kerria japonica ‘picta’ 2011: everything in excess
I THINK MY VARIEGATED KERRIA (along with various other flowering shrubs) has decided that 2011 is the Year of Everything in Excess, covering itself in gaudy gold flowers the likes of which I’ve never seen, and spilling out into the path like never before. (You may recall from its plant profile how this shade-garden favorite looks in a “typical” year.) In the photo foreground is one of a few new whimsical gates a neighbor friend built out of some basic hardware and a few rusty old bits of tag-sale finds I’d grown tired of moving around. More on them soon…but can you believe that bloom?
Our Kerria is blooming it’s head off too this year. But I love it anyway. The winter after I planted it the rabbits ate the beautiful green branches down to the ground. The next spring it was less than beautiful. I am so happy to have it back that I don’t even care if it blocks the path between it and the Shasta Viburnum. It’s a bright spot in the shade.
This is a beautiful picture.I appreciate all your photos of your property. I have a small lot but still enjoy gardening. I read your blog daily and find encouragement for the new projects in my garden. Do you ever have your garden open for the public to see it? Oh, the gate is so unique. I just love gates and I do not have any. Hey, That might be a new project this summer!
So very well put! All the cool spring weather and rain has made the most spectacular blooming. Unfortunately, The Year of Excess includes weeds, but I’m too much in beauty’s awe to notice. Most of the time.
What a great use of the “extra bits”. I love finishing projects or finding ways to put the good stuff to use.
I’ve never seen that kerria in bloom, but they’re lovely. It almost looks like forsythia but with bigger blooms (and a couple of months later I expect). It reminds me of how I still wish I had the right spot to grow hellebores.
It also makes me want to reconsider my use of my birdbath for water (I forget to change it). Are those succulents?
It seems like all the excess rain has lead to an excess of beauty this spring, and while my migraines could do without the constant storms, I definitely can’t complain about how lush and stunning the spring is turning out to be. Beautiful shot of the flowering shrub! Can’t wait to hear more about the ‘rusty old bits’ renewed :)
Welcome, Renidea. Yes, trash-to-treasure time here. I used to haul things home from the tag sales like a crazy person years ago, but mostly never did anything with them. This year it got to me: no more pushing them around the garage! More soon on that, and nice to “meet” you.
We have had a lot of rain too, but we are not flooded out. God knows what he is doing, and he is still in charge. we will be glad we had this rain when it stops and out plants still have moisture around their roots,,, all summer. Look at how all the shrubs and flowers are greening up.,,they are more beautiful than ever.
I love the gate and the flowering everything-esp. the bleeding heart peeking out at the right. How did you get a picture. All it does here in the Finger Lakes is rain?
What a great gate. It looks like it has been there forever.