Last winter was fatal to our weeping cherry that delighted us every spring with its cascade of pink blossoms. It stood in a corner near the house, flanked by the back of the garage and the side of the office. This fall I’ll redo that garden in shades of yellow and white. The weeping cherry will be replaced by a smaller tree or shrub, probably a buttonbush (Cephalanthus Occidentalis) that blooms white in July. It attracts butterflies and is a Growing Place Choice shrub, so it should not disappoint.
I have been planting flats and flats of white alyssum and dianthus every spring that, although they are annuals, keep coming back fuller and stronger every year. I was amazed to see that they survived last winter. Already in the garden are Gentle Shepherd daylilies that are a pale yellow and some chamomile that seeded itself from my neighbor’s garden. The pretty little daisy-like flowers and the light green leaves are so sweet! Also in place are lenten roses (Hellebores) and bluebells (Mertensia Virginiana) that bloom in early spring.
I’ll transplant hostas to cover up the foundation of the house and provide a border in the back of the garden. And I’ll order spring bulbs to fi ll out the design.
The chosen ones are Calgary Tulip (a white Triumph Tulip with yellow flames and only 8” tall), Yellow Mountain Tulip (a Peony Flowering variety, pale lemon with faint green flames), Hawera Narcissi (a 1928 multi-flowering yellow Triandrus Narcissi), white Grecian Windflowers (Anemone Blanda White Splendor) and white grape hyacinths (Muscari Botryoides Album).
Now I’ll cut out this column, post it on the refrigerator and hope hubby Kent will help!
