Infrequently, we find a freak in the garden.
The latest was found yesterday.
I mean an irregularly formed flower.
Sometimes calla blooms curl down as they get heavy with seed or full of water.
A normal bloom looks like this from the top. A folded spathe around a spadix.
I went to stake a droopy Hot Chocolate bloom back up and found a surprise.
The bloom included a double spathe.
FLOWER loves her freaks, too.
The lovely flowers of Belamcanda chinensis are always welcome, no matter where they show up.
This is an iris relative. Its leaves are very similar to an iris, except they fan out from a central stem.
The name comes from the black seed clusters that resemble blackberries. (Not pictured)
There is a wide range of colors. They have mixed over the years.
I love their wiry, tall stalks and the butterfly-like flowers.
Upon close inspection you can see their pretty little spots.
Easy to grow, propagate and move. Just don’t eat the seeds.
FLOWER
Peachie’s Pick Stokes Aster/ Stokesia laevis is really showing off right now.
This wonderful plant has ragged purple blooms.
that are popular with bees and butterflies.
I have divided it over the years.
It seems to thrive in any sunny location.
FLOWER
I am all about the plant. I plant them where they will thrive. If they don’t do well in one spot, I move them.
I do this over and over. So when a lovely combination occurs, it is usually serendipity rather than skillful selection.
Here are some combinations that I find fortuitous. I can’t take any credit for the mixes and matches. I will, however, take full credit for the health of each plant. They are my babies, along with the bunnies.
FLOWER goes with the flow.
Montbretia ‘Lucifer’ is a Crocosmia crocosmiiflora.
Lucifer I love. The flowers could not be a brighter red.
The leaves are a lovely fan of green beneath the tall stalks of buds and blooms.
The structure of the bloom stalk is geometrically balanced and crazy pretty.
This is a must for any border or bank in June and July.
FLOWER
The colors just keep coming, even in this heat.
Bless these seven beautiful bloomer
I have circled the gardens every morning with my camera.
We have had some rain, so there are many blooms.
I have several more and some Spiders to share next week.
I am also spying on a little critter. I hope to post about it soon. Suspense!
FLOWER
I have experienced this recurring dream since childhood.
There is a glistening lake with an island in the middle.
I walk around and around the lake on a sandy path.
There are beautiful flowers all along the path, but I want to go to the island.
I look at the island from all sides, but I cannot get across the silver lake.
On the island there are green trees and beautiful flowers.
Even the water is full of flowers.
There is a single swan silently swimming.
I want it to take me across, but it flies away.
The little bass fish make pebble nests all around the lake and guard the perimeter,
like swimming sentries.
I longingly look at the bird sunning its wings on the island.
If only I had wings to fly.
If only. If only…
FLOWER wants to FLY
I have always dreamed of having a farm, so I love visiting them.
I envy the space and the history that goes along with a family farm.
Jimmy’s family has been on this farm for generations.
Joyce and Jimmy now grow hay and daylilies and keep a number of animals.
I love visiting anytime, but June is the most beautiful month for daylilies.
They have over 300 varieties. They no longer sell them. They are trying to get their numbers down to a manageable amount.
If you have daylilies, you know that many need dividing to keep blooming. I can’t imagine the work involved in keeping this many.
I walked through rainbows of color last week. Here are just a few of the flowers.
I must include some of the animals. Their horses were running too fast for photos because they were being chased by Tank, the donkey who likes to bite their backsides.
I did get to pet the goats.
I love chicken noises. These are young ones.
This little rooster was trying to crow. No noise came out. It was so cute!
FLOWER wants a FARM!
I have hovered over this plant for months. It is an Artichoke thistle or Cardoon. Its scientific name is Cynara cardunculus. It may be a pest in some locations, so it is best not to let it set seed.
I got it from my friend the fairy.
It started out last fall in a three inch pot. It has spread out and reached up until it is taller than I am.
Now its artichoke-like blooms have sent up their purple tufts.
The bees love the blooms as much as I do.
The buds may be eaten like an artichoke.
The stems may be eaten like celery after braising and/or steaming. Even the root can be boiled and eaten. I prefer to just feast on it with my eyes.
I am proud of my giant baby.
FLOWER
floweralley 