06/12/08

FRONT ENTRANCE

This is the way the entrance to my front door has ended up this season. Although I love pastel colors it's the bold ones that make me happy! The dragon is a 'Feng Shui' thing. It is protecting me from negative forces - or to be truly honest - I just like the way it looks! :)

06/11/08

Nicotiana alata

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana alata) come back each year stronger than the previous year. They are one of the re-seeding annuals that adapts to the specific conditions of where they grow. This one fills the air with a beautiful scent when the sun sets. It also glows in the dark. I have it seeded in the far back border of my backyard garden. I almost always have to trek out to smell them before I go to bed.

06/11/08

Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott's'

This Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) pops up EVERYWHERE in my garden each year. I'm not complaining!

Malva sylvestris 'Zebrina'

I bought some Zebrina Hollyhocks (Malva sylvestris) at a garden show about five winters ago. Each year since, they have re-seeded themselves. I took these photos a few days ago. They were about five feet tall. I have since then cut them down to about six inches. Hollyhock gets rust, caused by the fungus, Puccinia malvacearum. This form of hollyhock, for me, gets it the worst. I find that if I cut them back after their first big flush of bloom, while they are still healthy, I don't have to fight the rust as badly. By the time they are ready for re-bloom they have nice clean fresh foliage!

06/10/08

Echinacea 'Sundown'

My orange coneflowers (Echinacea) have been blooming for a few weeks. For some strange reason I've kept forgetting to take a photo. The blooms have already begun to fade. It's no problem though because 'Sundown' is beautiful at all stages. I like the way the faded blooms have a pink and lavender cast to them. They smell great too!

06/09/08

Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens)

Salvia farinacea 'Henry Duelberg'

I noticed this colorful combo as I was buzzing around the garden. Wish I could take credit for it but have to admit it wasn't my plan. I do love the way the blue of the Salvia and the lavender of the Lippia complement each other.

Cosmos sulphureus

Several years ago I planted Cosmos seeds from 'Wildseed Farms' a seed supplier in Fredericksburg Texas. They return for me in abundance each year. This year they are blooming alongside 'Verbena on a Stick' (Verbena bonariensis) which grows about the same height. Orange with purple is my favorite garden twosome!

06/08/08

Monarda 'Jacob Cline'/ Rose 'Knock-Out' /Hydrangea macrophylla

My front door border is bursting with shades of red. Red is my favorite color so I'm pleased!

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer'

'Endless Summer' is a reblooming Hydrangea. The best show is in late spring and early summer. The blooms are fewer, afterwards, but keep coming all summer and into the fall.

Hydrangea macrophylla

This is an unnamed Mophead Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). I got her from a wholesale nursery a few years ago. She is planted at my front door so it is the first thing that I see when I go to work every morning. Hydrangea is my dad's favorite flower, and it’s easy to see why!

Stokesia laevis 'Peachie's Pick'

This Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis) sings in the garden. The color is indescribable and almost unphotographable. It is supposed to be short lived but has been returning for me year after year. Last year however it did not bloom and I thought she was fizzling out on me, but she's back this year standing strong and bold!

Canna 'lucifer'

The name of this Canna scares me! Tis true that the red and yellow are like burning coals, but did they have to name it the 'the name that shall not be spoken!" I do love this Canna though in spite of its name. It stands about two feet and the blooms are huge and wonderful.

6/01/08

Lagerstroemia indica ‘New Orleans’

I bought four miniature Crepe Myrtles (Lagerstroemia) about four years ago. This one is named 'New Orleans.' It is supposed to grow three feet tall, but is up to four feet this year. Miniature Crepe Myrtles are great for garden beds. Once the weather heats up, they take off. They provide color while Roses are resting. I love the purple color of this one! Purple is my step-mother's favorite color, so I made a birthday card out of this image for her birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Charlotte!