Close-up of ‘Mountain Mist’ Dianthus flowers.

‘Neon Pink’ Dianthus just starting to bloom, held above powder blue foliage

‘Bath’s Pink’ Dianthus set repeatedly throughout a border of pastels (including the blue Amsonia hubrectii)

A very pale pink, actually almost lavender, the lilacs are in bloom — here is Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’, typically topping out at under 6 feet tall, making it useful in the mixed border, or in this case, right along the front walkway to the house,

‘Miss Kim’ Lilac

‘Wine and Roses’ Weigela

Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’ is a prolific flowering shrub, whose very deep rose blooms are set nicely against the wine-colored leaves, which themselves contrast nicely against green foliage during periods when this shrub is not in bloom.

Bletilla striata (Hardy Orchid) contains delicate hot pink flowers high on stems above the long strong strapy leaves, which also contrast nicely with delicate foliage of other plants when this one is not in flower.  The photo shows some pale pink Peony plants peeking out in the background.

Bletilla striata (Hardy Orchid) on the right with Peony peeking out on the left.

‘Nancy of Robin Hill’ Azalea

Achillea ‘Oertel’s Rose’ (Yarrow)

Geraniums are the old stand-by for reliable summer-long color

The Rhododendron x ‘Nancy of Robin Hill’ (Nancy Azalea), top right,  sports luscious large pale pink flowers blooming later than many azaleas, and often repeats blooming later in the season.  This is a great evergreen shrub for the mixed border or foundation where something to fit under low lying windows is needed (it is typically 2′ tall by 3′ wide).  Here, it is a nice facer plant for the Leatherleaf Viburnum (its small leaves make a nice foliage contrast), and it’s foliage also is a great contrast against the large, and lighter green, leaves of the Autumn Bride Heuchera in front of it. Top left, the pooch is sitting in front of Achillea ‘Oertel’s Rose’, a long-blooming Yarrow that flowers in various shades of pink from June to September, and is set in nice ferny light green foliage.  To the right, geraniums sit in flower boxes and will supply reliable color well into the late fall.

Spirea japonica ‘Shirobana’

 Finally, the Spireas are coming into blooms that will be with us for months.  This one is ‘Shirobana’, a shorter version, that flowers in white, pink, and red on the same plant.  Spireas are very useful for long-season flowers in areas where roses cannot be used because of deer issues.  They tend to leave the Spireas alone.

The post Pretty in Pink – Plants Flowering in Early June appeared first on Garden Makeover Company.

The Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a wonderful tree if year-round interest is sought.  The white blooms gracing the lateral branches are followed by very large red berries danging from the tree’s stems.  Best to limb up this specimen to amply highlight the outstanding colorful exfoliating bark that makes this tree a standout in the winter.  For something more modest, perhaps closer to the house, the native Chionanthus virginicus or White Fringetree (tree-form or multi-stemmed large shrub) is a gem, with its unique ‘fringelike’ blossums set against the bright light green foliage.  Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ is one of the most prolific white bloomers in the spring, as it first sports little ‘pearls’ for some time before they burst out into tiny white flowers covering the stems like waterfalls.  As the flowers fade, the colorful yellow to chartreuse foliage makes this shrub a nice contrast to darker green leafed plants.

The Pyracantha  is also covered with tiny white flowers in May.  The plant, aptly termed ‘Firethorn’ is a good security option up against the house, and it has lingering interest, e.g., when covered with brilliant firey berries later in the season.

Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’

Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree)

Cornus Kousa (Kousa Dogwood)

The post Snow in May? No, Just White Flowering Plants appeared first on Garden Makeover Company.

‘Jelena’ Witchhazel in February

Witchhazel hybrids. Hamemelis x intermedia. One of the more vivid cultivars – ‘Jelena’, for some reason, has come in more red than copper in hue this year, but this allows it to really pop in the dull winter landscape. This close-up photo highlights the interesting form of the bloom, which is reminiscent of crepe-paper or a spider. This large shrub or small tree has outstanding four-season interest in the landscape, including vivid fall leaf color, and warm-hued flowers in yellow, copper, or red hues to add some fire to the dull winter landscape.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose).  This wonderful evergreen perennial, which tolerates shade and is reliably deer-resistant, is blooming a bit late this winter.  This perennial spreads over time to fill in nicely through the landscape.  Shown here (below left) is a close-up photo to show how lovely a single inflorescence looks in the winter landscape (though there are many flowers ready on pop on the same plant).

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) flowers in February

‘Katherine Hodgkin’ dwarf Iris blooming March 1st

Dwarf Iris.  Sure, there are many early winter bulbs around the landscape, including several daffodil varieties, and snowdrops.  More unusual specimens truly make the landscape pop.  Here is the first dwarf iris starting to emerge.  This one is Iris reticulata ‘Katherine Hodgkin’, sporting unique powder blue and yellow petals with interesting ink-colored markings.   Each flower is a work of art.  These short flowering bulbs are nicely placed near the front entrance to be seen close-up as you walk by.

Erica (Heath) blooms for many months beginning in early winter

Erica blooms in shades of purple/pink and white

Erica x darleyensis (Heath) is one of my favorite mounding evergreen ‘subshrubs’ for a sunny spot. Most think it is ‘heather’, which is not as heat tolerant in this area. Erica is a great evergreen groundcover – a small rounded shrub that holds its own through the year – sporting nice short dark green needle-like foliage that is covered with bell-shaped pendulous flowers in mauve or white from early winter (sometimes as early as  October) through May. While I love the display of color during snow in winter (photo on the right).  The photo on the left shows a close-up of the very-summery hued blossoms gracing the landscape in February.

Crocuses – their appearance is a tease that spring is sure to arrive – someday, relatively soon.  This group of crocuses has been in bud for some time, and is just waiting for a tad more warm-up to burst forth in bloom.

Crocus: a signal that spring cannot be far off

          Photos by Connie J. Bowers

The post Winter Flowers: Montgomery County, MD Landscaping appeared first on Garden Makeover Company.

It produces very large fragrant blooms in mid to late spring, in shades of white, pink, or red, and the flowers are excellent for cutting (but they can harbor ants).  Particularly noteworthy is the plant’s large dark green cut leaves that are attractive through the summer after the blooms have faded.

The plant can be divided every two to three years, and it rejuvenates easily.  It is generally trouble-free.  It can get a powdery mildew in the fall, about the time you’d want to cut the leaves back anyhow.

Very large plants can benefit from placement of little cages/stakes around them to keep them upright.   This is a very desirable plant, evocative of times past, that is essential for the cottage garden, but useful in most any other type.   It should not be confused with the tree peony, which has different planting and cultural requirements.

The post Featured Plant ♦ ♦ ♦ Peony Hybrid appeared first on Garden Makeover Company.