Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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!

16 comments:

Emily said...

those foxtail lillies are so stunningly beautiful! i love the last photo especially--great lighting. what's wrong with purple clematis? i think it's fabulous.

Rosemary said...

Wonderful blossoms. The foxtail lily is obviously very happy in your garden... The poppies are gorgeous....

Becca's Dirt said...

Happy summer to you too. Love the iris - stunning color. I'm in awe over the Foxtail Lilies. Never seen them before. How tall are they? Gorgeous poppies - I like the frilly petals. Beautiful post.

Kathleen said...

omg, Victoria! Your foxtail lilies put mine to shame! What an incredible display & you photographed them beautifully. I think mine get too much shade & water but at least they're alive, right? I would love to have them self sow but I haven't seen that happen yet (of course, I cut the bloom stalks off after they finish blooming so I'm not helping!)
The iris is striking too. Mine are almost over but I don't have any as gorgeous as the one you posted.
I'm jealous your Abraham Darby is blooming already. I'm waiting for him here ~ there are buds but none far enough along to open yet. Isn't he the most beautiful rose??
You will love clematis integrefolia ~ I have moved mine with me the past four times I've relocated!
Your garden is fantastic. So glad I started my day at your blog!!!

Randy Emmitt said...

Kim and Victoria,

The fox tail lilies are stunning show stoppers for sure. Tried two of the two years ago, barely much the first year and one returned this year with a fizz. The poppies are also really eye catching and the rose is just what I would want in a rose.

GRACE PETERSON said...

Your eremurus grouping is absolutely stunning. It's the best I've seen. And that purple iris is just delicious. Great photos.

MA said...

My eremurus are a little shorter than usual this year. I grow the same variety. LOVE that color. I think the tired seed heads look great! Did your seiboldii clematis bloom yet?

garden girl said...

Lots of stunners in your garden! Of course the foxtail lilies, and those poppies are gorgeous, and Abraham Darby - wow!

Glad you're enjoying the geranium! I love the foliage at least as much as the blooms. I so enjoy working around 'Biokovo.' Just brushing against the foliage is enough to release it's delicious, spicy scent.

François Xavier said...

ton jardin est magnifique comme toujours... que de belles fleurs !
bisous
François,

Capucyne said...

Magnifique jardin, de la rose aux pavots dentelés!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Your garden is looking amazing! I love, love, love the foxtail lilies. I've never grown them but would love to try the same one you have. Poppies are beautiful too! Is the osteospermum barberiae a perennial type or an annual? I like the color combo of the bloom...

Capucyne said...

Je ne connais pas cette fleur mais cette couleur pêche est fantastique!

Lona said...

What a gorgeous Iris. I love the shading of the purple on it. I think the clematis is very pretty with its double petals too. And now I have poppy envy. LOL! The Foxtail lilies are just the prettiest things. I had two yellow ones last year but they never came back this summer. Maybe they rotted from all of the rain. Your pink ones are much more lovelier though.

mmichele said...

gorgeous flowers. i am always jealous of your garden and your zone!

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Anonymous said...

Hi Victoria!

I want to order some Foxtail Lilies this fall and I remembered yours. Do you know the variety of your lilies? They are so beautiful I would like to try that variety...