Variegated Korean Lilac
My favorite method of propagating shrubs is digging up suckers. That’s how I started a Korean lilac hedge for the cost of one plant.
As I was weeding this weekend, I noticed that one of the new plants had variegated leaves. Have I discovered a new variety?! Couldn’t find a variegated Korean lilac on the Internet. Hmmm.
June Border
The front border is looking spectacular, with layers of blooming flowers like a dessert tray. Even with rain knocking over the peonies, it still looks grand.
Iris
The Siberian and bearded iris have started to bloom, and the abundant moisture has kept them fresh-looking. Too often, the Siberian iris fades after a day or two, but not this year. After daffodils, these are some of my favorite flowers.
Sawfly
The sawfly larvae did damage again this year. I have been vigilant in my garden rounds, except for the four days we spent in Boston for our son’s graduation. Of course, that is when they struck! The climbing rose (William Baffin) and azalea (Exbury, Lemon Lights) foliage was destroyed. I did some hand-picking and used insecticidal soap to save the rose buds.
Dictamnus albus, aka, Gas plant
It’s common name isn’t pretty, but this herbaceous perennial sure is! Deer resistant, sturdy, with flowers that look like alosteria, this is one of my favorite garden flowers.
The flowers give off a gas that keeps the critters away; and is flammable! Of course, it’s unlikely that the deer will be smoking around this plant.
Bear with Me
The big (and, I mean, big) wildlife excitement around here is a black bear!
It has been spotted only half a mile east of our home. Then, someone caught it on camera just a mile or so south of us.
My next-door neighbor called me over the other evening when I was out watering the pots. He said he wanted to show me something.
We walked over to the footbridge he had recently built over our little creek. There, quite clearly, where the large paw prints of a bear.
With the coyotes howling at night and the hawks swooping after songbirds at the feeder, I am starting to feel like we live in the Wild West!
If only bears ate venison… .
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