
It’s mid-May already! I think to begin the Six for this Saturday, the thing that pleases me most is that it has FINALLY warmed enough that I can take the plastic off the berry boxes and not fear for frost every night! The potager looks more tidy without all that plastic, and now that berries are forming, it’s good to get them in place over the berry beds and out of the pathways.

2) In the South Island, this viburnum is a bit strange. The south-facing half has no blooms, while the north facing side is loaded. It appears that the buds on the south half were frozen early on, and never developed further. Probably due to one of many frigid windy storms earlier this spring.

3) I enjoy growing perennials from seed. This salvia “Sky Dancer” was seeded spring of 2020, and planted out as baby plants last summer, so this is their first year to bloom. They are supposed to be sky blue like the plants in the back, and most of them are, but two of them are the dark blue of the one in the foreground. That’s what happens when plants are grown from seed; there are often variations. Some people find this annoying, but I rather like it when there’s a surprise, especially a nice one like this. I may leave them, or I may move the dark ones to a different garden…maybe the South Island. It needs more color. The hummingbirds seem to like both colors equally!

4) I don’t often take photos of the Fairy Slope, because it is often dark and just green. However, today the “Sum and Substance” hostas are looking very chartreuse, and the cammisia are opening their blue spires. The fairy houses are in place, but the fairies have yet to arrange their outdoor furniture or put up bunting. Maybe next week?

5) Hidden in photo #4 is this lovely brunnera “Dawson’s White”, which is a reliable perennial to brighten shady areas. It grows under the lilac on the Fairy Slope. It’s dainty blue flowers are in clusters in May.

6) When it’s too dark or too wet to garden, I’m making a plant sign for each of the varieties I’ve grown for our little garden club’s plant sale. Surprisingly (for me!) I haven’t counted them, but there are several. I’m just about done with the signs, but am still cutting up plastic milk jugs to recycle as plant labels, and writing all the labels. I got several done this afternoon while I waited for this rhubarb pie to bake….a bonus photo!!

So, that’s seven for this Saturday! For lots more gardening photos and ideas, visit The Propagator, host of this meme.
Beautiful Garden ππβΊπ
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Thank you!
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I love your plant signs – they’re so cute! How are you using the milk jugs to make them?
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No, I’m using milk jugs to make plant LABELS. The plant SIGNS are made on card stock. Two different projects for one goal, to make the plants easier to sell.
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Oh! That makes more sense. I didn’t read it clearly. π
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Rhubarb pie looks wonderful!
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It was pretty darn good, if I say so myself!!!
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I love your garden(s) Carolee and wish I lived near enough to visit! You are so generous giving all those plants to the garden sale. What do you write your labels with? I use cut up milk jugs for labels but can’t find a truly permanent pen to write on them – which is why my garden is full if unidentifiable plants! If I can work out the species the variety often defeats me.
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It’s an “Industrial” Sharpie marker, although it doesn’t last as long as the Sharpie of years ago. I have labels written over thirty years ago that are still as “fresh” as when they were newly penned. Then the company changed their formula (although they swear they didn’t!) and now they only last a few years. Wish you could come visit, too! I think we’d have a lot to talk about.
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Thank you for the information. I have been using a sharpie but maybe not the right type! I will look for the ‘Industrial’ one.
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You have a real gift for planning and planting beautiful spaces. Thanks for sharing your ideas, process, and sometimes-surprising outcomes.
Oh, and that pie!
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What a lovely comment! Thank you!
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I’ve come to love Salvias although I’ve not grown them from seed. Well done you! Also, I love your names for sections of the garden, Fairy Slope in particular.
You’ll have great fun sowing all those seeds! Best wishes.
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Thank you, and Happy growing days to you as well.
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That Hosta is stunning!
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