Stunners

At this time of year weeds are taking over and it is easy to lose sight of the beauty that is still all around.  This is an altered form of Summersweet but it does have its charm.  Smaller than the white flowered native plant and later to bloom, it does shine.  We chose to move runner plants of this variety to the garden down by the road rather than the native form.  Color was felt necessary to catch the eyes of the people speeding by.  Now a huge Siberian Iris has all but hidden the Clethra from road view.

Ruby Spice remains a primarily white flowered plant with less prominent brown pollen.  Some feel that the brown detracts from the impression created by so many white flowers in the natural plant.  Here the ruby pink softens the impact of the pollen.  Since we have both there is no need to limit ourselves to just one.  Natural has its appeal but this modified version certainly stands out.

Marque Moon is new to us this year.  Colored ruffled edges, fragrance and a yellow throat certainly catch and hold the eye.  Most of our daylilies have finished flowering by now.  We will watch to see if this one remains a late bloomer after it settles in to its new home here.

Spring Fling is in its second year here.  Becky finds the smooth transition from yellow to peach elegant.  The modest pie crust petal edges only add to the classy presentation.  Biting insects drove me away before a scent check could be completed.

Beauty In The Wild Garden

Our garden is wild this year.  Grasses, weeds, Japanese beetles and deer that think we are the intruders have things in disarray.  All the rain has helped to encourage the wildness.  Many plants are taller than I am.  A mouse keeps building a nest in the engine of the garden tractor.  Weeds are growing everywhere.  Green beans, squash, peppers, basil, potatoes, onions, tomatoes... are all waiting to be harvested.  Worst of all Ed has hurt his back.  Just the same the scent of fragrant Gladiolas fills the air.  The purple and pink gladiolas and the snapdragons are putting on a terrific show.  Perhaps you can ignore the goldenrod in the background!

For a purple fan like me these tall stately, elegant flowers are a very special treat.  The pinks and purples are no accident.  Ed knows they are my favorite and the Acidanthera bicolor  lends a lovely fragrance to the group.  The snapdragons have been blooming for a long time. I love tall snapdragons because if you cut them back they rebloom till frost.

Most of my double pink poppies have gone to seed by now, but a few late bloomers here and there add their beauty to the chaos of the other self seeders around them.

 These asters look great. They have shot right past the Gloriosa Daisies leaving them in the shade.  Not all of Ed's asters look this great, but we are talking about beauty here!

I honestly think this is the most beautiful daylily I have ever seen. The peach and gold seem to light up in the sunlight.  It was sold to us as "Spring Fling" and apparently it is not.  Spring Fling is supposed to be pink and Ed knows I like pink, but whatever name  this flower may have, I think it is strikingly beautiful. It has a soft fragrance and a glow that can be seen from inside the house.  It's golden glow and perfect petals last just one day but perfection is rarely achieved and seldom lasts.