Hostas, Lilacs and Perennials On A Cool Up North Morning

I'm so thankful each year when I see my gardens and shrubs come to life each spring.  This is a very cool morning (50º) and I am wearing a jacket while taking pictures.  We've gone from 95º on Memorial Day to a moderate 65º during the day- crazy but that 95º was especially warm for us at this time of year.

My Dwarf Korean Lilac topiary tree is blooming.  It's always late compared to the traditional ones but man the scent is so amazing and worth waiting for!  Some years it's loaded with flowers but others it's light on blooms.  

This was it in 2016!

This is a scratch 'n sniff photo- try it! (LOL)  Seriously it has the best scent of any I've come across.

Below is my Clay Pot Lighthouse I created last year- here is a "link" to last year's post showing how it was created.

Jasmine is working her way to the top to clean the light!

These are the most basic hostas and you'll find them often at garden centers- the tag reads Hosta undulata variegated.  One spring many years ago I dug a bunch of them up, split them and added them here- the rest are over by the bench.  They can take a good amount of sun and of course they love shade.

On the other side of the path more hostas and some Jack Frost Brunnera which didn't produce many flowers this year.  The tulips are still there - it's hard to leave them to die back- I want to chop them out of the way but it nourishes the bulb so I'll wait a few weeks.

This is a double primrose that came back nicely.  I need to add more. They come in some pretty colors just have to find some!

These are still developing and will fill in to the point that you barely see the ground anymore.  I believe the one in the center is "Captain Kirk" and the two on the left are Blazing Saddles (gotta love the names some of these have!).  

I believe these hostas with the heavy white edges are called Minuteman.  These are always impressive but they do show signs of stress easier than some others.  They like to be kept well watered when it's hot.

I transferred "Empress Wu" over here a couple of weeks ago.  Someday she could be 5' wide!  The leaves are absolutely huge!  It needs plenty of water and does take time to develop  into a larger plant.

I looked down at the planter and saw a surprise!

The caladium is shooting off a flower!  First time I've had this happen!  I'm sure it was brought on from the temporary heat wave we had.

I brought out the old wagon and loaded it up with flowers.

Lysimachia-  I always call it Creeping Jenny, Polka Dot Plant and Wax Begonias

Sum and Substance hosta.  If you want an impressive very large hosta that's easy to grow I recommend it!  

I'm not positive but I think this is a hosta called "On Stage"

This one is called "Striptease"

This hosta is called June- one I've often seen at garden centers.  I like it a lot and they are usually inexpensive.  

When we installed this part of the patio with the fountain I split up a bunch of hostas and planted them around the circular potion.  These are called Gold Standard. The little plant growing below is Sweet Woodruff (loves shade).  It produces a little white flower and spreads easily.  

The orange impatiens have started to fill out.  

Hiding in there is a "painted fern".  I thought I transplanted them all to the new little Japanese Garden I started last year.  Always fun to spot a surprise!

Back by the deck my bearded Iris are starting to bloom.  This is such a pretty soft yellow one.

I planted this bleeding heart last year (thought I got the traditional dark pink/white one).  It came up nicely so I guess It's happy where I planted it!

This little shrub is a favorite.  There are a pair of them but the other one got half eaten by the voles during the winter.  Deutzia Nikko.  I've learned they like to be well watered especially in the spring as they get going.  I've seen these absolutely covered in flowers in warmer zones.

We'll end the garden visit here.... thanks for joining me and today I'm joining Pam at

Everyday Living for her Gardens Galore garden party!  Her gardens are spectacular and always worth a visit!

Link

Between Naps On The Porch 

for

Metamorphosis Monday