July garden bouquet of the month.

The monthly garden bouquet idea started by Noelle from Ramblings from a Desert Garden has been so much fun.  I don't usually consider myself very artistic, but going out and putting together the bouquets has been a good way to be creative.  I usually go out with one flower in mind and then have built a bouquet around it.  This month I wanted to do all flowers from the butterfly garden but realized not enough were blooming there, so instead I found these flowers throughout the front yard.  Again this month the colors seem to be pinks and purples and several of these have a nice fragrance as well.

In this month's bouquet is Butterfly Bush, Rose 'Kimberlina', Lavender, Larkspur 'Shades of Blue' and Cupid's Dart.

I added 'Kimberlina' last year and can see why it won 2009 floribunda of the year.  It just continues to put out new blooms and is very healthy.  It's flowers have a light fragrance.

A closeup of a Butterfly Bush(Buddleia alternifolia) flower.  This picture shows the color very close to true, it does have an orange eye at the center.  Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds love this plant.  The scent carries all over the front yard.

If Washington state ever declares this a prohibited noxious weed like Oregon does I'll be sad to not have this plant anymore.  I'm not sure if mine is considered a "weed" though because it is not  B. davidii.

Cupid's Dart (Catananche caerulea) is such a great plant.  Apparently the Greeks and Romans used the flower as an ingredient in love potions.  The flower buds are very dry and it's hard to believe that a pretty flower is inside.

But look at how this crazy plant grows!  It's in full sun and still flops over every year, and every year I forget to stake it until I see it looking like this.  I guess I know one job I need to do today.

I hope you'll visit Noelle to see her bouquet and maybe be inspired to join in or at least go outside and bring a little of your garden indoors.