I always mean to participate in the monthly Bloom Day hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens, but it usually doesn't happen because 1) I only have flowers blooming six months out of the year, 2) sometimes I have another post all ready to go that week, and 3) I forget. But this week all I have to post is a bunch of pictures of flowers blooming right now . . . so I'm joining in the fun. Above is a hazy sunset photo of 'Walker's Low' nepeta, which is blooming all over my front yard right now.
Here is the VERY blue 'June to Remember' siberian iris. You know how all those catalogs cheat and make flowers look more blue than they really are? Well this one really is this blue. It's a stunner.
Here are more unnamed asiatic lilies from Lowes. They're rosy-orange. I'm proud of myself for opening up and letting orange into the color scheme.
The baby 'Rozanne' geraniums are starting to put out a few flowers. The flowers are so interesting, with shades and blue and lavender and a magenta cast that you can only see in certain types of light.
I pulled out all my normal shasta daisies because they smell bad, but this spring I planted some 'Esther Reed' double daisies. They're great for cutting - I remember how pretty they were in the giant bouquets I saw last June at Pike Place Market in Seattle. Give me an armful of peonies, delphinium, double shasta daisies, and maybe some sage, and I'll be happy all day.
My 'Clementine Blue' columbine is putting out more blooms. I have seeds to grow more but keep forgetting to plant them. I'll get that done soon, maybe.
The 'June Bride' heucheras are in full bloom. Recently I started new plants for a neighbor by cutting off some woody stems, pulling all the leaves off except a few at the top, and plunking them into potting soil in the shade. They've grown their own roots now and are doing fine. Did you know it was that easy to get new heucheras?
I'll finish with a shot of 'Rolling Cloud' siberian iris with 'Six Hills Giant' catmint in the background. The evening light makes the picture special. I keep meaning to get up and capture some morning light shots, but it gets light around 4 am this time of year, and I'm not that early of a bird. Evening light will have to be good enough for now!
Based on reading your profile, you and my friend Barbie need to meet! She likes things to look good, but she is also a voracious plant collector. Normally the collecting side wins!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! The iris and catmint make a great color combo. And the evening light really creates some atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteYour Siberian Irises are just lovely. It's amazing how truly blue they are. Thanks for the info about propagating Heucheras. I'll have to give that a try.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to read that you are 'warming up' to orange...and your lilies are beautiful plant to start with!
ReplyDeleteHooray for orange! And Purple too.
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though we have similar flowers in bloom right now -- siberian irises, geraniums, heuchera. I have very few lilies left because they suffered so much from the depredations of the deer and the red lily leaf beetle -- but I do have a stargazer that is about to open its first bloom. I do love June in the garden! -Jean
ReplyDeleteI really like that double Shasta Daisy. I pulled all my regular ones out years ago partly for the same reason, they also always were infested with bugs.
ReplyDeleteI've been adding more orange to my garden too, now I'm really drawn to it instead of everything being just pink.
The last shot is really arty and sublime! Beautiful flowers, all. Well done! Bonnie
ReplyDeleteYours is the third bloom day post I've visited with Asiatic lilies. I buy them at the farmers market as cut flowers all the time, but it never occurs to put something like that in the ground.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Bonnie, the last shot is beautiful. Makes slightly scruffy catmint look positively elegant!
You have wonderful things going on over there VW! Don't worry about how long things bloom - in the off seasons, just show whatever is going on indoors (if anything!) ha. :-)
ReplyDeleteI too have switched to the double daisies, VW. My reasons are similar to yours with the smell and similar to Catherine with the bugs. And then there is that horrid deep yellow center that I don't care for. :) Nice photos! Hooray for flowers.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found your blog - your photos are really nice! Look forward to reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteI wonder does your husband know that besides big rocks you like a handful of certain flowers and you'd be happy all day? That must be worth something to all husbands out there if only their wives were so easy to please. And here, you grow them all yourself. How wonderful! Made me smile.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I think the term cherry picker must be a regional thing. I've heard it called that and bucket truck. Either works though. Funny on your electrical worker scoffing at the idea though.