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Ten July Favorites

Chaste Tree ( Vitex ) One of the highlights of the year is when the Chaste Tree blooms. It pains me that I don't know the name of it, but I suspect it is 'Shoal Creek' . I failed to record it, and I also do not remember where it came from. We sell a newer variety at Yard N' Garden called 'Flip Side ', which has stunning leaves of olive-green with a purple reverse.  A friend has the pale pink variety, but I don't think it is as pretty as the blue-colored flowers. This little tree is constantly covered with bees.  Catalpa bignoinoides   'Aurea' A large limb died over the winter, leaving a gaping hole. However, it is looking better after Michael raised some of the remaining limbs. It has bloomed profusely this year. Like the vitex, our best view of it is from the windows, where you get an elevated view. Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister' This perennial is doing much better after I moved it to a better location. I saw it last week in an ope...

First hummingbird

This morning as I was washing the breakfast dishes, I glanced out the kitchen window and saw the first hummingbird of the season. It was flying around the archway covered with the climbing rose "Blaze", yellow honeysuckle and a white clematis that I can't remember the name of. This photo was taken two weeks ago and the honeysuckle flowers had not fully opened yet. They are open now and the hummingbird was really enjoying them.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Don't you love those little guys! I haven't seen them around much this spring...but I've heard them chirping around the garden...they are so quick!

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  2. Oh, goody. I have not seen one yet. At least I know they are coming soon!!!!

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  3. Hi Phillip. Love your blog; I always enjoy your posts about your roses and hydrangeas. I wanted to know if the white flower pictured with your 'Blaze' rose is a clematis. If so, do you know the cultivar? Thanks.

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  4. What a beautiful photograph! did you use some kind of special technique? Those roses are literally jumping off the screne into the room with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. Gotta get my feeders out! So exciting to see the hummingbirds.
    LOVE that peony! So beautiful!

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  6. Connie-Nicole, that is a clematis and unfortunately I don't recall the name of it.

    Rebecca, some tweaking in Photoshop. It is probably just the red though, they tend to jump out at you.

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  7. I have had then at the feeders now for about 3 weeks. Not many-just a couple, but I love watching them. Carol

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  8. That Clematis looks like Duchess of Edinburgh. Gorgeous companions!

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  9. Wonderful, summery, cheerful picture! Those little birds can make us so happy! I need to wait many weeks to see them in my garden. Their favorite plant is red monarda. Last summer, I even saw them fighting around it.

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  10. Yummy, I would be drawn to these flowers too. I haven't seen a hummer in my garden as yet. I have red roses blooming too. Where is my hummer?? WHINE...

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  11. Well Lisa, I have not seen him since! Perhaps he was a scout?

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  12. Love when they arrive and someday hope they let me get a decent photo. gail

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  13. There's nothing to get your heart pumping like the sight of a hummer. (Cute little buggers.) I got my act together early this year & put my feeder up already, even though my honeysuckle hasn't even thought about forming buds yet.

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