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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Exciting Developments in the Outlaw Garden.

O.K. so this is also a my favorite plant this week post but there were two and I don't know anything about the second plant. Anyway, for more  favorite plant this week posts, check out Danger Garden the host of this movable meme.
 
First up is  Kalmia latifolia.  I've had three of these for several years.  I bought them blooming in their pots, planted them and then just got lots of  lovely evergreen foliage.  Hmm.  I was just thinking that they might want more sun  & was going to move them out to the parking strip when this year, what should happen?  This one decided to bloom.  I love the shape of the buds almost more than the flowers themselves!   They kind of look like fireworks don't they?


There are several varieties of these ranging in flower color from white through pink and purple with variations and interesting petal patterns on the flowers.  Eventual height and spread is 6' to 10' and it's hardy in zones 4a to 9b.  To learn more go here.
 
 
Look here for more images of this cool bloomer. 
 
 
Next up is  this Lilium  'i've-got-the-tag-around-here-somewhereium'  that came from Far Reaches Farm last year, planted in shade which  has not only bloomed again but doubled in size. While this particular color combination might not be something I'd be gaga about, it's pretty wonderful in the shade picking up the purples in Podophyllum delavayi and throwing in a nice zing of orange. 

More fireworks.
 
 
Hope you continue to have wonderful garden surprises and a great Independence Day!


 

32 comments:

  1. Both absolutely gorgeous, especially that lily! Hope you have a happy Fourth!

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  2. Nice!! I would love to see how those lilium look next to podophyllum.

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    1. I'll have to photograph them together when they bloom again next year!

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  3. Nice fireworks floral theme! Hope your pups don't get too worked up with all the noise...

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    1. The pups bark at everyone who has the audacity to walk by our house and one of them is scared of the banging of our old heating pipes in the winter but the fireworks don't phase them at all! (Lucky us.)

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  4. LOVE the Lily!!! Is it a form of Martgon Lily, do you think?

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    1. It is a form of Martgon Lily but I don't remember which one.

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  5. Lilium pardalinum?

    Deirdre in Seattle

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  6. Such an extraordinary lily! I like your "fireworks" as well. Happy gardening, Peter!

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  7. I've always loved mountain laurel. It is very hard to grow here. Love that lily!

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    1. I thought that mountain laurel would like your climate. Do they prefer more acid soil than what's in your area?

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  8. Love them both! The Kalmia buds make me want to eat cupcakes!

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  9. Kalmia Latifolia has beautiful flowers, glad it's flowering for you now.

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    1. It's fun to see the buds appear, grow larger, and burst open.

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  10. Beautiful! It is great that the lily is doing so well in the shade.

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  11. Wonderful lily, might just have to hunt it down ...

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  12. Oooh, love that lily from FRF. Wish martagons would grow in zone 10...

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    1. Sorry. I've seen some of the beautiful plants in your garden & I might be persuaded to forget martagons for a while if I lived in your zone!

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  13. Those Kalmia latifolia blooms looks so sumptuous! Hope you had a fab day!

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  14. The Kalmia blooms remind me of geodesic domes. Very, very cool! And that lily is gorgeous.

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  15. Love those Kalmias - it's too bad they're not cold hardy enough for my garden, or I'd dash out and get some. Attractive foliage and interesting blooms - they're fabulous!

    ~Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

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  16. OK, I'll take over the gaga detail where the lilies are concerned. Hope you exercised your Independence yesterday.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.