Another assortment of garden photos today. No theme, just the latest captures taken off my camera, starting with the ever-evolving front garden. The peonies, iris & early spring bloomers are pretty much over. Emerurus has taken center stage. During its bloom season, nothing can upstage it. Single handedly it scoops every award from most inquiries, most coveted, most solicited, most admired, etc., etc..
There are five towering bloom stalks this year, the most I've had from what started as one tuberous rootstock. In the photo above, three stalks have soared over the other two but I believe you can just make out the tips of the shorter ones??
Here's another angle:
Joining them are three 'Cleopatra' Emerurus blooms (at the opposite end of the same bed) ~ that's eight total which is the best showing ever for my garden!
Making a strong case for the existence of garden fairies, is the perplexing way one of the 'Cleopatra' rootstocks has moved itself to the middle of the bed. It's now separated by at least four feet from the location of the other two where they were all originally planted. This gardener did not dare take a shovel & attempt such a move! I like the new position tho and maybe it does too? We'll be able to tell soon by how well it performs there.
Someone else has been feeling slighted by a lack of blog appearances lately:
You are under no obligation to compliment his good looks but if you do feel so inclined, he would much appreciate the attention! ;-) Happy now Butterball???
Back to the garden, my newly acquired iron rooster post-topper framed in the foreground by the pink shrub roses:
Finding it is the perfect excuse to add another climber so now I'm on the lookout for something cool to twine up the base.... Shouldn't be difficult, right?
Not far from the rooster, is another new addition (purchased after the garden tour I recently posted about) ~ Hollyhock 'Spring Celebrities Purple:'
I fell for the fringy blossoms ~ I'd never seen them before?? However, I most likely would not have purchased it if I'd known this variety was considered an annual. I discovered that fact after arriving home and doing a little research. Darn it. Maybe it will seed around???
There's been very little gardening done the last three days, the wind has been blowing furiously and I just haven't felt like dealing with it. It's also been cool (in the 60's and rainy). Sweatshirts & hoodies have been donned ~ it feels like anything but the first day of summer. Warmer temperatures and sun are in the forecast tho and that will surely make me happy and get me back into the garden again. :-)
I absolutely love the riot of colour in your garden! And your Butterball is adorable, too. :) (I collect roosters, so in that way, it's good your garden isn't close!) ;-)
Posted by: Nancy Bond | June 21, 2011 at 02:19 PM
It took me several hours to look through all of your photos, and I have to say they are amazing. Could you be so kind to say what zone you are in? I have not ever seen many of the plants that you have. I read you are in Colorado, but have no idea what zone. I am in Minnesota zone 4 but might like to try my hand at some of your plants.
Posted by: Mary Olson | June 21, 2011 at 08:55 PM
We also love our foxtail lilies and last year one of them self seeded.
I wouldn't be able to resist that hollyhock either. They usually re-seed. Love that iron rooster.
But nothing can beat Butterball for the cuteness factor!
Posted by: Victoria | June 21, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Hi Mary.
Thanks for your nice comment. I'm currently gardening in zone 5 but previously gardened in Wyoming (zone 4) and had many of the same plants there that I now have here. Hope that helps!
Posted by: Kathleen | June 22, 2011 at 08:50 AM
How beautiful they are Kathleen. I had two yellow ones but they must have died out over the winter or this spring.The bulbs most likely rotted from all of the rain and that is a wet bed I had them in. I miss them this summer. I will have to replace them.
Butterball looks so pretty amongst the peonies.LOL! What a gorgeous little Hollyhock. I love the blooms. Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: Lona | June 22, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Your front garden looks fantastic! I love the look of the Emerurus ~ stately and yet very refined. I think Butterball is very handsome.
Posted by: sweetbay | June 22, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Love, love the Emerurus blooms! So envious, I give up on trying to grow this perennial. :(
Posted by: Racquel | June 22, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Kathleen, Your garden shots are every bit as nice as the closeups. The new hollyhock is beautiful. I wouldn't be surprised if it does seed itself into reappearing next year.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 23, 2011 at 04:14 PM
All the pictures are pretty, but I especially love the second one with all the colors.
Our weather has been pretty sad still. Cool, gray and rain... and not much in the forecast either.
Posted by: Catherine | June 23, 2011 at 06:33 PM
I like that Emerurus, am not familiar with it, but your photos make me want it. Nice plant to have in the garden.
Thought of you on Monday, bought a bargain Amaryllis at Park Seed ($1)....A. papilio. Planted it this morning....can't wait!!
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