Perennials

The Sweetest Plant of Spring

| Flower Roberts

I love all my plants, but some are easier to love than others.

This yellow Epimedium is a treasure. It requires only one thing, to be cut back in early March.

It likes shade. Can handle any water requirements, but appreciates moisture and light mulch.

The blooms are nothing short of magical. They are tiny, complex and delicate.

The yellow type blooms first. My white is compact, but worth bending down to admire.

The orange Epimedium blooms last. It is gorgeous.

Epimediums are hard to find, but worth the hunt.

Yellow Epimedium

Once you have one, you will understand why it is a favorite.

Flower

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

I Love Foxgloves

| Flower Roberts

I could not let May end without mentioning my foxgloves.

I consider them fascinating.

Each thimble is designed to guide a bee into it.

The spots inside are like little landing lights.

The tall spikes of blooms and fluffy leaves below create perfect balance.

I have planted them many places from which they disappear, only to reappear somewhere else.

Digitalis purpurea

Seeds sown in the fall will sprout in spring and bloom a year later.

They are self-sowing biennials. Enjoy them wherever they choose to grow.

Flow

Garden TuTu

| Flower Roberts

There is a pink tutu dancing in my garden.

Be not afraid. I am not gardening in tulle.

It’s my Pink Muhly Grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris.

The wind is blowing and it is putting on a show.

The sun makes it sparkle.

Just when most perennials are headed off stage, here comes ‘Miss Muhly’ dancing in her pink tutu.

What a great show in the garden.  Bravo!

FLOW

Orange Phlox on the Rocks

| Flower Roberts

Here is that color again. Orange, but not orange.

I think the pink eye plays tricks on the human eye.

The name on the tag is ‘Orange Perfection’ garden phlox by Garden Rich.

It does not stand up straight like some phlox or creep along on the ground like other phlox.

It reclines on the rocks.

I like the contrast between the orange and gray.

I like its cascading to soften the rock edges.

I got this right by accident.  Phlox on the rocks serendpity.

Flow

Popping in with Star Double Pop Star

| Flower Roberts

We are fine. Much has transpired. Staying safe is not easy. Please follow precautions.

I wanted to share this gorgeous dianthus from the fairy garden.

It is magical!

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This is Star Double Pop Star Dianthus.

This is its second year in this location.

It seems to be very happy here.

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I hope all of you are able to stay well.

Wash hands, wear a mask, social distancing, stay home…you know the drill.

I miss us.

Flow

A Mountain Town

| Flower Roberts

Blowing Rock is full of flowers.

I always look forward to strolling along while enjoying the lovely combinations.

There are planters and gardens everywhere.

September is especially lovely because of the cool weather.

There are many places to eat, shop or people watch.

Blowing Rock is a charming little mountain town.

I am always inspired by my visits there.

Flower

Named After its Food

| Flower Roberts

How would you like to be named after your favorite food?

Ms. Chocolate Eclair? Mr. Potato Chip? Mrs. Pimento Cheese?

Well someone named these bugs after their food, Large Milkweed Bug.

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Its Latin name is not much better, Oncopeltus fasciatus. That sounds like a disease!

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I found these on my Butterfly weed which is in the Milkweed family.

Here is an adult on a seed pod.

These nymphs do not have wings yet.

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They are the same color as the Asclepias blooms.

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Is this camouflage? I doubt it.

You are what you eat. These are toxic due to the milk weed seeds that they ingest.

They don’t need to hide.

Flower (Ms. Mongolian Beef)