Lily Bouquet. Wordless Wednesday

I join Weekly Top Shot

***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS

Calla in My Garden

This plant appeared in my garden by itself. It grows on poor soil without any help from me. It is almost as tall as me, and its stems are very thick so it looks like a shrub. Trumpet-shaped flowers are noticable from afar and last long.
They say Calla lily (Bog Arum, Marsh Calla) in the U.S.A. grows best outdoors in zones from 7 to 10, and our zone is 7b. They like sandy, lightly acidic moist soil. Our soil is sand & rocks and it's acidic. It's not moist although, and there are no sprinklers in its part of the garden. Maybe, because of that, its rhizoms don't spread as typically happens near ponds and other moist areas. My plant just gets bigger every year and serves like a good focal point in my terrace bed.

Other plants in this picture are: grape, black currant, peony, euphorbia, daylily, weigela, forget-me-not, garlic, lilac, berberis, rose, eupatorium, etc.

***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS

Pink Peony. Wordless Wednesday

***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS

June Blooms

Pansy, honeysuckle, hardy geranium Orion, armeria, heuchera,
calla, hardy geranium Mavis Simpson, lobelia, rose Regensberg floribunda, Knock-Out rose,
allium, lupine, geum, hydrangea, rhododendron,
milkweed, clematis montana,  sidalcea malv., centranthus ruber, honeysuckle Dropmore Scarlet,
chives, scilla, pansy, weigela Wine and Roses, saxifrage,
lilac, papaver orientale, digitalis, columbine, Spanish lavender.

***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS

Weigela 'Wine and Roses' in My Garden

Weigela florida 'Alexandra' 
deciduous shrub

Shiny burgundy foliage (called purple in some sources). Fall color: Maroon
Funnel-shaped dark pink flowers 1 1/4 in (3 sm) long
Blooms in late spring and early summer
Height and width  4-5 feet

Full sun to partial shade (Full sun recommended for best foliage color)
Well-drained soil (loamy, sandy, clay)
Hardy to -30 degrees F/ -35 degrees C
Zone: 4-9
Origin: North China, Korea.

What I like about this plant which grows in my garden since 2010:
-Wonderful accent plant
-Low maintenance plant. How to prune Weigela bushes: HERE
-Sporadically reblooms during summer
-Attracts hummingbirds
-Hardy
-I haven't seen any pests on it
-Moderate growth
-Adaptable to different types of soil.

What I don't like about this plant:
Its foliage color sometimes in summer, like in this June 2011 picture:

***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS

Japanese Maple. My Picture of the Day

Acer palmatum Shindeshojo

I join Wordless Wednesday
***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS

Tree Peony Is a Star of May Garden

  This tree peony is the star of my May garden.

For the  first time ever, it gave ten flowers. It is a record so far.

I like the simple elegance of the flowers.

It's a pity that flowers don't last longer. But, even an expectation of a tree peony blooming is a thrill!

Last spring's late frost killed the peony buds. Maybe, because of that, it is doing its best this year.

 The white splashes on the flowers' trim are pretty:

Well, this is the end of a wonderful display. I need to fertilize it soon after the blooming ends and then just wait for next year!

If you need general information about tree peony classification, planting and care, I'd recommend this site:
 Tree Peony Garden.

Previous posts about this plant bought in 2007:
My First and Only Tree Peony
Tree Peony Blooming
I join Saturday Show Off,  Cottage Garden Party and Weekly Top Shot
***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS