There is so much color and texture in my garden right now. So I was amazed when I went out today to take pictures for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and discovered that very few things are actually blooming. I love my garden, and I love foliage... but on days like today when I'm posting a meager list in comparison to most other North American garden bloggers, I admit that I feel a little deficient! :)
When I started taking the pictures off of my digital camera, I found that one of my attempts at photographing the lavender had instead focused on the purple-leaf salvia behind it. That seems appropriate for my garden thoughts today, don't you think?
The other thing that struck me was just how many bees I was seeing. I've noticed a lack of pollinators around these parts lately, so it was nice to see them busily flitting about. The spanish foxglove, digitalis parviflora, is one of their favorites. It's one of mine, too: dark green, almost glossy foliage, blooms in more sun or more shade, and with flowers in an unusual chocolatey orange color.Here's the rest of what's in bloom right now:
- goatsbeard 'Zweiweltenkind' (side note: I discovered in an Allan Armitage book yesterday that this cultivar name means "child of two worlds" in German)
- 'The Watchman' black hollyhocks
- 'Dortmund' climbing rose
- jackmanii clematis
- tiarellas 'Neon Lights' and 'Crow Feather'
- 'Whiskey' wax begonias
- 'Anne Greenaway' lamium
- 'Brise d'Anjou' jacob's ladder
- 'Olympic Fire' mountain laurel (almost done)
- 'Regina' heuchera'
- 'Chubby Fingers' sedum
-'Paprika' achillea
- annual purple verbena
- alchemilla mollis
- thyme and lemon thymes
Notably in bud:
- dwarf oakleaf hydrangea
- drumstick alliums
15 comments:
Textures are wonderful in the garden so you shouldn't feel at all deficient! I love the contrasting colors in your first photo. Nice combination.
Thanks for participating in Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day again! I felt like my list of flowers was skimpy, too, for this time of year. I guess I am too focused on the vegetable garden this time of year.
Kim: I think that texture is the MOST important garden feature. Flowers last so short a time and then we are left with texture to carry the day! This post is a good reminder of that. Very interesting digitalis. I haven't seen that one before. Oh dear, another for the list!
Awww Bless you Blackswamp girl.I at the moment in the flat have four flowering plants.A streptocarpus, a Jasmine (mmm smells like heaven), some Nicotiana, and a bleeding heart.Do you think a garden is primarily about flowers or foliage?Or both?
Spanish foxglove seems interesting.I admire your choice of plants.I think I learn more new plants HERE in the Blackswamp than anywhere else.Thanks!Keep your chin up Kim!:)
I like the photo too.It works well focusing behind and not in front.
Anyone who can combine foliage textures and colors the way you can doesn't even need blooms to have a gorgeous garden. Your plant combinations are some of the best around. I need a few lessons from you, I think :-)
That said, I love, love, love that foxglove! It's very unique, and if the beneficials like it, I think I definitely need one in my garden. I'll second Snappy....you're usually the one that introduces me to unusual and fabulous plants as well :-)
There definitely seems to be a lull in the flowering right now here too. I was thinking that for once I'd be on time and have my pictures up but there were few interesting flowers to take pictures of.
Your Spanish foxglove looks unusual and very interesting with the brown flowers. Subtle and you have to get right down into the flower but very nice close up. Almost like the F. uva vulpis ;)
It is frustrating when the darn auto focus doesn't work properly. I've had many pictures like yours where the subject is out of focus and the background is sharp. I've learned to take dozens of photos of the same plant and just dump the ones that don't measure up.
Interesting that you have a couple of things blooming that have finished here.
I'm having a camera problem and don't have my June Bloom Day stuff posted yet. :-(
Sometimes our cameras want to take the pictures themselves and in this case it turned out great.
And that's good news about the bees. I read about the bee problems but most garden bloggers are reporting that things are a-ok. I hope everything works out.
Kim,
Your garden flowers looked awesome. I agree with the others who say that texture and contrast are just as if not more important than blooms. It's how your garden looks when it's not in bloom.
I have you on my blogroll but couldn't find me on yours.
That is a good list of things blooming, a couple of my favorites. It is kind of a slow time. Now is the time to plan for next year at this time. Take a look around at what is blooming in your area and add a few of those things. I try (although not always successful) to think 5 seasons ahead.
I think thats is it. Its the contracting textures as muich as colours that really set a garden off, and set it apart.
Excellent post. Thanks
I agree with the others-blooms are fleeting, but the contrast and texture of foliage carry the garden all year. Great job!! My bees are present in decent numbers, too. (And not just mason bees!)
That digitalis went on my list as well. You are costing me a lot of money I hope you know.
I'm seeing quite a few bees lately. I chased one today and got some pics as a matter of fact. Busy little fellow :)
My Jackmanii clematis opened its first 3 blooms today, but Carnaby has been flowering for a few weeks. Clematis is a big favorite of mine.
My lavender didn't winter over unfortunately, but I have a new plant to replace it. Hope I can find a good spot where it can survive.
I always enjoy seeing new (to me)plants. The Spanish foxglove is fascinating.
Isn't June flying by?
wonderful pictures and a beautiful garden..
I love to visit other blogs and find plants I don't have, but would grow very well in my garden.
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