Slow Stroll through the Gardens Once More
I'm afraid I'm not a very restful person to spend garden time with. I get my husband installed in the chaise and instruct him to relax. And I sit down with him - for about 15 seconds That's about how long it takes me to discover a weed in need of pulling, or to realize that one plant has gotten so huge that it has totally engulfed another and needs to be moved immediately. So I hop up and down constantly. That's probably why my husband takes such short naps. I'm more restful when we're walking and I'm pointing things out to him.
One of the first things I noticed as we turned to leave the walled garden was that the lavatera is blooming - one in pink, and one white with a pink eye that matches exactly. The dahlias are in early bloom - and wouldn't you know - they, too are that same pink - and so are the purple coneflowers that are emerging, and an unknown daylily that is blooming now. I wish I could claim credit for some color genius - but it was accidental. I do not, however, admit this to Roger. It's enough that we can stop while I delightedly point this out to him.
Daylilies are in bloom absolutely everywhere - this is definitely peak season. This is the one time of year when, standing in the walled garden, you really notice that there is another garden planted on top of the wall and filled with Russian sage, daylilies and 'Baby's Blanket' roses, all surrounding a row of dwarf cherry trees. The cherry trees are important in our garden plan - they help to block out the apartment complex that is directly behind our yard.
We have choices now. Directly beyond the gate to the hidden garden is a huge stand of pines with a garden completely surrounding them. It has a sunny side that is mostly filled with heaths and heathers and dwarf conifers - and more daylilies. And then we have the shady side, which is carpeted with sweet woodruff and filled with hostas, astilbes, rhododendrons and azaleas, plus some gorgeous Polemonium 'Brise d'Anjou' that I was lucky enough to find cheaply at Wal*Mart. Last year Wayside Gardens offered it for some astronomical price - $35 or so - so at $3.49 they seemed like the bargain of the century. And telling my husband about great bargains always warms his heart. The woodruff is one of his favorite things in our yard because we have what seems like acres of it - all descended from a 2" pot about 7 years ago.
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