May Bloom Day

Abundant rain and a few sunny days have really jump-started the garden. Spring is finally here! Although the past few days have been rainy and very cool again, a long stretch of sunny days are predicted later in the week. The lupines, planted last year, appear to be very happy.

 
Last year, this Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri 'Palibin') was blooming a full month ahead of this year. This beautiful shrub was already here when we moved in. It was a lovely surprise.


 

When I first visited Portland a few years ago, I was blown away by the Ceanothus (California Lilac) that was growing everywhere. It turns out there are lots of different varieties, in varying shades of blue and growing characteristics. The first one I planted was 'Julia Phelps'. 

'Black Diamond' is a ceanothus with variegated leaves. It is just starting to bloom. My friend Rebecca bought one of these at the same time and in her Portland garden, hers is three times the size of ours!

 

The shrub is still very tiny but a number of blooms have just opened on the Quince 'Double Take Orange Storm' (Chaenomeles)

My clematis wish list is about a mile long. I have not planted that many yet. This is the old popular variety 'Nelly Moser'.

Himalyan Huckleberry (Vaccinium glauco-album). I ended up moving this from the back garden to the front. It is planted along the shady north foundation.

I saw these at the nursery where I work and, like about 90% of the stuff I see come through, I wanted it. I have never grown wallflowers (Erysimum)before and I absolutely love them. I have two varieties planted together, this orange one is 'Apricot Twist'. A purple-flowered variety 'Bowles Mauve' can be seen behind them.

Rock Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides), purchased at Home Depot last year, and planted along the steep retaining wall next to the driveway, has returned.

Salvia 'Forest Fire'

Exbury Azalea 'Klondyke' - I found this last year at Wal-Mart of all places.

Deutzia 'Nikko' - I purchased this at Joy Creek Nursery in January during the Bloggers get-together.

Lithodora

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

And last, but certainly not least, are the pansies, surviving all winter in a pot on the porch. I just moved them to the ground. That is Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola') next to it. The Japanese maple above is 'Murasaki Kiohime'.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Check out what is blooming in other blogger's gardens around the world. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy