06/29/08

Lagerstroemia indica 'Cordon Bleu'

This dwarf Crepe Myrtle is planted in one of the backyard borders. It glows when in bloom and sets everything off around it. I love that Crepe Myrtles really take off during the hottest part of the season. You can always depend on them to provide lots and lots of color while three digit temperatures inhibit the blooms of other less heat tolerant plants. The bluish cast of this one is like a cool drink in the summer sun!

06/26/08

CENTRAL GARDEN OF THE GETTY CENTER, LOS ANGELES

I recently took a vacation in California. Out of all the gardens I saw, the Central Garden of the Getty Center was my favorite. These are a few images. To read about the gardens go to:

http://www.getty.edu/visit/see_do/gardens.html

06/12/08

Monarda 'Jacob Kline'/Chasmanthium latifolium

The Bee balm (Monarda) is in bloom and the Inland Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) have begun to develop their seed heads. They live in part of my shade garden. The red flowers pop against all the green foliage.

06/12/08

Hemerocallis DOUBLE CUTIE

This is a double daylily (hererocallis) called 'Double Cutie.' She is just that! It took a few years for this one to take off. It has an average repeat, but the blooms are amazing!

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!