Not Eating the Tigers

| Flower Roberts

I am grateful that our deer herd is not eating the tigers.

There has been quite a bit of trimming and beheading in my garden this summer. Now we have lopsided sedums and chomped-to-the-ground Rudbeckias. I also had to rescue my potted “hibiscus circus” by moving it into the fence.

I appreciate any plant that the deer find offensive, especially when it’s as gorgeous as Double Tiger Splendens.

Double Tigerlily ‘Splendens’

Peachy orange with plum-colored spots and no staining pollen. That’s a triple plus plant!

These are over four feet tall, so plant them in the back of the border. They will still be seen.

Tigers are hard to ignore…unless you are a deer.

FLOW

Stargazer Stain and Smell

| Flower Roberts

I absolutely lover Stargazer lilies. Their color and texture are hard to ignore.

Their aroma draws anything with a nose closer. It is hypnotic in nature.

But beware of getting too close while entranced. That rusty, dusty pollen has a dark secret.

It stains everything it touches. Sniffer beware.

If you want to clip some for an arrangement, it is best to snip off the stamens first.

FLOWER

The Sparks in the Parade

| Flower Roberts

A parade is a show moving by as one stands still. Spectators must pay close attention so as not to miss the small, special elements that give the whole thing its spark. My goal was to catch those jewels among the steady flow.

There is a technique to this scan and zoom kind of photography that is very dynamic compared to taking pictures of flowers in a stationary garden.

Here is a gallery of my favorite special sparks.

I love the Blowing Rock parade!

FLOW

Lucifer Steals the Show

| Flower Roberts

This Crocosmia is my absolute favorite. It blooms so prolifically that it requires support fences to hold up the flowers.

I love the symmetry which reminds me of Stealth bombers flying on stalks.

The best part about Montebretia ‘Lucifer’ is that nothing eats it.

I really love Lucifer in bloom.

FLOWER

Priscilla and the Hummer

| Flower Roberts

I have gladiolas planted in groups throughout the gardens. They are bright spots in the backgrounds of the beds.

Their form, height and colors draw the eye from far across the lawn. I have Priscillas and a mix named Mardi Gras. The pink Priscillas bloom first.

The hummingbirds are attracted to them as well.

Female hummingbird among the gladiolas.

I am glad I have glads.

FLOWER

No Fences, No Flowers

| Flower Roberts

I am home again for a day. The wedding was lovely and Rose was lovely. It was a wonderful weekend with treasured friends.

This morning I toured the gardens. I was lamenting that my beautiful flowers were in ugly fences.

Then I arrived at the spot where South Seas should have been blooming. There were empty stalks instead. I had forgotten to put its fence ring back up.

There is a lesson here. I do not like the fences. They are an ugly addition to a beautiful garden, but…

NO fences, NO flowers.

FLOW

The Dress and the Daylily

| Flower Roberts

I was out this morning photographing one of my favorite daylilies, South Seas.

As I was admiring its gorgeous color I envisioned a dress of this fabulous hue.

This reminded me that I must chose a dress to wear to Rose’s friend’s wedding this Saturday.

Rose is a bridesmaid and will be in a lovely eucalyptus green gown and gold shoes.

My dress for the event? I have chosen a midi that just happens to have that lovely color smeared on it. It’s old and its blue.

I hope it won’t be too much with red shoes!

FLOWER

One Big Devil and One Little Devil

| Flower Roberts

I was afraid that there might be NO devils in my garden this year. They were slow to show.

Finally the big devil sent up its creepy stalk and a bunch of leaves.

Then I spotted a spotted sprout.

The third little devil has not emerged yet.

I do love this weirdo plant, Amorphophallus konjac

FLOW and a weirdo