Here’s a surprise! For the first time, Clematis armandii is putting forth a second flush of blooms…nothing like the clouds in late March, but welcome just the same.
I love this plant, Dranunculis vulgaris, a passalong from a firiend who called it the penis plant. I had it in deep shade, where it never bloomed. I moved divisions to several different locations. This one, in dappled shade, has shown me what it likes.
Here it is from another angle. I like the spotted stems almost as much as the dramatic flowers. They say they stink, but I have detected no odor.
Here’s a case of nature coming up with a color combo that seems to defy common sense. I’m still not fully convinced, but I’ll give her a pass on this one.
You know those fake Christmas trees where the light comes out the end of plastic “needles”? That’s what the stamens of Hypericum ‘Brigadoon’ remind me of.
The dangling blossoms of Lecesteria formosa are just the introduction to a long season of interest. They will soon produce dark berries that dangle like ear bobs on an exotic dancer.
Tiny white flowers are just the frosting on the dynamic foliage of Persicaria ‘Purple Shield’.
I’ve heard Hydrangea ‘Preziosa’ referred to more than once as the best of the Hydrangeas. Those dark stems and flower heads that range from creamy white to rusty bronze tones would seem to substantiate that claim.
Here she is paired with Angelica from Ryan at a plant swap last year. I started with one plant of the Prez and found it easy to reproduce by layering, so I now have several.
Privet is one of those shrubs that R planted as screening material. I held it in pretty low regard until it produced these lacy buds. It will fall back out of favor once they burst into boring bloom.
The leaves of Rogersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ turn green as they mature, but new ones continue to come along, keeping the bronze theme going.
This was on my wish list for ever so long, and now Romneya coulterii is putting on a good show right here along our fence line.
The water lilies get less sun than they would like. Usually, one blossom is all we get, but this year we’ve had three so far.
So July is off with a bang, which seems appropriate. These are my kind of fireworks.
Wonderful! Now that I’m back home from the Fling, I can see my garden was not off with a bang, but whimpering in the dry heat.
the waterlily is so pretty! i bet that brings you so much joy. wow that clematis is lovely.
Dranunculis vulgaris has quit a distinctive odor but it doesn’t last long, just a few hours after each bloom opens. You’ll know it when you smell it. I usually don’t notice until, while out in the garden, I start looking for the dead animal that is stinking up the garden. Ever had a rodent die in your wall, under your porch or something like that? Same fragrance. Enjoy!
Wow, Peter has really made me want a Dranunculis! 😉 That bloom almost makes me think it’s worth it . . .
I just fell down the rabbit hole for an hour reading up on layering . . . I’d never heard of it before. I want you to hold classes in your garden!
I was worried the color of the new foliage on Rogersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ would wash out with the heat wave, glad to see that’s not the case!
Hi Ricki,
yours is the first garden which features a Dranunculis! It’s almost a pity (but a stroke of luck maybe) that they don’t smell. I was always curious to see if they really do smell of rotting meat! It’s a lovely garden I’m glad I dropped by. Best of luck.
A second flush of blooms from your Clematis armandii is a nice bonus indeed! Some lovely plants there Ricki, looks like your July is off to a good start indeed!
Ricki, I have bad news. I once had a part-time gig at Plant Delights in Raleigh when Dranunculis was blooming. I’m here to say it stinks to heaven. Maybe it takes a little while for the odor to fully develop, but you are in for a treat…
The Rogersia is new to me. Quite pretty. Perennial or shrub?
Alison~Eager to see your take on the Fling. Your garden will recover with just a bit of TLC.
Wendy~Joy comes in many packages around here.
Peter~Oh my! Recollections I’d just as soon un-recollect.
Heather~If I can do it, you sure can. It would take me about five seconds to impart my full body of knowledge, and then we could sit under the cherry trees with a cold libation.
Loree~It’s in a pretty shady spot.
Graziella~Before you run out to get a Dranunculus, be sure to read the comments above.
Mark & Gaz~I’m noticing some other things coming back after a brief rest. Guess these weather patterns agree with them.
Sarah~The bloom time is very short, and I guess I just missed the stinky phase.
Claudia~Perennial, and I think it’s a fairly new introduction.
Beautiful! Your Rogersia ‘Bronze Peacock’ is gorgeous. And I’m completely smitten with your Dranunculis vulgaris and Romneya coulterii. I just tore out more sod, so I have room. 🙂
Laura~I can dig up a Dranunculus for you. The others will require a shopping trip.
Yes, I like these fireworks, too! Glad I found your blog–the graceful simplicity of it is refreshing! I’m still trying to figure out Blooming Blogs, and going back and forth between it and Blotanical … and other favorite blogs that don’t show up on either platform. Enjoy the fireworks (of all types)!
maybe we should all come over for a sniff…
Beth~Thanks so much for dropping by. I gave up on Blotanical and find Blooming Blogs easier to understand…plus, I found you there!
Linda~I’m trying to pay attention this summer to identify the best time to ask you all over.
Wow, lots and lots blooming in the beginning of July. Hope my Bronze Peacock blooms next year! I am heartened to see Clematis Armandii put forth a second bloom…..once I get my metal fencing up I will be planting one!
Janet~July used to be a dead zone between spring and high summer, but I’m making some progress in correcting that. Even if it only blooms once, the evergreen clematis is a great plant.
Hi Ricki, the Penis Plant. Too funny. My friend Annie has one in her front yard and the kids will stop and stare at it, making her feel embarrassed. I love your Fiber Optic-esque Hypericum flower and as I recall, so do the bees. I just purchased ‘Bronze Peacock’ Rodgersia a few weeks ago. I’m excited to see if I can keep the slugs off of it. 🙂 My ‘Preziosa’ is looking worse for the wear even though I’ve got it in a mostly shady place. Oh well…
Grace~I baited around ‘Bronze Peacock’ as it was emerging, and after much slimy snail death (ick!) they have not returned. I asked at Joy Creek why my ‘Preziosa’ was weak-stemmed and they thought it was because I had it in too much shade. I always thought of Hydrangeas as shade plants, but at JC they have quite a few in sunny spots.