Hello gpoders!
Today I’m back in Rotterdam, New York, and see more fantastic plant combinations at Maxine Blisport’s peak season garden. If you missed it yesterday, check out Part 1. If you’re ready to see more of Maxine’s incredible summer colors, keep scrolling!
Our midsummer garden is a lively tapestry that is a kaleidoscope of colours that erupt in all directions. The bright yellow cup plants are tall and attract bees and swaying butterflies with cheerful faces. The sweet, surprising perfume of roses blends with the subtle scent of lilies, creating an intoxicating fragrance that fills the air. The gentle rustling of wind leaves with birds’ chirping forms a natural soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere of peace. Every corner of the garden is filled with life, a testament to the richness and joy of summer.
thank you,
Maxine Brisport
Yesterday’s post covered many of Maxine’s outstanding flowers, with bright colour bursts everywhere. Today we are shifting towards the shady areas of Maxine’s garden. There is no shortage of colour yet, but there is a little more emphasis on the interesting leaves as well. For example, this mass planting of ferns creates bright green oceans.
Like this incredible Rainbow Rhythm® “My Heart of My Heart,” the flowers still draw attention (hemerocallis ‘my heart of my heart’, zones 3-9), but the distinctive variety of leaves captivate the attractive companion plants.
Of course, who can resist the close-up of those stunning flowers?
Even plants that offer bright pops of colours like mustard yellow flowers from the “bottle rocket” leopard plant (Ligularia ‘Bottle Rocket’, zones 3-9) have great leaves too. Even if the plant is not flowering, the large, deeply serrated leaves of the Ligrarius bring about interest.
Next is one of the adorable bright yellow cup plants (Silphium perfoliatum, Zones 3–9) mentioned in her introduction. These cheerful wildflowers live in most of the eastern US and, as Maxine mentioned, bees and butterflies gather in your garden.
This adorable hive box, which doubles as a planter, is a genius creation! Also, the Hippo® Rose Polka Dot Plant (Phyllostachya ‘G14160’, Zones 10-11, or annual) is a great pick to add more colour to the shade under the wooden canopy.
For amazing plant combinations that complement each other and thrive in similar conditions, consider looking at the family! Bright purple betainies (Stachys officinalis, zones 4-8) have shapes and shapes with lamb ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4-8) that improve together, but very different colors provide enough contrast to make the pairing interesting.
Near the small shady seating area of her garden, Maxine sprinkles with astilbe and sends buds of vibrant tints into the dark green. The bright pink cultivar in the foreground is backed up by a beautiful purple variety, with a barely visible peek into the background of light pink specimens.
Last but certainly a close-up of the extraordinary “Lion King” Japanese iris (Iris Ensata “Lion King”, Zones 4–9). Photos do not do justice to size or scale, and these gorgeous flowers can grow to 7-8 inches. What a magical last flower.
Thank you so much to Maxine for this stunning garden update! There is a lot to admire in your garden, but it’s the incredible use of colour that catches my attention every time.
What shades have erupted from the garden during this peak season? The array of Maxine flowers is an impressive feat, but I know that it’s not the only Gpoder to grow an incredible collection of colours at this time of year. Celebrate summer colors and consider sharing photos of midsummer designs in garden photos of the day! Follow the instructions below to send a photo by email or DM via Instagram: @girlherdogandtheroad.
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