Spring has come and gone - and as deliriously happy as I always am to see the gorgeous displays of spring bulbs, I get just as excited about watching the other areas of my garden fill out and start a show of their own.
So far we've had plenty of rain this year, so that the gardens seem more lush and lively than I can remember - but I keep hearing predictions that this summer will bring many of us another drought.
If you plant carefully, you can have a garden that won't cause you too much worry if we do have another summer like last year. Remember that plants with silvery foliage as well as foliage with a blue-ish cast to them are more drought tolerant than most plants. And look for versions of hardy native plants such as Echinacea, Rudbeckia, YArrow and others which have evolved in ways that let them withstand long periods of drought. Ornamental grasses hold up well, as do daylilies and hostas as long as these last two have had a chance to settle into the garden.
By now many of you are probably watching your spring bulb foliage dwindle to a yellow straggly mess. Take notice of problem areas where this is really obvious and plan to plant things that will hide the yellowed leaves this fall. And while your memory is still relatively fresh, this is also a great time to actively make notes on where you will need more bulbs next year.
And don't forget - when the foliage is all yellow it's time to dig up and divide your bulbs if they have been in place for a few years and starting to get crowded. You'll be amazed at how many more bulbs you'll find than that you originally planted - you may even find enough to fill out the area so that you don't need to order more bulbs. (I shouldn't tell you that, should I?)
And speaking of surprises - my once blooming roses are all done with their annual show already - but in a week or so I will see them burst into bloom again. Not because I know some secret potion for roses, but because I have been training clematis to grow through the roses to add color when the real roses are done.
I just love this time of year. Every day there seems to be several things that surprise and delight me in my garden. I hope you can say the same for yours - it's part of the joy of gardening.
