Author: Flower Roberts

Light Peach & Dusty Plum

| Flower Roberts

My two favorite colors together is a strange mix. I would never have considered them paired until plants did it.

This is the third time that I have found them together.

I did not mean to purchase a plant this year, only pine needles. But when my heart jumps, my purse opens.

This is the ONLY plant that I have bought this year. I know that is hard to believe. There is a story…maybe a book?

Who can ignore a name like ‘Peachie Keen’ when one sees it?

The second example is budded up and will bloom in a few weeks. The first will come last, hopefully it will bloom again soon.

Stay tuned!

FLOW

The Color That Gets Me

| Flower Roberts

This is my color of dreams. I am obsessed.

Call it salmon, coral or peach.

It draws me toward it whether food, flower, clothes or jewels.

This color speaks to my soul.

It catches light and makes it magic.

South Seas daylily

If you know of a flower this color, send me its name.

FLOW

Fore Bitten Blooms

| Flower Roberts

The deer came during the night and nibbled the buds off before some daylilies bloomed.

I can tell which types are the tastiest because the entire plant is mostly decapitated stalks.

They do not just eat buds, whole arrays of open flowers are devoured.

CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO ENLARGE. ( Lavender Rainbow, Peacock Alley, Moonlit Masquerade, Dixie Boy, Strutters Ball, Yabba Dabba Doo, Mabel Nolan, Good Shepherd, Appolodorus, Sebastian, Smoky Mountain Autumn, Purple Pinwheel and Daring Deception as feature)

At least I still have daylily photos to enjoy!

I took down my hanging fence rings for a photo shoot and failed to replace them. I also needed to purchase more green poles. No need now. I have plenty. Hi Ho

I do not mind sharing, but sometimes my wild friends are a bit greedy.

I guess this colorful smorgasbord is irresistible.

FLOW

Cardoon Drama

| Flower Roberts

The most dramatic plant in my gardens in June is the giant Cardoon.

Its purple tufts are finally emerging from the artichoke-like buds.

These buds are bigger than my fist. The plant is taller that I am by at least a foot.

Its other names are Artichoke Thistle and Cynara cardunculus.

Cardoon/Artichoke thistle/Cynara cardunculus

Most parts of this plant can be eaten if prepared correctly. I have not tried it.

It thrives on this slope in full sun.

I got this from my friend the Fairy. No wonder it is magical.

Flower

Seeding While Feeding

| Flower Roberts

There is more to a poppy than a lovely flower.

Bill Troutman poppy popping open

The poppy bloom makes a pod full of seeds.

I leave the pods up as long as I can for the Goldfinches.

They come every spring to rip open the pods.

They make happy little squeaks as they eat the tiny black seeds.

Many seeds fall to the ground. I have quit saving and sowing Bill Troutman poppy seeds.

I know that the Goldfinches will do some seeding while feeding.

This is a magical cycle involving birds and seeds.

A circle of red and gold.

Flow

The Humble Hoya

| Flower Roberts

Why does the Hoya hang its head and hide its pretty face?

These beautiful umbels must be lifted to appreciate the wax-like flowers.

Hoya carnosa/wax plant

Another name for this type of plant is wax plant. They are named for Thomas Hoy from England.

These epiphytes look right at home hanging from the branches of trees.

During the winter, they hang in my laundry room.

FLOW

The Wrongs of Man

| Flower Roberts

I try to keep my angst and anger off my blog. There is too much of it everywhere.

Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by wrongs… drowning in wrongs.

This weekend was one of those times. Man against nature. Man against man.

Some wrongs cannot be righted,

but we must try…

Here is an elk by the side of a busy highway eating Kudzu with a fake wreath stuck on an antler.

Count the wrongs if you like.

I will add it was in Cherokee, NC.

We visited the brilliantly designed Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

Go when it is not crowded. Listen to every word, read each placard, study each diorama and photo.

Slowly walk through a history of a beautiful nation and some wrongs that cannot be righted,

but we must try.

Be careful with each decision. Everything matters.

What you say, what you buy, what you eat, what you leave lying around…

FLOW

A Garden Full of Life

| Flower Roberts

A garden full of life requires more than good soil and enough water.

It requires an open heart and an open mind.

It must be a welcoming place to wildlife.

Hungry visitors must be gently guided to other plants.

It must be a haven for plants and animals.

It must be full of love, not hate. (even for snakes)

A garden full of life requires quiet, slow movements.

The rhythms must not be disturbed.

Patience and guidance are provided instead of rigid control.

The sounds should be natural by nature, not loud and startling.

A garden full of life is a balanced garden, friendly to flora and fauna.

nature

A garden full of life is a garden full of love.

FLOWER