Are there any plants in your garden that you have a soft spot for? In my case this philadelphus is one of them. It was one of the first shrubs that we planted in the garden and has been a sad victim of my lack of discipline when it comes to pruning. It has now reached a substantial height but it is oh so gangly and leggy. Although its flowering period is so brief, when it is covered with a cloud of midummer scent it is definitely worth tolerating its rather drab foliage for the rest of the year. Note to self ~ think about planting either a late or early flowering clematis to climb up it which will perhaps hide some of the limbs ~ maybe even both? Any other suggestions would be welcome.
Anna, I simply adore Phlox pilosa (PPPP), Penstemon calycosus (penstemom X) and the native asters that bloom each fall~Couldn't imagine gardening without them! I wish I knew more about clemmies~I do like the clouds of small white flowers that perfume the garden on the autumn blooming one that is a bit too aggressive here! gail
ReplyDeleteNever understood why they call it 'Mock Orange'. It's better than that, whoever 'they' are?
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to cut it back gradually to get growth lower down or is this a shrub which really doesn't do well with such treatment?
Otherwise a Clematis, or perhaps Honeysuckle would be amazing!
Soft spots... Mmm I have a few but Gaura, Verbena Bonariensis and salvia spring to mind, I seem to have a fair few. But ask me in Spring, Autumn, Winter and I am sure it will change!
Your philadelphus is gorgeous! I have one which is about twenty years old and it is stunning when in bloom. It took quite a few years of judicious pruning to get it into the nice fountain shape it now has. I have two others which are young and gangly and have yet to produce more than a few blooms. I can only hope they will someday look as good as the first one!
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for plants that were given to me by other gardeners. That means I love Alchemilla because a friend gave it to me. And I have a soft spot for the Lucy Vitols hosta that came from the same friend.
ReplyDeleteUm, I love most of the plants in my garden. Too many soft spots to mention, lol. Do like coral bells, sedum, and campanula of all kinds, but many more. How about a cup and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens)? P.S. England should have gotten that second goal.
ReplyDeleteAnna, It's wonderful to be back - and see one of my favorite plants in your post. We have two very large Philadelphus - we selectively prune out the older wood. Love the fragrance!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely shrub! We inherited an overgrown one at our last house and it needed major pruning. Well worth it though as the scent is spectacular. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, the clemmie idea sounds the perfect solution to humdrum after bloom! How about a mixture of colors, to liven things up a bit? My heart melts at the sight of every single plant, but the deciduous azaleas are the meltingest. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
I think a Clematis would look lovely climbing up it. My soft spot is for all the things which self sow in between the paving slabs. I get loads every year from the previous years bedding, and I can never bare to pull them out. I always have to be careful where I'm walking so that I don't stand on them. This year I've got a Mimulus and a Viola, they make me smile when I see them. It's amazing how plants just want to live.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with a clematis or a honeysuckle or jasmine perhaps ... I agree, the fragrance is worth the all too brief flowering period!
ReplyDeleteJeanne
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Yes Anna it is a lovely flowering shrub bothe the lime green variety and the ordinary one sorry not sure their names.
ReplyDeleteI think you need to go for a clematis that flowers later and needs pruning so that you can also keep the Philadelphus pruned. However we are supposed to prune them when they finnish flowering although I confess I end up doing mine in the Autumn.
Do watch the really vigorous clematis I have three that grow miles, Alba Luxurians, Blue Belles and Soldertalje. The last one smothers a Victoria Plum and breaks it's branches with the weight, each year I try to head it off in different directions but it still gets the better of me.
I love Philadelphus! I have a gold leaved one, and it has never been pruned either. I love the idea of a Clematis growing up it. But then, Clematis is a plant I have a very soft and weak spot for.
ReplyDeleteI plant Pulmonaria, Brunnera nd ferns around the base of mine, but the top is still lanky. I have another one that has a naturally more rounded and compact shape, Blizzard mockorange. You have to love the pretty blossoms and scent.
ReplyDeleteI can understand your soft spot for philadelphus. I took cuttings from the one in my last garden and brought them here as I couldn't bear to leave it behind. They are very beautiful for the few weeks they are in bloom.
ReplyDeleteK