Package from Netherlands

      In the end of last season I was saying to myself that there will be no more hosta orders in 2012... But there are so many great varieties out there that I don't have in my garden yet. Of course, I couldn't resist and placed an order for 8 more hostas to my favorite hosta vendor Hostaworld. I decided to add some larger varieties to my collection such as golden medium to large 'Dawn's Early Light' bred by Olga Petryszyn, golden large with piecrusted edges 'Dancing queen', blue large 'Fleet Week' with rippled edges, golden margined medium to large upright 'Alex Summers', large arching 'Arc de Triomphe', 'Lakeside Prophecy Fulfilled' - a white edged sport of 'Lakeside Prophecy' with heavily corrugated leaves, 'Frisian Pride' - a recent introduction of Bate Aukema from Netherlands and 'Lakeside Paisley Print' - medium with wavy leaves with a "feather" pattern of the narrow creamy center. Plants arrived in a perfect condition and look stunning. Tomorrow they will be planted in their permanent or almost permanent locations.

Worth the patience

     Rhododendron hybrid 'Kokardia' we have planted in the garden 3 years ago and this year it finally got ready to bloom. I was afraid that we'd miss the flowering since we left for vacation right before the opening of the first flower. But due to a chilly and rainy weather during the first week of June the flowering slowed down and we arrived in a perfect time to see it in its full power. It was definitely worth to wait for 3 years to see the show. Clusters of large purple-pink flowers with a prominent wine red blotch. The plant itself is neat and vigorous with glossy dark-green leaves. This hybrid was raised by the famous German breeder Hans Hachmann.

Sanssouci park and Botanical garden in Potsdam

     Today we visited magnificent park Sanssouci in Potsdam. This park is a great example of finest landscaping work. Here comes a selection of pictures taken by Björn.


Part of the vineyard terracing


One of the huge purple beech trees


Muses and the greenery


Many palm and citrus trees are grown in pots



     Botanical garden of Potsdam is situated right next to the park so we used an opportunity to check it out as well.

     Although I'm not in to rock gardening I was impressed by the large alpine garden.



     I liked a lot this hosta and Astilbe planting along a stream. Hostas are absolutely happy in such conditions - light shadow and plenty of water accessible for their roots.



     This relative of Rhododendrons Kalmia latifolia caught up my attention with its graceful flowers.



     In my opinion Adiantum pedatum is the most beautiful garden fern. This gorgeous specimen is called Adiantum pedatum var. aleuticum. It has blue-green color and slightly different shape of pinnae than Adiantum pedatum.



     Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' is planted along the water cascade.

Dahlia stake forest

    Right now dahlia garden looks like a forest of stakes. I always put stakes before planting dahlias. It's easier for me to position each plant in the bed when all stakes are in place.

    So for a few weeks dahlia bed looks a bit weird, but dahlias are growing vigorously, and stakes will be hidden behind the lush foliage very soon.