Although Mark and I have been devoting nearly all of our gardening time to digging up the Chameleon Ivy, I spent a few hours the other day in the St. Francis garden. We had some monster weeds growing there and leaves to remove from the fall. In the very far shady corner of the bottom level of this garden we planted sweet woodruff and lilies of the valley last year. They seem to like their new location. Especially the sweet woodruff.
I would like to thank the original owners of this property for the stone work they put in and around the gardens. I love the juxtaposition of stone with flowers.
I have so many favorite flowers, but the lilies of the valley take a special place in my heart. They are so quietly unassuming, yet they carry a beautifully sweet fragrance. I think I may bring a couple of sprigs in for my desk.
I couldn’t resist buying a couple of perennials for the gardens. I bought these two phox to replace some that we planted last year in the angel garden. I’m afraid those might have gone the way of the Chameleon Ivy.
I also picked up three pincushion flowers. I hope they will attract butterflies. I enjoyed these at our last house. They require a bit of dead-heading, but that’s garden work I enjoy.
My little Vanna White shows off the new plantings.
The knockout roses have just started with an early bloom or two. Although they are supposed to be completely care free, I don’t find that to be true. At our last house I had a few roses that I tried to spray, but I don’t care for that so much. I will probably just allow these to do what they have to do.
I’d also like to thank the original owners for having the foresight to create this garden space in view of the kitchen seating area. It’s nice to look out upon as we eat alone or share our meals.
When my son and daughter-in-law gave us this statue of St. Francis as a house-warming gift, I got the idea to name the gardens. St. Francis was known for his love of nature, and the birds and little animals that frequent our garden.
Of course, the irises are the main show in the gardens right now. And truthfully, are the main show period. These gardens are full of irises. They’ve just started to bloom, so we have a few weeks to enjoy their show.
I love this variety. I probably should look it up so I know its name. From a distance, they look pink.
These irises are planted at the top edge of the angel garden alongside the woodland garden.
Besides their beautiful flowers, I love the way the light plays along the stiff upright leaves of the iris plants.
I usually don’t cut the irises to bring them inside. They don’t last long and I prefer to enjoy them where they’re planted.
This is another nice variety of iris, for which I don’t know the name. We used to have a lot of the light lavender ones at our old houses, but irises come in all kinds of beautiful varieties. These dark purple ones make a particularly stunning show when they are all in bloom.
We have bunches of irises throughout the gardens. And although you can’t see them here, in the top wooded area, I planted some that I had divided last year. Some of them are blooming among the wildflowers this year. More on the wildflowers later.
When I have some free time, I’m going to look up the name of this variety.
I can see this blooming creeping phlox from the window of the study where I sit and work on my computer. That garden ornament looks familiar. . .I’m beginning to wonder if he doesn’t thrive on being the center of attention.
Next up: the wildflowers, followed shortly after by the progress Mark and I have made on the chameleon ivy.
Christine M. Grote 