New Vintage Achillea

This is shorter than I would ideally like, but it looks great (not weedy and doesn't flop)

Vintage Rose

Floppy, Weedy Yarrows

Does anyone know of a great yarrow?  I haven't tried 'Coronation Gold'; that seems to be the most recommended.  I tried some Anthea late in the season, by mail order, and the plants were doomed when they arrived.  They had a serious stem rot going on.

I've tried Summer Pastels and now Papricka (I do like the color), but they flop and the inevitably look weedy.  Also, like hair color, they fade.

I'm not sure that these are any better, but, Pretty Woman is an interesting red.  Somewhat of a cranberry.  And, Pink Island Form looks good in drifts.  Thoughts?

Pink Island Form

Achillea millefolium 'Pretty Woman'

Heptacodium miconioides, Seven sons flower tree

Always on the lookout for interesting plants . . . and small trees for urban settings. The bark on this tree is beautiful.   And, after a very cold winter here in Chicago, the tree is still looking good this year.

Spring Container: Primose, Viola, Nemophila

Always on the look out for new container combos . . . here is one from the Chicago Botanic Garden.

 

Plant Profile: Alcea rosea 'Simplex'

I bought seed of this plant from Jelitto.  It is a single-flowered hollyhock.  It was easy to germinate and  to grow.  Jelitto classifies this as a perennial rather than a biennial; however, last year it didn't bloom.  Its bloom period in Chicago starts in early July.

Plant form; flower, and leaf

Plant color combo with tiger lily

Gardens at Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello

I traveled over the past week and had the chance to view some of the gardens in Williamsburg and at Monticello.  First, at Williamsburg, there was an example of a formal, English-style garden at the Governor's mansion (a lot of boxwood parterres, clipped yew, and topiaries) and some nice cottage gardens behind the more modest residences.  At Monticello, the vegetable garden was the star attraction because of its site (what a view on top of the mountain) and its size. 

Both Williamsburg and Monticello are out-of-the way garden destinations and are good if you are in the area.

Governor's Mansion Garden Williamsburg

Cottage garden Williamsburg

Monticello Vegetable Garden

Monticello Vegetable Garden

Plant Profile: Aquilegia vulgaris 'Black Barlow'

Plant Profile:  Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Black Barlow’

Ranunculaceae Family

Herbaceous perennial. 

Leaf, Habit, Flower

Blooms in May in Chicago

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