Monday, June 15, 2015

Bloom Day

I haven't been posting a lot, and have not submitted a post for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by May Dreams Gardens for quite awhile.  I decided to participate this month with some blooms from the front yard.  Here's the view from the porch.


Stepping down, we see the allium of some kind blooming.  I am bad about remembering the exact names of some of the plants.  I have seen some small insects on these blooms.


 This isn't the best photo of the wild quinine, but I included it because of the red admiral butterfly, which I did not see until I looked at the photo.


Here's a closer view of the wild quinine, with an insect I see on it a lot.


I have several clumps of purple prairie clover, some native, and some, 'Stephanie'.  This plant is blooming first.  I think it's 'Stephanie'.


This is either tall or purple meadow rue.  We've had lots of rain this spring, with the wettest May on record.  Many plants are taller than usual.  I am not sure if these are, but they are quite tall, about 6 or 7 feet.  I had to tie them up so they wouldn't fall over.


Echinacea paradoxa and echinacea pallida


I think that's New Jersey tea toward the back on the left, with lead plant and pink primrose.


I am not thinking of the cultivar name of this sneezeweed.


Poppy mallow does well, even in the curb area.  I clipped back the growth that was going into the street.


The butterfly milkweeds and catmints are blooming.


Emily, a local member of a Facebook group I administer called Gardening with Nature in Mind posted a photo of this with the name, which I appreciated, because I had forgotten what it is, and sure do like it.  I believe this is the first year for this Penstemon cobea x P. triflorus to bloom.  It's still pretty, even when almost finished blooming.


The foxglove penstemons are almost finished blooming as well.  I have been seeing small, fast flying bees on them, but have had trouble catching them with the camera.


I am tickled that the white wild indigo is blooming for the first time, after 3 or 4 years in this spot.


I don't remember whether I planted this fleabane, or if it is a volunteer, but I like the spot it's in.


I am needing to tie up the lanceleaf coreopsis this year.  I don't remember if I've had to before, but this is only the second or third year I've grown them.  I see bees on them as well.


I believe this is bushy bluebell clematis.


The foxglove is almost finished blooming.  I wish it had a longer bloom time, but it sure has done well each year. It's been in this spot quite awhile, maybe 6 years.


I am sad that the golden alexanders have some kind of disease on their leaves.  I cut most of them back today, hoping new leaves will grow.  They are one of my favorite spring bloomers, and are visited by a nice variety of insects.


Here's a photo of one that I cut back.  I tried to look up what the problem may be, and wonder if it's leaf spot.  What do you think?


 It's been a frustrating garden season for me.  There have been more bunnies than usual, and they are eating all kinds of things they do not normally eat.  I wish they would not eat things clear to the ground!  I am caging more plants than usual, but do not have enough cages and fencing for everything.

With all the rain we've had, I haven't been able to get into the garden as much as I need to.  The weeds are really taking advantage of the moisture and are quite healthy.  I have managed to keep them from strangling the vegetables and flowers, though.  Also, we have not had many days without rain that have been in the 70s.  I have been quite wimpy in the heat this season, more so than in the past.  Mondays are the only days I have all day to garden if the weather cooperates.  (I am writing this Sunday evening.  There is a storm going on out there now, and it looks like we're supposed to get more tomorrow.)  Maybe I'll put a rain coat on and pull some weeds that I can get to without stepping into a flower bed.  Maybe I'll be visiting your gardens to see what you have blooming. 

12 comments:

  1. It is always a treat to see what is growing/blooming in your gardens dear Sue.

    Hope you and yours are doing well.

    We could use some rain down here, it is hot, sunny and humid.

    Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

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  2. I have a penstemon that looks similar to yours, which Gail gave me and I can never remember the name of it either. Always a treat to see what is blooming in your garden, Sue. I planted a few new natives this spring that I don't expect will bloom this season, so it's always helpful to see your plants as they grow, so I have a clue what some of mine might be. I share your frustration this spring from the bunnies to the constant rains lately. I've also been helping out my mother more, so the weeds may take over if I don't find more time to get in the garden. Hoping for some sunny days in the low 70's for both of us!

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  3. Hi Sue! I love your corner garden that feeds so many great pollinators. It's so pretty too. Don't you wish everyone had a front yard garden instead of simply a carpet of grass? I like grass, but flowers are so pretty and help the butterflies, flower flies and bees. Thank you for posting. I've been rather bad too.~~Dee

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  4. I just love the variety of flowers you have. So many that attract beneficials to the garden. Enjoy!

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  5. So much rain I can't get in the garden to weed either. And you have so much growing and blooming. That is to bad about the Zizea's leaves....hopefully they will bounce back...I love these too! I let my lawn go to clover and the rabbits now stay out of the garden for the most part...

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  6. I am a lapsed blogger and GBBD participant as well, so don't feel alone. I love the lushness that your garden is showing right now.

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  7. What a pretty garden you have--so full and colorful. You also grow many things that are in my garden in Austin, though, you definitely have some things I couldn't grow. Good luck with the weeding, it's a never-ending chore.

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  8. Beautiful!
    Lovely to see the butterfly milkweed
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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  9. Hi Sue: This is about the time of year when I just love to visit your blog. You're a little bit ahead of me, so it's fun to compare notes. All your native prairie plants really shine during this time of year. I share your frustration with the bunnies. They're even eating things in my garden that I didn't think they would like--such as False Asters (Boltonia asteroides). It's so frustrating!

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  10. There's always so much going on in your native garden! I've rarely heard of many of the plants you grow. But they are all so beautiful!

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  11. What a gorgeous garden you've created! So wild and beautiful it seems like a mountain meadow. You must have lots of happy bees!

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  12. Hi Sue, I wish you could send us some of the rain.....we are very dry. You have so many wonderful plants! I love all the different Echinachea and I am thinking I will try some Poppy Mallow....they are so pretty. Your spring is always a little ahead of ours....my Butterfly weed will probably bloom a week or so after yours.....in spite of your weather difficulties everything is beautiful! Happy Gardening!

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