Yes, from time to time this blog does return to its original focus. Here’s a look at what’s blooming now.
White
When I moved here thirty years ago, I planned to create a white garden à la Vita Sackville-West. I soon discovered that a shade garden is a bit challenging if you’re seeking only white flowers, so I gradually included a bit of everything. But there are still a number of white blooms scattered here and there.
The back garden includes an Annabelle hydrangea, Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet,’ and a variegated hosta that was a pass-along from Sara Toye. Without my conscious planning, they all bloomed together. You’d think it was meant! (Yes the hosta does look a bit bedraggled, but what can you do? Just squint)
The perennial pea is thanks to my mother, and though it romps about too much, I can’t let go of it. It’s such a pure, creamy white. The oakleaf hydrangea ‘Snowflake’ is a reliable bloomer that I need to cut back every year lest it prevent entry to the terrace.
In the sunny border, the yucca that I tried to eradicate has returned and is a nice size at the moment. The blooms of penstemon ‘Husker Red’ seem to float above the foliage, which is green rather than the dark purple-red it should be. Maybe it’s a different variety?
Pink
I planted a row of lilies in the raised bed, and here’s the first to bloom. The spirea needs to be cut back drastically, and I hope that will make it more floriferous next year. Yes, that’s clover there on the right. It popped up and for now I’m leaving it to help the pollinators. And below is a rhododendron bloom from the shrub that was here when I moved in. It never blooms very abundantly, but I do like its soft pinky purple color.
This canna, Cannova® Bronze Scarlet Canna Lily, is an experiment. It’s in a blue pot in the sunny border, and it does add an interesting splash of dark purple and red, plus the bloom is dramatic. The other is a Eupatorium purpureum subsp. Maculatum ‘Gateway,’ at least I think so. Or it could be asclepia??
The rest
On the left are some volunteers, a morning glory and a Tradescantia. The foxglove at right is a perennial one that I should probably reposition where it can get more attention.
These are the containers on the terrace. The first is too bitty and crowded but maybe it will come into its own over time?? The others are a few houseplants that are summering on the terrace, plus some coleus, a tuberous begonia and more caladiums.
Caroline's Garden and Travel Record 