Six on Saturday: May 15

A Mid-May view

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.

Half with blooms, half without!

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.

Salvia “Sky Dancer”

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!

The Fairy Slope viewed from the upper deck.

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?

A fairy favorite!

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.

Some of the varieties I’m growing for the plant sale.

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!!

One of spring’s blessings…rhubarb pie!

So, that’s seven for this Saturday! For lots more gardening photos and ideas, visit The Propagator, host of this meme.