Everyone’s on the edge of their seats wondering what my standout plants are this month, right? Well, at the top of my list has got to be the pair of Dierama that are blooming in the garden right now. To my eye they look to be nearly the same color, but when a camera gets involved, well, things look very different…
I believe this is Dierama 'Merlin'– purchased at Portland Nursery this spring.
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And this is Dierama 'dark purple'– purchased at Garden Fever late last winter. It's not nearly that blue in person, in fact I wouldn't say it's blue at all. Isn't that weird?
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Interestingly there is this comparison of various “dark purple” flowers on the Edelweiss Perennials website (they're the grower of the plant I bought) showing the wide variations in color the seeds can produce. I really wish you could see both of these plants with your own eyes to understand how slight color the difference is...
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I do feel a bit like a cheater, being excited about blooming Dierama that I haven’t yet had to overwinter, as I hear it can be a challenge (well-drained soil is a must). They’re generally hardy to USDA Zones 7-8 (cold-wise) and do love the sun. Their foliage is rather grass-like, which you can kind of make out in this image…
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The second plant I’m sharing this month is new to me, I am so excited to finally be growing it! Ludwigia sedioides, aka Mosaic plant. I originally fell for this one back when my stock tank pond was in the shade and I couldn’t grow it (it likes sun).
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It’s a potted annual (in my Zone) with green to red diamond-shaped leaves that float on the surface of the water. Said to be a fast grower I’m hoping it enjoys this weekend’s heatwave (it requires water 72 degrees or warmer) and pushes out lots of new leaves.
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Another of my Manzanitas has been “faved” in the past, but I don’t think Arctostaphylos x ‘Austin Griffiths' has ever gotten the nod. Why this month? It’s molting!
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The entire outer layer of bark is peeling away, exposing bright amber-green new bark underneath.
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Pencil-shaving-like old bark falls to the ground.
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It’s the coolest thing!
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And finally, in case you didn’t hear me scream for joy (aka post about it on Facebook), I am now the proud owner of this lovely variegated Agave parryi…
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A gift from my friend Gerhard (Succulents and More…) he says it’s probably A. parryi 'Excelsior' which would make it possibly hardy to USDA Zone 7, not that I’ll be planting it in the ground anytime soon. It’s got a little growing to do first.
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So...that’s my wrap up of favorites in the garden these (hot) days of June. What are yours? Please tell us about them!
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
I believe this is Dierama 'Merlin'– purchased at Portland Nursery this spring.
And this is Dierama 'dark purple'– purchased at Garden Fever late last winter. It's not nearly that blue in person, in fact I wouldn't say it's blue at all. Isn't that weird?
Interestingly there is this comparison of various “dark purple” flowers on the Edelweiss Perennials website (they're the grower of the plant I bought) showing the wide variations in color the seeds can produce. I really wish you could see both of these plants with your own eyes to understand how slight color the difference is...
I do feel a bit like a cheater, being excited about blooming Dierama that I haven’t yet had to overwinter, as I hear it can be a challenge (well-drained soil is a must). They’re generally hardy to USDA Zones 7-8 (cold-wise) and do love the sun. Their foliage is rather grass-like, which you can kind of make out in this image…
The second plant I’m sharing this month is new to me, I am so excited to finally be growing it! Ludwigia sedioides, aka Mosaic plant. I originally fell for this one back when my stock tank pond was in the shade and I couldn’t grow it (it likes sun).
It’s a potted annual (in my Zone) with green to red diamond-shaped leaves that float on the surface of the water. Said to be a fast grower I’m hoping it enjoys this weekend’s heatwave (it requires water 72 degrees or warmer) and pushes out lots of new leaves.
Another of my Manzanitas has been “faved” in the past, but I don’t think Arctostaphylos x ‘Austin Griffiths' has ever gotten the nod. Why this month? It’s molting!
The entire outer layer of bark is peeling away, exposing bright amber-green new bark underneath.
Pencil-shaving-like old bark falls to the ground.
It’s the coolest thing!
And finally, in case you didn’t hear me scream for joy (aka post about it on Facebook), I am now the proud owner of this lovely variegated Agave parryi…
A gift from my friend Gerhard (Succulents and More…) he says it’s probably A. parryi 'Excelsior' which would make it possibly hardy to USDA Zone 7, not that I’ll be planting it in the ground anytime soon. It’s got a little growing to do first.
So...that’s my wrap up of favorites in the garden these (hot) days of June. What are yours? Please tell us about them!
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.