Have a lot of things that are having an off year. The false indigo (baptisia) and rhodies out front flowered, but were not their usual showy selves. Most iris didn't deign to bloom. OTOH, the variegated weigala and peonies (pictured previously in this blog) were stunning and the azaleas in the newer bed, while still small plants, did very well.
But there is the ninebark. Year after year they put out flowers, but they just aren't showy or flashy and they are easy to miss. But every year I am stunned by the beauty of the after-flower. Even with the copper foliage, the red stands out and is attention getting.
The butterfly weed has just started going. And, seeing the baptisia pods (in the background), I gotta get out there and snip them or they will be all over (I already have plenty of babies thank you). Actually, I wouldn't mind the babies, but the stalks are woody and stabby so need to be actively cut down to the ground versus things like the butterfly weed that can basically be raked out
Oh yeah, the foxgloves in the "woods" out back are also looking nice. I transplanted 1 yellow foxglove over there a couple of summers ago. There are no yellows back there now, but they have sported into light pink and a patch of darker pink. The lighter ones nearly glow at night.
Those foxgloves are enough to set one's heart pitter-pattering even if one isn't touching them. Beautiful. I've always liked them, but never grew any. Aren't they the source of digitalis?
Posted by: Cop Car | June 25, 2022 at 09:24 AM
BTW: I've never seen any "after-flower" on my nine barks. It's possible that I've pulled them up thinking they were weeds? Or do they take several years to develop? I planted mine 7 years ago (gee - I would have guessed 3-4 years ago had I not looked it up!)
Posted by: Cop Car | June 25, 2022 at 09:27 AM
I mistook what I was seeing in your photo of the after-flower. I now do recall seeing them, but as you say they are not showy and don't make a lasting impression.
Posted by: Cop Car | June 25, 2022 at 09:29 AM
it just dawned on me why the flowers of the ninebark don't really show up but the red of the afterflowers do - the mulch in that area is a light colored rock (which you can see in the picture).
Posted by: bogie | June 26, 2022 at 05:12 AM
I believe you are correct about foxglove being a source of digitalis.
Posted by: bogie | June 26, 2022 at 05:13 AM