Bobbie, phacelia is a native wildflower here. The one I grow here is biennial, but I am not sure of the complete botanicall name. The first time I ever saw it was several years ago when my uncle took me hiking in the foothills of the mountains and the phacelia was spectacular. I have never seen a sight like that in my life. As far as one could see was almost solid phacelia, dotted with woodland poppies. I got my first start from my uncle and got more the following year so now it reseeds nicely and i have it every year. To keep them in check, I pull up most of the plants before they can set seed. Even though it likes partial shade, I have had it come up and bloom bountifully next to the compost pile in full sun.

The spirea came from the old home place of my best friend. I love this particular spirea with its tiny very double blooms. Thanks for its botanical name. Hope I never have to say it out loud!

My only photo today was of the first bloom on my tree peony.

Beautiful! Ann, is your tree peony taken inside in winter?

Mona, the tree peony stays in the ground year round. The blooms are huge and such a soft pretty pink. It took at least six years before it bloomed. A couple of years ago I told it that if it didn't bloom the following year that I was going to compost it. It bloomed the very next year. Who says talking to plants doesn't work?????

Ann, your gardens are beautiful! I only have one tree peony and I had my first bloom yesterday. No pics but it is all white. Does yours have a fragrance? This one didn't, my older homeplace peonies are so FRAGRANT.

It is almost like summer with the mid 80 temps! My daylilies are getting large, no scapes yet tho.
Ann, do you belong to the MTDS? If so maybe I will see you at a meeting this yr. I rejoined.

Teresa in KY

Sure wish we could grow those here.

Viburnum carlesii (Korean spice viburnum) - awesome fragrance

I absolutely love the fragrance of the Korean Spice Viburnum! Look forward to it every year! Your gardens are beautiful!

I have carlesii as well. Planted next to the path to the front door, near the white lilac.

Alas, I can no long smell (or taste).

What a waste. Such a pretty bush and nice fragrance.

I need more company! Alas! The only one who can appreciate it when in bloom is the mailperson!

How old is your bush Ann?

Bobbi, I'm sorry you can't smell or taste anymore, that is sad.

Thanks, Ann. They are certainly a lot of work and I am on maintenance overload. Today it is raining, so this old body is getting a break from yard work.

Bobbie, the viburnum has been here about ten or eleven years and it was a good-sized shrub when it was planted. I have it growing at a corner of the deck so that I can smell it when going in or out.

I love the viburnum Ann. I have several and I'd love to add to them. I discovered Viburnum really by accident. I was in Lowes one fall several years ago and they had clearenced some shrubs but with no labels. I took a chance and I love it. Mines not like yours but it sure is pretty. The blooms on mine lay flat on the branches and are white.

I too, don't smell or taste anything unless it's really strong and usually only then if it stinks terribly like chemicals.

Bad story, but last year my whole family had a terrible case of stomach virus. I ended up changing and cleaning up after 4 adults and 4 children. I was the only one that didn't get it. No, it wasn't food poison because this was at two houses 50 miles apart and around 30 people at the son's job had it too.The oldest grandson was 4 and it ended up in the hospital. Alll this terrible poo and upchuck and it's the one time I really was blessed. I never smelled any of it!!!

I miss being able to smell peonies especially. It's one of the first flowers that I ever remember smelling. My grandmother had a white one and I'd set on the ground in front of it and smell and smell. Of course I was only about 6 years old and I wasn't allowed to touch it, but I sure did get a nose full of smells!!!I love the smell and I can still sometimes get a faint sniff but I think it's more from memory than nose.

BB do you have any idea why you lost your senses?? I don't know why I can't. When it happened about 10 years ago, the doctor I was seeing didn't even respond when I told her. She acted like, ok, what else is wrong?? It's a terrible loss because you never really get to enjoy your food so you eat and eat but nothing satisfies me because i don't get to taste the food.

Ohme, off topic again, I'm sorry.

Ann, your plants are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Mona

I love the poppies and the anemones. Of course I love the daffodils. Hurray for everything blooming in the spring.

OT
Viral bronchial (pneumonia?) was horrible. I didn't really notice that i lost my sense of smell until the white lilacs came out and I picked and bunch for the house and noticed that I couldn't smell them.

Me, who had planted all kinds of plants and herbs for their fragrance.

Was told if it doesn't return in 3 months, it is gone forever.

There are certain things to eat. Salt is one. Somethings are bitter. I get this funny smell of coffee when none is around. Not sure what sets that off but it is several things. And then there is stale cigarette smell. I can't even walk by someone smoking without this offending odor. Not like the way it used to smell. Very strange.

I have found that I use lemon and some hot things more to give me some satisfaction in eating. Other than that, food is just a memory enjoyment. Texture.

And I so miss the fragrance of plants.

Oh my that is just terrible. I feel bad for you. I would have a difficult time with that myself.

I have seen viburnum sold in catalogs as a regular perennial flower. I didn't actually know that it was a shrub.

I've lost my sense of smell and taste when I've had a bad head cold and it is not very nice, it usually came back in a week or so, I sure hope yours is temporary and you get yours back real soon Bobbi.

Sorry again, Ann for the hijack. Margaret, I lost smell/taste about 10 yrs ago. Nope, not going to return. Drats! As long as I have my eyesite, I'm doin' fine!

Ann, your garden is just beautiful. I know in order to keep it looking like that takes a boatload of work. Love the koi pond. Daughter-in-law's friend moved from IL to GA, bringing her koi and it seems this year they have had an explosion of koi in their pond. It was so nice last year to visit her garden and sit on the patio watching the koi in her pond. There is just something about flowing water ----

Bib, hope your sense of smell returns soon. Last year I had something similar with allergies and it was dreadful.

I ran out between rain showers to take a pic of the white money plant (lunaria) that is starting to bloom.

Hi Ann

Can you get a close up of your garden art/stack/totem?

Thanks!