After fours days in the 90's we got a slight break today.  Most of the time this past week was watering and more watering.  The rain last night help somewhat but we need more.  With the lack of attention due to the weather the garden has gotten a little unruly.  Hopefully tomorrow I can tackle the weeds and do some edging,  The daylilies are hitting their stride and bringing lots of color to the garden. I tend to favor the reds and oranges over the softer colors.  Some of the species lilies are also starting to come into flower.

Late June Ramblings

Last night we had a good soaking rain which perked up the garden.  Many of the mid summer perennials are starting to bloom now along with the annuals I planted. in May. One of my favorite clematis 'Betty Corning' is at peak bloom.  This past month has been a busy one in and out of the garden.  A few weeks ago I visited two wonderful gardens in upstate New York, hosted a garden tour a week later and finally last Friday went to the North Hill Symposium in Vermont. The Symposium is put on by Wayne Winterrowd and Joe Eck two inspiring garden writers and garden designers. The speakers this year included Thomas C. Cooper from the Boston area and Fergus Garrett of Great Dixter.  This symposium is always a great place for meeting fellow gardeners and getting new ideas for one's garden. 

Garden Tour

After weeks of  garden prep the day finally came.  I spent five hours answering questions and comparing ideas with fellow gardeners.  The crowd was a nice mix of novice gardeners and serious plant collectors.   It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new gardeners hear about their own gardens.  The Japanese stewartia started blooming earlier this year which was perfect timing for the garden tour.  The stewartia is my favorite tree for the garden with its year around interest.  Many of the potted arisaemas were also in flower on the terrace which attracted a great deal of interest.  With great weather and a nice crowd the tour was a great success for the museum.

Rain

After one of the driest Mays that I can remember we are finally getting much needed rain.  It is pretty strange to see lawns turning brown in the spring.  Every thing is two weeks ahead in the garden.  The good thing is my Japanese Stewartia should be in bloom for the garden tour I  am doing to benefit a local museum.  I love meeting fellow gardeners and sharing my garden with the public. 

Road Trip

The weather has turned very warm and dry for late May. Work and family has kept me from the garden until today.  I spent most of the day weeding,watering, and bringing plants up from the basement. Last Thursday my friend Drew and I took a trip to New York City to see High Line and Wave Hill.  High Line is the old rail line that is above the streets down in the meatpacking district of New York.  Once slated for demolition it is now in the early stages of being turned in to a walkway with gardens.   The first part opened last year and has become very popular.  On the way back we stopped at the gardens at Wave Hill for a quick look. I have been down to see this garden in the Fall a number of times so I was looking forward to seeing it in the Spring.  The garden was beautiful( I wish I had more time.) The staff at both gardens have done a wonderful job keeping everything in great shape.

Cold Night

Last night the temperature dropped to 25 degrees.  Normally this would not be a problem but with our early spring everything was two weeks ahead.  A number of trees and shrubs suffered leaf damage including Magnolia 'Butterflies' and Styrax obassia.  Some varieties of hosta also had frost damage too, but  overall the garden came through fine and the plants will recover.   I won't put any tender plants out for another few weeks.

Daffodils and more

 Spring came fast and furious this year and the garden has never looked better this early.  I have also spent more time in it. The compost pile in the driveway is over half gone. All my Spring flowering trees seem to be in sync this year with the redbud taking center stage right now.  The epimediums should peak this weekend in the back shade garden along with the primroses.

  Last Thursday I went up north to the Adirondacks with my friend Drew (Baneberry Garden Blog) to see thousands of daffodils planted over the last nine years.  Daffodil Dan with his partner Ruth have one hundred acres of woods that they are planting with daffodils ( about 300,000 so far) and other deer proof bulbs.  It was a spectacular sight walking the trails and seeing large swaths of white and yellow scattered under the trees.  While showing us around the woods Dan discussed the management of the woodlot and its soil while Ruth talk about the different kinds of daffodils and their care. (They try to deadhead all the flowers every year.) I think this will become an annual trip.