Saturday, July 16, 2011

Belated Bloom Day, July 2011

It's been a busy month at Longview Ranch. We have six visiting mammals (two adults, two children and two dogs) through the end of August, and construction continues on the rebuilding of the patio cover. Consequently my posting time has been non-existent, though I've just been able to keep up with the garden.

Luckily, the established plants aren't needing much of my care. See for yourself!


Hesperaloe parviflora.


Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is attracting droves of hummingbirds this month.

Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White' still holding out.


Beautiful green Kniphofia.

Agastache ' Acapulco Orange' is getting more robust by the week.


Eryngium planum 'Jade Frost's' blooms are maturing from silvery-white to a lovely blue.


Phygelius x rectus 'Passionate'. I never paid much attention to Cape Fuchsias in the past, but this one with its dark red foliage and deep orange blooms caught my eye last year.


Rosa 'Darlow's Enigma' is getting huge.


I'm loving Sedum 'Angelina's'  bright yellow blooms over its acid green foliage.

Zantedeschia 'Fiesta' from Joy Creek Nursery.





I was craving the scent of old-fashioned sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) earlier this year. The pastel pink, yellow and purple shown on the packaging were not my ideal choice, but the variety, 'Perfume Delight', was described as very fragrant.  Every stem that has bloomed so far is pale violet fading to white, but they do smell wonderful.

Tiny Snowberry flowers are attracting bees.

Several Origanum rotundifolium  'Kent Beauty' are adding a touch of England to my brick planters.

I don't know what possessed me to add a small orange Helianthemum 'Ben Nevis' to the the same planter - yuk! It's gotta go elsewhere, and quickly!


In another bad color moment, I realized Achillea 'Summerwine' is hanging out with a common lavender. At least one of them will be moving in the future.


Crocosmia pottsii 'Culzean Pink' flowers are definitely on the bluer side of red. If they soften to a pinker shade, I'll enjoy them even more.


Yucca 'Bright Edge' is just beginning to open its rich white blooms. I love these summer bloomers that are appearing in starring roles all over town.

Bloom Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Click on over for a look at blooms everywhere this July!


7 comments:

  1. Great photos! I think I need to look for a Crocosmia 'Culzean Pink.' What a gorgeous plant!!! Don't you love 'Darlow's Enigma'? I used to have it but it got too big for my garden. I love the way the scent of it wafts through the garden. I'm intrigued by your red-leaved Phygelius too. I hope your projects are going well.

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  2. Love all your plant choices. Phygelius and crocosmia do so well in the PNW when I saw them on a garden tour. And I'd probably pull that oregano and leave that gorgeous helianthemum. I'll be on the lookout for that one to grow with blue agaves. I've read great things about Darlow's Enigma but have never grown it for Grace's reasons.

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  3. It's the Eryngium that is giving me palpitations. The wonderful photo could have something to do with it.

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  4. Isn't it fun discovering all the bad color combinations, we make, I created a red, white, blue combo. in time for 4th July , as well... eek.
    Lovely plants you have at the moment.
    Nice to see a new home page..I use your blog roll.

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  5. Oh yes, some of those color combos don't work at all, do they? I should check my snowberry and see if I have flowers too. I like that Crocosmia 'Culzean Pink', but I am having a hard time getting 'Lucifer' to thrive, so I might have trouble with another one.

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  6. I've wondered what you've been up to! Can't wait to see the backyard once you're finished...I'm sure it will be totally worth the wait. I definitelyneed to keep an eye out for that pink Crocosmia...but might wait to see how yours do...I hope you'll post more pictures of that one. I had to laugh at your unlikely color combos...I think we've all been there! I don't mind the Achillea and Lavender...but the Oregano and the Helianthemum might be a bit much ;-)

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