I’m finally back out in the garden, weeks late, after some travel and a nasty cold. Instead of a leisurely sequence of cutback, first weeding, and planting, with frequent stops to observe what’s growing, it’s been a rushed schedule. I usually start with cutbacks in April, when there is very little growing, and do my observations as part of the weeding cycle. But this year, examining the new growth and re-emergence of various plants has been a fun distraction from the cutback work.
The cutbacks in the Glory Garden are half done, but you can see how much the pentstemon has come in, as well as the non-native alliums and lady’s mantle.
It’s always gratifying when you find a plant you didn’t think would survive over the winter.
Three years ago I planted the wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) in several places around the yard. It came back the second year, but I didn’t see it at all last year. Now it’s not only regrown, but will bloom shortly.This is green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), which failed last time I planted it, probably due to our low-nutrient soils. This time it not only came back but expanded. Now if only the rabbits will refrain from eating the flowers!
Just as rewarding is finding plants that just went in last year that are coming in strong in their second year.
The grasses are prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis) and the leafy plant is golden alexander (Zizia aurea). This zizia is turning out to be one of the easiest and most reliable plants in the garden, as I have it planted in several places and all are doing well.A close-up of the zizia. The flowers will be over by mid-June, but the foliage will stay attractive all season. I am using it wherever I need a full-sun front-of-border low growing plant.
And shrubs that are blooming already.
The beach plum (Prunus maritimus) in the meadow.The pagoda dogwood (Swida alternifolia) is a volunteer in my yard, and you can see how interesting the early leaves and flower buds are.
But the best is when there is a delightful surprise awaiting as you walk around the garden.
I first saw a mass planting of mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston, and I decided I had to try for one myself. Six years ago I planted 6 plants after reading they will spread on their own. This year, the number of plants just about doubled from last year, and I am thrilled! (Note that mayapple is poisonous to dogs and cats, so plant cautiously).To make the surprise even better, the other day I was admiring the mayapple and noticed that interspersed with it were some new shoots of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) which evidently likes this spot as well as the mayapple!
Now that cutbacks are finally done, it’s on to weeding, editing, and making the final decisions about what to plant this year. Happy gardening!
Goldenrod Garden 
looking good!!!! might I see you Monday? Karen
>
LikeLike
Hi Kathy, I planted Mayapple last fall and it came back this spring! Hope it spreads.
LikeLike