Once again I find myself under a time crunch. I seriously considered going out and finding One Thing to take a picture of, upload it and call it good. I have several dozen daffodil bulbs I dug up the other day in an attempt to exercise some control on the situation out front, and they need to get planted. They are destined to be the continuation of the labyrinth project, in which I plan to outline the whole circular pattern with daffodils. I’m about half done, and it has been four years. I think I might get that done this year.
So, it is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, a meme started by Carol, over at May Dreams Garden, where gardeners all over the world post about what is blooming in their gardens, what is done, what is coming on.
What is done at the Havensis the daffodils and tulips and hyacinths and other spring bulbs. What is coming on is the herb garden, lots of flower stalks there on the valerian, the aescepulis, the chives. The peonies are going to be prime in about two days, and I have lots of roses showing color. The only ones that are open are the big rugosas by the barn.
I have irises galore, the hostas are looking splendid, the coral bells of all sorts are blooming. The rock garden is wonderful, more beautiful than I imagined it could be when I planned it.
So, I thought I’d take you on a little tour around the place, and you can see for yourself what is happening. We’ll start in front, where you can see that the earliest day lily is going to town, backed by the chorus of irises and peony buds. There is spiderwort back there, another plant rapidly achieving NIMBY status.
Look to the left and you will see what is blooming under the robins’ nest.
Big solo here for a pair of lovlies that just showed up this morning for the first time.
Heading towards the back of the lot, the vineyard is leafing out wonderfully. The vines are covered with blossoms, looks like we’ll have more wine joining the seven cases from last year’s crop.
Walk along by the espalier and mourn the dearth of actual fruit set. The frost was hard on them. There are a few apples out there, not many. But the mock orange will cheer you up.
Walk all the way to the back and look southeast towards the back side of the labyrinth. This is how the savanna area looks ten years after it was planted. The oaks are finally starting to put on some size, the bradford pears, the river birch, the maple, the hawthorn, the black walnut: all looking great.
Yes, that is the remnants of the big rock pile in the foreground. Turn 180° and you are facing the root cellar. Look! There are strawberries! We’ve been eating them every morning for several days.
Just around the corner from them is the patch of showy evening primrose that I have allowed to continue to exist. It was the subject of a NIMBY post I did a while ago. I spend a certain amount of time keeping it in bounds. It is so pretty, it is hard to banish it from the yard utterly.
Turning again to the left, we walk past the barn towards the vegetable garden. The rugosa roses show you how the wind is blowing today.
The vegetable garden is looking real good. We are eating peas now, the asparagus is pretty much done for the season. There is lots of lettuce and greens too, they are in the bed farthest back, on the right. Notice the onions and potatoes in front, the big patch of green by itself in the next bed is the cilantro patch. To the left of that is the garlic. I’ll be planting the melons and squashes and beans and corn this weekend. If it doesn’t rain, that is.
Leaving the garden gate, we turn left and see the pond. This is an area badly in need of some upkeep. I really need to get in there and beat back the cat tails, but right now the yellow flags are the big news. These were a gift from the birds, by the way.
Turn left again, walk past the clothes line and the sauna and the compost area, and enter the back yard inside the privacy gate. The herb garden:
Walk past it, turn left and look along the house. This foundation planting was the second garden I worked up, established in 1997. Look at how the bleeding hearts and hostas are doing. There are white columbines blooming in there too.
At the end of that path is the new stroll garden. This view encompasses the Hosta Dell, the Rock Garden and the Rain Garden.
Lets have a closer look at that rock rose. There is rose verbena in front of it.
The Hosta Dell is looking particularly fine this week. Notice the coral bells blooming. Right now you can see Peach Melba, Peach Flambe, Lime Rickey, Palace Purple, and Mardi Gras in addition to the plain jane species Heuchera. It’s a real joy to watch the hummingbird working the coral bells.
Now we turn right, and find a couple of clematis climbing the fence, waving their arms and begging for attention.
Back along the fence, the row of day lilies and roses are getting ready for the June spectacular.
Look back there along the fence on the left. See that splotch of color? That is a red iris and in front of it a blue flag, both wild irises native to Missouri. Let’s get a closer look, shall we?
I think these two are worthy of an even closer look.
That’s pretty much it for today. I’d spend a lot more time showing you the sights, but I really do have to get those daffodils planted. This time of year they don’t really like to be out of the ground. But I can’t leave you without this one last view, the interior of one of the irises out front.
I just love these totally sexy ladies. Now, don’t forget to visit Carol over at May Dreams Gardens and see what other people have going on at their place. It is worth the trip over there.
Looks peaceful–keep up the good photos.
I am in awe! Your gardens are unbelievable! Thanks for sharing – I really enjoyed this tour.
Dear HMH,
We must we sisters-under-the-skin:
You have my garden!
Only bigger and healthier. Mine is no longer in good heart and yours looks radiant.
You even have a discarded rock pile simply for its own sake.
Magic hands is right. Including many green fingers.
I think I will spend the day in your garden today. Allow me to get myself some breakfast up here, while the pictures unfold. I am on dial-up and that takes a while. Talk to you later in the day when it has all sunk in.
jo
I love your garden more all the time. Do you have sweetgrass growing in the herb garden? I love the smell of sweetgrass.
I love your garden more all the time. Do you have sweetgrass growing in the herb garden? I love the smell of sweetgrass.
BTW I love your blog!
*sigh*
my envy knows no bounds. some day I’d love to visit you
You have so many gorgeous Irises, I’m just drooling. They stroll garden looks wonderful too. Spiderwort achieved NIMBY status here about 5 years ago. I just can’t tolerate a plant whose flowers have melted by noon. I mean, what’s the point?
Hiya, I’m back for a second look if that’s OK.
The edging to your veggie beds is something I like to copy: the breeze blocks looks so good with the holes upwards. What are the longitudinal black ridges in the soil? Not irrigation, is it?
Know what? that area looks inviting to work in. Pity I don’t eat greens 😉
The black walnut: will you use the wood of that for carpentry at some stage? I love black walnut, but it is so precious. We made a few picture frames and I have some rounds slabs for flower arranging.
That vineyard is so extensive. How many bottles do you get per year?
That faded wood is my kind of garden decoration. And a barn to match.Then those lush herbs.
And we even share a stroll garden, although mine is used three times a day as a treadmill.And i powerwalk rather than stroll (110 times round and I cover 6 miles per day and have nearly broken the 15 minute mile 🙂
One thing you are missing is our spectacular snail population.
Clematis waving its arms is so right. Is that a Cardinal rouge?Niobe?
Even your fence is decorative and wonderfully un-stained and un-painted.
Aren’t bearded irises as good as orchids. Lovely two tone.
I liked it even more than I did earlier, now that the gbbd rush has died down.
I love all of it, healingmagichands, from iris to hosta bed to mockoranges to vineyard and the white columbine and native flag iris. The scope of what you’ve done amazes me. Sorry about the orchard and hope the wine yield is great!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
lovin
those irises especially. the closeup is wonderful. I am running so far behind it is ridiculous. too much to do, and not enough gardener to do it!
wonderful tour! It is so fun to see all the niches and gardens you have going on.
Your garden looks incredible – and huge! I could fit ours in about ten times to yours – that must require so much work and upkeep to look as beautiful as it does.
I almost fell off my chair viewing your photos. One more wonderful than the next. How do you keep it all looking so beautiful? It was an absolute pleasure to walk around the yard with you. I may have to come back when I have more time because there are probably about a dozen questions I want to ask.
Thank you all so much for visiting. I am sorry I have not responded to your comments as I try to do, but things have been pretty crazy around here. Those of you who were commenting on how beautiful the gardens are have the germ of why I have not been posting lately in your grasp — there has been a LOT of work going on out in the garden. The weeds are very busy right now, I had to finish planting the vegetable garden, I have been working on the labyrinth daffodil project, the lawn just keeps on growing, my massage clients think I need to give them massages when they have appointments, etc. etc. etc.
I’m hoping that you will all forgive me for my absence from the internet and continue to visit me in the future. Things will slow down here rapidly, as you will become aware if you follow my news at all.