Tag Archives: crocosmia

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day: July 15, 2014

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Cool temps and plenty of rain.  That’s the kind of summer we have been having so far as we enter the middle of July.   That means the gardens are green and full of blooms.  Here is what is blooming today on Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day: July, 2014.

Day lilies, white clematis, Jean Davis lavender greeting everyone at the entrance to the Secret Garden.

Day lilies, white clematis, Jean Davis lavender greeting everyone at the entrance to the Secret Garden.

Looking east in the Secret Garden. Great Expectations is blooming.

Looking east in the Secret Garden. Great Expectations is blooming.

White Dome hydrangea, Rosie Returns day lily, Cool Cat catmint, various cone flowers.

White Dome hydrangea, Rosie Returns day lily, Cool Cat catmint, various cone flowers.

Rosie Returns day lily on the left, First Knight is the yellow lily across the path, crocosmia near the garden lady.

Rosie Returns day lily on the left, First Knight is the yellow lily across the path, crocosmia near the garden lady.

A visitor in the Secret Garden. She is welcome anytime.

A visitor in the Secret Garden. She is welcome anytime.

First Knight

First Knight

The hosta bed in the front garden under the magnolia tree.

The hosta bed in the front garden under the magnolia tree.

My favorite un-named day lily.

My favorite un-named day lily.

Plum Pudding catching an extra petal (and a katydid nymph)

Plum Pudding catching an extra petal (and a katydid nymph)

Rosie Returns also wants to go the extra mile and add an extra petal and sepal.

Rosie Returns also wants to go the extra mile and add an extra petal and sepal.

The hydrangeas are doing far better than I expected since the park removed a maple tree that gave them so much shade.

The hydrangeas are doing far better than I expected since the park removed a maple tree that gave them so much shade.

In the Lower Garden, the Zagreb Coreopsis is blooming. I cut back the geranium but it still has some lovely blue flowers on it. That's Strawberry Candy under the Rose of Sharon.

In the Lower Garden, the Zagreb Coreopsis is blooming. I cut back the geranium but it still has some lovely blue flowers on it. That’s Strawberry Candy under the Rose of Sharon.

Prince of Midnight day lily.

Prince of Midnight day lily.

Crocosmia in the Secret Garden

Crocosmia in the Secret Garden

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, July 15, 2013

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Crocosmia adds such a wonderful pizazz to the day lily bed. I love the way it drapes over the Garden Lady.

Crocosmia adds such a wonderful pizazz to the day lily bed. I love the way it drapes over the Garden Lady.

The temps rose yesterday to 90 degrees, but the heat isn’t unexpected.  And, we are not experiencing a drought like last year.  July blooms are on schedule and it seems like the whole garden is making up for last year.  The cherry tree is still full of gorgeous red tart cherries.  In fact, I picked 4 cups last night and made a cherry crisp.  Last year I didn’t even bother with picking.  The early warmth and subsequent freeze killed last years crop.

Blooming in the garden right now:

First Knight day lily, one of my favorites.

First Knight day lily, one of my favorites.

Zagreb Coreopsis and rose campion that a neighbor gave me years ago.

Zagreb Coreopsis and rose campion that a neighbor gave me years ago.

A few white clematis keep blooming. I didn't get much of a show this year, but will take whatever I can get from this lovely vine.

A few white clematis keep blooming. I didn’t get much of a show this year, but will take whatever I can get from this lovely vine.

The Garden Lady is framed in day lilies and crocosmia. The is the view from the entrance of the Secret Garden.

The Garden Lady is framed in day lilies and crocosmia. The is the view from the entrance of the Secret Garden.

Annabelle Hydrangea putting on a great show. Last year Annabelle did not do much because of the heat.

Annabelle Hydrangea putting on a great show. Last year Annabelle did not do much because of the heat.

White Dome hydrangeas and Zagreb coreopsis in the lower garden.

White Dome hydrangeas and Zagreb coreopsis in the lower garden.

This is about as blue as this variegated lace cape hydrangea gets. Each year I ammend the soil with acid and it never seems to be enough.

This is about as blue as this variegated lace cape hydrangea gets. Each year I ammend the soil with acid and it never seems to be enough.

The Francis Williams hostas in the front garden are starting to bud. Behind them are the White Dome hydrangeas that are in full lacy bloom.

The Francis Williams hostas in the front garden are starting to bud. Behind them are the White Dome hydrangeas that are in full lacy bloom.

I removed a lot of the Strawberry Candy day lilies in the front when I took out the Pana Rhododendrons. This is one of the only clumps left.

I removed a lot of the Strawberry Candy day lilies in the front when I took out the Pana Rhododendrons. This is one of the only clumps left.

Newly planted just a month ago, the Walker's Low catmint is doing very well in the entrance garden.

Newly planted just a month ago, the Walker’s Low catmint is doing very well in the entrance garden.

Red Knockout rose in the rose medallion seems to not only avoid disease, but Japanese beetles. Yes, they've arrived for their yearly feast.

Red Knockout rose in the rose medallion seems to not only avoid disease, but Japanese beetles. Yes, they’ve arrived for their yearly feast.

Limelight Hydrangea is just starting to bloom.

Limelight Hydrangea is just starting to bloom.

Nameless dark lily doesn't seem to be quite so dark this year.

Nameless dark lily doesn’t seem to be quite so dark this year.

Looking west from the eastern part of the Secret Garden. The Japanese Maple and various hostas seem happy.

Looking west from the eastern part of the Secret Garden. The Japanese Maple and various hostas seem happy.

Stitch in Time Hosta is starting to bloom.

Stitch in Time Hosta is starting to bloom.

Francee, Stained Glass, June, Great Expectations, and various heuchera.

Francee, Stained Glass, June, Great Expectations, and various heuchera.

Barbara Mitchell day lily in the Secret Garden.

Barbara Mitchell day lily in the Secret Garden.

Day lilies and crocosmia in a riot of bloom.

Day lilies and crocosmia in a riot of bloom.

My Sweet Rose day lily.

My Sweet Rose day lily.

Lavender Doll day lily, Cool Cat Nepetha, Jean Davis Lavender, purple cone flower from a friend, White Dome hydrangea.

Lavender Doll day lily, Cool Cat Nepetha, Jean Davis Lavender, purple cone flower from a friend, White Dome hydrangea.

Purple cone flower just starting to bloom.

Purple cone flower just starting to bloom.

Fragrant Angel echanacea with a friendly bumblebee.

Fragrant Angel echanacea with a friendly bumblebee.

Zagreb coreopsis and a purple coneflower that isn't sure what she is supposed to look like. But she's blooming in her own unique way.

Zagreb coreopsis and a purple coneflower that isn’t sure what she is supposed to look like. But she’s blooming in her own unique way.

Purple coneflower from a friend and Fragrant Angel echinacea.

Purple coneflower from a friend and Fragrant Angel echinacea.

Marigolds and purple petunias great me at the back door.

Marigolds and purple petunias greet me at the back door.

Lilies in Heat

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They say the heat dome that gave us temps in the 90’s has moved on, but it’s still hot and humid here in west Michigan.  But the day lilies know it is their time to shine, and shine they do!  It’s also time for the crocosmia and this is its best year.  I love that bright red.

Day Lilies and Crocosmia

But also blooming is the old rose of sharon.  The bees and the hummingbirds love it.

The Old Rose of Sharon in the Lower Garden

Rose of Sharon

A "Nameless" Day Lily

So, today, this is what the Secret Garden looks like.

First Knight and Storm of the Century

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My summer semester begins tomorrow and so my leisurely days in the garden will be a bit limited.  And, wouldn’t you know, today it has been stormy.  But I pulled a few weeds that had popped up.  And I deadheaded a few spent day lilies.  First Knight started blooming a couple days ago.  It is one of my favorites, even though it isn’t pink.

First Knight

My favorite day lily, Storm of the Century bloomed today.  I’ve included a picture here, though this first flower seems to have gotten a little bruised in its birthing process.

Several years ago a friend divided his crocosmia and gave me some of the extras.  But the little clumps of roots were, um, little.  And, I transplanted them several times before they found a permanent home.  Well, permanent in a garden is not quite possible.  Anyway, I found a couple plants at a garden center and planted those.  They bloomed a bit last year, but this year, it looks like I am going to get a nice show.  And, my friend’s crocosmia have long budded spires, too.  So, I’ll see these scarlet bird-like flowers in two places in the secret garden.  The clumps that my friend gave me are nestled in front of the dutchman’s pipe “wall.”  The plants I bought at a garden center are at the edge of the large day lily bed in the middle of the secret garden.    I thought the foliage would make a nice transition from the lilies to whatever else ends up next.  At the moment that is Tiny Nancy asiatic lilies.

Crocosmia

Crocosmia Bud

And, remember the fountain that I killed?  The one that I never covered last winter and suffered a fatal crack?  The one that is now a planter in the Secret Garden?  Well, it’s replacement arrived this past week.  It’s burble is welcoming neighborhood birds, who found it within an hour.  I think I might even like this fountain more than the other one.

New Fountain

I went on the Ottawa Hills Garden Tour yesterday.  There were some lovely gardens, and, inspired by some of the things I saw, went to Phil’s Stuff hoping to find some little treasure to place in one of the gardens.   I bought two iron stakes with ornaments on the top.  I haven’t decided where to put them yet.  Maybe I’ll do that this evening.  I also picked up some annuals to plunk into some empty spaces, including a flat of nicotiana.