April is a rich month in the garden.
I don't have the time or space to share everything that is in bloom; this post will be photo-heavy as it is! But here are some highlights, in no particular order.
Well, some order. Because we must begin with the roses, no?
Here are Wollerton Old Hall, The Alnwick Rose, Sterling Silver, Angel Face, and St. Swithun.
As I explained in my last post, I love the combination of rose 'William Shakespeare 2000' with Penstemon pseudospectabilis 'Coconino County'.
And there are some rose hips lingering where I've missed pruning, such as here on 'Wollerton Old Hall', set against the bright red of Russelia equisetiformis.
Even when I prune heavily in late winter, I always leave some flowering stems on the Russelia, so the hummingbirds are never without its nectar - one of their staple flowers.
Other sources of red include the Baja Fairyduster, Calliandra californica 'Baja Red'.
There are also flowers on the dwarf bottlebrush, Callistemon viminalis 'Little John'. They always have such a luxurious look, with their red velvet stamens brushed with gold.
There are some spectacular new arrivals just now. Among them is an early bearded iris, a glory of yellow shaded with apricot.
Also the Hippeastrums have just begun to flower. 'Ambiance' (left, below) and 'Naranja' are the first to open.
There is plenty of yellow in the garden now.
Blooms on Alyogyne huegelii are still plentiful, though smaller than they were a month ago.
Further up the North Border, Lavandula multifida is blooming wildly, supported by the low blue flowers of Salvia farinacea.
Here is a closer look at the brilliant blue of Salvia farinacea.
Lavandula dentata and Asclepia subulata flower together in the White and Silver Garden.
There is more brilliant yellow bloom from the two Palo Verde trees that are supposed to be forming a short allee just past the rose border. I believe this is Parkinsonia x 'Desert Museum'.
And lastly, I can't resist slipping in the pink flowers of my small Mammillaria, which resides in a large container with a couple of other specimens.
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Kris P (Monday, 16 April 2018 14:29)
Your spring garden is lovely, Amy! Your roses are well ahead of mine. As I commented previously, I love the rose-penstemon combination. Are your Hippeastrum in pots or the ground? I planted out several of mine a few years ago but they didn't flower last year (despite the heavy rain) and there's no sign they'll do so this year either. I think I may need to try them in a different location. The local botanic garden just 5 miles away has gotten them to naturalize so it seems possible here.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 16 April 2018 15:14)
Thank you, Kris! My Hippeastrums are in the ground. I usually let them bloom in a pot for Christmas, then plant them out. Oddly, I planted one directly in the ground last year and it shows no signs of blooming yet. I think that must be a coincidence?! They've been far more xeric than the Dutch iris I planted. I just can't keep enough water on those for full bloom. So it shouldn't be a water issue with the Hippeastrum! I do like to order the bulbs from John Scheepers, as I get the most vigorous, ready-to-bloom bulbs from them. Last year I tried one from Easy to Grow, and it took far longer to flower. Just a thought! :)
Marcelo (Tuesday, 17 April 2018 02:33)
Amy, your roses are just gorgeous! I love the pink-salmon color of Wollerton Old Hall. Have a wonderful week!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 17 April 2018 10:14)
Marcelo - Many thanks! :) I've come to admire Wollerton Old Hall tremendously since I planted it here. I really think it is one of DA's best! In intense heat the color will become much lighter - almost white - and the blooms nearly single. But it is still such a wonderful rose to grow and bloom...! Hope you have a beautiful week!
Cathy (Tuesday, 17 April 2018 13:05)
Oh you do have some lovely flowers Amy, and such lovely names too what with bottlebrushes and fairy dusters! The golden iris is perfect. I detect that you are thrilled with your spring garden Amy - you have done so well to have so much flowering in a desert garden. Beautiful!
rusty duck (Tuesday, 17 April 2018 16:30)
Just glorious, as ever. It still amazes me that you can grow roses so well in the desert. And the lavender/Asclepia combo is lovely.
Jeannie (Wednesday, 18 April 2018 07:45)
Everything is beautiful! I can't believe you are growing so many beautiful flowers in a desert. That is definitely a "green thumb."
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry.blogspot.com
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 18 April 2018 13:31)
Thank you, Cathy! Aren't those names wonderful?! It's funny you mention it because I have just begun writing a short bit on my favorite common names (in a book I'm writing about the garden). Fairyduster is probably top of my list!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 18 April 2018 13:33)
RD - Thanks a million! That combination of lavender and milkweed was mostly serendipity, as I didn't know much about the latter's growth habits when I planted it. ;-) The roses do love the dry air here, as long as their roots get some water. Desert gardening is the only way I know to truly banish black spot!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 18 April 2018 13:38)
Thank you so much, Jeannie! I have loved discovering the plants that will grow and bloom here - there are many wonderful ones! Welcome to the blog! :)
John (Thursday, 19 April 2018 21:32)
Nice collection of flowers but that is a fantastic electric blue on the Salvia. Simply stunning.
Brian Skeys (Friday, 20 April 2018 17:19)
I do like the Mammillaria, is it a cacti or succulent?
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 20 April 2018 17:46)
John - I've been delighted with that Salvia; the color really is that electric. Thanks so much!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Friday, 20 April 2018 17:48)
Brian - The Mammillaria is a small cactus. It has small spines arranged in star patterns, and they are quite attractive and not particularly vicious. ;-)