Flower for the Day Surprise Lily 7-30-14

The surprise lilies  arrived several weeks early this year. We have

been out of town and missed their bloom for the last several years.

 

They are breath taking....

 

and delicate.

 

Flower for the Day Tiger Lilies 7-28-14

These tiger lilies have transplanted well to the edge of the field.They are thriving with an occasional spritz of Deer Off.

Young Buck 2-28-14

We find out who's been eating our flowers.

Fourth of July Fireworks

Surpassed all expectations.

Flower for the Day Rose at the Lake House 7-25-14

We are going on our third year at the Lake House. This is the first rose that has made it through the rose eating deer onslaught. A single pink beauty surrounded by nibbled rose bush branches. 

A pleasant surprise.

Flower for the Day Hollyhock

These days all my hollyhocks (Alcea) are orphans brought intothe gardens on the  "wings of a bird" - or more likely dropped off by a bird. If they are out of the wind by a fence they grownicely and continue to produce flowers at the end of a strong stalk.

Flower for the Day Delphinium 7-23-14

Delphinium (Ranunculaceae family) is also called larkspur. It grows in white and 

purple. Each flower contains five petal-like sepals and four small true petals.

I always forget how petals and sepals differ. Can somebody help me please?

 

Flower for the Day Monarda 7-22-14

There are whole fields of monarda this year in the back. They

are always well attended by bees.

Up close it is quite delicate.

Flower for the Day Crown Beard

Crown beard (Verbesina) is by far the most successful flower in the sunny wildflower gardens. They grow taller than me on a very strong stem and thrive for several months.

Flower for the Day Trumpet Vine 7-18-14

I have shown no mercy in cutting back the trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) off of our woodfence as it is invasive and has been known to dismember fences. As a result it has not bloomed for years.Last fall on Jan's orders I let it be and this year we have blooms.

It is also known as trumpet creeper and hummingbird vine.

Flower for the Day Concord Grapes 7-16-24

This is the third year for my two Concord grape vine plants and forthe first time we have babies. They have some more growing to do but I am entertaining suggestions about what to do with them.

Flower for the Day Butterfly Weed 7-15-14

Butterfly weed (Asclepius tuberosa) is a common wild milkweed.I grew it well with seeds sent to me by my college classmate and Med school roommate, Charlie Singleton of Kansas City. Over many years I found it impossible to propagate by transplantation. It is in a class by itself with its many common names: Canada Root, Chigger flower,      

Flux Root, Indian Pony, Orange Milkweed, Orange Swallow-wort,Pleurisy Root, Silky Swallow-wort, Tuber root, Wind-Root, Butterfly Love,and Butterfly Milkweed.

Flower for the Day Shasta Daisy 7-14-14

The Shasta Daisies are amazing this year. When the deer ate not only the tomatoes but the entire tomato plants I switched my vegetable garden to flowers. The entire garden is brimming with daisies this year.

Flower for the Day Cleome 7-11-14

The front yard berm is filled with these tall beauties.

Spider flowers show a progression from C3 to C4 photosynthesis.

What are you going to do with that?

Flower for the Day Day Lily 4 7-10-14

Magnificent in the sun.

 

And the shade.

 

My favorite.

 

Flower for the Day Day Lily 3 7-8-14

Back from a brief vacation. The day lilies are exploding.

A tired old highway day lily. You would look tired too if you were a 37 year old day lily always dodging the deer.

Flower for the Day Day Lily 2 7-2-14

The day lilies have come out in expectation of the Fourth of July.

 

Our oldest.

 

Fighting the deer for these.