It's been a while since I showed any new flowers here, so here goes… The Echinaceas are in full bloom now, along with a few other pretties.
Out my kitchen window, I noticed this flower opening… I have not had white Echinaceas here for a few years, and was surprised to find this seedling blooming in white with a touch of yellow at the tips of the petals. I am so happy… My yellow one died a few years ago, and so did my white ones. I love seeing what new colors pop up from so many varieties crossing with each other.
A closer shot of this flower…
OK, Here is an even closer shot- see the tips of the petals? I think it may be a seedling from the apricot colored ones called "Harvest Moon".
At first glance these Echinaceas look like regular purple ones…. but check out the leaves… They are spotted with lots of white on them. The variety is named "Sparkler" the flowers are a deeper shade than most of the purple ones.
This variety is one that was sold with part of the sales going to breast cancer research. The name is "Hope" It has a much larger center than most Echinaceas. I even caught a visitor on this one.
More Echinaceas…. These are from a big group of plants that have seeded themselves over the years. Some of the flower petals droop more than others. It has been fun watching the Goldfinches this summer. They have been trying to pick seeds from these flowers even before they have a chance to form them. This photo also shows the really tall Thalictrum, or Meadow Rue towering over even the ornamental grass, with it's delicate lavender flowers. Most of the plants in this area of the garden are nearly armpit high… It will be even better when the tall Garden Phlox begin to bloom. I even allowed a few wild Milkweed plants to stay here for the Monarchs. They usually end up popping up where I have the shortest plants growing, and I have to pull them or leave them looking out of place.
Last photo for tonight… Annual flowers in a planter- White and deep purple Angelonia with bright pink geraniums. I never thought I would be buying geraniums to plant around my home, but these were on a bargain rack at Lowes at half price. Beautiful plants, just not in bloom… With a little TLC, they are pretty now. I do like the color..
Now I just need to keep attacking the weed populations… Photos are great…. I can shoot around the weeds and no one knows how bad they really are:)
I am a former textile artist and new pattern designer with a degree in horticulture, wishing to share my love of nature, flowers and gardens with everyone through my photos, sunprinted fabrics, and now pattern designs. Chronic Lyme Disease has caused major changes to the direction my life. I have to limit the amount of time spent digging in my gardens, and quilting has become more difficult. I discovered pattern design as a way to get art back into my life. I now use my gardens and photos to inspire designs that can be used on fabrics and print on demand items.
