Balloons lift spirits just about any time. On hot, mid-summer days, balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) provide equal elevating power. Right now in my garden, both blue and white varieties are covered with the puffed, rounded buds that give the plants their common name. They are in the process of opening into the flattened, bell-like flowers … Read more
I am being stalked by cardinal flower—Lobelia cardinalis. Otherwise known as red lobelia, the plant is tall and handsome, rising just shy of three feet and producing brilliant red flower spikes in mid to late summer. The flowers are so red that they knock you for a loop when you first see them. That happened … Read more
Now that the first of the little early crocuses—Crocus chrysanthus—have opened their petals, I am opening the seed catalogs to put together my orders. Of course, I peruse websites and visit garden centers as well, but I cling to the notion that there is nothing like catalog browsing to whet the gardening appetite. Every year … Read more
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is one of the best blue-flowered plants around and at this time of the year it is ubiquitous–by roadsides, nudging hedgerows and even making appearances in vacant city lots. The woody stems, rather nondescript leaves and modest buds are nothing to write home about. The flowers, though, distill the color of the … Read more
Flower lovers tend to either loathe or adore tall hybrid gladiolas. Dame Edna Everage, actor Barry Humphries’ diva-esque, lavender-haired alter ego, loves them so much that she dubbed them her “signature flower.” It’s a perfect fit—both are commanding and flamboyant. Available in an array of colors, from pastels to some truly screaming shades, gladiolas are … Read more
