More Pretty Pockets

I would complain about the lack of rain in the last post I did on my garden. Now it seems to do nothing, but rain. That's it! No more grumbling about the weather!

Even though the downpours have kept me indoors, the garden is better for the rain. That is something to be grateful for.

Last summer I grew these Lupins from seed and now I think I'm hooked on growing lupins.

I started them in one of my nursery beds with the idea of planting them out into the garden once they matured, but things did not go entirely to plan. The first lupins I attempted to move wilted horribly. Slowly they are coming back from the brink of disaster.  I decided to leave the rest in the nursery bed for now.

In future, I think will have to grow them in their final position in the garden or start them in small pots so the roots are less disturbed when they are transplanted.

I still have a lot to learn about growing lupins. 

They like slightly acid, free-draining soil that is on the poor side. My soil isn't very acidic, but they seem to have done well enough.

I have been trying to show different areas of the garden in each post.

This is one of the views just inside the back gate.

Giant White Fleece Flower, Persicaria Polymorpha is one of those plants I love because it is so tall. Mine is in part shade, but usually you see it growing in full sun. One drawback: the flowers have a mild, but unpleasant smell. Height: 90-120 cm (35-47 inches), Spread: 80-90 cm (31-35 inches). Average to moist conditions. Zones: USDA 3-9

 

The Sweet Rocket has started to fade and is setting seed.

Anemone canadensis is an aggressive spreader, but lucky for me I planted it in an area where it can only go so far. It has single white flowers in June.  This anemone likes normal to moist conditions and soil that is rich inorganic matter. Part shade. Height: 30-60 cm (11-22 inches). USDA Zones: 4-8.

They are almost finished, but you can still see a few white and purple Japanese Irises.

I don't know if you remember this picture. 

This is the little garden retreat we started in late summer 2013. The plan was to build a gazebo and this gravel courtyard was phase 1.

Here we are in 2015. Call this phase 2.

We installed a temporary gazebo until we have the time and money to build the permanent structure. The red adirondack chairs moved out onto the lawn into a circle around our fire pit. My old wicker furniture moved in. To freshen things up, I added a few new pillows.

The temporary gazebo keeps off the rain and gives us a little extra shade when the sun shines. The canvas top also stops black walnuts from dropping on our heads!

These Columbine have been so pretty I hope you will forgive me a another picture of them.

The tag on this plant reads"Patio Clematis." I am sorry to have nothing more specific about the cultivar. I really like the short height (around 5ft). They are prefect for a small plant support or obelisk.

This white Clematis 'Hyde Hall' continues to put on a great show.

Meadow Rue slumped down in the rain.

The first of my peonies have been weighed down to the ground with all the rain we've had.

My poor white peonies! 

I grabbed some scissors and picked bunches for the house.

My favourite pink peonies are yet to come....