Wandered through the gardens yesterday, camera in hand. Here’s how the light played.
I know I’ve posted a number of pics of this columbine, but it’s so pretty…
That’s H. Halcyon, a medium sized hosta. It hangs onto its “blueness” all summer. It is a layer or two of wax that gives hostas like Halcyon their blues. Some varieties lose their waxy coating in hot weather which makes them appear greener..
Abuja Drinking Gourd was Hosta of the Year in 2014. Mine has occupied this space for five or six years and it continues to charm me. I love its deeply textured blue leaves and the way they cup.
This charming and solitary allium popped up just over the fence from my lower garden.
The Cheddar Pinks have been teasing me with lots of bud. No any more.
The old dogwood in the Secret Garden is in full bloom and hosts oodles of buzzy insects. Later when its flowers have turned to clusters of dark blue berries, birds find a feast, too.
The hosta bed behind the garage in the Secret Garden is filling in. That is Great Expectations near the fence. Francee is nestled next to it. Next to Francee is Stained Glass, one of my favorites. It has wonderfully scented flowers, lovely color, and lots of texture. In front of Stained Glass is June, another Hosta of the Year in 2001. It is a sport of Halcyon.
No one told me that Great Expectations was a difficult hosta to grow. It must like gravely soil and the dappled sun it gets in the Secret Garden. I love deeply textured hostas, and the fact that I can get all that color, size, AND texture makes this one of my favorites.
I planted On Stage late last summer. I was first drawn just to the name, but I also liked the streaky leaves.
I think house sparrows finally whittled the opening to this birdhouse so they could build a nest. Usually wrens have nested here, but with the larger opening, I suspect they will find a more secure nesting spot. There are babies inside. I had hoped to catch the bright yellow mouths, but they didn’t cooperate.
Garden337 