"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, June 22, 2009

Signs of the second round, and a mystery plant.

This is the time I start looking for the next round of flowers.  The first flowers have either started to finish or are getting ready for another bloom.  I've started seeing buds on the phlox, echinacea, rudbeckia, lilies and some flowering shrubs.  
I've found some that usually bloom in July, but have decided to start the show early:

A very long stemmed scabiosa that was given to me by our neighbor.  It's stems are about 18" long.  He said they are used by florists, but didn't know the variety.  The shorter scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue' and 'Pink Mist' have been blooming for awhile now, but this one is usually later.

One of my favorite hydrangeas.  This is Oakleaf hydrangea 'Snow Queen'.  The poor shrub has lost quite a few branches between tree trimming and snow the past few years.  It should get to be around 6 feet and does great in dry shade.

Hardy Fuchsia 'Queen Esther'.  I can't find anything, including the plant tag, that says if this is a magellanica.  Everything I find just calls it a hardy fuchsia.  Something has been chewing the leaves, and whatever it is isn't eating anything else nearby.

Fuchsia magellanica that grows near the pond.  This one seems to like the sun.  It gets really big and will bloom until the first frost.

Monkshood (Aconitum) is starting to bloom.   This was the first plant I bought years ago at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, and this is the best it's ever looked.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' an easy and old fashioned one.  This has grown huge and is one of the few I don't worry about when we get a late freeze.  I love the color, the flowers will eventually all turn the same light blue.

 I think this is a Verbascum, which must be a gift from the birds.  I remember seeing the foliage last year and left it because I thought it might be a foxglove.  As it grew I kept thinking it could be a foxglove.  Once it started to bloom I knew it wasn't.  It decided to grow right next to a Columbine as yellow as it is.  If anyone has an idea of what this is I'd love to know.

Today is the first official day of summer vacation, so days will be busier with the girls at home.  I usually reply to individual comments, but may not have as much time to the next few months.  I will definitely answer any questions.  So please still leave me comments, I really enjoy reading them, I just may not have time some days to reply to each of them.
Pin It

20 comments:

  1. The blue of that scabiosa is glorious, Catherine! All your blooms are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I found you through Tootsie's site. I am a Pacific Northwesterner, too, but in Oregon. I have to deal with deer in the front, but thankfully they can't get in the back. They tend to head over to my neighbor's place anyway, who have a great koi pond they love to drink out of when it gets hot! I love the fuchsias, and have tons myself. I bought several "alba" this year. It says that they are supposed to be white on white, but I would say light pink. Oh, well, it will still work. I enjoy reading your site- and enjoy summer vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am not sure what your mystery bloomer is but is sure is wonderful to look at. I noticed this morning during my 'photo session' in the garden I have lots of PINKS and YELLOWs going on this week. LOVE IT! I will share some today on my Monday entry.

    OAK LEAF is my favorite too! Mine is just starting to put on a blooming show. It is great!

    Your blog is beautiful as always! Happy Gardening - this is truly the best time of year.... Wouldn't you say?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful flowers! You enjoy summer with those girls and don't even worry about responding to comments. It will be fine.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful blooms, your garden is a beauty. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a treat to see all your blooms Catherine. Have summer fun with the girls!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've had my eye on Fuchsia magellanica for a while. I got some seeds, they grew. But they didn't make it when the heat and humidity arrived. You have a beauty.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your Scabiosa is such a beautiful brilliant color and love the Monkshood too. Your mystery yellow flower is so bright and cheery - don't have a clue what it is though.
    Enjoy your time with the girls - that is much more important!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice pics. The monkshood and hydrangea are very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Catherine enjoy the summer with your girls. Your pictures are beautiful as usual.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks like a verbascum Catherine - a very bright one at that :) Our schools on this side of the pond still have almost three weeks before they break up for the summer. Enjoy that precious time with your girls !

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love that Monkshood. How pretty! I think your mystery plant is a verbascum. I've just not seen that color.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such pretty flowers... have a lovely summer! ^.^

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, it is definitely a Verbascum. It may be a Verbascum Chaixii such as 'Cotswold Queen'.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love, love the hydrangea Catherine. The colouring is beautiful.So subtle.

    As to school holidays,I hear you! Mine are "out" in ten days time. Then the fun begins!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your garden always looks so good Catherine. I can't believe you have a monkshood in bloom already. My deep purple one is the last thing to bloom in fall ~ they must be different varieties?? The last photo of the yellow flower definitely looks like a verbascum to me. I don't know which one, not bombyciferum since it has felty leaves but it's gorgeous and a wonderful "gift." Enjoy your summer. I had to cut back on answering comments too. I just couldn't keep up.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The flowes are lovely and such excellent photographs.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I did not know that the oak leaf hydrangea would grow in the shade. That is good to know. I have a fuchsia like your white and purple 'Queen Esther' good to know it is hardy I had put it in a pot so I could bring it in. They are so pretty.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. I try my very best to answer any questions you may have, but usually don't have time to respond to each comment. Please leave a link to your blog so I can visit you in return.