Dinner at Eight

The garden has gone through a rough period the past few years. We suffered through the hottest summer ever in North Georgia. We saw the return of the drought, and with it strict water use guidelines. Since I wasn't keen on trying to water after midnight with a flashlight, the garden pretty much depended on rainfall.

Perhaps I should describe our garden. Our yard is blessed with a large number of hardwood trees towering 60 feet or more. We were able to keep them when we built the house 20 years ago, but have seen about a dozen succumb to construction trauma and drought. Perennials and flowering shrubs are interspersed among the trees and in front of the house, which is the only planted location with half-to-full-day sun.

These intrepid flowers made their appearance in April.

My favorite bearded irises, Iris germanica, which you saw as a centerpiece in this tablescape. That post shows their true color. These have fared well, spreading in the few sunny spots.

These grace the steps by the side door.

The camellia in the background bloomed the month before.

Siberian irises, Iris sibirica, have less prominent falls and standards. They anchor the island in front.

Flowers have fallen from what we've always called a tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, which is related to magnolias. Some call them poplars or yellow poplars.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these ice plants, Delosperma cooperi, which insist on leaving the garden bed and colonizing the driveway!

Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum', is spreading nicely. I like how the variegation brightens the dark shade under the trees in later months. Their flowers are barely visible; there's a closeup in the second picture.