Belated Bloom Day Of June-Garden To Jungle In Seven Days

Well, maybe not a real jungle but that is what it seemed like upon return after a sun and fun filled vacation at the beach.
(Orienpet Lilium ‘Satisfaction’, over six feet tall.)

There were lilies in bud when we left the garden. It was hoped that they would still be in show mode upon the return. We are happy to report that they were.
(Chinese trumpet Lilium ‘Pink Perfection’, head snappingly fragrant.)

Some are new to the garden this year, so it was extra important to see what they looked like. Pink Perfection and the above Longiflorum Asiatic Lilium ‘Royal Sunset’ did not disappoint.

Some new last year have grown bigger and better with maturity.
(Chinese Trumpet Lilium ‘African Queen’ backed by the purple leaf peach tree in the black garden.)

Several newly added Monardas are standing tall with tasseled inflorescenses. This one was labeled Marshall’s Delight, but we believe it to actually be M. didyma ‘Raspberry Wine’.

A product of the successful slug repellent coffee grounds at the time of seed sowing, Nasturtium ‘Yeti’ brightens this raised planter by the garage deck steps. The color echo with Yucca ‘Color Guard’ works nicely.

Three of our deciduous azaleas are summer blooming. Rhododendron ‘Summer Lyric’ gives a nice contrast of bloom form to the surrounding fleurs.

Seed started in the greenhouse in 2009 has finally produced blooms. Rudbeckia ‘Cherry Brandy’ was protected from freezing, varmints and critters with little forts of rosemary twigs around each. It is hoped that seed can be saved from these to keep this dark colorway going strong in the black garden. At its feet is Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’. The new name of Hylotelephium is simply ridiculous and will not be used here. What was wrong with Sedum? Too easy to pronounce and remember?

Staying in the black garden, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is seeking to dominate there. We welcome the initiative. May the best plants win.

Seedling Eryngiums, probably Alpinum types, have spread their magic in the shed bed area. Nasella tinuissima helps hide the rebar stakes that hold their floppy stems upright. We love the steel blue color that will last for several weeks before turning a dusty tan that will remain standing through the winter. That seems to be the secret of the seeding about, just leave them alone until spring then sprinkle the bits hither and yon.

This is the time of year when the jumbled jigsaw puzzle style of planting becomes apparent in the Fairegarden. If there was a master plan here, which is doubtful, it has long since been lost to memory. Monarda does not stay put, this is M. ‘Jacob Kline’, Asclepias tuberosa started from seed was plunked in a blank space, Ratibidia columnifera seemed a good companion for the butterfly weed and daylilies abound.

The view of the daylily hill from the lazyboy inside the addition is constantly tweaked and improved year after year. It may never be satisfactory to the gardener, that is the way of most things it seems. The anchor Japanese maple Crimson Queen, the chartruese Hosta ‘Sunpower’, the ring of Nasella tenuissima, Athena’s royal guard of Heuchera ‘Silver Scrolls’ provide permanence to the ever changing backdrop of lilies and daylilies. Many more plantings in this bed will come into bloom then fade away until winter turns the whole of it shades of grey and brown after the final hurrah of a dazzling fall display. We hate to miss even one millisecond of it.

Our apologies to faire Carol of May Dreams Gardens for the tardy entry to bloom day. Since the blogging began in December 2007, we have never been absent from the fun and don’t want to start now so we hope she will accept this late submission.

Frances