First and Last

I've had some firsts since my last post~ one good and one bad plus some ffo's for this year. My bad first was digging up a yellow jacket's nest. It could have been much worse since only one yellow jacket got a couple of stings in through my sweats. Having never been stung by one I didn't realize that the pain gets worse instead of better as time goes by. I proceeded to pull a few more weeds cautiously on the other side of the bed until I finally understood that I'd better look after that sting now! Ouch!

My good first ever is this bloom on a Knifophia that was shared with me by a friend who grew it from seed 2 years ago. Of two non hybrid Knifophias that I've planted this is the first to grace me with a bloom. The fancy one from Plant Delights Nursery bloomed one year but took last year off too. I love the symmetry, color and uniqueness of the blooms.



I have an abundance of Nigella- Love in a Mist- this year.



Self seeded Larkspur



Delosperma- Ice Plant



This Salvia is very similar to 'Indigo Spires' and may be but I recieved it as an unknown division.



Verbena/porterweed look alike



Penstemon- Eastern Smooth Beardtongue



New growth on Cryptomeria japonica 'Globosa Nana'- still very nana



The bright clean new growth of Illicium parviflorum- Small Anise Tree



My only rose in the garden- a rugosa from Sweetbay which I am enjoying tremendously this year.



I have a hard time getting a good shot of this Geranium sanguineum which is settling in after a couple of years in this spot. I love this plant!



And now for the "last" part of the post. I don't think there will be many more Iris pictures this year. Unless I'm shocked by a second bloom stalk these are my last blooms from 'Titan's Glory'



The Iris virginca- Blue Flag Iris is not having a very good year. This first bloom has been the only one worth taking a photo of.



I have three clumps of Siberian irises from three different sources. This is the last one to bloom. It is completely engulfed by Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink' and probably needs a bit of attention. I was happy to see blooms this year as I would not have been surprised if it went on strike.




I don't know if I'll get around to another post by Garden Bloggers Bloom Day or not. I am woefully behind in my garden maintenance but I do love to play on the web!