Mid July Blooms

Here are a few pics of some of the plants that are actually blooming in this hot weather.  I'm trying to work up the courage to post what the whole bed looks like, and not just the blooms up close.  Just looking at these makes me very happy and leaves me with a sense of control and accomplishment. But to back up and look at the surrounding greenery, or rather the different shades of brown or bloomless leaves, makes me think I should go back to scrapbooking.....anyway here are the ones I am proud of.

Periwinkle

My friend  Anna gave me some clumps of her periwinkle this spring,  The idea was to plant them along the front brick wall and have their deep green leaves and small purple flowers cascade over the wall.  It was been a very slow process.  There have been very few blooms so far.  But, the flowers are adorable.

Bee Balm

Amy gave me a small plant early this spring, and she was right - they spread!  I love this color, but I thought the flower was rounder...maybe I don't get enough sun?  I wonder if Amy's look like this.

I need to look these up.  I don't remember their name.  They came from Cindy's garden, also this spring (I have great friends!).  I don't buy white flowers, but these made me realize that I should.  

Tiger lily

Tiger Lily

I love this guy!  This one (would you believe I didn't buy it either?) came from my friend & clients' backyard.  I brought them home when they were very young.  I think they have been lonely in their new home (those photos later) but the blooms, although short lived, were b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-l!!!!

Gerbera Daisy

This flower has such a punch to it.  So vibrant and strong looking!  The problem is, the Gerbera daisy is expensive and I only have 1 flower at a time.  I see them in pot arrangements everywhere.  This one is in  a pot by itself - for maximum impact, sitting on the table on my deck.  1 bloom for a few days then it dies and nothing.  A few weeks later, another bloom.  Not enough sun, maybe?  If I could find the right spot to get a round of blooms, I'd plant these by seed

Verbanum

Enjoying the deep purple here.  Goes wonderful with the purple fountain grass and the begonia, but again, not a lot of blooming.  I think these might have gotten too dry.

Coneflower

These coneflowers...they took a few years to get to know me, but now they love me and never let me down!  I bought another variety and planted them in the backyard. They are white & I hope to bring a few up to the front early spring.

Stella Dora

Aster

I'm still trying to find low growing plants to fill the front brickwall bed.  I've read Aster's should thrive in this amount of sun (a few hours of afternoon blaze).  So far so good, i just hope they spread.