financial or otherwise, for my comments and support of these groups posted on this blog.

Click the links for details of each sale. You can also find a long list of other local plant sales in the on-line version of the WHPS April 2012 newsletter, beginning on Page 3. Most of these are open to the public but check the details to be sure that is the case, as some are member-only events. Most sales are also held rain or shine so come prepared for the weather.

Shades and shoes of red

Just a week ago, the focus was on yellow flowers and foliage for GBBD and Foliage Follow-up. Today it's all about pinks and reds and cerise and maroon and wine and more shades of red in the garden than I can name. Even though the yellows and reds are all blooming at the same time, most of them are not growing cheek by jowl. Where they do meet, I'm helping them to merge more harmoniously by adding plants that combine both colors — and then hoping that everybody is on the same bloom schedule. 

Here's a sampling of recent reds: Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' (Forest Pansy Redbud), Malus sargentii 'Tina' (Tina crabapple), Paeonia obvata var. willmottiae (Asian woodland peony), Trillium sessile, Fritillaria meleagris (three variations on checkered lily), Epimedium rubrum (red barrenwort), Epimedium grandiflorum 'Red Queen' (Red Queen barrewort), Pulmonaria longifolia 'Majestic' (Majestic lungwort), and fallen petals of an ancient unknown crabapple variety.

The last flowers

I am always amazed — and somewhat amused — at the ways in which different flowers fade and die. The two specimens pictured below are growing near each other in the garden and yet their partings could not be further apart. The hyacinths simply flop over as their flowers fade, but are still too heavy to hold their aging heads up. This unsightly habit should be enough to convince me that their true glory is inside the house in a vase. Meanwhile the peony's petals float to the ground, leaving the beautiful beginnings of its next stage — which will be a stunning seedhead. 

Paeonia japonica

I posted a photo of the buds of one of my woodland peonies, Paeonia japonica, just pushing up in time for Foliage Follow-up on March 16. By the same time the following week the plant was almost fully up and covered with big fat flower buds — 24 at a quick glance. 

Then the temperatures dropped and we had a bunch of cool, cloudy days and an inch of rain the last week of the month. I am not unhappy with this more traditional spring-like weather since there's nothing more enjoyable than watching a big clump of peonies slowly unfurl in the early spring garden. 

Even though April temperatures have dipped down below freezing a number of times, the buds were not harmed and the flowers began to open on April 9 — a good month earlier than in 2011. Looking back to 2007, this particular peony typically opens around Mother's Day, but bloomed on April 23 in 2010. I am guessing that this year's early bloom date will be a record that stands for a number of years. 

Bloomin' Bergenias

I've been growing a few varieties of Bergenia cordifolia for years and only recently ever had them bloom. The last few years, it seems like I notice a couple of fat flowerheads — and just as they start to uncurl — the bunnies bite them clean off. This year when I saw more flowerbuds pushing up than ever before, I determined to cage the plants so I could enjoy the blooms. I never did get around to that chore but it looks as though I may not be plagued with hungry rabbits this season as the plants are in full flower with nary a notice of any nipping. 

The one with paler pink flowers is most likely Bergenia crassifolia and the darker one is either 'Bressingham Ruby' or 'Eden's Dark Margin.'

Galloping Hellebores

Our unseasonably warm Spring brought the Hellebores into bloom earlier than ever. But the same warm temperatures, unfortunately, shorthened their bloom span. They exploded open and now it's virtually over in just a bit over a week. We did manage to capture most of them since this year every one that I'm growing finally flowered, so I could figure out who's who. 

The first three Hellebores are all unnamed varieties of the Royal Heritage strain.

Helleborus orientalis 'Ivory Prince.' This one grows on a slope above a wall so I can actually see and enjoy the flowers while I'm standing up! And it's facing east so it just shines in the early morning light.

Helleborus x hybridus 'Mrs. Betty Ranicar' is listed as fully double — which she is — but with white flowers. This has always bloomed blush pink and seems to get darker as it ages. Is it really Betty or someone trying to imitate her? A pretty flower no matter the name.

Helleborus x hybridus 'Mardi Gras Black.' I'm a sucker for black flowers and this is a stunner: great color, great shape. A real gem.

Helleborus orientalis 'Sympathy,' another single flowered beauty. She'd look lovely consorting with the black Hellebores but, alas, they live on opposite sides of the garden.

Helleborus x hybridus 'Kingston Cardinal' is a Dan Hinkley selection. Layers of petals make her a bit top-heavy, especially after a rainfall, which is when we took this photo.

I have a whole list of other Hellebores I'm lusting after. The good news is that I have two locations where we will be creating new gardens and they are both slopes. So I can plant the new varieties where I will be able to see the flowers! And when they're done blooming, I'll have the sturdy green groundcover I want for most of the season. 

An early Spring Garden Party at Olbrich

I've already been out working in the garden a couple of times in the past week: cutting back old foliage, picking up fallen branches and admiring the snowdrops and emerging Hellebores. It's definitely Spring, but still mostly a study in brown. To enjoy a colorful early Spring garden experience, we all need to visit someone else's garden — Olbrich's! 

This year's Spring Show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a glorious "Garden Party." The images below (taken by Sharon Cybart of Olbrich) give you a sample of what I think is one the garden's most delightful concepts.

The Garden Party exhibit is open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., now through March 25. A $2 admission donation is suggested. Proceeds benefit Olbrich Gardens. Select flowers from the show will be available for purchase on Monday, March 26 at 12 noon while supplies last.

In addition to this fabulous rustic table setting are lots of colorful and fragrant Spring flowers like Hyacinths, daffodils, primroses, tulips and flowering shrubs. There's even an outdoor fireplace blazing away with hot-colored primroses. Even with the warm temps forcast for Madison, it will be quite a while before our gardens offer this much color and scent. A visit to Olbrich's Garden Party is the perfect way to while away an afternoon waiting for your garden to bloom.

Olbrich is sponsoring a raffle to win a lightweight white patio swing — donated by Patio Pleasures — and made by the Amish of recycled material. Tickets are available at the Greeter Desk from now until May 13, and cost $2.00 each or 3 tickets for $5.00. Raffle proceeds also benefit Olbrich.

If these Spring flowers appeal to you, be sure to mark your calendar for Olbrich's Primrose Sale on Sunday, March 25 and their Pansy Sale on Saturday, April 7.