Sorry for the lack of posts. I am away with no internet. Promise more when I return.
Hope you are all enjoying the spring.
I need to get out more often!
The talk by Robert Mallet at the Hydrangea Society has inspired me to make some changes in parts of the garden.
I was particularly interested in his recommendation to plant masses of Hydrangea macrophylla in the shade of the later blooming Hydrangea paniculata.
There is an area in my garden where Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are combined with both ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas and macrophylla types to nice effect; therefore, I am giving this recommendation much thought.
The Viburnum court has been maintenance nightmare for quite some time. Although I love their foliage, flowers and berries; they have been sprouting everywhere, and they are NOT easy to remove (my criteria for allowing self seeders). Parts of the garden have become a viburnum forest rivaled only by the dreaded Privet.
So, in the interest of making the garden less of a maintenance headache, I am considering the removal of many Viburnums; perhaps adding a few sterile types (above) and more late-blooming hydrangeas. The only caveat being they would require hard pruning every few years. Easier than digging seedlings, no?
Posted in Garden Design, Hydrangeas, Viburnums | Tagged hydrangea macrophylla, hydrangea quercifolia, Robert Mallet, viburnum | 3 Comments »
I planned this post about Robert Mallet’s lecture but I got carried away with the early Clematis and the Southern Azaleas (Rhododendron indica) and… and… So here goes…a bit of this and that. (Robert’s inspirational lecture next, promise)
The walkway from the work /compost area.
The drive doesn’t look so bad after all. Blooming plants are a great distraction. When the Azalea (Rhododendron indica G.G. Gerbing) is done, the Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) on the right will start.
The first clematis to bloom for me is the Japanese cultivar ‘Asao’. followed by…
‘H.F. Young’ and…
‘Josephine’. This year she is not as double as most. Lyndy, can you shed some light on this please.
Then there is my favorite rose…
‘Madame Alfred Carrier’.
The garden is glorious and I have not yet mentioned the Styrax obasia, the white Lady Banks rose, the Viburnums (more about them in the next post)…Life is good!
Posted in Camellias, Clematis, Roses, Shrubs | Tagged Clematis Asao, Clematis H.F.Young, Clematis Josephine, GG Gerbing Azalea, Southern Azaleas | 9 Comments »
Why did they… 
build a tasteful brick entrance and hide it with shrubs clipped into meatballs ? I have seen this done to beautiful homes as well.
Posted in Garden Design | Tagged brick wall, welcoming entrance | 7 Comments »
Yesterday I listened in awe and lunched with the Hydrangea experts.
Above, Gene Griffin & Robert Mallet
Robert Mallet OF THE SHAMROCK COLLECTION, (located in Normandy France; the largest collection of Hydrangeas in the world), visited with Elizabeth Dean & Gene Griffin of WILKERSON MILL GARDENS; North America’s premiere hydrangea nursery.
Above, discussing the furry stems of Hydrangea aspera.
A peek at the propagating nursery above.
How lucky I was to be invited. Listening to the conversations was an education! Thank you Elizabeth & Gene.
Robert will be addressing the American Hydrangea Society tonight.
Posted in best friends, Hydrangeas, Nurseries, Shade Gardening, Shrubs, Uncategorized | Tagged American Hydrangea Society, hydrangeas, Robert Mallet, Shamrock Collection of Hydrangeas, Wilkerson Mill Gardens | 2 Comments »
I’m finally convinced that spring is here! Sufficient rain and warmer weather have created ideal conditions for an explosion of blooms. 
Above, Viburnum plicatum & Azalea indica ‘Formosa’
Climbing the wall; Hydrangea anomala petiolaris & Clematis ‘Freckles’ using it for support.
The Phlox divericata encouraged to naturalized between the daffodils.
- Clematis “asao’
I have pruned all the Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’, and almost all the Hydrangea paniculata. I still have to deadhead the Hydrangea macrophylla but I like to attend to those last lest I get too enthusiastic and remove this years flower buds. 
- Aesculus pavia
Pruned some of the clematis that require it and took an inventory of the garden.
Some of the news is not good. I have record losses this year. There is no sign of life on several Clematis, and my favorite Quince ‘Apple blossom’ has bit the dust.
Over the last few years I have let some shrubs go and now they require some drastic pruning. Good thing I bought a good excellent lopper. That is another post, promise.
Posted in Accessories, Clematis, Flowering Trees, Hydrangeas, Shade Gardening, Shrubs, Small trees, Vines, Wildflowers | Tagged Aesculus pavia, Annabelle Hydrangea, clematis, Clematis Asao, Clematis freckles, climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea anomala petiolaris, hydrangea macrophylla, native phlox, Phlox divericata | 8 Comments »
Finally there are signs of spring. The weather has been chilly in Georgia for an unusually long spell and bloom times are off.
Looking out the window, the Snowball Viburnum (Viburnum macrocephalum) is in its beautiful lime green phase and I can see the Yoshino Cherry tree (Prunus subhirtella ‘Yoshino’) blooming in the background.
These tulips ,below, were planted in the cutting garden about 5 years ago and although I cut them with their foliage every year, they still reappear. I must look up my orders and identify them.
Next week promises to be warmer and I expect an explosion of blooms. Meanwhile spring pruning is underway (late of course).
Posted in Bulbs, Cutting flowers, Small trees, Viburnums | Tagged cutting garden, tulips, viburnum Chinese Snowball, Viburnum macrocephalum, Yoshino cherry tree | 8 Comments »
