The Changing Garden

June brought new colors and shapes to the front garden.

Japanese iris (Iris ensata) are the last to bloom of the three types of irises I have. You'll notice that both sets of petals are flatter, forming a simpler, broader flower. 

They're fighting the creeping shade...

...while Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Variegatum') continues to spread happily under the oaks and dogwoods.

I enjoy the impact that flowering shrubs bring. Gardenia jasminoides perfume the area near the front door. I think these are 'August Beauty'.

 

Bees come to visit the magenta Spiraea japonica shrubs. They'll bloom most of the summer now that they're no longer in shade.

White Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) have freely self-sown, a little too vigorously! These pink and violet ones are my favorites, so of course they haven't strayed from where I planted them.

The first of the daylilies (Hemerocallis) have joined the party. There are thousands of daylily cultivars; my garden has six, but I've lost track of their varietal names. If only they could be used in flower arrangements, they would be the perfect perennial.

Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum 'Becky') are melting away where the shade has deepened, but have discovered the area where one of the trees was removed. They will dependably flower until fall if dead-headed regularly.

This spider lily (Hymenocallis sp.), which came with me when we built this house twenty years ago, probably hales from northern South America. It has responded happily to all the rain we've had lately -- currently more than three feet tall, the flowers are beginning to bend from their weight.

Our two Labrador retrievers rule the backyard, enthusiastically removing any flowers I plant. So back there I'm content to stare at the trees.

Staring skyward, I think about how gardens are constantly changing. Trees grow tall and cast ever more shade. Droughts take their toll. Longtime favorites fade away, others self-sow. Some perennials creep slowly to a place more to their liking. Native wildflowers find their way in.  All of which makes gardening interesting and challenging!

Thank you for visiting my garden!