Rhododendrons

Despite (or because of?) the harsh winter, it has been a beautiful year for the rhododendrons. Just a few dead branches. Not sure what to do: thin them out? deadhead the flowers? I read conflicting advice, but being lazy I am inclined to believe that deadheading does not improve next year's display.

5/26/14

5/26/14

Winter damage

Winter damage to yew shrubs, presumably wind burn (though this is not a particularly exposed spot). This is the worst of the three. However, it looks like new growth is already coming in, so I am not going to panic.

5/17/14

5/17/14

Morrow's honeysuckle

I have a bad feeling this is another invasive. (I seem to have just about every one I have read about.) This looks like Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii). I just pruned it back, and it has the indicative hollow stems. Flowers are white/pinkish, with yellow stamens. There are two of these bushes, both filling spots that will look strange if empty, so I may wait to remove them till I have alternatives. The sites are both very shady; one is moderately moist while the other is very dry. Too bad - they are reasonably attractive. Maybe a native honeysuckle to replace this?

4/29/14

4/29/14

4/29/14

What's blooming in April?

Yes, tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths. But I'm more interested in the less common flowers that I have actually planted (or at least encouraged). Following are the ones that have blossoms already; several others are just about ready to pop. (This year it has only been consistently above freezing all night for about two weeks.)

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). The flowers start out pink and turn blue.

4/29/14

Garlic mustard

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). This stuff is everywhere. I know it can be used in cooking, but it is invasive in New England so I am trying to get rid of it. (It releases chemicals into the soil that suppress other plants, too.) Pulls up easily when soil is damp. Presumably best to do this before it flowers.

Leafspot on mountain laurel

I planted this in the summer of 2012, but it's not doing too well. Any suggestions for an organic anti-fungal spray?

Introduction

This blog is intended to document my attempts at backyard gardening in Milton Village, Massachusetts, just across the Neponset River from Boston. We moved here from the city a few years ago, but I have only gone beyond mowing the lawn and raking the leaves since the spring of 2013. The property has several sections of (more or less) tended gardens, plus a large forested area.

For the most part the gardens are part sun, part shade, but a few areas get sun most of the day. USDA hardiness zone is 5b, though I believe my micro-climate might be more like 6a or even 6b.  I am in the Boston Basin eco-region (59d) according to PlantMaps.com.

My aspirations are multiple: