Overall, it was a mixed year in the garden. I will report on it all, but it’s only fitting to start with the moments that keep us going, right?
It started in spring when everything bloomed beautifully. It was evidently the right mix of temperature, sun, and moisture, because shrubs especially bloomed more fully that ever, and some perennials that hadn’t bloomed before put on a show.
The show started in early June with this fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii), which had been in full shade in prior years, but now has sun for half the day.I have been trying to grow a patch of Mayapple (Podyphyllum peltatum) in the woodland garden, and this year it doubled in size and put out a few blossoms, which you have to duck down to see. Note this plant is poisonous to pets, so be careful with it.Over in the South Border, this combination has proved reliable. The light blue is Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontan), the white wandering throughout is Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis), the dark blue is Salvia ‘May Night” and the yellow is a Coreopsis.There are only a few native rhododendrons (most come from Asia), but this is one of them, Rosebay (Rhododendron maximum cultivar). It has flowered in other years, but this year it was loaded. Back in the woodland garden, this is Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus). It had been moping in its prior location, so I transplanted it here last year, and this year it seemed much happier in its new spot.I was totally thrilled when this Sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) bloomed so profusely this year. It is supposed to be native to Cape Cod, but other gardeners have told me they have a hard time growing it. It clearly likes this spot now that it is getting more sun.
The most satisfying part of the early season was the Glory Garden, the 10×40’ border behind the house that I was planting for maximum bloom in June and July. Two years ago I had redesigned this border and last year it did well, but this year was fantastic. It was as glorious as I had hoped it would be.
The long view of the Glory Garden at the end of June. From the left, the pink is a spirea, the red is Bee balm, the yellow flowers in front are sundrops, the yellow shrub is a golden Caryopteris, the red in the back is a rose, the tall white in the rear is Penstemon, and the far yellow flowers are lady’s mantle.For some reason, Black eyed Susans popped up all over the yard (maybe there were seeds in some compost?). This was perfectly placed in front for the red Bee balm.Sometimes beautiful combinations occur on their own. I planted the pink yarrow, but the purple-leaf Penstemon (Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’) and the daisy self-planted right nearby.Later in the summer, the red Bee balm is continuing to bloom and the anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) has begun. It will bloom for almost six weeks, and the pollinators love it.
Goldenrod Garden 
Really beautiful! Thank you, Cathy!!
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