If last week’s theme was pink, this week’s is surely purple. Deep, dramatic, almost-black purple, subtle lavender purple and bright fuscia purple perennials are all making striking appearances in our garden right now.
These irises are perhaps my very favourite flower in the entire garden. They didn’t bloom last year and were sorely missed. I’m happy they’ve made a reappearance this season.
These very hardy wild roses were given to me by my step-mom as cuttings since hers were spreading vigourously. They seem to bloom most of the summer.
This unknown native plant welcomes visitors to our yard at the side gate, in the shade beneath the juniper that is also planted there. I can’t seem to remember the name of this plant, which I got at a plant swap or as a gift from a gardening friend.
Another favourite, these perennial bachelor’s buttons (centaurea) look like the kind of flower that would appear in a Dr. Seuss book.
I got this columbine at the COG plant auction last year and this year it bloomed for the first time. Its blooms are delicate, definitely not showy, and their purple is less grape bubble gum purple and more subtle, soft mauve. It’s growing near the front door, where I can admire it every time I come home. It’s a fine example of how worth it taking a chance on a plant can be.
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I do love a good hunt, Amy. Think I found your unknown blue plant: Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllaceae virginica). Here’s a link with info and a picture.
http://www.westernpawildflowers.com/html/Species.asp?SPID=677&LET=W
The columbine is probably the blue form of Aquilegia alpina. I love their large, nodding flowers, and have been trying to get them to naturalize in my garden for years.
Helen at Toronto Gardens’s last blog post..Bats!!! In the Belfry (Where Else?)
Wow, Amy, what variety are your purple irises? I’ve been looking for a good deep purple one for my front garden (which currently has about 6 plants, some dead tulips, and a lot of dry dirt!).
My garden was half eaten by squirrels and rabbits.