Joseph here, sharing some things in bloom in my northern Indiana garden from the first half of May.
I’m not sure what species this wallflower (Erysimum sp.) is—it came from a mixed packet of seed—but whatever it is, it has been covered with flowers for a month, and all kinds of bees and other pollinators LOVE it.
The first of my annual poppies (Papaver sp.) is blooming! This self-sowed from a planting of the the variety ‘Orange Chiffon’ last year, but I think the bees made a hybrid, because it looks a little different than the mother. Whatever it is, I like it!
This was a pleasant success. I’d heard it was easy to overwinter zonal geraniums (Pelargonium hybrids, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), so I tried it. Before the first frost last fall, I pulled them out of the ground and containers, shook the soil off, and just put them in a box in the basement. They sat there all winter, and a few weeks ago I potted them up. Now they’re alive, growing, and blooming! I’m happy to get a second year without having to buy more.
Anticipation—there are buds on my hollyhocks (Alcea rosea, Zones 3–8). I love hollyhocks. Yes, the leaves will get rust on them later, but I don’t care.
Siberian wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii, Zones 3–8) is a biennial. I didn’t even notice it growing last year after I sowed the seeds, but now it is blooming away. I love the bright color, but the fragrance is even more amazing.
Speaking of fragrance, one of my favorite shrubs is blooming, Abelia mosanensis (Zones 4–8). It is so pretty, and the flowers smell like jasmine. Since my garden is too cold for real jasmine, I’m happy to grow this. I usually see a lot of butterflies on it as well, but none yet this year for some reason.
A pretty little auricula primrose (Primula × pubescens, Zones 5–9). I grew this from seed last year, and it is so nice! It is doing quite well in the bright, dry shade under my big sugar maple in the front yard.
For this year’s window boxes, I went with nonstop tuberous begonias (Begonia hybrid, Zones 10–12 or as an annual or tender bulb). They’re pretty right now! I hope they keep up well through the summer.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.
Wagner's 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Classic wild bird food uses the highest quality grains to attract backyard wild Birds. A high-quality mix containing Millet, milo, cracked corn and Sunflower for a wide range of wild birds to enjoy. Perfect for tube, hopper, or platform feeders. Great to feed in all seasons! Perfect for the winter, when seeds are scarce; spring and summer for hatchlings; and autumn to give energy to migrating birds. This seed will help you fill your yard with birds such as Jays, cardinals, doves, Juncos, finches, goosebeaks, any many more.
Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers "the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens.
Comments
So pretty!!! I love the wallflowers and am going to try growing them now. I have 3 "annual" geraniums that are now 4 years old. Overwinter them in our garage in their pots, give them a little water every few weeks and they're still going strong.
Love that Poppy! Everything looks so fresh and spring has arrived in your garden for sure! Can't wait until my Poppy grows- maybe next year.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in