New In The Garden This Summer

Rare, but an easy to grow hardy perennial from South Africa, Glumicalyx Goseloides forms a clump of rubbery evergreen rosettes. From early spring to first frost, nodding stems rise to 12" & produce a continuing bloom of white bells that open to orange/red & that smell like chocolate. They grow in light shade. in rich, well-drained soil, but don’t let them go completely dry. I did them in a pot so that they can be more easily seen & smelled. I paired them with a lemon Scented Geranium for a chocolate/lemon sniffing soufflé & gave them a neighbor of a Pineapple Sage for olfactory overload.

The new plant is center in this photograph

The view of the back garden & the Boys' Fort from the backroom window

In stark contrast, this is the original Boys' Fort, summer 2007

A Little Vitamin D

The Portland rainfall in March & April has been positively Biblical. We enjoyed precipitation 45 of the past 46 days, with temperatures 10 degrees below normal, & for the first time since records have been kept, we have not had a day with temperatures above 60 degrees in 159 days.

Yesterday was sunny at last. The Husband had an honest hardy go at reclaiming the garden from winter's grasp. I did as much as I could venture until the seasonal allergies had their way with me & I was forced to retreat back to the house. I am fortunate the hay fever hits me in early spring, but leaves me free to enjoy May- October with no itchy bloodshot, grainy eyes, & flu-ish feelings. I surmise that tree pollen is the culprit, but my, oh my, like so much that is beautiful, the trees are dazzling, but deadly.

A detail from the front garden

Junior wants to know what the bright shining orb in the sky is... maybe a giant laser pointer?