05/26/10

Orange Echinacea etc.

I have to admit I have a thing for orange flowers. No matter how often I see them, I always think they are just a little more unique than all the other colored flowers. I must not be alone, because the popularity of orange Coneflowers has recently become enormous. I am keeping my pink Coneflowers separate from the orange. The orange reside in the front garden and the pink in the back. Soon the orange Daylilies will be bloom along with the orange Coneflowers. I'm a tad anxious!

05/25/10

Hydrangea

I got this hydrangea a few years ago from a wholesale nursery that also sales plants on the side to the general public. I do not know which hybrid it is, but I know it is definitely hardy and never fails to produce gorgeous flowers. I've had some 'big name' hydrangeas that have either died or haven't been reliable bloomers. I can always depend on 'Pink Lady' the name I've given her.

05/24/10

Red Hot Pokers

These beauties show up every year right when the Spring weather is changing into Summer brutality. I guess you'd expect 'Red Hot Pokers' to be, well, HOTTT!

05/21/10

 

Yarrow, Lantana and Wildflowers

I've devoted one of my front garden beds to wildflowers this year. It is to be a Rose garden someday but for now I thought I'd fill it in with flowers from the prairies . I ordered seeds of 'Summer Pastels' and 'Summer Berries' Yarrow. They grew nicely for me, but I didn't get to see blooms until this Spring. I'm very happy with the outcome. The larkspur etc. were from seeds tossed out last fall.

Last year this bed had two Wichita Blue Junipers growing that were finally getting about six feet tall. The heavy snow storm last winter however deformed them beyond recognition. I decided to pull them out and re-think the bed. Although I've grown wildflowers in this bed before, I haven't let them grow with such abandon. Driving up to the house, this is the first bed you see to the garden. I hope it says 'WELCOME.'

05/18/10

Cilantro and Parsley

Cilantro and Parsley love the cool weather. Cilantro gives up when the temps get too extreme. Parsley can keep on going. When they bolt and decide to produce seed, the flowers are gossamer beauties! I like the white of the cilantro with the green of the parsley. I haven't made a bouquet from them but I ought to.

05/17/10

Louisiana Iris (Black Gamecock)

I had this Iris growing in a pot in my little container pond. Somehow it leaped down to the ground and grew like gangbusters. Truthfully, I planted one that had fallen off of the mother plant. I can't believe in such a short amount of time how much it has multiplied. It's nice to have these bloom after the German Iris have all finished their show. Other than needing lots of water, they are pretty carefree.

05/14/10

'The Fairy' Rose and 'Red Cascade' Rose

Every May I look forward to the 'Red Cascade' and climbing The Fairy' Rose to bloom together on the same arbor. There is something romantic and Victorian about the scene.