Delphinium

'Mary's Tears'

June Flowers

I joined Elisa for another Nature Walk in mid-June. I just haven't had time until this morning to share the photos.

Mary's Face (a.k.a. Gaillardia 'Goblin')

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Our Lady's Crown (a.k.a. Love in a Mist)

Double Knock Out Roses (Rosa Radtko)

Our Lady's Pincushion (a.k.a. Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue')

Nature Walk

"After a long day, I steal a few minutes outside with my camera. All alone. [With children all around me.] Even though I don't live in a cabin in the woods on a lake, I can find peace in nature right here, in the middle of the city, in the neighborhood, in the garden, barefoot on the grass, among the daisies and the bumblebees."

~ Elisa ~

I'm joining Elisa for her garden party today. I'd be happy to see you there.

Armeria 'Dusseldorf Pride'

Calendula

Angel Daisies

Lupine

Lupine

Bee and Rhododendron

Magnifying glasses are great when you're a boy

Organic Gardening

Since accidentally destroying some of my roses by using weed killer near them, I have returned to not using chemicals. However, I spend a lot of time in the spring removing unwanted grass and weeds by hand from our small garden. Last year, I purchased compost at Costco for one of our garden beds. Brendan recently told me that the plants in that bed are looking great. After watching some of this video, I think that I know why.

Scabiosa 'Blue Note'

Photo taken June 28, 2011

I planted four 'Blue Note' Scabiosas in the garden, interspersing them with yellow Marigolds.

Marian Name: Our Lady's Pincushion
Botanical Name: Dwarf Pincushion Flower 'Blue Note'

Description: Large flowering and floriferous bloomer produces clear blue button flowers that are great cut.

Light: Full sun
Soil: Well drained soil.
Height: 8-10"

June Garden Bed

 Our Lady of Lourdes Garden Bed
June 10, 2011



Photo taken by Theresa
June 24, 2011



Dwarf Lupine, Minarette

The children planted these lupines from seed last year. We purchased dwarf lupine seeds; however, the lupines have grown to 4 feet tall.

Religious Name: St. Mark's Plant

Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus'

Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus'

When I saw Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus' (Dwarf Meadow Sage), I thought it might look good in front of my Angel Daisies. Time will tell if I was right.

Angel Daisies and Salvia nemorosa ' Marcus'

Description: This dwarf salvia produces compact spikes of richly colored blooms that are excellent in fresh or died cut arrangements. Great for mass planting the perennial garden. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and is deer resistant.

Care: Remove spent flowers to encourage additional blooms. Water weekly during dry spells.

Light: Full sun or part shade

Height: Grows to 12" tall
Width: Grows to 12" wide

Hardy Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei'

Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei'

When I saw this Geranium at Fred Meyer, I knew that I wanted to add it to our garden. Brendan and Theresa (my shopping companions) agreed that it would look good and it is now planted in our front garden bed.

Marian Name: Madonna's Pins
Botanical Name: Geranium sanguinem 'Max frei'
Common Name: Cranesbill 'Max frei'

Description: Vibrant magenta flowers on compact mounded form bloom May through September. Lovely in the rock garden or at garden's edge. Attractive leaves have scarlet fall color.

Foliage: Herbaceous
Light: Full sun to partial sun
Height: 4-6"
Width: 24"

Platycodon grandiflora Mini Balloon White (Balloon Flower)

I received three of these healthy looking plants from Bluestone Perennials. I was excited to see them arrive looking very healthy and green.

Height: Short 12-16" / Plant 12" apart
Bloom Time: Early Summer to Late Summer
Sun-Shade: Full Sun to Mostly Sunny
Zones: 3-9 Get Your Zone
Soil Condition: Normal, Acidic
Flower Color / Accent: White / White

Description: Pure white balloon pods pop open to 5-petalled starry blooms. A perfect perennial for the novice garden. Absolutely carefree and easy to grow. Long lived, disease and pest free. Platycodons are slow to emerge in the spring but worth the wait. 

Features to Note: Avoid Wetness, Plants that attract Butterflies, Good for Cut Flowers

General Information: Avoid too moist (wet feet), good cut flower. Late to show in the spring. 

Plant Care: Plants can be cut back by half in late May/Early June to promote bushiness and compact habit.

http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/PLBWS.html

Mammoth Mum Bronze Daisy

I wouldn't have dreamed of adding bronze flowers to my garden, but this mammoth mum was included in a grab bag that I received from Spring Hill Nursery. The color should complement fall and so I planted it in a sunny location that the plant seems to like.

Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium

Height: 36-42"
Space: 5'
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade