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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Poppies, Allium and Catmint in the Front Walk Garden

Our Front Walk Garden
Our Front Walk Garden
The Front Walk is sited at the front of our property and is in full sun during the summer months. (See it on the map of Gilmore Gardens.) 

This month, the vibrant orange Oriental poppies (Papaver orientalis), purple Allium christophii and blue catmint (Nepeta 'Walker's Low') have taken over from the spring tulip and allium show in early May, and the Allium 'Purple Sensation' and forget-me-nots (Myosotis) at the middle of the month.

Shocking Oriental poppies (Papaver orientalis) and star-shaped purple Allium christophii viewed in front of the yellow-blooming Sedum 'Acre' in the Front Woodland.
 Shocking Oriental poppies (Papaver orientalis) and star-shaped purple Allium christophii viewed in front of the yellow-blooming Sedum 'Acre' in the Front Woodland.


 Care for this succession planting so far this season has included:
  • cutting down to the ground all of the forget-me-nots (Myosotis), which helps them to put out fresh growth to last through the rest of the year
  • pulling out old tulip and allium foliage as it yellows
  • weeding out crab grass
 When this bloom combination is over, tasks include:
  • cutting the poppies to the ground to let them put out new growth
  • filling the holes with the already pot-grown dahlias that are living on my front porch
  • cutting out the allium head when the pass they point of enjoyment
  • more weeding crab grass here and there, I am sure
Purple Allium christophii blooming just above the supporting foliage of pink fall-blooming Japanese anemones.
Purple Allium christophii blooming just above the supporting foliage of pink fall-blooming Japanese anemones.
Growing the Allium christophii above the fall-blooming Japanese anemones gives them a place to show their beauty while hiding their bare legs. Their foliage starts out green and strapping but has yellowed and been removed by the time they actually bloom.


Oriental poppies (Papaver orientalis) seen in front of variegated loosestrife, Lysimachia punctata 'Alexander'.
Oriental poppies (Papaver orientalis) seen in front of variegated loosestrife, Lysimachia punctata 'Alexander'.
View of the Front Walk to Cherry Corner Garden
View of the Front Walk to Cherry Corner Garden
This garden is in full sun during the summer months. But when the sun drops lower in the sky for the winter, it gets only a few hours of direct sun as it is on the north side of our house. That means that this garden has a bit of split personality going on. In the summer it is hot and dry, and in the winter it remains frozen longer than the full sun gardens and so it sustains the most damage from low winter temperatures. The evergreen arborvitae balls have weathered this well, but the Japanese anemones have had spotty results in this area, as have the Spirea 'Goldflame'.

Oriental poppy (Papaver orientalis) with blue catmint (Nepeta 'Walker's Low').
Oriental poppy (Papaver orientalis) with blue catmint (Nepeta 'Walker's Low').
Our Front Walk and Front Woodland hug the sidewalk around our small corner lot. This is a great location for some eye-catching color as many people stop at this corner everyday.
Our Front Walk and Front Woodland hug the sidewalk around our small corner lot. This is a great location for some eye-catching color as many people stop at this corner everyday.
Purple Allium christophii luring in the bees with their starry blooms. They begin just after Allium 'Purple Sensation' decline, so they are a good planting pair. All Allium are deer and animal resistant since they are in the onion family.
Purple Allium christophii luring in the bees with their starry blooms. They begin just after Allium 'Purple Sensation' decline, so they are a good planting pair. All Allium are deer and animal resistant since they are in the onion family.
Orange poppies, blue catmint, purple allium and the soothing mounded form of variegated loosestrife, Lysimachia punctata 'Alexander' to anchor the corner of this garden walk.
Orange poppies, blue catmint, purple allium and the soothing mounded form of variegated loosestrife, Lysimachia punctata 'Alexander' to anchor the corner of this garden walk.
My kids and the bees love to examine the centers of these poppies which are full of purple pollen.
My kids and the bees love to examine the centers of these poppies which are full of purple pollen.
 A poppy just beaten down by the rain.
 A poppy just beaten down by the rain.
See more of the succession planting in the Front Walk - May to December.

13 comments:

  1. Hi, I love your oriental poppies! They are so open,nice and tender.

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  2. Oriental poppies, no all poppies, are wonderful. I love the vibrant, pure colours. Allium christophii works very well with the japanese anemonies; your posts are full of such good ideas. Christina

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  3. Your oriental poppies really bring your border to life, they really shine out amonst the other flowers.

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  4. Thank you for all the tips. I can cut back some of my things now. Sheila

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  5. I love poppy's, nice pictures. great.

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  6. Great post. This area is gorgeous, and I love knowing what you do to keep it maintained! :)

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  7. Your garden is looking beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. I adore your poppies...mine just starting to bloom this year and I may have to move them already, but maybe not...I love alliums in the garden and the mix is lovely in your garden.

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  9. I once had oriental poppies and 'Alexander' but I am not sure what happened. I will have to replant. Have you tried Allium shubertii, amazing.

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  10. So pretty! I've never loved the orange poppies as much as the red ones, but just yesterday I saw them next to a vibrant pink peony and the combo was stunning. I wondered where I could put that in my yard . . . but I am still hoping to get some 'Heartbeat' poppies which are burgundy. My June garden already has so many flowers, I need to make myself leave room for the rest of the summer.

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  11. Wonderful combination! The bright red of the poppies works surprisingly well with the softer colors of the nepeta and allium. And you've put so much thought in arranging the foliage of these disappearing guys.

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  12. Your Poppies are blinding!! They have such a brilliant color!!
    They look so pretty with the allium:)

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  13. Love the Poppies with the Allium and other muted purples and blues. Great combinations!

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