Bloomin'

Lately we've been in the garden like crazy. And it feels sooooo good! There's been weeding to be done, moving things around, adding plants; the usual.

Right now what's blooming;







Abraham Darby, planted last year. Huge blooms. Very nice. I have it growing on a trellis with Clematis 'Viticella Polish Spirit' which has yet to bloom but is growing like crazy. I think these two will eventually be a nice combo.









Geranium 'Biokovo', recommended by Garden Girl.




A geranium that does well in partial shade. Lovin' it. Nice little plant, puts out plenty of blooms and doesn't seem to ask for much in return.













Kim isn't too thrilled with purple clematis but we seem to have had this one forever and it comes back every year; Haku Ookan.


We planted Elsa Spath this year, she promises to be a beauty.
















The iris are on their way out but have been lovely and always add such a great scent. We have pink, blue, dark purple, white, light purple....so many. Love them all.



















A new plant for us this year is Purple Mountain Sun Daisy, Osteospermum barberiae var Compactum. Don't you love that color? I put in five of these this year.

The blooms aren't big but they're bright.








I planted this Clematis integrifolia in 2009. This will be its first bloom. I've read lots of great reviews of this plant.














The poppies have been thrilling us. This is 'Pink Ruffles.'




And....







In the front garden we've been enjoying Gaillardia 'Amber Wheels.' I saw some on the Garden Tour a couple of years ago and just had to have some. I planted three, this is the only one that made it.

The front garden is mostly xeric and we try not to water it much. Plants need to be able to live in that environment.










Also in the front garden Eremurus bungei (Foxtail Lilies) are just coming into bloom. These bulbs will multiply and need to be divided eventually but they're so worth the trouble.














They come in a few different colors; yellow, white and this light peach.

This is our tallest grouping at around 6 feet.























The foliage is similar to large daffodil foliage. When it's finished blooming it gets ratty looking so it needs a camouflage plant.

But it's such a stunner in the garden.









Well, we're happy; summer is officially here. Happy Summer Solstice!