coming up orange

for summer's last hours.  What a terrific, vivid color to go out on, don't you think?  Leonotis leonurus is the most vivid of all ~ finally in bloom ~ like it was saving itself for the occasion.

I'm so glad it made it too.  It would have been a shame to miss out on these unique, whorly blooms.  I have three plants, none exceptionally happy, planted in the "crown" of the strawberry jar.  Here's the whole container but I warn you, it's difficult to even make out there's a strawberry jar under that jungle of foliage:

See what I mean??  It kind of got out of control! 

I loved the architectural interest the dead Leonotis stalks created two winters ago (when they were planted in this same container/position.)  You can also see the strawberry jar MUCH better in this photo.

Leonotis was happier that summer ~ it grew much taller and bloomed weeks earlier ~ I'm not sure what the difference could be? 

Another beautiful "end-of-summer" orange that is always welcome here, a Monarch butterfly stopping by the still blooming, never quits, Centranthus rubra (Jupiter's Beard):

Thank goodness for that and isn't the Monarch brilliant?  There wasn't a tattered, torn spot on him.  I hope he can stay that way on the long journey to Mexico.

I never get tired of snapping pictures of them, I only wish there were more opportunities.

Finally, the last orange ~ the tiered, pumpkin topiary (you might remember it from last year?) is once again gracing the front step:

I guess it's really time to leave summer behind, sad as that thought makes me. 

I still won't stop hoping for more summer days tho, as many as I can get!

 

Comments

[Darla]

I've never seen a Leonotis, all of that from a Strawberry planter? Beautiful! I too love Monarch butterflies, we have some rescued caterpillars in our butterfly cage again this year.

[Gail]

I love leonotis, but don't ever see it in our local nurseries. If I want to grow anything that needs special tx it has to be in containers; yous are always an inspiration. I am waiting for the monarchs~the Aster tataricus is blooming and that means they will flittery by soon. gail

[Sweetbay]

I love your pictures of the Monarch. So beautiful!

[Racquel]

Cool plant, I've seen it but never grown it myself. :)

[kerri]

The Lion's Tail is beautifully shaped, and a great color for fall flowers.
Pretty in winter too.
I'm still seeing a few monarchs and relishing each sighting and photograph I manage to snap.
I share your lament of summer's passing and hope for as many warm days as possible. Continous summer would make me very happy :)