Saturday, June 22, 2013

Superlative gardening

Please forgive me if I get a little over-the-top with excitement sometimes. It's just that I wait all year for the kind of weather and plant intensity that summer brings, and I tend to get carried away with some of the daily developments.

Like my Yucca rostrata: Yesterday, after having looked at the light green topknot it's been sporting for over a month, it suddenly occurred to me that there might be something else going on! Could my young plant actually be getting ready to bloom? There was a hard core at the center of the unfurling leaves. Might that be a potential FLOWER STALK?  I was suddenly dizzy with the thought!

A quick check-in with the Oregon Gardeners group on Facebook seemed to indicate that my plant is pretty young to be blooming, and that other species are doing similar things not related to blooming behavior, as well. But what potential! What excitement!

I bought a fabulously bargain-priced Callistemon 'Woodlander's Hardy Red' earlier this year at Fry Road Nursery. It was big, but in a very small pot and very pot-bound when I got it out and into the ground. I worried that it might not do well, even with amended drainage and plenty of TLC. Just this week I detected the first of its characteristic red bottlebrush flowers beginning to show color. SUCCESS! I have wanted this plant in my garden for years and it's finally mine - and blooming!


The summer oranges that I adore in my garden are beginning to come on strong.

Here's Kniphofia 'Timothy', adding THE BEST salmony-orange note under the 'Natchez' crape myrtle.

And one of my very favorite summer bloomers, an Agastache that I never see elsewhere, but a color that is PEFECTION in my garden,  A. 'Acapulco Orange'. The florets are a fascinating combination of orange and a dusky pink. It's just beginning to open now, but later in summer, the local bees validate my belief that if you only have one agastache, this is THE ONE.

I'm LOVING my spiky Eryngium forest this time of year. Backing up Zantedeschia 'Flame', starting from the left are,  E. variifolium, E. giganteum, with E. planum 'Jade Frost' just leaning in from the right. As an additional testimonial to their spiny wonderfulness, I haven't seen any neighbor cat activity sullying this part of the garden, either: Win-Win!

This week I have an GORGEOUS PROFUSION of Acanthus blooms, with A. mollis and A. spinosa blooming their little hearts out in the Tropical Fusion area of my back garden. And I love their foliage just as much as I do their stately flower bracts.

All in all, this time of year in the garden is made for superlatives. And, yes, you are completely forgiven if you also find yourself using them to describe thrilling new developments in your garden. Because given our perfect climate, amazing plant options, fascinating nurseries, and superb gardening conditions, I can't understand how you could do ANYTHING else.

20 comments:

  1. You need never apologize for giddiness in June, Your Royal Orangeness. I have 'Acapulco Orange', now the search will be on for 'Timothy' and Geum 'Totally Tangerine'...please inform of any sightings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha! I command you all to call me Your Royal Orangeness from now on! Seriously, I can divide Timothy this fall, and you are first on the list.

      Delete
  2. Now that summer is here things start happening fast and furious out there! I can totally understand your excitement. Congrats on the Callistemon flowers. I bought the same one last year and nearly killed it by forgetting to water it in its pot. It's still alive, but not a sign of flowers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are in the same boat, Alison, as my C. viridiflorus is showing ZERO sign of bloom.

      Delete
  3. Wow seeing your Yucca rostrata in that photo I can certainly understand why you think a flower might be on the way...and your Callistemon 'Woodlanders Hardy" looks fabulous, I think it's the sister to my blooming plant in the front garden (also from Fry Road). I love this time of year, especially because so much sunshine and warm weather lies ahead...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good Old Fry Road Nursery. I have Grace to thank for that tip!

      Delete
  4. I'm excited for you! And for me. And for all if use. So much goodness still lies ahead of us, hooray!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like to see I'm encouraging maximum use of exclamation points (!!!)

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on your precocious Yucca! You must have raised it well. And that Calistemon - you gave it a good home and it has rewarded you! I can see you like red!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like red, Jason, but I like orange even more!

      Delete
  6. HOORAY! Ain't summer grand? Great reasons for giddiness & I'm excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have so many cool plants, that I'm starting to re-think some of the stuff growing in my precious spaces... That Callistemon is beautiful, and I love color of the Kniphofia. We obviously share the love for fiery, orangey reds! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. You go girl! Get your giddiness on and keep on truck'n. It's a fantastic time of year :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jennifer. I am euphoric this time of year, and it looks like it's rubbing off on a few - like you!

      Delete
  9. Gorgeous. Can't wait to see it all in person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looking forward to sharing it with you, Patricia!

      Delete

Thank you in advance for jumping through the annoying but necessary word verification hoop to leave your thoughts!