White Nights in the Garden of Aaron

Recently, I was taking a stroll around the garden in the early evening and realized that I have a lot of white flowers blooming right now.

White flowers are pretty any time of day, but they really seem to glow and become luminous in the gloaming, that magical time between sunset and night.

And on nights with a full moon, white flowers continue to shine all night...

Rebloom on the 'Natchez' mock orange (Philadelphus x virginalis 'Natchez')

Phlox paniculata 'David'

'Diana' rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), poised to unfurl

Blue moon rising over Tennessee

The Marvelous Mock Orange

Natchez Mock Orange in full bloom, May 15, 2014

Late last autumn, I went shopping at a local plant nursery and found a heavily discounted 1-gallon Natchez Mock Orange (Philadelphus x virginalis "Natchez") on sale.

I bought. I planted it on the Northwest side of the house where it replaced a crape myrtle that I'd chopped down. (It had been growing waaaaaaaay too close to the house. Now it's trying to grow back. I foresee lots more chopping in the future.)

This is only the Mock Orange's first spring here, but I've been really impressed with the way it covered itself with flowers.

Unlike some other Mock Oranges, Natchez does not have especially fragrant flowers, but it is considered a "prolific" bloomer. Definitely fit the bill this year.

Close up on Natchez Mock Orange flowers, May 15, 2014

My understanding is that Mock Oranges are often both tough and fast-growing. So far, it seems plenty tough. I haven't seen much (any) growth yet, but I guess they typically bloom on old growth, so now that the bloom is done, perhaps the growth spurt will come later this summer or in the autumn?

Incidentally, my Natchez bloomed  for almost a month this year and the flowers are self-cleaning. I particularly liked visiting the Mock Orange in the evening when the white flowers are outstanding in the gloaming.

Thank You 200,000 Times

As the little counter way down in the right-hand sidebar shows, Garden of Aaron surpassed 200,000 lifetime visits yesterday.

So I just wanted to write a quick note to say "Thank You!" to everyone who visits, reads and comments.

Special thanks to all those knowledgeable gardeners and garden bloggers who give me so much encouragement and don't laugh (too much?) at my gardening faux pas.

I wish I could send you all flowers, but perhaps a virtual bouquet will have to do...

The Mock Orange (Philadelphus x virginalis "Natchez") finally has started to bloom! 

Dianthus gratianopolitanus "Firewitch" looking A-mazing in full bloom. Did I say I broke up with this last year? What was I thinking? I take it back. In fact, I'm pretty sure I need more of these in my garden.

Salvia nemorosa. After vacillating in the past (and losing the plant tag), I'm going to go out on a limb here and call this May Night. (I have Blue Hill too, but it's a lighter periwinkle blue.)

Clematis "Crystal Fountain" puts on quite a show