Spireas for Every Garden

There are many elements that make up the framework of any good garden design.  Whether designing an entire landscape or garden bed, the process includes (but is not limited to) how shape balances with size balances with light, color, texture, terrain and soil conditions.  
Just a few things to consider :)
And while there is tremendous joy, satisfaction and beauty in collecting and growing perennials, vegetables and annuals; it is the trees and shrubs that create the 'backbone' of the landscape.   This is the structure that is left when everything else is laid to rest for the season.

I have a real fondness for all the flowering spireas of which there are more than I could shake a finger at.  Those wonderful small to mid-sized winter hardy deciduous shrubs that are so happy and easy.
Ok, happy you say?  What's that all about?  Well, let me tell you.
The foliage comes in an array of color from blue green to chartruese and many varieties provide a wonderful burst of fall foliar displays of burnt orange, reds and yellows.  Late spring to summer they flower in reds, pinks and whites and, well, if buterflies love them (and they do) they must be a happy plant.
Now for the easy part (my favorite part).  These plants are so forgiving and manageable!  You can plant them in just about anything for soil and, provided they get a decent amount of sun, they will prosper and promise to please.  They're also not a deal breaker as nursery prices go.  Most varities can be purchased in 1 gallon containers (and don't be afraid to buy them small, they'll establish pretty quick) for ~ $15.00.

This is Pink Parasols Spirea aptly named for the soft parasol like blooms that seem to float above attractive blue green foliage.  

Spiraea fritschiana

This plant looks great planted as a specimen in a perennial bed or grouped as an informal hedge and it's worth planting for it's fall foliage colors alone. 
But when this little shrub flowers the pink blooms give off this interesting soft almost 'fuzziness' effect.

Pink Parasols

Upon closer look; each floret is actually made up of a cluster of tiny flowers each with multiple, long stamens giving it that unique fuzzy appearance.
Like all spireas, once the flowers go by I simply get out my hedge trimmers and 'deadhead' as well as reshape the shrub back to it's neat little self.
Easy, just the way I love it.

 

Magic Carpet

While Pink Parasol grows to between 3' to 4'; another favorite of mine, 'Magic Carpet', ranges between 2' to 3' in height.
In spring the leaf shoots emerge vibrant red, maturing into rich bronze to light green red-tipped foliage.
In fall the foliage takes on nice russet tones.  And the pink flowers against that foliage, magic, right?

Little Princess

The leaves on spirea are often small, pointy shaped with toothed margins. 
This 'Little Princess' spirea is a dense little plant with even smaller than average leaves.  At 2' and as much wide 'Little Princess' can be tucked in just about anywhere, is pest and disease resistant and lives a long, happy, healthy life.

While I realize I've  barely scratched the surface of this delightful species,  I hope I've instilled enough curiosity for you to go to your local nursery and check out some of the varieties available where you live.  ( I think I'll go shopping myself)
You can also check out many of the new exciting varieties online.  For example, Nature Hills Nursery  has a nice online listing with photos and descriptions.
Once considered the 'poor man's shrub', spireas offer such variety and hardiness that they shouldn't be overlooked.
Check them out.  I'm sure you'll find a place for one... or two... or more.
Happy Planting!

June in Full Swing

Every day I find something in the garden that catches my eye and while I had every intent to share those findings on a regular basis, I must admit that it's alot easier to make the mental note than it is to photograph, document and relay the findings in a concise paragraph or two... or three.
Needless to say, my initial concern with keeping a running dialog during the busy, short growing season has already proven to be a bit of a challenge as it's been almost 2 weeks since my last post and as many notable showings as deer flies.
But here I am, ready to play catch-up...

Last week the gobeflower was in full bloom.

Trollius ‘Alabaster’

This is Trollius 'Alabaster'.
I love the light creamy white color and the way the cup shaped blooms sit atop straight stems.   The plant itself is very neat and undemanding.  The foliage is deeply chiseled and grows in an attractive clump.
No fuss, no muss and an absolutely beautiful show stopper of a perennial makes this one of my favorite spring bloomers.
My goal is to continue to divide the plant and have it growing en masse.
Sometimes more is better :)

Campanula glomerata

At the base of the trollius is this clustered bellflower.
Deep purple blooms in good sized clusters that last for about 2 weeks, this plant is very attractive in bloom but the plant gets a bit messy afterwards and usually requires some cutting back. 




Meanwhile, the honeysuckle vine is full of those lovely trumpet shaped blossoms.  This super - hardy vine blooms almost all season  and the

Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet'

 orange blossoms and blue green foliage really speaks to me.
Whenever I'm near this plant working in the garden I hear the familiar 'buzz' of the hummingbirds that are all over this fragrant wonder.

This vine is growing up a wooden post that supports an old bird feeder that is now completely encased with tendrils of honeysuckle.
Last year a Robin found it to be the perfect place for her nest.  I wonder what Mrs. Robin thought about all those hummingbirds buzzing about.

Actinidia kolomikta

The foliage of this vine looks like some weird powdery mildew until you find out that this is it's normal variegated state and what makes this plant so highly desirable.
This is Arctic Beauty Kiwi Vine.  Yes, this is actually a fruited vine requiring both a male and female plant in order to produce the grape sized, sweet kiwi fruit.
But I grow it for the foliage.  As the leaves emerge in spring, they're green; but they soon pick up splotches of white. As an encore, some leaves then develop pink tips.
This is an extremely vigorous woody twining vine that requires regular 'slashing' back.   One year I was actually out of state for the entire season (oh my poor gardens) and upon my return, the kiwi vine had reached across the deck and completely wrapped itself around the picnic table.  A freaky site... I loved it.


Remember the magical poppy fields of the Wizard of Oz?
Well, I don't have an entire field of poppies but every time I pass by my little clump of orange poppies I can't help but do my best Wicked Witch of the West, "Poppies, poppies will put them to sleep".

In folklore, poppies symbolize sleep as well as death, and peering into the black center of a red poppy is a folk remedy for insomnia.
Lucky for me, I don't have any trouble sleeping and lucky for you, you'll probably never be within earshot to hear my Judy Garland version of 'Over the Rainbow'.   It's just my personal side effect to poppies.  :)
That's it for today.
Just remember to follow the yellow brick road.