Tree Trunk Crow's Nest and Slide

Our tree trunk is now a climbing wall, crow's nest and slide

I am so glad that I took a video last year of our giant mature maple tree (see it here) because tragedy struck us this past winter. Our tree had developed a large cavity at its very top, was holding water and started to drop very large branches (10 inch diameter) in January. When the largest one hit, I was sitting in our kitchen drinking tea during nap time and it nearly got the kitchen roof. That sound inspired a healthy respect and awe for trees that I had not yet known!

So it was determined that it must come down due to the large hole in the trunk, and I spent three days with a sick stomach while listening to the cutting, cracking and thuds just outside our door. But, I love that there is redemption at the end of this story...

Training Clematis on a Tree Trunk

Clematis 'Perle 'd'Azur' blooming on our mature maple tree in the Shade Path Garden.

I have had a lot of positive comments about the Clematis that we have trained to grow on our mature maple tree at the front of the Shade Path garden, so I thought I would give it its own moment of glory.

Around the same time that I planted the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) near our maple tree, I also planted Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' thinking that it climb the tree using the hydrangea vine for support. Clematis climb by wrapping their wrists around small twigs or fishing line, so other vines are also wonderfully helpful to their climbing success. By planting it on the shady side of the tree trunk and adding compost, I was able to give its roots the shade they need to start well. 

Maple tree with Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' climbing right up and in bloom with the yellow foxgloves (Digitalis grandiflora).

Curb Strip with Irises, Catmint and Allium

Our Front Woodland was entirely turf just a couple years ago.  Photo taken May 25th, 2012.

This pretty blue and white combination developed over the past year in our Front Woodland. The blue Siberian Irises came with our house, so I am not sure of the exact variety. I did learn that when you divide and transplant Siberian Irises, they take a while to settling in and start blooming again.

Blue Siberian irises grow from rhizomes

Red Clematis 'Earnest Markham'

Red Clematis 'Earnest Markham'

The red-flowering Clematis 'Earnest Markham' has one of the longest bloom periods in our garden compared to our other clematis. This year it lasted over 5 weeks, beginning in early May and still going strong in early June for our garden party. It is planted near the back yard fence and with some help in the first year to make it up the fence with a small stake and some fishing line, it was soon covering the pickets in pretty rosy blooms.

Curb Strip planting in June

The curb strip planting in its first year without grass

I did a post last year on how we took the plunge and killed the turf in our curb strip to establish a more sustainable planting - meaning one that we did not have to go over every week with a mower! We extended our planting last September to include the entire curb length of 113 feet.

Gardening in Pennsylvania~ June GBBD 2012

The Driveway Garden: Lavender, pink lilies, lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) and blue fescue (Festuca 'Elijah Blue').

Welcome to our small garden in Pennsylvania, zone 5. We are still quite a bit ahead for the year in our bloom cycle. Many flowers are blooming now that usually wait until July. The lilies are just getting started, as are the daylilies (Hemerocallis).  Some roses are finishing their bloom, though Rosa 'The Fairy' is just beginning. And there are Clematis vines blooming everywhere.  Here is the quick tour at Gilmore Gardens...

Clematis 'Lil' Nell' growing on the back gate, and the steps, and the banister... I love it. Such a dainty white and pink striped flower.

Poppies, Allium and Catmint in the 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.

Visit to Carolyn's Shade Gardens in Bryn Mawr, PA

View of Carolyn's Shade Gardens

Pam and I had a wonderful visit to see Carolyn at her gardens in April. What a beautiful garden! And certainly a plant lover's delight.

One of the defining characteristics of Carolyn's garden are all of the amazing, old trees around her property. No wonder she has found a love for shade gardening! The trees act as a luxuriant setting for everything else. Other people may have cut trees down for more sun exposure, but I am thankful that she instead created gardens that fit her surroundings and even added many more beautiful trees. Creativity is sometimes best displayed when we learn to work with a seeming "garden challenge." 

Anemone multifida 'Annabella Deep Pink' ('Rubra')

Anemone multifida 'Annabella Deep Pink' (also known as Anemone m. 'Rubra') in our Back Woodland Garden.

Here is a new little Windflower this year, Anemone multifida 'Annabella Deep Pink' ('Rubra'). She is blooming amongst the dying Crocus foliage from our early spring carpet in this garden, and mulched with leaf litter. A Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides) stands behind her. She is a bright gem to add to the front of a woodland garden. And her foliage is divided and therefore looks more like a tropical Anemone.