Opus One

My 'Opus One' had three blooms this year and they are just finishing up, as are the 'Stargazer' which are the last of the blooming lily in my garden. Both are oriental lily which are not really hardy here. They grow and once established they will bloom well but they never get as tall as oriental lily are famous for. In fact, the only time I have seen an oriental lily blooming over my head was in Linda's garden in Nova Scotia. Oriental stay short in my garden. Funny thing is... I prefer them short. Not sure if it is a 'what I am used to' thing or not but I find lily blooming over my head is a little intimidating. Not sure why because I am certain they are not going to attack! Maybe it has to do with my aversion to spiders dropping down from above and how lily are great spider hiders. Regardless, I do love the orientals as long as there are not too many planted together. If they are all together, I find their smell cloying and cannot remain standing near them in the garden without feeling slightly sick. They also take some time to be established in Zone 3. This particular lily was brought from Linda's garden in 2009. Last year it had one bud that dried up and fell off without blooming. This year, it has three blooms and they all opened wide.

More Fall Garden Record Notes

Another busy day in my garden. Fall chores seem endless but it was a beautiful day for gardening again and forecast is for a few more of those yet. Good thing too because despite getting a ton of work done today out there, I probably have twice as much to go before I can say the garden is put to bed for the winter.

Lifted Dahlia 'Parkland Glory', 'Ferncliff Cameo', 'Hy Cutter', 'Taratahi Ruby', 'Yvonne' and 'Wine & Roses'. My Spring map was good but not quite good enough. I have two Dahlia tubers of which, one is 'Taratahi Ruby' and one is 'Hy Cutter' but I don't know which is which. Good thing 'Hy Cutter' is white so it will go with anything and I will figure it out next year when they bloom.

Lifted Gladiolus 'Passos', Border Gladiolus, Calla 'Picasso' and all the Freesia. Potted up two more Geranium cuttings. Planted Speedwell from Judy which is different than the one I have here already. I put the Speedwell beside the two patches of German Purple Iris at the rock edge towards the Knautia. Planted Bouncing Bet in two spots: beside the Stargazer Lily in the Bird Sanctuary (to the house side) and right off the front deck beside the trellis where the Euphorbia was planted this year. Planted Monkshood beside (lawn side), the Knautia that went in the Bird Sanctuary. Moved the 'Angelique' Tulips marked in Summer to two places: in front of the furthest Delphinium in the Front House Garden and immediately right of the sidewalk where the bushline was taken down. Dark came too soon today. I was on a roll.

Clematis 'Blueboy' - Plant Tag Information

'Blueboy' Plant Tag Information
Perennial
Clematis integrifolia 'Blueboy'
Blooms: Purple 4-5" flowers, June through September
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature Height: 5-6 feet, 1.5-2 m
Prune Hard Group C: Group C varieties bloom only on the current year's growth. Plants should be cut back in late February or March to two strong sets of leaf buds on each stem, normally within 12" (30 cm) from ground level
Watering & Fertilizing: To promote healthy growth, wait until the top 3" of your soil is dry before you water. Water thoroughly but not too frequently. Summer heat combined with overly frequent waterings or automatic irrigation can create and environment for unwanted fungi. Clematis enjoy a well drained soil, a neutral PH and a moderate to heavy feed.
Planting Directions: Dig 18" x 18" hole. Place 6" of well rotted manure mixed with good top soil in the bottom. Add a layer of good top soil and if soil has high clay content, add peat moss to this layer. Place plant in hole with top of root ball 6" below ground level. Backfill with good quality top soil mixed with a handful of bonemeal. If soil is high in clay, add peat moss to the backfill as well. Clematis need something to climb on: sweet pea netting, trellis or suitable host plant such as roses, shrubs or trees. Carefully but securely attach vine to cane and lead into the support. Where practical it is a good idea to plant a small shrub to shade the roots of Clematis.

Aquired: 2008
Planted Here: In Bird Sanctuary along white fence between Lilac and bird bath rock.

My notes: It has never done well in this spot but is the only Clematis that has survived a winter for me. I am trying two others this year and we will see what happens. To date, however, I do not like to grow Clematis. It seems fussy and is a LOT of work for the result when you consider that, although the flowers are pretty, so many other flowers are just as pretty with added scent and the bonus of being much easier to grow. It is not that I can't do the work, it is more that if I am going to invest the time, I'd rather invest it in something else equally fussy, like Tea Roses. So Clematis will have to figure out how to survive in my garden next year or it will come off my plant list. The decision is made and I am going to let it go. Famous last words, I suppose.

Knautia 'Mars Midget' - Plant Tag Information

'Mars Midget' Plant Tag Information

Perennial

Blooms: Red, June through September

Light: Full Sun

Height: 16 inches, 41 cm

Spread: 12 inches, 30 cm

Tag Notes: Long blooming plant for the garden or for cutting. Grow with bold textured or light coloured plants for best effect.

Aquired: 2004

Planted Here: in lower level Boardwalk Garden and clumps moved to Sun Gardens, in 2010

Daylily 'Stella de Oro' - Plant Tag Information

'Stella de Oro' Daylily Plant Tag Information

Perennial

Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'

Bloom Time: early Summer to Fall

Exposure: full sun or part shade

Water: adapts well to dry or moist conditions

Height: grows to 12" (30 cm) tall

Spacing: 24" (61 cm) apart

Hardiness Zones: USDA Zone 3 (-40F) to USDA Zone 9 (20F)

Tag Notes: A profusion of fragrant, long-blooming flowers attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. Ideal for shrub plantings, perennial gardens or massing as a small-scale groundcover. Attractive combined with spike flowers or bold foliage plants.

Aquired: 2004

Planted Here: Added to Sun Gardens when moved out of Orange Lily Garden in 2010.

Creeping Thyme - Plant Tag Information

Creeping Thyme Plant Tag Information

Perennial

Thymus serpyllum (TY-mus ser-PILL-um) 'Pink Chintz'

Best uses: Good for small groundcover areas or filler between stepping stones.

Soil & Water: Loamy, dry to moist, well-drained.

Size: 3" x 18" wide

Spacing: 12 - 15" apart

Bloom Time: Early Summer

Flower Colour: Pink

Temperature: Hardy to -40

Other Attributes: Deer resistant, Evergreen.

Tag Notes: There are a great many selections of Thyme grown in gardens, all of them with some degree of spicy fragrance. 'Pink Chintz' is a flat-growing variety that features fragrant fuzzy green leaves, smothered by soft salmon-pink flowers in summer. A strong grower, ideal as a drought-tolerant lawn substitute or for planting between flagstones, tolerating moderate foot traffic. Easily divided in spring or early fall, and even small pieces will take root and grow.

Important Planting Instructions: Dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the pot. Remove the plant from the pot and place into the hole. Replace the soil around the plant making sure the crown is level with the existing surface. Water thoroughly and continue to water regularly until plant is established.

Aquired: 2009

Planted Here: in Bird Sanctuary along right side of bird bath rock path beside white fence.