End of May in the Curb Beds

We are well into spring, and a number of flowers have finished blooming for the season.  I am still trying to fill holes in some beds.  Some of the plants I've put in the spaces are still small, so it will take time for the holes to be filled.  We've had quite a lot of rain in the last few days, so I'm glad I have much of my planting done.  I went out this morning and took lots of photos to document what's blooming in the flower beds.  I thought I'd focus on the curb beds in this post.  I ended up with lots of photos, so I'm going to keep the writing to a minimum. 

I'm starting on the west side of the bed, in the most recently dug area.  It was added in 2009, when the city resurfaced our streets and put in new curbs.

I had 2, and now, I have 3 of these salvias, I think, 'Caradonna' after seeing them on someone's blog and liking them, forgetting that I'd found a couple last year.  I'm glad to see them blooming so nicely.

The little rose bush has grown larger than last year already.

I seem to collect perennial geraniums, but lose the tags, and can't remember their names.  They are sure looking good!

This is a knotweed I got from a friend to fill in a spot.  It did not like being moved.  I hope it makes it.

Looking to the north and west:

I love the blue flowers on this bush clematis.

The 'Prairie Splendor' echinacea will be blooming soon.

Looking to the south, the stepping stones divide the new area from the part that had been there since the neighbor had to have her water main replaced, which involved digging in our curb area.  That's how I ended up with the first planting bed.

Facing east and south, the original bed has had some things moved out, and is in need of some attention.  Larry got some more fake bricks to replace the ones I took out for the newest planting area.

I finally got some Liquid Fence sprayed last night in hopes of stinking out the rabbits, which are causing quite a lot of damage to the front flowers.  Asters, phlox, and liatris seem to be some of their favorites this spring. I don't know if it fazed them.  I chased a rabbit out of the yard this evening.

This is my favorite perennial geranium right now.

The clumps of grass and winter savory have been in these spots from the beginning of the bed.  The stokes asters may have been, too.

In each of my flower beds, there is at least one type of plant that is also in at least one other bed.  Not all kinds of plants are in more than one bed, though.  I think there may be daylilies in every bed.

I am pleased that I am still seeing monarch caterpillars on most of the milkweeds.  Many times, when I see them one day, I don't see them the next.  These are growing, too.  Cool! 

Oh, that reminds me, I saw a group of neighbor kids walking down the street to the house of most of them, next door, accompanied by the dad.  They had those little plastic bug cages and looked so happy.  I asked one what they were doing, and she said they were catching bees.  I said I don't want them catching bees in my yard, or any other insects, especially caterpillars.  I made the mistake a couple years ago, of showing one of the kids a swallowtail caterpillar.  I specifically said it was to stay there.  Well, the next day it was gone.  But, really, why would a parent let their kids catch bees?  (Can you see part of the caterpillar?)

Looking west and south, you can see the milkweed next to a baby's breath plant that will be blooming soon.  I cut what I think is New England Aster in the corner way back in hopes it doesn't get diseased or leggy.

Facing east, this area was added the year after the one that was made when the neighbor's water main was replaced.  It was rounded, though, and did not go as far to the east of the fire hydrant.

Knautia;

A nice clump of liatris in the little structure.  I had left my gloves out over night on the stump.  They held up fine.

Statice and liatris:

I must have just planted this perennial geranium last year.  I don't remember it blooming.

Can you see all 4 caterpillars?

I got sidetracked taking lots of photos of this bee enjoying the catmint.

I trimmed back the skullcap and 'Fireworks' Goldenrod yesterday.

I ended up getting to do some weeding in the vegetable garden today.  It was a mess!  Our house will be for at least a week, when I will be off for the summer.  I hope to keep up with the gardening, and get the house in order this summer.  Larry's brother from Colorado is in town, and coming over for supper tomorrow.  I will be able to serve salad from the garden.   I warned him about the house.  I guess we should do a little tidying, though.  Are you keeping up with things?