Wednesday, October 15, 2008

How About Some Pretty Flowers


I really have to brag on our little garden. Even though the foliage is really starting to look, not so pretty, we still have lots of pretty blooms to enjoy. Jamie and I made a conscious effort to try and purchase plants for all seasons this past spring. Looks like we did a pretty good job of it so far and we will keep putting some careful thought into it from this point forward.

This first picture is of ‘Galore’ clematis and Thryallis. I’m not certain how the Thryallis is going to handle the winter in our zone, but we are soon to find out. I’m hoping it does okay. If not, I’m certain we can find something else to take its place.

GaloreThryallisC at Zoomonga.com


This is the first time ‘Clarence’ has decided to bloom. Jamie and I bought this Iris earlier this spring. Isn’t it a beautiful flower?

ClarenceC at Zoomonga.com


The variegated sedum is doing well, but the chrysanthemums just about choked it out this year. To be truthful, if I had to choose between the mums and sedum it would be the mums. They’re gorgeous right now.

Variegated Sedum


Jamie and I got out and divided a lot of the cannas this past weekend. Our friend Carol left with two kitchen garbage bags filled with tubers. The blooms are still pretty, but the leaf rollers did a number on the foliage. Next year, I’ll stay on top of the problem. This is ‘President’ and it’s followed by ‘City of Portland’.

President



City of Portland


For the most part, it appears as if the huge bed we placed at the end of the patios is becoming a butterfly garden. Next year, in addition to all the other plants in the bed, it should be blanketed in trailing Lantana. This it one of the five cultivars we have. It’s called ‘Lemon Drop’, we got it on our little vacation to Florida this year.

Lemon Drop


This next flower we purchased at a flea market in the southeastern part of the state. When I asked the little lady we bought it from what it was called, she said “A tall yellow daisy.” So, that’s all I know to call it. She wasn’t joking either, this thing gets over eight feet tall.

TallyellowC at Zoomonga.com


Last but not least, we have my grandmother’s rose. There is absolutely no telling how old this plant is, it was at her house for as many years as I can remember. When she became ill, I dug this up before her house was sold. This picture does not do it justice.

Grandma's RoseC at Zoomonga.com

8 comments:

Roses and Lilacs said...

Your flowers are absolutely gorgeous. I love the rose and the pink canna.

You did a great job of choosing plants that give you color in the very late season garden.
Marnei

Randy said...

Thank you so much Marnie! Just when I think the garden is nearing its end, it surprises me with a gift of fresh flowers. :-)

Phillip Oliver said...

Beautiful photos as always Randy and I'm envious of your camera's ability to capture red so well. I can't wait for my cannas to grow up and look like yours. :)

Wicked Gardener said...

Ugh - I have problems with the leaf rollers on my cannas too. Know any organic ways of getting rid of them?

Randy said...

Phillip,
They will be there before you know it!

WG,
I don't know of any organic solutions. I'm hesitant to spray them because of all the hummers, bees and butterflies. But I will treat them next year.

Wayne said...

I have a yellow daisy like flower that also gets about 8 ft tall. It's called Rubecia Herbstsonne. But mine get large green cone centers.

Annie in Austin said...

Hi Randy & Jamie,

Finding a rainbow of flowers here is never a surprise - and this time you've tucked a fall-blooming iris into the mix!
Your Lantana 'Lemon Drop' is so much prettier than the lantanas I ended up with - have to look for that cultivar next year.

Do you think the tall yellow daisies look like Maximillian Sunflowers in this photo from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center?

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Randy said...

Annie,
You hit the nail right on the head with the Sunflowers! That's exactly what they are and I am so glad you were able to tell me. Annie, I really liked the creamy yellow color of the blooms on 'Lemon Drop'. Next year that huge bed should be completely carpeted in Lemon Drop, New Gold and Trailing Purple lantana.