Gardening in Alaska : What's Blooming Now?

Talk Dirt To Me

Gardening in Alaska presents big challenges, whether it's the extra effort in finding plants tough enough to survive our Zone 2-4 climate, communicating with like-minded Alaska gardeners, or keeping up with the latest trends, issues and solutions. We'll try to help with that. We'll also tour gardens from Homer to Anchorage to Wasilla to Willow whenever we get the chance, and post the best garden photos around. Presenting a forum about cold-weather gardening and for cold-weather gardeners is what we are all about. We hope you'll join us on the Talk Dirt garden blog.

Photographer and gardener Fran Durner (fdurner@adn.com) writes the blog.

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Jeff Lowenfels

A member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame, Jeff writes a weekly column on gardening in Alaska.

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What's Blooming Now?

Posted by talkdirt

Posted: June 23, 2009 - 4:08 pm

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The lilac in full bloom. Photo by Fran DurnerI look forward to the third week of June every year, not just because of the long days but because, reliably, my lilac tree will begin to bloom.

Yes, lilac tree.

The tree came with the house and I suspect it was planted by the first owners, so that would make it at least 50 years old. It was planted in a spot outside the back door where it could be enjoyed from the kitchen. Now, it towers over the house and spreads its branches to cover at least half the back yard. Despite its age, some rot and a hard pruning every three years or so, it has maintained a vigor of growth that continues to astound me. And a wonderful light scent will fill the backyard for several weeks.

I am sure that because of the rot in the trunk where it split due to the weight of its branches, the tree is living on borrowed time. However, the number of tiny branches sprouting out of the trunk seems to be greater than ever this year. I'll snip them off for a number of reasons but mostly so the tree's energy doesn't go into growing them.

A perfect view of lilac and blue poppies. Fran Durner photo.The blue poppies are just beginning to open this week as well. I have a perfect view out my bedrooom window of lilac and poppies together. A bit of absolute heaven.The blue Himalayan poppies are just beginning to open. Fran Durner photo.

Here's a look at what else is blooming this week:
A variegated leaf form of the groundcover Aubrieta has been blooming for quite a while and doesn't seem to be quitting. Fran Durner photo
Verbascum 'Southern Charm,' another favorite, is just beginning its bloomtime. Fran Durner photo.
Lamium 'Golden Anniversary.' Fran Durner photo.
Can't remember the name of this pretty lamium. Fran Durner photo.
This lamium is one of the most vigorous ground covers, bordering on thuggish. Fran Durner photo.
Geum 'Borisii' against golden oat grass in the backround. Fran Durner photo