After writing in some detail about the area around the west side of the house including the Large Island I thought I would be moving on to other parts of the garden but each day (almost hour) brings new plants in flower so today is just a wander around the garden showing you what is new and catching my eye.
Beginning at the drive where the cars are parked, Rosa mutabilis is moving into full flower mode.
Rosa mutabilis
Sorry I can’t resist showing the White wisteria again
Wisteria ‘prolific’ is now breaking into leaf
In the Left hand border below the Melia, Chiosya ternata with Snow in Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
White and green look very fresh.
The Photinia hedge is now flowering the bees are going crazy!
Looking back towards the drive, the Upper Slope path has changed colour emphasis. Yellow is taking over.
Iris
Iris Pure as Gold
Walking down the drive now to look at the slope; Purple irises and Eschscholzia californica are making the slope feel quite vibrant.
The slope is slowly turning orange from the Eschscholzia californica
From the drive looking into the garden past the west facing terrace
Texture and form – From the drive looking into the garden past the west facing terrace
There are more plants flowers that weren’t yesterday but I think this is enough for today. I hope you enjoyed your walk with me today.
Thanks for taking me along on your stroll. Lovely.
It is good to have your company John.
Everything has filled in beautifully. Hope you can hear my oohs and ahs. I’m headed out to weed, way too late for me to win the battle.
It is special to share the garden, especially with bloggers I know and count as friends. Weeding is always a battle that is lost, all those thousands of seeds from one plant – we have no chance at all.
Oh, those daily discoveries are so exciting Christina – today mine was an erythronium. Your garden looks so abundant already and the texture and form stand out as much as the colour – lovely
Every walk around the garden produces something new. I’m worried that it will be all over by mid-May!
I am sure there will always be something new to see – we look at our gardens with diffent eyes being the gardeners we are
In mid-summer nothing much changes, Cathy but I will at least have the new planting of evergreens that like the heat to enjoy.
And you can admire their structure and shape, and the light and shade
Exactly!
I always discover something new in your garden. I did not know the flowers of Photinia. I think it is frequently cut back too severely to encourage the bright red leaves. I have never admired it but I may be changing my mind now. Amelia
I think the Photinia needs hot summers to produce flowers the following year. I prune it after flowering.
Your garden is incredible! So full of vibrant colours and textures. Beautiful!
Thank you, and welcome to my garden.
A very enjoyable walk, thanks. It’s looking very summery and colourful, although my favourite shot is the melia and frothy whites underneath. Think I want to live in Italy!
There are many positives to living in Italy,Alison; but some negatives too! There won’t be many flowers (apart from the cut flower beds) after the end of May.
My inherited ‘Mutabilis’ rose doesn’t even look like the same species, Christina. (It’s planted on a slope and doesn’t really get the sun it needs.)
Mutabilis loves the sun so I’m sure you’re right that yours isn’t getting the conditions it needs
What a pleasure it is to take a virtual turn about your garden with you, thank you Christina. I agree with Amelia’s comment that photinia is sometimes pruned successively for leaf colour yet even those left to their own devices rarely flower here. I prefer your specimen, it looks more at home in Italy.
Like many shrubs I think the Photinia needs hot summers to harden the wood for flowering.
How lovely, summer seems to have arrived in your garden. So much to enjoy. Your Rosa mutabilis is a wonderful sight, mine never looks as good as that. And your gorgeous wisterias…I don’ t know how you can ever bear to go indoors.
I do spend a lot of time outside at this time of year and all meals except dinner are eaten outside. The Rosa mutabilis will have even more flowers in a week or so and then with very little irrigation will have a few flowers for a lot of the year.
The divide between our English and Italian gardens is so marked at this time of year, its cold enough here to plant bare root still, although some watering if the rain stops will be needed later on. Your garden is so beautiful Christina, I love every view you have shown today. 🙂
Most of the days now are as warm as an English summer’s day Julie; Much more pleasant than when the summer really arrives. I’m very pleased to share these views with you.
Yes, a very enjoyable walk around your garden again Christina. I don’t remember seeing photinia in flower before… it is hardly ever grown near us as it is a bit susceptible to strong frosts, but I do love the colourful foliage. That golden iris is gorgeous.
As I said to Kate “Like many shrubs I think the Photinia needs hot summers to harden the wood for flowering”. I don’t remember seeing it flower in the UK.
I love your wisteria, both colours. Mine has just come in to bud!
The buds are the first excitement, then they show a tiny bit of colour, then the explosion of blooms. I am excited by them each year.
Yes, they are just showing some colour and, as you say, very exciting.
Beautiful Christina and no problem at all re-showing the white wisteria! D
Christina ha sido un verdadero placer el paseo por el jardín.Muchas gracias. Parece que estamos al comienzo del Verano en donde yo vivo. El rincón que más me ha gustado ha sido la ternata Melia con el Cerastum tomentosum. Y el Iris amarillo puro sublime. Saludos de Margarita. margarita141.
Christina disculpa que te moleste. Accidentalmente he borrado mi wordpress. El blog sigue intacto. Mi nueva dirección de wordpress es http://margarita141site.wordpress.com. Mi nuevo nombre es margaritasite141. Pero el blog es margarita14111. Muchas gracias por su paciencia. Saludos de Margarita. margaritasite141.
Don’t worry about showing the Wisteria too many times. Flaunt it, I say! White Wisteria, Blue Wisteria, California Poppies, Rosa mutabilis – truly an embarrassment of riches. It must be a joy to walk in your garden now.
It is Jason, it is!
Wonderful to wander with you Christina…I really love white blooms so I was happy to see the white wisteria again, and others in your garden!
I didn’t remember that you liked white so much. Glad to make you happy
I always love going on walks with you.
You’re always very welcome to join us!