Mexican Feather Grass

Verbena Bonariensis

Middle of Summer brings in the tall airy wands of Brazilian Verbena. I love this plant in the garden, it's tall puffs draw buzzing bees, alighting dragonflies and perching birds.

Canterbury Bells

Such a posh name. But what poor posture!

Pretty Orange

Orange usually throws a visual wrench into a garden scene. I've found a few that I like though, maybe due to the rust or red mixed into their petals.

Feeling Lucious

Good Garden Combinations

Garden Clashes

Sometimes gardens don't come together in the way I imagine they will. Colors clash, bloom times are off, and heights, textures and habits collide in strange ways. Here are the areas bothering me this year:

Of course I never know until it comes into bloom.

And then it's exactly the wrong time of season to move anything.

So I try to ignore it.

And hope I remember what to move come Fall.

And then next summer, see how it turns out.

Here's the plan for alterations this Fall:
Move bright yellow Yarrow to sitting garden to be with grasses and purple Catmint.
Move the sunny yellow daylily away from the soft butter colored David Austin rose-what a clash that was! It could go well in the back of the front garden.
Move orange Calendula to the South Hill garden to be with blue Iris and Lupin.
Move zebra grass away from roses-it's too hidden and looks a mess. Put it in the sun somewhere.
Move pink Spireas to the shady walk garden.
Move Lambs Ear out of the Lavender hedge's way. Put it next to something dark where it can shine it's silver foliage.
Move the bridal wreath Spirea and Lupin to full sun.
Divide Rush.
Keep this garden to the following colors: white, cream, apricot, lavender, red and spring blues.

Pink Poppies

Sitting Garden

A place to sit and watch the roses change.

Wild Garden

It seems to take a year or so to find out if a garden design is working or not. This wilder corner of the garden turned out to be airy and elegant when it came into bloom this summer. Tall spires of Foxglove and Calendula float and sway with Oat grass wands. Smoke bush, Spirea and Hydrangea anchor the arrangement. I expected it to be a messy looking area, but it turned out so pretty. In the Fall Asters will join in.