Happy Thursday dear friends! Join me for a stroll in and around the garden!
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
According to Proven Winners, Double Play Doozie spirea is better than great – it’s a doozie! I wholeheartedly agree! We planted three a couple of years ago where two of our Adagio Maiden grasses had once been. We also planted one in a large container.
In early spring the foliage emerges in a brilliant deep red color. In late spring, these gorgeous flowers emerge. It keeps flowering during the summer which makes it a win in our Southern heat.
Not only does it produce beautiful flowers, but it produces no seeds. All of its energy is put into producing flowers. It is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and non invasive!
Last fall we had to move our Sarah Bernhardt peony along with our Festiva Maxima. I did not expect any blooms this year on either peony since they typically do not respond well to being moved. Festive Maxima, which is a white and fragrant peony produced only eight blooms. But, we were pleasantly surprised with our Sarah Bernhardt!
Sarah Bernhardt is one of the world’s most beloved peonies!
She was originally planted in 2020 beside our kitchen porch and produced big showy blooms!
Large soft pink double blooms make Sarah Bernhardt a stand out among peonies! I was amazed how well she did in her new location.
Gold Mound Spirea was planted in 2001 when we reworked our front landscape!
Vibrant spring foliage is accented with clusters of purple-pinkish flowers.
Clematis Jackmanii is one of the most popular and easiest clematis vines to grow! It was planted in the back of the cottage garden and is climbing up an old rusty trellis.
Jackmanii is a showy perennial of violet-purple 5 – 7 inch flowers that typically have four petals, but can have five or six petals.
There is a saying about clematis’ growth rate: the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap. This is Jackmanii’s third year!
Little Princess Spirea borders our front sidewalk and boasts small but numerous clusters of rose-pink blooms.
We planted five of the Little Princess but they have struggled in their location. We will probably move them. The bees are attracted to them!
Peony Karl Rosenfield is a garden classic and is considered one of the best double red peonies.
We planted two Karl Rosenfield peonies in 2019 in a raised bed next to our driveway. Sarah Bernhardt and Festiva Maxima were moved to this space last fall.
Karl Rosenfield peonies are prolific bloomers and this year they produced at least 100 blooms. There are still a few in bud stage, so more are on their way!
Springtime is always busy in the garden. The head gardener has planted zinnia, sunflower, and marigold seeds. Thankfully, most have sprouted in spite of the crows. Annuals have been planted in containers. We noticed that fewer varieties of annuals have been available, not sure the reason. Most sellers have the same choices. We are not finding many unusual or new selections. We have had significant rain over the past couple of weeks, so weeding is a constant chore. RM does a fabulous job, I could not do it without him.
Thanking you for your visit and gracious comments…Wishing you a pleasant and joy-filled week!!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
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Pam, I love reading this timely post of your garden updates. I posted one today as well. You are 2-3 weeks ahead of us in your region, as my spirea has yet to bloom, Jackmanii just started yesterday. Your newest spirea is gorgeous! I’m happy your peonies responded well to their moves.
PW is the best, and the past two years I have ordered even my annuals from them (unless the website says garden centers only, like for geraniums). Our market is great, but things get picked over quickly, and it’s hard to find things out of the ordinary.
Hopefully, the heavy chore lists are complete and we can now enjoy the beauty. Of course, the weeds will always intrude. Happy gardening!
Thank you, Rita! Our wildflower garden planted in a new place last year has given us Larkspur for the first time and I am enjoying it gathered in a bottle. I love wildflower seeds, because you never know what will show up. Happy gardening👩🏻🌾
Beautiful garden blooms Pam and Butch! What gorgeous peonies! Aren’t you happy your transplants are doing well?! We moved a peony several years ago and it took several blooming cycles for it rebound. Our Sarah Bernhardt peonies have been blooming for about a week now, it seems they always bloom in sync with heavy rain and hail that’s in the forecast for later today. I’m afraid the big fluffy blooms will be shattered… sniff. We need the rain but we need the soaking gentle kind…beggars can’t be choosers though.🌧️ Happy Thursday 🌸💗
Hopefully, you won’t receive hail, that would destroy your Sarah Bernhardt peonies. Thank you, Mary. Wishing you a beautiful weekend 🩷
Gorgeous array of pink and purple flowers!
Thank you, Carole!
That spirea is fabulous. Maybe I need to get one of those for my back yard. I love the colors. I’m off to the garden center tomorrow so we’ll see what happens!
Thank you, Jeanie! I know you will enjoy the spirea if you can find it.
Good morning, Pam! I have so enjoyed my walk around your garden. You have so many pretty blooms! All of the spirea varieties you have shared are beautiful, and the Double Play Doozie is impressive. I’m definitely going to be on the lookout at my local nurseries for that variety. You have such a gorgeous collection of peonies, too. We have had oodles of rain as well. I agree….it makes for a lot of weeds. Have a most wonderful day, dear friend!
Thank you, Shannon. I certainly recommend the Double Play Doozie. You won’t be disappointed! Happy Mother’s Day, my friend!
Your flowers are so gorgeous. Such brilliant colors. Have a wonderful rest of this week and Happy Mother’s Day. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris. Enjoy the Mother’s Day weekend!
Pam and Butch, it’s always a treat to see what is blooming on your property. I have peony envy. How I wish they would grow here in Austin. The new “doozie” spirea is gorgeous. I will look for one. My own garden is green and fresh with annuals and perennials in bloom. I love this time of year. Most days have been cooler and perfect for being outside, though we recently had several days of heavy rain. That was a welcome relief to our drought stricken area. We would welcome more! I was inspecting things this morning and marveled at how healthy things look after the recent rain. Nothing like Mother Nature’s dose of fresh, clean rain. Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you, Sarah. With your rain and cooler temps, I know your garden is beautiful with annuals and perennials in bloom! Happy gardening, my friend🌸🌼🌺
Good Morning Pam, Your gardens are full of brilliant colors. The spirea is dazzling! I need to find some of that. Your peonies are gorgeous. My neighbor in Pennsylvania has several varieties and I will see them very soon from our sunroom. It was such a lovely walk around your gardens this morning. Thank you!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you, Nancy! There are so many varieties of spirea and they are easy to take care of. Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!