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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...
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Veilchenblau Rose finishing up



The last of 'Veilchenblau' blooms are fading after a three-week stretch which is fairly typical. No more blooms on this one until next year.

This rose, first introduced in 1909 by J.C. Schmidt of Erfurt, Germany was an offspring of 'Crimson Rambler' which marked a milestone in climbing roses in 1893. 

'Veilchenblau' is one of my favorite roses. The flowers are spectacular, blooming in large clusters of a color variation that begins with dark reddish-violet buds that open dark and gradually fade to lilac. White streaks are also visible. This color shift occurs over the extended bloom time so you have all the different hues going on at once. The foliage is also quite nice, thornless (or almost thornless) and light green in color. It is said to have a scent of green apples but I do not notice this.


This time I'm growing the rose on a fence although it has room to stretch up over the gate. It can reach 12 feet. You can see random new shoots reaching for the sky. I trim these back to keep it closer to the fence but will allow growth to go over the arch.

In our old garden in Alabama, I grew it on an archway -



This is an extremely healthy rose, never blemished by disease. Last year, I had some lupine needing a home and at the last minute, plopped them in front of the fence. I was thinking they probably wouldn't work here but they looked nice in front of the rose along with Salvia 'Caradonna'. 


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonJuly 5, 2022 at 10:59 AM

    I can't even imagine having a rose that bountiful. The pairing with the Salvia is perfect.

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