Going Native: Flowering Raspberry

I planted Flowering Raspberry, Rubus odoratus in my Woodland Edge border last Spring. It grew well. The rabbits dined upon it all Winter. This year it grew well again in spite of the nibbling. Actually it grew in even better and is exactly as I pictured - yes, just as I imagined. It is filling in the space as I drew it in my little sketch/plan of the Woodland Edge. Yes, I'm amazed by that. Plants do not usually grow according to plan. Perhaps this one will continue to fill in, and fill in, and fill in ... then it will have grown outside the plan. But I want to add more of it to the other side of my garden because I am just that happy with it. I don't foresee my love for this plant fading.

It propagates by runners and seeds although I think the seeds will be devoured before I have a chance to save them. Dining rabbits, enticing blooms that resemble those of a wild rose and disappearing berries and seeds are all clear indications that this plant is not only loved by me, but by the wildlife in my garden, too. Many types of bees are attracted to the Flowering Raspberry. Robins and other fruit loving birds eat the berries. Small mammals will eat the seeds.

Not only does it flower (long lasting!) and produce berries, but Flowering Raspberry has beautiful large Maple-like leaves that I find myself admiring every time I walk by. They form intricate layers and shades of green and will turn a nice yellow color come Fall.

These shrubs grow to approximately 6 ft and are hardy to zone 3. Mine grow in a pretty good amount of sun but I've heard they will grow well in shade, too. I purchased my shrubs from Amanda's Garden Native Perennial Nursery, but you may be lucky enough to gather some seeds in the wild. If you're patient, I may be giving away some of these plants in a few years!

What's Blooming: Black Lace and Roses

So much is going on in the garden that I fear I have missed a glorious moment or two. I still have plants to get into the ground and the days seem to whir by like dragonflies ... are those dragonflies already out prowling the garden? Yes, they are! And evenings seem to sparkle ... yes, those are fireflies! The Catbird has finally come out of hiding and I watch him hop about the Potager. He even dares to perch on a trellis and study me. It's mid June, and time to pause, sit in the garden instead of running around frantically with my shovel leading the way.

Out front chives are cheering like pom poms and Sambucus Black Lace is revealing her best show ever.

Sambucus Black Lace

Clematis are creeping and peeping from corners along the drive. My native clematis, Virginiana were coming up nicely until Mr. Rabbit ... well actually it must be Mrs. because now there are little rabbits hopping about! ... decided they would make a tasty salad. I have wrapped them so that they can hopefully, reestablish themselves.

Clematis Claire de Lune

Clematis Rooguchi

This year I am enjoying the changing palettes of the garden – pinks and purples, blues and yellows.

Spiderwort, Tradescantia Osprey

Yellow Evening Primrose with Cranesbill

The foamy yellow flowers of Lady's Mantle

Blue Flag Iris

Amsonias with golden Creeping Jenny

Overnight, my swamp rose burst into bloom and surprise!, this year a neighboring rose that was on our property line decided to creep under our new fence and join us.

Swamp Rose, Rosa palustris

The flowering raspberry bushes, Rubus odoratus, that the Rabbit seemed to enjoy dining on so much this winter are bigger than ever in spite of all my worries. Their blooms resemble wild roses. Their leaves are big and beautiful.

Thank you Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Bloggers Bloom Day the 15th of each month.

What's Blooming

Out front spires of Lamb's Ear, Liatris, Verbascum, Sea Holly, Russian Sage, Milkweed and Pink BeeBalm are in full bloom. Walking through I am often "pinged" by bees – sorry to be in the way!

 

In the butterfly garden it is daisy time! Shasta, Midsummer's Night Dream, Coneflowers, and red BeeBalm make for big landing pads.

 

Out in the potager the first sunflowers are beginning to bloom. The pollinator garden bordering the potager is just beginning to come to life with blooming Larkspur (newly planted this year from seed), Rose Mallow, Catmint, Milkweed, Queen Ann's Lace and Joe Pye.

 

Just opposite in a new bed along the back of our garage/workshop, Yarrow replaces Columbine gone to seed. A container is filling out nicely. Hostas are beginning to bloom.

The woodland edge is dry. Ironically after such a wet spring, we now have very little rain. This Monkshood was rudely moved late spring and although blooming, is not at its best, but I still love the shape of its tiny hoods.

This primrose hybrid, Primula x bulleesiana, was an impulse purchase at Home Depot. It's still blooming somewhat. I love the way the blooms stack like a mini topiary.

Persicaria Firetail is just lighting up. It is spreading nicely.

Flowering Raspberry, Rubus ordoratus, is doing just that! A nice surprise considering it was newly planted this spring. Yes, you can eat the berries if you beat the birds to it.

The nice driveway is putting on a show with Clematis, 'Comtesse de Bouchard,' and stunning Cones: Ratibida Red, Purple and Rudbeckia Maxima.

Garden bloggers' bloom day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens the 15th of each month. Add your blog to the list so we can see what's blooming in your garden.