MySecretGarden

U.S.A., Washington State. USDA zone 8b. Sunset climate zone 5

Several April Garden Pictures

There were very few sunny days in April, but when we have such a day, the sigh of relief comes: It was worth waiting for!
And, if not rains, would we have such lush emerald greenery and an abundant variety of plants? Probably not.
Anyway, the following are some pictures from my April garden, starting from April 10th.




Last fall, I made some changes in the Terrace Garden (I also call it Cottage Garden): moved away tall Joe-Pye weeds,
considerably cut the number of monarda and daisies.
relocated some other perennials, etc.

 The view of the Terrace Garden from the back porch.
Magnolia, in the background, is blooming later than usual.


Myosotis, Forget-me-not, proves its name: you planted it once and have it forever!


 I took this picture standing on the ladder while pruning grape vines on the gazebo.

 Japanese Maple Deshojo, on the right, acts exactly as described: pink leaves in spring and fall, and green leaves during summer.


Hyacinths grow on the back hill and are visible from all the back windows.
I had a chance to see them through all the stages: green tops' emergence, growth, bloom and fall.



For more than a month, Muscary, Grape Hyacinths, have been decorating the area around the back porch and one of the pots with palm trees.
Why only one? Because, it wasn't  actually a plan to plant them below the palms.
Several years ago, I spontaneously grabbed a clump of little hyacinths and tucked it in one pot.
Look at them now - they multiplied enormously. I never did the same with the second palm tree pot.
Maybe, will do it now, after the bloom.



These English daisies are so lovely! I bought them just because I like their cute white button-like flowers. They make company for a bunny and were part of the Easter-time decor:




Part of my April plant finds from the NPA sale: Iris Siberica, Rodgersia p. 'Bronze Form',
Geranium phaeum 'Samobor', Camassia l., Cimicifuga b., Pelargonium crispum (Lemon scented)


For some time, they decorated a big pot in front of the garage:


Two turquoise pots were a spontaneous buy, two for one sale at Molbak's.
We know there can't be too many pots!
Honestly saying, I love them even empty.
Their jewel color brightens any cloudy day (which we are having more than usual!).


Three new rhododendrons arrived home with us from our visit to Christianson's Nursery after the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival: Blue Baron, Rhododendron yakushimanum x pachysanthum and Moonstone.




The color of Blue Baron's blooms is mesmerizing

Large-bloom pansies like this spring's cool weather, and manage to keep their charm even with excessive moisture.


This is our current project - to provide a way for heavy rain water to escape the garden and remove a huge puddle on the sidewalk.
Theoretically, the trench could be wider, but this width is enough (tested!), and I don't want it to become a prominent feature of the garden.
This is an earlier picture, not showing the drainage rocks now in place:







Gunnera m., in the center of the above picture, successfully overwintered and soon will attract everyone's attention with its huge leaves.
Japanese maple (Thank you Radell!) on the right tolerated well the transition from the pot to the ground and looks happy.

My new Rodgersia 'Bronze Form' has some sun and enough moisture here. Hope it'll grow well!


Candelabra Primrose self seeded and promises to be as beautiful as last season (Thank you, Karen!).


This Rhododendron is certainly not happy. Although, its single bloom is a sign of progress in comparison with last spring.
I guess the lack of sun and nearby Arborvitae roots can be two factors of its unhappiness.

This old bird cage is not here as an element of the garden decor.
I'm trying to protect my Hosta plants that are on the rabbits' menu.
They left many plants damaged already.
I also use tomato cages for anti-rabbit protection.
Liquid Fence is a good way to protect the plants, but all the rains wash it out fast.


The right border is filling up. I constantly make it wider by cutting off part of the lawn.


Camellia in the pot is still waiting when I find a good spot for it in the garden.
But, even in the pot, it gives plenty of flowers.

Ligularia is a target for slugs. I moved it to a pot after failed attempts to protect it while in the ground.


Larix decidua 'Pendula' will be moved somewhere too, but so far, two of the plants grow in the pots on the back porch.
It's seen through the French doors in the breakfast area.  What a pleasure to watch its crown lit by the afternoon sun!



Below, my long-awaited project - removing a huge grass clump from the Front Bed.
It turned into a giant monster thanks to morning sun and a sprinkler head nearby.
It was not an easy job to dig it up! Heavy!


'Moonstone' Rhododendron took the grass clump's spot.




These two rhododendrons are still waiting their turn to be planted:

It's a busy time in the garden.
While wet and cool, the spring is nevertheless exciting and beautiful.


***Copyright 2017 TatyanaS

23 comments:

  1. Hi Tatyana, to me your garden always looks so beautiful! I enjoy, that because of all the rain that you are having the atmosphere is so different, but I am sure your climate comes with challenges, even though very different from mine, as well. I am in love with your Rhodies, the white ones are pretty, but 'Blue Baron's' is extraordinarily beautiful.
    Happy Spring gardening, I do hope for some more sunny days for you!
    Warm regards,
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Christina! We had our first 70 degrees, sunny day yesterday and even got our garden furniture outside.
      As for the Blue Baron, I hope its color will stay blue, not violet that I see in some pictures.
      All the best!

      Delete
  2. Tatyana; so very beautiful, the colours, the combinations of plants, your love for the garden shows in every photo. I had to laugh about reducing the lawn, I do the same! Your April garden does you proud.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Titania, thank you! We need to make an agreement: whoever eliminates her lawn first is a winner; the other one will by her champagne!

      Delete
  3. I have the same water issue in a corner of my patio. I'm interested to know how your ditch and drainage rock is working .... what type of drainage rock did you use ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CLee R May, we used Vigoro Pond Pebbles from HD. Our first choice was 1 1/2 " drainage rock from a rockery, but delivery cost was 3 times higher than the cost of the rock itself. Rocks in bags from HD, of course, were more pricey, but we saved on delivery, and it was easier to work with bags. It rained hard here before the rocks were in place, and the ditch worked great. The real test will be be during next heavy rainstorm!
      Good luck to you with your project! I used google and Pinterest while working on our dry creek.

      Delete
  4. When we can get out in the yard, it is such a joy to see things emerging and exploding into lush growth.
    I always enjoy photo touring your garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, thanks! Yes! For that reason, I'm starting to like spring even more than summer!

      Delete
  5. As you know, I have the same issues with rabbits. I only protect new Hostas, but I know they do dine on the 100s of Hostas we have here. I'm putting in some new shrubs this spring, so they will be protected with cages. All your images are stunning, as usual, Tatyana, but the shot of the back-lit Tulips in the vase stopped me in my tracks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth, thank you! I saw new baby-bunny yesterday, and I know he has siblings! More diners!
      I'm glad you liked the pictures. Your words are always encouraging!

      Delete
  6. Wow! The blue of that Rhodie is electrifying! Hope your drainage project works. 'Samobor' is my favorite Geranium, careful with it though, it will self-sow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alison! Samobor is still in the pot. Its blooms are so small; I'm trying to find a spot where they'd be visible. Although, its leaves are as pretty as flowers.
      I hope Blue Baron's color will not turn to violet and will stay true blue.

      Delete
  7. Your garden is looking magnificent as always! You got some great new plants and oh, those beautiful pots! It's always much more fun to buy plants than to actually find a place for them:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Peter! Those pots are still waiting... Spontaneous buy!

      Delete
  8. Our weather has been very Pacific NW like this week, very rainy, very green. It's actually getting a bit tedious, sorry! I need some sun, and soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robin, I hope we all will have good summer!

      Delete
  9. Hello. Your garden is a paradise! Beautiful photos and lovely dog.
    Regards

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tania for your kind words! Happy gardening and happy blogging!

      Delete
  10. The color of 'Blue Baron' is amazing! I've never seen a rhodie with flowers that color before. The white magnolia is gorgeous and stands out very well against the dark trees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweetbay, thanks! I was afraid that magnolia's flowers could freeze, the weather was not very kind to plants.

      Delete
  11. Fabulous April tour. Very interested in that Rhododendron Blue Barron. Quick check seems to show that its not readily available in the UK.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alistair! I hope the blue color wouldn't turn to violet. Different websites give different description: some of them call its color blue, and others call it violet.

      Delete
  12. Beautiful.
    I loved meeting you.
    Janicce.

    ReplyDelete

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