SOME INTERESTING PLANTS IN THE GARDEN TODAY

PEERING UNDER THE LARGE, UMBRELLA-LIKE LEAF OF AN ASIAN MAYAPPLE, PODOPHYLLUM, ONE CAN SORT-OF SEE HOW THIS PLANT IS A RELATIVE OF THE BARBERRY -BERBERIS. THIS IMPRESSIVE SHADE LOVER REMAINS DIFFICULT TO FIND, AND CAN BE COSTLY, BUT IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY.

So many interesting plants are currently blooming both out in the garden and in the greenhouse, which is leaving many of us in New England trying to rationalize why – especially after a record-breaking showing winter and a record-breaking dry spring. Regardless of the reasons, we are enjoying the show in the garden. Long range forecasts, which seem to be improving in accuracy with each year, all predict an average amount of rain and heat this summer. Hopefully that means that this current drought will end soon – fingers crossed. Here are a few pic’s of special things in bloom today.

IT FINALLY RAINED A BIT THIS EVENING, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO HELP OUR CURRENT DROUGHT HERE IN THE NORTH EAST. MAY 2015 HAS BEEN THE DRIEST MAY ON RECORD HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS. JUST ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING EVENT THIS YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAD A RECORD-BREAKING SNOWY WINTER AND A RECORD-BREAKING DRY SPRING, MANY PLANTS ARE OFFERING RECORD-BREAKING BLOOMS, SUCH AS THIS TREE PEONY.

EVERYONE IS BRAGGING ABOUT THEIR TREE PEONIES THIS SPRING. I WONDER IF IT WAS OUR DEEP SNOW COVER COMBINED WITH MY STYROFOAM DOMES THAT I COVERED THEM WITH THAT MADE THEM AWESOME THIS YEAR? I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH RAISING TREE PEONIES.

THIS SMALL, WILL TINY ACTUALLY ORCHID COULD EASILY BE MISSED IF I DIDN’T HANG IT NEAR THE BAY LAUREL TREE BY THE GREENHOUSE DOOR.

THE RARE BULB DIPCADI SEROTINUM IS SO RARE, THAT IS DOESNT HAVE A COMMON NAME, BUT ONE COULD CALL IT A BROWN HYACINTH AS IT IS A RELATIVE. IT REQUIRES A COLD, FROST FREE GREENHOUSE, BUT TENDS TO BLOOM A COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR, FOR ME THAT HAVE EVOLVED TO EARLY SUMMER.

GREENHOUSE FLOWERS IN MAY

It’s a transitional time in the greenhouse. Much of the space on the benches which had been occupied by flats of annuals and vegetable seedlings which needed the extra warmth earlier this month is now vacated as they are moved outdoors.

ROSCOEA CAUTELOIDES IS AN UNUSUAL RELATIVE OF THE IRIS, WHICH IS OFTEN A FAVORITE GENUS OF PLANT COLLECTORS – I SAW MY FIRST ROSCOEA IN THE ALPINE HOUSE AT KEW, THIS YEAR I AM GROWING ABOUT 8 SPECIES IN POTS, BUT A FEW ARE HARDY AS FAR NORTH AS TORONTO.

FEW HAS YET SEEN THIS RARE VARIEGATED ADJUGA INCISA ‘BIKUN’, BUT IT IS TAKING PLANT COLLECTORS BY STORM, THIS PLANT IS TAKING WHAT IS A WEEDY GENUS THAT IS FAR TOO COMMON, TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. SLOW GROWING, CLUMPING AND HARDY TO ZONE 6 THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY THIS FROSTED JADE ADJUGA IS ALWAYS SOLD OUT.

NOT RARE, BUT THIS VARIEGATED CALAMONDIN ORANGE IS COVERED IN FLOWERS THIS SPRING. NOW THAT WE HAVE NEW BEE HIVES, I HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR ALL OF OUR CITRUS IN POTS WHICH ARE ALL BLOOMING TOGETHER THIS MAY.