After another long afternoon in the garden, it seems an opportune time to share the early fruits of John's labor over the past few months. Along with John's
cutting up and milling of a 70 year old redwood tree, we have been tending the peonies, bulbs, irises, roses and fruit trees in the yard. John is a collector. Now we even have a collection of
Michelia - members of the
Magnolia family.
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| Michelia sp. |
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We encountered a
Michelia on our wedding trip. The large creamy flowers masked the possible "off odors" of a bathroom building at an arboretum. We were both captivated by the tree.
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| tree peony |
Along with the
Michelia, we have been planting herbaceous, Itoh hybrid and tree peonies. Our concerns about lack of sufficient winter chilling to support peonies may be unfounded. All the newly planted (fall) plants have sprouted, and almost all have buds. These three tree peonies have been in our yard for several years, and seem to be thriving.
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| tree peony |
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| tree peony |
We planted blueberries in wine barrels so that we could control the acidity of the soil. It looks like fruit is setting.
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| blueberries |
Also in wine barrels are herbs.
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| variegated sage |
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| basil in the herb garden |
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| old camelia |
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| tulips and lilacs |
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| quince |
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| early rose, Joseph's coat |
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| sour cherries in bloom |
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| Queen Elizabeth |
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| John feeding the peonies |
John feeds the plants weird concoctions such as fish emulsion and epsom salts. It appears to be working.
