This Clematis rehderiana was planted three years ago and has never bloomed. I was just about ready to replace it when I noticed a few little flowers this week. In spite of the early cold, it has still managed to come into bloom and the flowers are mildly fragrant.
I took the next two pictures at work on containerized plants because my garden specimens will likely never produce flowers or fruit in our climate. The berries (which are toxic) are on an Aucuba serratifolia.
These small flowers are on a Strawberry tree (Arbutus) which we are trying in the display garden at Coles in Grimsby.
There was a very cool, drizzly day last week, and while it wasn't fun to be outside, it created some great effects for photos. The first is Papyrus and the second is a Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla) leaf.

The kids are back in school and summer-like weather is finally upon us. With that, here's a quick look at how things are growing in the garden.

The Agave has grown a new leaf every month since being planted in May (left). I am curious how it will do in winter.

The little cholla cactus has tripled in size since spring. Yet still no blooms. It gets sun from about 2:00 on, so maybe not enough.

What I thought were flower buds on the Echinocereus (left) turned out to be spiny side shoots. The zone 8 Hebe (right) has recovered nicely from the winter damage.

A newly planted Leucothoe Margie Jenkins (left) is doing well. The three year Grimsby Trachycarpus (right, and see earlier post) is looking great, but the owner plans to move it this fall. I will post an update when I know more.

Another new addition is Viburnum rhytidophyllum (left) which will one day grow over the bamboo behind it. And finally the Campylotropsis that mentioned in my "wish list" has produced a flower, but it is not not the blue that I hoped it would be.

Well, summer finaly came to Niagara. We've had a few weeks of hot humid weather forcing many plants into growth and bloom. One of my favourite perennials, Kirengeshoma (Waxbells) came into bloom this week.
(Click on pictures for a better look)


I noticed this impressive Albizia in south end St. Catharines has been in bloom now since mid-July







I've added a few new perennials to my collection. I've always liked Stokesia (Stokes Aster) but have never bought one because of their floppy habit. This new one called Stokesia Peachie's Pick stood out because it is sturdy and upright.



Another new addition is Brunnera Diane's Gold. This shade lover has nicely cupped, yellow foliage which should look great once the little blue flowers open in spring.





Finally I took this picture at work of a bee dangling from a yellow Asclepias.

I planted some Phyllostachys nigra last year. It came throught the winter ok but it was very late to send up new shoots. It is just now starting to show some vigour.

This has me a little worried because I spoke with a lady a few weeks ago who had planted some two years ago. After seeing 20 foot rhizomes creeping around her garden this summer, she decided to dig up the bamboo and discard it.

I went on-line and found some great tips on how to manage an unruly bamboo. The advice I liked best calls for a string to be layed out beyond which you don't want the bamboo to spread. Then simply work the line with a good spade, pushing it as deep into the soil as you can. They recommend doing this in the fall. This, the writer claims, will sever any culms that have crept beyond from their food source, and these will consequently die.

I would love to hear from people who have this stuff in the garden in zone 6. Any tips for control would be appreciated.

The summer of 2009 is notable for its unusual weather. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but it is a summer of "firsts" in my garden.

I have never seen a Hummingbird in my garden, but this morning there was one very busy little Hummingbird in the Clerodendron. I hope to catch a picture of him later.

The Albizia has never bloomed for me until this year. I did notice though that it is about two weeks later than those further inland, away from the cooling effect of Lake Ontario.

Another first is a bloom on an evergreen Magnolia after it's first winter. This is on Magnolia Edith Bogue which was only planted last summer.

August 4, 2009

August 6, 2009