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