Happy Bloom Day! Now we're cooking. There's been lot of talk this week about 'plant obsessions' so, in case you haven't noticed, I REALLY like Salvias. They follow me home, like this 'Purple Rain' Sage (Salvia verticillata) that caught my eye on a recent nursery visit...SO cute, how could I resist!
Or Salvia greggii 'Caviar' that will have Hummingbirds following you home too!
In non-Salvia news, Pelargonium 'Fragrant Frosty' is a steadily expanding, compact mound of crisp variegated rose/lemon scented foliage and non-stop perky flowers.
Dwarf pomegranate (Punica granatum 'Nana') is covered with beefy little orange flowers that will turn into mini-fruits by summer's end (probably edible, but, um, why bother? Especially when you have the real deal growing elsewhere!)
My first bloom on the Silver Sage (Salvia argentea) is just spectacular; a loosely-tiered candelabra with large, pure white flowers rising out of the swirl of large, woolly leaves. (See? Just when you think you know Salvia, they surprise you with something new...)
The California Poppies are starting to get a little floppy, but are still delightful. They close up well before sundown; there is nothing quite like their satiny sheen.
The White Sage (Salvia apiana) is also blooming; the small flowers aren't much to look at, but the lanky, six-foot branches make a strong statement in the garden; give this fellow PLENTY of room. The lush new foliage that will follow after the flowering branches are cut back will provide plenty of aromatic dried sprigs to toss on a midsummer bonfire.
The Coral Carpet Roses are ramping up and will be working overtime until winter; the color is great with the blue fence.
And oh my, check out the thyme path! Woolly thyme (Thymus lanuginosus) is a sea of lavender right now; it is very popular...
...as you can see!
The Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue') is also blooming; I love how the same colors are repeated in the Coast Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa 'Morning Light) but with different textures.
My neighbor's beautiful shrub rose is spilling over my fence; that counts, right?
Euphorbia 'Helena's Blush' is still going strong; I'm enjoying it much more in its second year; neat 2' mounded plants are always good to find.
Ah, here's double trouble! Salvia 'Anthony Parker' is a cross between S. leucantha and S. elegans, with the rich purple flowers of the former with the neat, bushy habit of the latter...nice!
Echeveria flowers stand out really nicely against a sea of thyme!
Loving my new Nicotiana alata 'Lime Green' which is a recent purchase from Annie's Annuals; every garden needs some green flowers!
Finishing up with a few things blooming in the Kitchen Garden, like this English Thyme.
And this Salvia officinalis (just had to sneak one more in!)
Leaving you with the cheery faces of my favorite 'Moonlight' Nasturtiums. Thanks for visiting my flowery garden this Bloom Day! And thanks, as always, to Carol from May Dreams Gardens for being the heart of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Visit her site for links to Bloom Day posts from all over the world."We can have flowers nearly every month of the year."
Elizabeth Lawrence
Elizabeth Lawrence
Your blooms look lovely!
ReplyDeleteI shamelessly took note of the names of your salvia as they do really well in my sandy soil. Don't know if they are offered here but will look. Thanks for sharing your blooms today. Valerie
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics...you make me want to go hunt down more salvia!
ReplyDeleteGreat bloom day post. I've tried S. Purple Rain many times, probably all fall planted, and never saw it survive to bloom. I probably picked up some from the same grower's batch you did this spring and planted three, now flourishing and about to bloom, so I feel your excitement!. And that sea of thyme is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI love salvias too. But I'm most intrigued by that scented geranium. I might have to break my "no more geraniums" rule and get one. (The "no more" rule being enacted because they take up a bit more space than I have room for.)
ReplyDeleteThat all looks so luscious! One day I'd love to see your garden. I completely agree with you, salvias are addictive. Interestingly, my S. apiana is big and leggy in one spot, and small and well contained in another. No idea why, but it shows that you never know.
ReplyDeleteHappy bloom day!
Are these photos with your new camera? They all look great! That Salvia apiana is a pain to photograph. Your shot of it is great. And the bee is so nice.
ReplyDeleteThere are some really exciting plants in this post... thanks for sharing! Larry
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to get enough of those flowers. I'm loving every single one of them. Wonderful post!
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