August 21, 2024

Wordless Discoveries After an August Rain

Lotus corniculatus with Cupido comyntas
Lotus corniculatus with Cupido comyntas

Echinacea purpurea
Echinacea purpurea
(and grass)

Lobelia siphilitica
Lobelia siphilitica

Solidago canadensis
Solidago canadensis

Trifolium pratense
Trifolium pratense

Helianthus spp.
Helianthus spp.

Andropogon gerardii
Andropogon gerardii

Rubus allegheniensis
Rubus allegheniensis

Monarda fistulosa
Monarda fistulosa

Asclepias syriaca
Asclepias syriaca

Sorghastrum nutans 1
Sorghastrum nutans

Erigeron strigosus
Erigeron strigosus

Cirsium discolor
Cirsium discolor

Lotus corniculatus
Lotus corniculatus

Sorghastrum nutans 2
Sorghastrum nutans

Verbena hastata
Verbena hastata

Oenethera guara
Oenethera guara

Oenothera biennis
Oenothera biennis

Rhus typhina
Rhus typhina

Wordless Wednesday

August 13, 2024

Fond Memories of Chanticleer

waterlilies in bowl

Chanticleer is a magical place.

I shared a few of my thoughts about it and photos last September, after the Philadelphia Garden Fling. But when I couldn't attend this year's recent Puget Sound Fling, it had me thinking about Chanticleer again.

My words and photos can't do it justice, but it seems like a good time to share a bit. I don't have tags for all the varieties of plants in my photos, but I did my best to ID most of them. Mainly, while at Chanticleer, I wanted to simply take it all in at this special place instead of focusing on the details too much. I definitely want to go back again...

palms, elephant ears, and spider plants

The plantings were regal throughout the grounds, including these groupings of Birds-of-Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta), and Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum).

walkways

The pathways throughout the grounds were well-maintained and great for visitors of all abilities; subdued, but also beautiful.

meadow edges

The meadow edges were naturalistic, but at the same time artfully arranged.

hedge and borders

This grouping of hedges and border plantings was organized, yet comfortable.

ruin garden

The Ruin Garden was fascinating--combining the beauty of historical structures with lush, beautiful, draping plants.

potted succulents

Here and there were surprise combinations, like this potted grouping of succulents.

pollinator house and surrounds

The naturalistic, yet creatively placed, elements throughout the grounds really appealed to me--like this pollinator house paired with beautiful rocks, mosses, plants, and structures.

great blue heron

The wildlife seemed at peace at Chanticleer, too, like this juvenile great blue heron.

While I don't have all the variety names, here are some individual blooming plants that captured my eye:

tricyrtis formosana
Tricyrtis formosana

physostegia virginiana
Physostegia virginiana

lantana camara samantha
Lantana camara 'Samantha'

hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophylla

echinacea green jewel
Echinacea purpurea 'Green Jewel'

dahlia pinnata 2
Dahlia pinnata with Symphyotrichum spp.

dahlia pinnata 1
Dahlia pinnata

colchicum autumnale
Colchicum autumnale

anemone x hybrida
Anemone x hybrida

floating display

The water features, perhaps most of all, really captivated me during our visit. Many who reported on Chanticleer after the Fling noted these lovely floating displays of mixed colorful blooms and foliage.

waterlilies and koi
Nymphaea mexicana with koi

The koi fish enjoyed the Waterlilies as much as we did.

nymphaea nouchali
Nymphaea nouchali

nymphaea mexicana
Nymphaea mexicana

Our time at Chanticleer was enchanting and way too short. I must go back.

To learn more about the Garden Fling--past, recent, and future--visit gardenfling.org.

August 05, 2024

Plentiful Mounds of Hydrangeas

bowl 1

Do you prune your Hydrangeas? I admit I haven't been careful about the timing of this practice in the past, for various reasons. But this year they've been so full of blooms--more than I can remember in previous years. And one of our shrubs is next to the sidewalk, so it must be contained. Some sources I've consulted recommend pruning around August 1 to encourage blooms for next year.

So I'm focusing solely on Hydrangeas for this post. I piled a bunch of cuttings in a large glass bowl for display.

bowl 2

They make an interesting mounded arrangement.

bowl 3

I added the teacup to show the size of the mound, although it's hard to convey through a photo.

bowl 4

Here you can see the large glass bowl and the blooms spilling over it.

vase

I also grouped a few of the blooms--some with a little more color--along with some foliage, into a small display vase in the family room. They're so pretty and elegant.

glads

OK, I fibbed. It's not just about Hydrangeas. The Gladiolas continue, and I plopped three stems in a vase in the restroom. Gosh, these were easy arrangements. And the flowers keep coming...

I'm linking in with Cathy's In a Vase on Monday meme over at Rambling in the Garden. Head on over to see some amazing displays.