Thursday, June 16, 2011

Flowers and Foliage Rolled Into One

I don't have very many photos this month so I'm going to combine my Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and Foliage Follow Up posts. There is a bit of a lull in my garden right now. Spring blooms are past but the late-season stuff hasn't started blooming yet.

I'm loving this new Calendula with two tone petals. And I'm excited my Nolina interrata is already blooming. I wonder if it will be a girl or a boy? I planted 3 of them (1 died) and I'm hoping to get a girl and a boy so I can collect seed. The 2nd one isn't blooming yet though.

calendula_bronzed_beautynolina interrata flower

These lilies were raring to go early this year. Lily 'Mascara', named for the dark edge of the petal, although I think Lily 'Eyeliner' might have been more accurate a name, it doesn't have the same ring.

lily 'mascara'lily mascara edge

Harlequin Lupine (Lupinus stiversii) from Annie's that I'm hoping to collect seed from. And a yellow Lewisia from Annie's that was grown years ago as Lewisia 'Yellow Form'. It is an incredible Lewisia that blooms year-round, quite floriferously. I'm did collect seed of this, hoping they put it back into production.

harlequin lupinelewisia yellow

I'm hoping to get some Borage reseeding around my garden. Not sure what I'm going to do with it, just feel like I should have it for some reason. And leek flowers always make me think of pregnant bellies. Wouldn't it be cool if a woman's belly stretched so thin you could see the baby inside? On second thought, maybe not.

boragepregnant

I splurged and bought some rather expensive Kalanchoe 'Fantastic' based on a photo I saw. Turns out it's not really as showy as the picture. Oh well. I tried to get rid of this unnamed Manfreda once but all the roots sprouted their own rosettes. I kind of respected its chutzpah after that. Plus, it looked good in mass. Very well behaved, other than the root reincarnation thing, and I recently realized snails never bother it unlike most Manfredas.

kalanchoe fascinationmanfreda from yucca do

I've got forests of kale right now. Please take some.

forrests of kale

I like what is happening around my front door right now.

front porch foliage

I love to see fat little lady bugs in my garden. And their little lady bug babies. Get those aphids!

ladybugludybug juniors

Thank you to May Dreams Gardens for hosting Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and to Pam of Digging for hosting Foliage Follow Up!

10 comments:

  1. That Lewisia is a stunner! I have never had any luck with them, but maybe I should give it another try...

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  2. I'm not usually a calendula fan, but that one is stunning! Do the petals stay incurved like that, or do they flatten out as the flower matures?

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  3. Goodness - don't get rid of that Manfreda (or if you do, send it my way!). It looks like a keeper to me.

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  4. Great photos. Love the Kalanchoe. Maybe you want more borage because the bees love it so much and you want to cater to them? Just a thought. :)

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  5. The calendula is gorgeous... and that Lewisia... I've never seen a yellow one and I absolutely love it! Year round bloom... how wonderful! Larry

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  6. I'm with RBell -- that manfreda is delightful, the little spotted thing. I'm glad it impressed you with its will to live.

    Your photos are always inspirational, Kelly. So much detail in each one!

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  7. So cool to see the lewisia growing out of stacked concrete/"urban stone." I like what's happening at your front door too!

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  8. College Gardener - Lewisias are pretty easy as long as you give them sharp drainage and keep them on the dry side. They are very happy planted in a rock wall.
    Greensparrow - This is my first Calendula too. I'm liking it a lot. The petals do stay curved so you get to enjoy the color contrast. It's from Annie's Annuals.
    RBell - If I decide to get rid of any of it I'll let you know!
    Grace - That is a good reason to have the borage!
    Thanks Larry, Pam and Denise!

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  10. Regarding the Borage - we used to grow the pure white form in our former garden in Oakland. It seeded here and there, usually along pathways. While preparing a group dinner, there was often a gaggle of children getting underfoot and trying to distract us from food prep. So we'd give them a wooden bowl and send them out with the eldest child to pick Borage flowers to add to the salad (they are edible). It takes a lot of concentration, gets them focused (and busy), and takes a bit of time. They would also be very proud of their addition to the meal!!

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