IAVOM – June Blooms

Our last week of June… how fast the month has flown! A glorious month in the garden it has been for me. With the sundrops (Oenothera fruiticosa) sweeping the main garden, they were a must for this week’s vase, along with an abundant supply of lavender racemes of catmint (Nepeta racemosa), and yellow Carolina lupine (Thermopsis villosa). Additions of wild fleabane (Erigeron annuus) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) give it a meadowy touch. *Note the backdrop in the above photo of the blooming Korean dogwood (Cornus kousa), drooping a bit from all the rain we’ve had this week, but it has bloomed for weeks, putting on quite the show.

Lastly, I had to share a small vase of my latest favorite native flower: Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica). Love at first sight, I had to have this one, finally found at a local nursery three years ago. It has now increased enough that I felt I could cut a couple of blooms. The flowers, arranged like Crocosmia or Freesia, blossom a couple at a time, giving a prolonged bloom time. Sprigs of coleus (Plectranthus), Agastache ‘Poquito Lemon Butter’ and leaves of dill (Anethum graveolens) and Geranium macrorrhizum complete the arrangement.

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts the weekly garden meme In A Vase On Monday, featuring flowers from our gardens. Click the link to join or see what others are sharing this week.

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Silent Sunday – Ginormous!

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Solstice Greetings

Don’t be concerned about the length of the road or the destination. Everything is changing. Whatever you pass, don’t cling to it. Eventually the mind will reach its natural balance where practice is automatic. All things will come and go of themselves.” ~Ajahn Chah

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Wordless Wednesday – Swift Water

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IAVOM – Peony Finale

Soft pink peonies (P. lactiflora) are making their last appearance here as a heat wave is due this week, which surely will end their glorious reign. Similarly, the last of the columbines (Aquilegia vulgaris) with their interesting seed heads. Carolina lupine (Thermopsis villosa) are just beginning to open, so there is always another perennial to take over the spotlight. Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), catmint (Nepeta racemosa), ladies mantle (Alchemilla mollis) and Korean dogwood (Cornus kousa) finish the vase.

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts the weekly garden meme In A Vase On Monday, featuring flowers from our gardens. Click the link to join or see what others are sharing this week.

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Silent Sunday – Showy Stamens

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Wordless Wednesday – Giant Leopard Moth

2″ Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia)
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IAVOM – Precious Jewels

The colors in this week’s vase remind me of precious gemstones: rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls. Too bad I don’t have those for props! 🤩 Instead, I have ruby peonies (P. lactiflora no ID), sapphire veronica (V. ‘Crater Lake Blue’), emerald ladies mantle (Alchemilla mollis) and pearly Korean dogwood (Cornus kousa). Other players are lamb’s ear blooms (Stachys byzantina) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).

And since this is THE week for peonies in my garden, I picked an armload of white ones to put in my cobalt vase. Such joy they bring!

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts the weekly garden meme In A Vase On Monday, featuring flowers from our gardens. Click the link to join or see what others are sharing this week.

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Silent Sunday – Fiery Sunset

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Wordless Wednesday – Peonies

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