Early June Stroll

It's early June and summer-blooming perennials are kicking in. Here is a stroll around the garden...

Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob's Ladder) with Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle)

In my front entry border, blue-flowered Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob's Ladder) is blooming together with Lady's Mantle. The polemonium has been blooming for a couple weeks now, and the Lady's Mantle is just getting started. Still to come later in this area are martagon lilies and yellow foxgloves. The neighboring white alba rose, which was supposed to bloom in a grand yellow-blue-white concert with the others, was damaged severely over the winter by rabbits, and is bouncing back behind a protective cage for now.

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

In the patio border, geranium 'Johnson's Blue' is looking nice. It is a bit loose-habited and sprawly, but the finely cut foliage is nice and the large blue flowers are fantastic. I have heard reports that this plant is difficult to grow, especially in areas with hot, humid summers. This is its first year here, so we'll see how it does.

Filipendula hexapetala 'Flore Pleno' (Meadowsweet) with Peony 'Coral Sunset'

Also in this border, filipendula is blooming near my coral peony. I had hoped they would bloom together! The creamy yellow filipendula flowers with their pink buds really complement the peony well. Both are slow-growing, long-lived plants - hopefully the display will increase in magnitude with time as they mature. They peony is already a goddess - a post dedicated all to her is coming soon!

Rosa damascena 'Ispahan', Lemon thyme, Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

One more view of the patio bed. This area was just planted last year, but it is starting to fill in somewhat. The roses have lots of buds on them!

Tradescantia 'Blue Stone', Sedum 'Angelina'

Across from the patio bed is this raised bed lined with boulders. The deep blue tradescantia has begun blooming here, highlighted by the yellow foliage of the creeping sedum. Some thyme is also blooming on the ground. The large leaved plant on the trellis is a shrubby clematis, which will add starry blue flowers in July.

Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'

Quite a few geraniums are blooming throughout the garden. Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' is a soft shell pink color in the shade garden. The Strawberry foxgloves behind it should bloom later in the summer.

Geranium macrorrhizum (Bigroot Geranium) 'Bevan's Variety'

Bigroot geranium is blooming under my lilac. This one is the bright magenta 'Bevan's Variety'.