Author: Flower Roberts

Changing Hydrangeas

| Flower Roberts

June is also the month the Hydrangeas bloom in North Carolina.

I have three types which have different bloom configurations.

Big-leaf/panicle Hydrangeas have pom-pom blooms.

My ‘Glory Blue’ has never been true blue no matter what I do.

My lacecap with variegated leaves is true blue,

unless it is purple…

or even pink!

Do not bother lecturing me on soil pH or hybridization.

The rules get broken here. I am puzzled by my hydrangeas.

Except for the Oakleaf Hydrangea, which I can always count on to be white…

until it turns pink.

Hi Ho Hydrangeas!

FLOW

Two Other Bright White Lilies

| Flower Roberts

The Easter lilies are not the only white lilies shining on this cloudy day.

I also have a Gentle Shepherd daylily given to me by my sister-in-law, Dana.

It is a slow grower, so I do not share this one often.

My Navona lily has dark pollen which makes its face striking.

This corner was supposed to be only Navona, but…

As luck would have it,

this tall gorgeous yellow arrived in the package with the Navonas by accident.

I am a fan of white flowers, especially at dusk.

FLOW

Easter Lilies Bloom in June

| Flower Roberts

There are white trumpets scattered throughout my garden.

These are the remnants of Easters past.

These Lilium longflora serve as the “rice between spice” during daylily season.

Even I get a bit overwhelmed with the colorful chaos of June.

The Easter lilies seem to glow on cloudy days.

Their pollen looks like gold dust and spreads like it.

These lilies are POISONOUS to pets, so keep them out of reach inside and away from the pet pen.

My family was gifted this one by a dear friend from our church.

It is exactly like the others, but this one, “Pat’s Lily,” is my favorite.

FLOW

Through Purple to Orange

| Flower Roberts

I love this combination. It is colorful chaos and breaks rules.

Maybe that’s why I love it.

The tall Verbena bonariensis should be in the back, but it moved to the front.

Verbena bonariensis

At least Asclepias tuberosa has stayed in it’s place.

Asclepias tuberosa / Butterfly weed

I noticed some tiny brown grenades (frass) on its leaves.

Follow the poop to the pupa.

I am happy to see these.

They will by Monarch butterflies in a bit.

I consider butterflies airborne flowers.

Through the purple to the orange you will find someone wearing yellow with black stripes.

That will someday change to an orange and black ensemble and fly away.

My garden amazes me.

Flow

Rose Loves Lilies

| Flower Roberts

My daughter Rose has her own garden.

There is one Rose in it, but Rose loves lilies.

Her Asiatics are blooming now.

She has many different colors.

Her new addition is this lovely pink lily.

I guess I should have named her Lily instead.

Flow

Rhipsalis Blooms Yellow

| Flower Roberts

I have had this lovely plant for years.

Rhipsalis

It decided to bloom this spring.

I was delighted to see these sunny yellow flowers appear.

The yellow blooms and pink fruit are bonuses.

I bought it for its lovely green segments.

Hooray Rhipsalis!

Circles and my Spy Chair

| Flower Roberts

I needed a free-form trellis for the back corner of the carport.

That is where my favorite Spy Chair is positioned.

It’s hard to spy in plain view.

Last year I hung a tacky mixture of things for Climbing Okra to cling to.

This year I wanted all circles. I had some peony support circles and some needle-work frames.

I found more bamboo circles on the internet. I connected all these with zip ties.

The vine of choice this year is Flying Saucer morning glories.

My neighbor Nancy saw me constructing my Spy Blind of circles to hide behind.

“What if I’m talking about you?” she asked. “I’ll listen.” was my reply.

We joke about reading each others mail, too.

FLOW

Reds, Whites and Picotee

| Flower Roberts

This title seems like the post will be about wines.

Instead it is the last post about my many amaryllis blooms.

Long ago Red Lion was one of only a few choices.

There were whites without names.

Now there are dozens of hybrids to choose from.

Picotee has the quiet beauty that compliments the reds and the whites at our small pond.

This is another favorite of mine. It deserves a closer look.

The reds and whites are my oldest amaryllis. Not showy, but steadfast.

Picotee is a new addition to the collection.

Picotee Amaryllis

Flow

Fake Coyotes

| Flower Roberts

My neighbors do not like wildlife.

They really hate Canada geese and their babies.

So in addition to caution tape and reflectors along their shoreline,

They have added two fake/dead/stuffed coyotes from McNeely Pest Control.

We have real coyotes here, so I am excited to see how this turns out. I may have to get out the Critter Cam.

Stay tuned.

FURIOUS FLOW