Okay, let's get the roses out of the way first.I inherited an entire hell strip full of them, and three sad-looking azaleas from the previous owner. Roses would never have been my choice in that area, but there they were and I didn't have the heart to pull them out (the azaleas, however, went as soon as possible.) I filled in with lavender and other herbs so there'd be something there in winter. The payoff is watching the multitude of neighborhood children smell everything as they walk by. The blooms are at a perfect height for toddlers.
These common callas (Zantedeschia aethiopica) were in the front yard, but we moved them to the amended beds in the "tropical" area. They are VERY happy there and beautifully lush. They're so tall they're peeking up over the window in the breakfast room.
A sweet little orange potentilla. The other one I bought at the same time has reverted to the standard intense yellow. I think it doesn't get enough sun.
I wish you could smell this dwarf Meyer lemon blossom. It's intoxicatingly sweet, and wafts toward you on the slightest breeze.
My favorite little sisyrinchium, E.K. Balls. Unfortunately, it's sterile, so to get more, I have to buy more. Not like its big sister, sisyrynchium Californicum, which freely self-seeds (how appropriate...)
The bloom day tour wouldn't be complete without a vegetable flower. This is a Brandywine tomato, a delicious heirloom variety.
And one last rose, but this is a special one: Perle d'Or. We've had this lovely little polyantha rose in a pot for at least ten years. It came to us as a cutting from Mr. Mulchmaid's great Aunt Jenny, who grew this rose at her family home in Southeast Portland for more than fifty years. It's precious to us, as are our memories of her.
Oh, it's all so gorgeous!! You must have 10 green thumbs (or is it all the mulch?)!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I just came over here (after a too-long absence, my apologies) to ask for your expertise on flower names! I've been uploading some of my photos to Flickr and I have an embarrassing number where I don't know the names. If you have the time, would you mind checking out my Flowers and Plants set in my photostream? You can get there through the link in my sidebar. Hugs!
P.S. I love the reminiscence about your great Aunt Jenny (my husband had one, too!) and her beautiful rose! I didn't know you could grow roses from cuttings!
ReplyDeleteThe best roses are those from family, I think. I have a little pink one my aunt gave me and it smells so good.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your blooms with us!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I can smell that Meyer lemon bloom all the way up here! LOL! Enjoyed your GBBD post.
ReplyDeleteHello fellow Azalea killer, I couldn't wait to get the ones I inherited outta there too! I really like the idea of the kids stopping to smell your roses, it would almost make me want to keep them too. And your Calla are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI like how you've filled in with herbs on your parking strip. I love taking up every inch of available soil like that. Your callas look great, so lush and healthy. June is such a good month.
ReplyDeleteEverything is looking so good. The roses, especially. But it is Portland.
ReplyDeleteDo you know Sisyrinchium striatum? It's a surprise, after the little blue ones. It's about a foot tall, with variegated spear-like foliage and yellow and white blooms. One of my favorites.
Lovely callas!
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