A Splash Of Colour

We've had heat and we've had rain...now we are having some coolish temps. The weather is just as unpredictable as can be. Mind you, the flower IS predictable now--VERY predictable. There will be more and more blooms popping out every day now. In fact thew flower garden is approaching it's peak. I expect that will be in about two weeks or so.
Anyway, I am liking the appearance more and more now. There are enjoyable colours and pleasant fragrences now...and I am pleased as punch.

Just about any direction you look there are more than one colour to greet the eye.

A different angle shows that greanium that is still blooming. Usually by this time of the season I have cut it back and new growth is beginning to show itself.

One of the Monarda's blooms has a "pet bloom" growing right out of the center of the main flower head.

This orange Echinacea is a new one this year and it looks pretty good to me.

A close-up of that orange Echinacea "Tiki Torch".

A purple Lathyrus odorata "Midnight" is looking and smelling good. The Lathurus is not even half way up the wigwam yet and already I have four different coloured plant blossoms blooming.

This white Lathyrus odorata "White Supreme" may look ordinary and uninteresting because of it's pure white flowers, but I tell you, it's fragrance is so powerful that if you sniff it from close by it will burn your nose. It hasd lovely, big fluffy blooms and long stems--ideal for cutting for the vase.

This tender, whitish-pink Alcea looks so nice in real life--I wish that you could see it. The Buddleja that is juxtaposed to it makes it noticable whilst strolling the paths.

The Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty' is so brilliantly red this year it almost hurts my eyes; however, the purple geraniums in the background help to soften that effect.

A close-up of that bright flower.


The early summer colours andfragrances sort of have a negative effect on me as when I'm in the flower garden, I don't want to leave it to go and grub in the dirt of the veggie plots.
All I want to do is set up the parasol, sit in my easy chair, sip tea and just let the senses work overtime.

 

What wonderful blooms Sjoerd! I can see why you have trouble leaving. I especially love your Lathyrus because I have never been able to grow any. Your Helenium is such a stunning color. Is it blooming early or is it just me??

 

You are a smart cookie, Netty--it is about a week-1½ wk. early. I thik that they are usually budding now, but not actually blooming.
I don't keep a record of blooming and cessation like I do with the veggies. :-? Sorry.

I don't understand why you have trouble growing Lathyrus. Maybe we ought to talk about it come fall. They are so nice...it's something that I wish everyone could have. Can you imagine having fresh bouquets of them in your house all summer long. They sure are a delight.

 

Love your garden photos Sjoerd. Things are really late here...I still have peonies blooming and that's the latest ever (usually finished by mid June). I'm loving it!!!

 

i love the way your flowers interact with each other. exactly the look i am going for. and i'm getting there.
next year will be even better. cause many of my plants are still small. once they fill up their space... i will also have a cool garden.
love it!

 

Thanks for your omments, KL & CR. It is always so nice when someone says a complimentary word.
It sounds like your garden is coming along just fine, CR. I shall be interested to see how your garden turns out next year...or some pics of how it is looking THIS year would also be nice.

Just hang in there, KL--the fun is just about to happen by the sounds of it. Just be sure to post some pics when your plants begin showing their colours.

 

Thanks loads, Eileen. Well, it's difficult once I get all installed. heh heh heh

Yes, I can see what you mean about the Monards having a posh hat on. That's a very good description actually.
Oh dear me, Eileen--I'm so sorry to hear that you forgot to plant your Lathyrus this year. I planted mine later than I wanted to this year and that's why they are still so low....well that and the cool weather we had a few weeks ago.

 

Sjoerd, I am thinking you should publish a book with all of the wonderful photos of your gardens. I would be the first to purchase it! I planted Lathyrus at the bottom of a garden arch in May and the plants are about 6 inches high. They don't seem to climbing up the arch and no flower buds in sight. The pet bloom on top of the Monarda looks like 2 ballerinas in a graceful pose. If I had a garden like yours I would not be able to tear myself away. Thanks for the pics.

 

Sjoerd, I could live on your lottie and love it. Got room for a tent?

 

I agree with Tammyd. Your garden must be such a delight to you. It is absolutely stunning. I would have to make many walks through it to make sure I didn't miss a thing. Thanks for sharing your beautiful garden with us.

 

Sjoerd, your garden is gorgeous!! I don't think I could ever leave it if it were mine! That is the look I am going for in my cottage garden. How many years did it take for the garden to mature to what it looks like now? I have yet to start planting for my garden, I am still in the very beginning stages.

 

Sjoerd, I have been admiring your photos for a while. The colors are so vivid. What sort of camera and lens do you use.
Tom

 

Thanks for that nice compliment, Tammyd. You sure know how to make a guy feel proud.
I am sorry to hear that youyr Lathyrus is not moving faster there. I wonder why. Perhaps it's normal for planting out in May--that's when I planted my plantlets out as well. Do you think that they are getting enough direct sunlight and water? I would be willing to bet that they will come along as the summer progresses. Although my plants are also still relatively short, they are growing...albeit slowly.

Hee hee hee...Toni, you are sompin' else, you are. No need to be jelous cos your plants are startlingly attractive. And that fencework with the little garden space really is something I would like to do, if I only had the room. How IS that coming along, BTW?
Another thing that I keep forgetting to ask you was--did you ever find out what kind of plant that was that you enquired about a few months ago?
Thanks too for the kind words about the Heleniums. I really like them too--their stand is getting bigger each year and that suits me just fine.

Cajunbelle...should you go backpacking in Europe, I would most definately find a place for you to set up a tent. ....what time would you like a wake-up call?

Thanks to you too KG. I often walk over the same path a few times toi see if I am missing a weed or a new bud or check on plants to see if I can tell if they are getting any taller.

Ashcats-- hank you for your comments. I have had the lottie for about 11 years now. It had gone through several changes in form and content. It seems like I do something major every couple of years...I just can't help myself.
Good luck with your Cottage Garden.

Hello Tom,
I use two cameras: A Canon Power Shot A530 and a Nikon D60 with a standard lens. I am pleased with the fotos that they make, and I'm glad that you like them too.