Stonewell Farm 9am June 9th 2019

This year I mixed Garden Tone into the Hanging Basket and Planter medium, which I will replenish mid summer. Another 3 weeks and they will be properly filled out.

For now they are progressing nicely.

Most of the peonies are flowering along with the Salvia, Tradescantia and Geraniums.

A slightly different angle to show off Peony Raspberry swirl.

Here at Stonewell farm, despite the cold Spring, our fruit trees are full of fruit, as witnessed by the peach tree top left.

More Peonies, but this shot will truly pop when the Philadelphus by the utility pole blooms.

Thalictrum and Nepeta add to the pastel shades and Physocarpus 'Diabolo' is just starting to flower (right)

Peonies, Peonies, Peonies, we need scratch and smell digital photos.

Geraniums, Nepeta and Anthemis (white center) will soon dominate the sunny part of this border.

When all the flowering shrubs are done, the variegated Aralia will still brighten this corner.

This is predominately a Spring border. The dark wine Lilac (green) displays magnificently against the golden Physocarpus. but for now, the chocolate coloured Physocarpus is about to burst into bloom.

The Physocarpus behind the blue Spruce has been heavily grazed by deer and is unlikely to flower this year.

This week, I have stepped back to show the profusion of bracts on the Dogwood.

The ducks where reluctant to be photographed in this shot.

So I took the mountain to Mohamed.

An English Park in Connecticut.

This is my version of an English parkland.

I don't have 150 acres,

or 100 ft trees.

But by choosing smaller trees and shrubs,

or by pollarding larger trees to keep them to the desired height.

With three exceptions, I have 15ft trees on 0.5 acres. 

With a flower that could be a cross between a foxglove and an orchid,

The first exception is the Catalpa bignonioides. Which usually grows 30ft to 40ft. By planting on the north side, it can grow to its full size and showy display, without shading the smaller trees.

Secondly, Salix 'Niobi' the golden willow, A splendid cultivar that needs room to show its weeping habit, also planted on the north side.

Our final oversized tree is the Magnolia soulangeana. the blossoms can be damaged by late frosts, wind or rain,

but occasionally, as with this year, the gods look down favourably.

One of the trees that we pollard to keep small is Albizia julibrissin.

This year flower buds cover the tree,

which should make for a showy July display.

With fruits that look as if they should crawl away.

The mulberry, once it reaches its required height, will be pollarded.

As will the Dogwood.

 Hawthorn

 and Crab-apple.

Stewartia gemmata has small fragrant flowers, not as showy as Pseudocamellia,

but more in-keeping with my size requirements.

Franklinia alatamaha, similar in size and flower to the Stewartia, but does not flower until late summer/fall and requires constant moisture.

 A little careful planning and pruning can yield surprising results. 

 Now how to get my favourite Meconopsis to survive a hot and humid Connecticut summer.