From the Garden: June 2021

Monday, June 28, 2021

Friday, June 18, 2021

I personally observed a robin beat a jumping worm into submission and fly off with it, so we can dispense with the myth that robins cannot catch jumping worms. Now whether or not they can eat enough jumping worms to make a difference is another question.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Costmary

Costmary AKA Bible Leaf, so-named because, back in the day, people used the dried leaves as bookmarks in their Bibles. Features a delicious spearmint fragrance.

Pineapple Mint

Yellow Profusion

Zinnia 'Yellow Profusion'

Persian Cornflower

Petunia

Petunia, varieties unknown

Large Gold

Marigold 'Large Gold'

Kong

Coleus 'Kong'

Bee's Knees

Petunia 'Bee's Knees'

Valerian

The flowers of the herb Valerian feature a heavenly vanilla fragrance. This is one of my favorite scented plants.

Jackman

Clematis 'Jackman'

Cherokee Purple Tomato

Sam harvests a Cherokee Purple tomato.

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Columbine

Columbine. This is a volunteer. If I plant a Columbine, it sulks, then dies. But volunteers come up in the most inhospitable places. Infuriating.

Wax Begonia

Wax Begonia. We tried to overwinter several pots, this is the only one that survived.

Ostrich Fern

Black & Blue

Salvia 'Black & Blue'

My favorite of all of the Salvia.

Ox Eye Daisy

Ox Eye Daisy. Not as refined as the Shasta Daisy, but a much more reliable performer in our garden.

Ernest Markham

Clematis 'Ernest Markham'

Weigela

Ninebark

Shirley Temple

Peony 'Shirley Temple'

A few years ago, we received this as a door prize on a garden walk at Boerner led by Dave Wanninger. Now retired, at that time, he was head horticulturist. I think of Dave every time I see it.

Variegated Honeysuckle

Variegated Honeysuckle. This has been in the ground several years, and this is the first year it has flowered.

Crimson Rambler

Morning Glory 'Crimson Rambler'

Looks more pink than crimson to me.

Wisteria

Wisteria. The paucity of blooms and luxuriant growth suggests that the soil is too rich.

Mandarin

Honeysuckle 'Mandarin'

Kudos Mandarin

Agastache 'Kudos Mandarin'

Grandpa Ott

Morning Glory 'Grandpa Ott'

Viola

This pot overwintered in a combination of an unheated garage and the kitchen. First time we have overwintered a pot of viola. Not sure I can do it again because of space considerations.