Joanne McKinnon Garden Photography

Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category

I nearly lost this antique rose. The hemerocallis growing in the same bed were crowding it. So I moved it a few feet away in amended soil and pruned off the weak branches. I did have to add a few bricks to keep the wild turkeys from scratching the base and uncovering the roots.

I also moved the Winchester Cathedral. It had been growing in the same spot for years. I’ve read in ‘Old Roses and English Roses‘ that replanting can be beneficial. Now the rose is bouncing back slowly. The new bed was amended with shrimp and seaweed compost. My home made compost is scratched on the surface.

The Molineux blooms look slightly different this year. Last summer I never noticed a pink blush. Since I used the same amendments, I’m guessing this might be from the high heat, followed by excess rains. Another layer of compost was spread at the base yesterday.

Downloads | Canvas prints | Old Roses | Read more

Not all plants in my garden are cultivated varieties. The Blue Vervain is a welcomed volunteer. This native of Europe, Barbary, China, Cochinchina and Japan grew in ancient times. The name derives from Celtic ferfaen, from fer (to drive away) and faen (a stone). The Druids included it in their lustral water. In my garden, it blends well with the perennials and looks great in wild flower arrangements.

A Modern Herbal, Vol. II | Richters Herbs | Downloads

After reading an article by Graham Rice, I realize that my ‘Double Jewel’ reverted back to its parent “Plenum Album’. Mine is too tall and the flowers are missing the dark eye. I will let the geranium self-seed, and maybe I will get a nice surprise next year.

RHS Blogs | Downloads

Blue Mirror is still growing strong but only in one location. All those planted in flower beds died. The survivors are in beds made of black left over drainage ditch pipes. The beds were half filled with raw compost (3 years ago), topped with one layer of horse manure and another of garden soil. I rarely water these beds. So basically they are left to fend for themselves.

Downloads | Seed Source

New columbine photo added in the Perennial Gallery. The seeds are sowed directly in the garden about the same time they go to seed. There are species and hybrids growing side by side. All pollinated by bees at about the same time. Found one plant with different colours this year. I will upload the photo in the same gallery.

Aquilegia: Aquilegia Canadensis, Aquilegia Formosa, Aquilegia Vulgaris, Aquilegia Caerulea, Aquilegia Eximia, Aquilegia Pubescens

If you are looking for a rose with blooms like a hybrid tea, that can resist powdery mildew and black spots, give Lambert Closse some thought. This fully double, hardy rose tested well in Ottawa, Ontario and L’Assomption, Quebec. It can survive the winter in zone 3 with very little damage. You can also propagate this rose by soft wood cuttings taken at bud stage. This rose is well worth adding in any flower bed.

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Finally received Espresso from Rockwood Gardens, with an explanation for the long delay. Their supplier went bankrupt. I placed the small root in water for a few hours before potting it up. Our resident groundhogs like the taste of new geranium leaves. In a pot, I can keep the plant safe and out of their reach.
Double Jewel is blooming and doing well. I’ll post a photo soon.

This rose nearly landed in the fire pit last year. For a rugosa, it’s a bit finicky. The Hunder is a cross between a  ‘Rubra” (Rugosa) and ‘Indepence’ (Floribunda’). So it needs more care than the average rugosa. Mulching the base is a must. I tried cedar chips with little success. I moved it to a more sandy soil amended with plenty of compost. Added small rocks at the base to protect it from mud splashes. It worked, no black spots. It is also the only rugosa in my garden to get protection from winter colds.

Rosa Rugosa | Read more

Double Jewel is now forming buds. It survived winter with only snow for protection. Compost is added at the base every now and then.

Geraniums: The Complete Encyclopedia