Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - July 2015

It's only mid-July and already it feels (and looks) almost like late August in the garden. The month of June brought high temperatures with no rain, and now in mid-July we are parched and dry in Portland, Oregon. But that won't stop the blooms, although some are significantly earlier than normal, and many that are almost done were in their full glory this time last year.

Like Kniphofia 'Timothy', whose salmon-colored blooms have gone from over a dozen at a time to just a few trailers. The hummers are still interested in them, though.

Helenium 'Moorheim Beauty' is not as full this year. It's a plant I rarely water and I think the early drought affected it.

It's the month for Crocosmia. Here, the last flowers on C. 'Lucifer'.

Crocosmia 'Corona', my favorite (but don't tell the others.)

I'm drawing a blank on this Crocosmia. I think I remember moving it last year, but then it didn't bloom. It certainly is a beautiful, clear, tangerine-red this year.

Eucomus comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy'. The flower stems are always darker on this plant -

- than on this one that gets more sun. But the florets are pinker on this one.

In the same bed, Echinops ritro is blooming with its fascinating spherical flower heads.

More semi-spheres are represented by Eryngium 'Jade Frost'.

And more blue here in Salvia 'Black and Blue'.

Trachelospermum jasminoides is still blooming at the top of the plant.

Limonium speciosum 'Blue Diamond' is past its prime, but adds a frothy touch of blue.

Erigeron glaucas, perking up the Northwest Territory.

Also in the NW Territory, this native Penstemon that I always ID incorrectly - I'm not even going to try this month. I'll just admire its Hummingbird-attracting tubular flowers.

It's not in the ground yet, but I had to include my new Sphearalcea 'Newleaze Coral' from Xera Plants. Such a great color!

I like how Bloom Day helps me notice the tiny flowers of Sagina subulata.

And the even tinier flowers on a volunteer patch of Corsican Mint.

Bloom Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Join her to see a multitude of fascinating blooms from all over this month.

Happy Bloom Day!

Wednesday Vignette - simple perfection

I came upon this unplanned arrangement this morning in the Northwest Territory. These little Western Sword Ferns (Polystichum munitum) sprouted here below the Salal (Gaultheria shallon) with no direction or assistance from the resident gardeners. How did they manage to locate themselves so perfectly?

It's an indication of our fruitful Pacific Northwest conditions that, even with the current heat and lack of rain, these ferns happily seed and thrive. And although some local gardeners might consider them almost a weed, we are delighted to let them naturalize in their created habitat.
 
I'm joining my friend Anna at Flutter and Hum for Wednesday Vignette. See what she has posted for today here.

Wednesday Vignette - the pollinators have arrived!

I showed this huge, crazy Salvia (S. desoleana) for Bloom Day last week, noting that it didn't seem to be attracting pollinators. Well, how that has changed! This week bees, wasps and butterflies seem to hover around it constantly. One big bee has been vigorously defending "his" flowers - even against me - so much so that I couldn't get a picture of him.

In honor of last week's celebration of #PollinatorWeek, and because I think every week ought to be pollinator week, this is my image for Wednesday Vignette, hosted by the delightful Anna, of Flutter and Hum.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - June 2015

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, that celebration of all things floral at May Dreams Gardens, has come and gone for the month of June. But I was traveling, so I'll caboose onto this event a few days late to document the blooms at Longview Ranch this month.

First things first: this monster Salvia, S. desoleana, is finally blooming with big, wild, flower heads and tiny tongues of pale lavender.

So far, I haven't seen pollinators enjoying the blooms, but wouldn't you think they would make a beeline to them?

Triteleia laxa is mostly forgiven for its messy, lax leaves (could that be the genesis of the name?) when it blooms with such glorious blue abandon. (Note to self: relocate this lovely native bulb to a place where its foliage will be hidden by other plants next summer.)

It's lavender time, and several plants added years ago as space fillers still earn their keep when they bloom.

Variety names are long-since forgotten, but their scent lives on.

Callistemon 'Woodlander's Hardy Red' has been putting on a show for several weeks.

The neighbor's Bignonia brightens up the north end of our lot. It's a welcome hit of orange in that mostly utilitarian part of our backyard. (correction: this is Campsis radicans. Seems I mixed up my orange-flowered vines.)

Then, when you come around the corner to our back patio, this Clivia miniata is doing its bit to promote the appreciation of green and orange together.

Out in the sun again, Kniphofia 'Timothy' is just beginning to bloom.

The scent from two plantings of Trachelospermum jasminoides drifts in through our open windows this time of year.

Rosa 'Darlow's Enigma' is coming back strong from a major pruning last year.

Libertia peregrinans 'Bronze Sword' is loving our early heat.

Feverfew fills in a dry spot under the big Ceanothus.

Lewisia columbiana var. rupicola is still blooming after all the other showier Lewisias have finished.

My former mystery plant, the mullein (Verbascum thapsis) is blooming way up in and under the Trachycarpus fortunei.

Lastly, I'm sorry to report that Halimium ocymoides isn't long for this world. Most of the plant died back and has been pruned back, but I had to share and enjoy these last few yellow blossoms before reluctantly giving it the coup de grace.

Although I'm late for June's Bloom Day, it is celebrated at May Dreams Gardens on the 15th of each month. Pay Carol a visit there to find out how to join in.

Happy Garden Bloggers Bloom Day!

Coming next weekend: the ANLD garden tour

This past week, I enjoyed a preview of the 11th annual Association of Northwest Landscape Designers Garden Tour happening a week from today, on Saturday June 20, from 10am to 4pm.

If you've been thinking about a yard makeover, are curious about how a professional Landscape Designer can help you achieve a beautiful outdoor space, or if you just like to enjoy Portland gardens, then this is the tour for you.

Eight beautifully designed gardens run the gamut from modern spaces,

- to shady glens,

- to accessible gardens designed for aging in place,

- to wonderful food garden options. There's literally something for everyone on this tour.

In one garden, an admitted plant collector shows how a diverse group of plants can be unified and celebrated.

In another, beautifully-designed details make a simple path special.

Cor-ten steel figures large in one of the gardens, both for food and ornamental plantings.

Clever plant choices light up a shady spot in this garden.

And with Portland weather always a factor, each garden designer has provided spaces to enjoy the sun and the shade.

Containers are a big feature of some of the gardens, and they range from lush and full,

 - to xeric interpretations, perfectly placed in the sun.

For those that like things on the wild side, there's even a meadow, complete with leaping salmon.

Tickets for the self-guided tour are $25, and proceeds benefit the ANLD scholarship program for
aspiring landscape designers. While they last, tickets are available from these independent garden centers: Al's Garden Center - Sherwood location, Cornell Farm, Garden Fever!, Gardener's Choice and Portland Nursery - check before you go. They're also available at the first and last garden on the tour - details here.

Between the ANLD designers and the generous sponsors, they have put together a delightful summer garden tour for your pleasure. So far, the weather is looking perfect for next weekend -  I hope you enjoy the tour as much as I did!