Flowerbed Tour: Front

These front beds make me so happy.

I like to walk along the walls often to see what's blooming.

 

These were taken on May 23:

 

Overview, right side

I can hardly believe how tall the peonies have grown this year! (middle terrace)

They are twice the height they were last year, and all three loaded with buds!

 

Overview, middle

I like the contrast of the barberry on the bottom and the elderberry on top.

 

Overview, left (part-shade) side

I need to add compost to all the shrubs up front.

That little barberry is just a nub!

A pretty little nub, but still...

 

top terrace, looking toward driveway

 

I'm so tickled with this snowball bush!

Covered with blooms in its first year!

 

top terrace, looking toward elderberry

 

This was actually from May 16, I think.

Back when these tulips were blooming.

 

Middle terrace, May 23

Everything filling in, a few tulips.

 

Lamb's ears getting huge!

Plus, tulips, salvia, and columbine.

The tulips on this corner must get the most shade: they are last to open and last to be done.

 

middle terrace, part-shade side

I had to cut the 'Burgundy Iceberg' rose way back this spring.

I was afraid I had lost it at first.

I hope once the rest of the pine tree gets cut down up top, it will get enough sun to really thrive on this corner.

 

Bottom terrace, corner view

 

 A few more mini daffodils blooming at the same time as the English laurel. 

 

 closeup of the potentilla

I don't remember it even blooming last year.

I think it must be much happier in this new location.

Beauty all around: Garden Blogger's Bloom Day

Welcome friends!

I garden and live in Eastern Washington state, zone 5b.

We are in the middle of a May heat wave this week, with weather in the '70's.

I am surrounded by beautiful flowers today, and loving every minute of it!

 

'Mariette' tulips and 'Prairie Smoke' geum

When I put the geum in last summer, I didn't realize they would bloom at the same time as the tulips. I am pleased--I think they complement each other well.

I don't have this labeled anywhere.

Anyone recognize it?

 

Geum 'Totally Tangerine'

One advantage of our lawn being under construction for the 2nd year is that I get to enjoy these dandelions as much as I want to. And, I'm not trying to brag or anything, but our dandelions are some of the best I've seen. They have huge, vibrant 2-3 inch blooms, packed tightly together.

Yay dandelions! (for now....)

 I put in these tulips along the top of the garden wall just last fall, thinking they would give me a boost while I was waiting for vegetables to grow and fill in.

I was right.

Our neighbor said they look fake--they're too perfect. Ha!

I'm loving them up there.

I hope they come back again next year.

 



Brunnera, in the shade bed.

Daphne 'Carol Mackie' and daffodils

Those tiny pink flowers smell heavenly.

 

 I discovered these tulips when I started pulling everything out of this bed under the windows. They didn't bloom last year; must have been too choked out by the weeds.

I am planning to move them to the front flowerbed.

More tulips and daffodils.

[sigh] I love spring.

Mini tulips, with corkscrew rush in the background.

English laurel with blooms just beginning to pop.

 

Creeping phlox, muscari, and a few more mini daffodils.

The phlox was an addition last fall.

Candytuft and daffodils, front flowerbed.

 Deep purple columbine with more of those 'Mariette' tulips in the background.

 



Apple blossoms!

My son counted 21 apple blossoms this year.

I'm hoping that far fewer blooms will mean that some apples will actually grow to maturity this year. I know. Hope springs eternal.

 

Speaking of eternal hope...we've got all kinds of construction projects about half-way done right now--deck, garden expansion, shed porch, etc. Here's hoping they all get done in the next few months!

 

Early May Flowerbeds: Front

So much in bloom, I had to do another flowerbed tour, even though I just finished the last one about 10 days ago! 

 

Top Terrace:

 

 

elderberry

 

Snowball bush forming buds!

I didn't expect it to bloom this year.

 

Middle Terrace:

 

tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils

  

 peony stalks shooting up add a vibrant color

 

Peony buds!

I can hardly wait for the show!

 

candytuft and more tulips

lamb's ear and columbine filling out



 

part-shade corner

 

One of three new columbines added to this corner of the terrace.



 

part-shade side tulips and daffodils

 

Sem False Spirea

I am loving this shrub!

The multi-colored foliage really brightens up this shady corner, and the fine texture is a great contrast to the spring bulbs' strappy leaves nearby.

 

Bottom terrace:

 



 In the bottom corner, grape hyacinths, iris foliage, and laurel provide a pleasing contrast.
 

daffodils behind the laurels

daffodils in the bottom terrace

 

by the mailbox

 

 

 

 

March Flowerbeds: Front

 The overview:

(right panning left)

 

 

Top bed:

The elderberry and snowball bush both have leaf buds that are just barely breaking out.

 Got all the vetch weeded out of this bed yesterday.

 

Middle Bed:

 

 

Tulips about 3 inches high.

Front right: Shasta daisies

I need to decide quickly if I'm going to divide them or not this year.

 

I haven't gotten to this end of the bed for spring cleanup yet.

I may be transplanting the guillardia that got so long and floppy last summer.

 

Bottom Bed:

A few patches of crocuses blooming.

Daffodils just barely starting to poke up behind the English laurel.

A bit of new growth on the irises, and the boxwood starting to turn green again.