I recently discovered the joys of cactus! I have a nice cactus bed along the south wall of the house, but I wanted to put some in the garden too. Cacti do not like heavy clay soil so I decided to put some specimens in pots. I chose vibrant colors that mimic the colors in Mexican talavera pottery. I’ll be adding some talavera pottery sculptures in the years to come as I can afford to do so. they’re pricey. But I think I made a good start on this garden.
Cactus pot garden
I planted a variety of agave and smaller cactus species.
Early summer is for Lavender! The Lavender/purple aliums self seeded themselves into the day lily garden. They were a wonderful surprise the first year they sprang up. I had planted the aliums along the hedge of the day lily garden, next to the hedge, several years ago in an attempt to fill up a blank space there. Over time the day lilies took over the whole space and the lilies threw their seed out into the day lily garden. I love the result! And the best part: I didn’t have to dig in those huge lily bulbs.
The lavender blooms of the Korean dwarf lilac hide the interior of the front porch giving privacy throughout the summer, and their fragrance is very strong. You can smell them from the driveway as you approach the front door. Wonderful greeting!
Willow Garden – South border
Early summer brings Iris and flowering shrubs to the Willow garden. Pink blooming Red Sand cherry, white blooming leather leaf Viburnum, and pink blooming Black lace viburnum (not in bloom here – it blooms later in the summer).
Willow garden – south side shrubs
The gold mound Spirea puts on a brilliant show with just the leaves, in bright yellow and chartreuse. Later it will flower in a delicate pink as the yellow leaves mature to a slightly darker green.
The willows themselves, which grow in the middle of this garden, also flower, but their flowers are
Willow garden – North side shrubs
insignificant if you aren’t up close. They look like little yellow bottle brushes, 2″ long and about 1/4″ around.
South Noodle Garden – Rust and Orange iris and Ohio Buckeye Tree
These rust and orange mixed Iris are filling in wonderfully in the street-side noodle gardens. The baby buckeye trees is struggling – but I’ve been babying him along – time will tell.
I love the combination of purples in this Iris grouping.
Cupola with purple alium
The witches hat cupola looks wonderful with the purple aliums dancing in front.
Pom Poms! There are actually 4 shrubs here. I planted 2 on each side of the drive river bed. I had planned on putting an arched trellis between the shrubs to created a walkway to the stone patio which is behind them, but they have grown together now, so I’m not sure if I have the heart to cut them back.
Butterfly garden – Pom Pom shrubs
The yellow leafed ninebark is striking with the red barberry.
