Cinco de Marvelousness

Beunos dios. It is Cinco de Mayo and what better way to celebrate than to visit the Marvelous Garden? I have it on good authority that those coming to view the Marvelous Garden account for approximately 35% of all traffic on the U.S.-Mexican border. 

Below is my front garden. As is evident, my Weigelia, formerly one of the anchor plants of my front garden has been moved. Its spot has now been taken by an Incrediball Hydrangea. Also apparent in this shot is the Peonies and other accent plants in this area really beginning to fill in.

Another view. To the far left, my Rhododendron is just beginning to come into bloom.

Another view of the  Rhododendron and surrounding flora.

Here is aforementioned Weigelia. For some reason the existing portion of the plant did not come back. However, the root began sending up new stems. Thus, the Weigelia has been moved into this planter to recuperate and await its future.

Another shot of the Rhododendron beginning to bloom.

Coming around to the side of the house, a Wintercreeper  cutting that I moved here a few years back is begging to take off.

There it is, El Capitan himself, my glorious Climbing Hydrangea.

A greater glory has not been seen since the height of Teotihuacan.

Give praise to Quetzalcoatl! Blooms are imminent. 

Oh my!

The new corner garden I started last year is filling in nicely.

My Creeping Phlox in its full splendor.

So many fine potted plants awaiting future glory in the Marvelous Garden.

The Tonatiuh of the Marvelous Garden, my long-admired Chive plant. In the rear are two Garlic Chives that I have grown from seed. They will soon equal the glory of my Chive.

One of the many Hostas that I have moved into planters.

He will not be held down! My Azalea is showing that he will overcome his latest tragedy.

Some Coleus that will soon be added to planters for seasonal color.

This Ribbon Grass is enjoying its new home.

What a glorious sight.

The Only Constant Is Marvelousness

The dawn of a new Spring finds my garden as marvelous as ever. The years come and go. Children are born. Old men pass away. New inventions change the way people live. The only constant amongst all of this change is the marvelousness of my garden. It is like the stationary North Star that the rest of the sky rotates around. Its marvelousness is ever-present.

Although it is now the beginning of the second week of April, it has been a cold Spring and my mighty plants are only now beginning to stir to life. In the meantime I have endeavored to bring a bit of color to my garden through the addition of some Pansies. Although they are far from my favorite flower, they do a job at a time of year when it is too early for most other annuals.

Below is the glorious mainstay of my garden, my stately chives plant. Astute observes of the Marvelous Garden (and really, who isn't?) will note that the chives plant is slightly diminished from years past. It appears that some bold animal took a large bite out of the chives plant. Thought I should perhaps be mad at such an affront to my chives' glory, I can hardly blame any animal for wanting to partake in such a splendid and delicious plant. Rather, as I do regularly in the Marvelous Garden, I have transformed a set-back into an opportunity by splitting off a cutting of my chives plant, as seen below in the green planter.

As has happened with frequency here in Connecticut of late, we had monstrous levels of snow this past winter. Seen below is my Azelea. After some lean years, I had recently nursed it into fine form. However, this past winter, the weight of 30+ inches of snow caused it break in half. I have removed the surviving portion of the plant and moved it to this large planter for intensive rehabilitation. No doubt it will come back more glorious than ever.

The titan that is my climbing hydrangea is just beginning to stir.

In its second full season here, I am expecting great things from this hydrangea.

Just a few of my many fine container plants. Some are destined to go into the ground. Some will be gifts to those lucky few who I  deem worthy to receive a plant from the Marvelous Garden.

I put some ribbon grass  in the ground here at the end of last season. I believe that it will mingle nicely with the hydrangea, and given its vigor,  it has nothing to fear from the voles that have occasionally plagued me. However, that same vigorous nature requires root barriers to keep it in check. Some old pavers should fit that bill nicely.

Again, I planted some ribbon grass in an area that has been menaced by voles in the past. I doubt I will keep this plant here permanently, but in the meantime, I have put a root barrier is in place to ensure that it does not take over.

My fine hydrangea immaculata. Its deep green foilage and glorious white blooms make it an ideal choice for this area.

Look at this scion of my mighty climbing hydrangea. What glory does it have in store? Only time will tell.

More pansies in front. I should get a nice month of color out of them and then this planter will be used for bigger and better things.

My dianthus has occasionally been targeted by voles. Rather than continue to risk it, I decided to move it to this large planter that I had previously been using for annuals. It should fill out here nicely.

My many fine daylilies begin to rise. This goal is for them to line the side of the steps.

This rhodoendron is a solild workhorse of the front garden.

I expect to see my hostas beginning to come forth in the next couple of weeks.