A Smooth Hydrangea With a Special Purpose

Every year about this time, I hope to see rusty-patched bumble bees, an endangered species. It's always a thrill to find them in my garden! Some of their favorite plants here have been various Alliums and Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa).

In the past several days, their preferred hangout has been the Invincibelle Lace® Hydrangea (H. arborescens subsp. radiata), which is a cultivar of the native H. radiata. For several years, this easy-care, shade-tolerant shrub has made itself at home in a special garden spot, and the pollinators are now visiting with abandon. It's a lovely shrub--from bud to bloom and beyond.

The scent when it blooms is amazing!



And even as it fades, its florets and filaments capture little treasures, like errant leaves.



And the wings of former visitors.



During my recent observation, rusty-patched bumble bees were joined by many other pollinators for a party on the flowers.





It was fun to watch banded longhorn beetles climbing up its structure.



The light of the shrub's dappled-shade location plays magically across the flowers.

This little Hydrangea is happy in its home near a Crabapple tree. And it has a special purpose--hosting an endangered species and a wide range of other pollinators.

Happy 4th of July!

_________________________________

The rusty-patched bumble bee has been listed as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 2017. Once commonly found throughout a broad range of eastern and northcentral North America, its presence has shrunk to a few small areas within that native range. We're fortunate in this part of the Midwest to still find them in our gardens and natural areas.

The Xerces Society offers suggestions on how we can all get involved in bumble bee conservation--to help the endangered rusty-patched bumble bee and other species.

Pleasant Summertime Combinations

I won't complain about the weather. I know many folks are suffering under extreme heat and other difficult conditions. I will say, however, that we aren't having typical June weather for these parts. But no denying...it is comfortable.

Some plants are growing very slowly, while others are trotting along, happy as can be. So, for this Six on Saturday, here are six groupings faring well in the cool, comfortable, adequately moist weather. Above, the 'Lollipop' Lilies (Lilium hybrid) are lovely paired with Lacecap Hydrangea blooms (H. arborescens subsp. radiata).



My "mostly foliage" mixed pots are filling in nicely.



These two buddies have been together in a pot for a few years now: Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) and Fuchsia 'Autumnale.' They spend the winter in the sunroom, and the summer in dappled shade.



The pink Cleomes (C. hassleriana) I planted in the side garden pair well with the perennial 'May Night' Salvias (Salvia × sylvestris).



Woodland Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica) blooms in several locations. This little grouping flowers a little later than the others, but it looks naturally happy near the rock wall, interspersed with Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris).

Finally, the Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera) is now blooming--better late than never! I had to be careful, zooming in from a distance, because robins are nesting in the Rose arbor.

That's my six! Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting "Six on Saturday"!

Floating Summer Flowers

Tying in with my post from Saturday, I moved the blooms from the delicate teacups I featured into a clear bowl. I placed them on the gravel pathway for this photo, but they've been sitting on a table on the back porch for a few days and holding their own.

There's something about floating flowers that seems enchanting, no matter the vessel.

So I'm submitting this simple follow-up post for "In a Vase on Monday," hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Check out her blog for more vase ideas from around the world. Thanks to Cathy for hosting!

Mostly Teacups and Roses

For this Six on Saturday, on the eve of the Summer Solstice, I plopped some flowers in teacups. I have a little collection, and they seemed appropriate vessels for the day.



While five are filled with Roses, this teacup showcases a 'Lollipop' Lily (Lilium hybrid), just starting to bloom.



Next, I included the hope of things to come, with buds from the Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera).



This unknown, bright pink Rose (it was here when we moved in and unmarked) seems to deserve a ring of gold.



The reliable 'At Last' Rose (Rosa x) is a lovely bloomer and has an amazing scent.



'Oso Easy' Double Pink (Rosa x) has a cute little garden personality.

Finally, Fred's 'Sweet Mary,' hybridized by my great-grandfather, is a fragile bloom with a very pleasant, sweet scent.

That's it for my "six" this week. Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting! Happy summer!