A bright morning at the end of July saw us once more at The Georgi checking on the hydrangeas. They were just starting to bloom, but I took pictures of a few other flowers that had not been out on our previous visit.
It was my intention to share those photos the next day, but then something else happened followed by something more and by the time I remembered the flower photos, I couldn’t seem to find them.
As always happens, I found them while searching for something else, so here they are:
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Scarlett bee-balm immediately caught my attention.
Monarda didyma, per Carl Linnaeus.
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It shared the flowerbed with false sunflower.
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Otherwise known as Smooth Oxeye.
Or Heliopsis helianthoides, per Robert Sweet
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And day lilies. These flowerbeds are not manicured, but that would be out of place here.
The Georgi is owned and operated by the town of Salem (NY), on a budget built around the interest from a Trust and donations.
In these trying times, I don’t know how far the budget can stretch, nor what may be the availability of staff. The half dozen times we’ve been to The Georgi, I only vaguely recall once seeing someone who may have been a gardener, yet the grounds are very respectable and I like the rather wild looking flowerbeds.
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Another lily. The variety is apparently endless!
Hemerocallis fulva, per Carl Linnaeus.
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Paper bellflower.
If I could have reached, I would have pulled off the dead blooms, but I took the shot with the zoom and I wouldn’t tread on other people’s flowerbeds!
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From the terrace of the museum, I saw this pretty combination.
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The blue flower – a globe thistle.
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Echinops, per Carl Linnaeus.
Round, blue thistles were something new to me. And fun.
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The phlox were not in the best of shape. Perhaps it’s an off-year for them.
Mine grew, but only recently did I see the smallest hint of a flower. I have been offering it encouragement, not as my mother would:
“Now grow!!!”
Woe betide any plant that failed to thrive in Mum’s gardens!
“It will have to go Smithy!”
Smithy being my father.
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Animals respond to positive reinforcement and I believe plants do too.
So I tell them they are very brave and pretty and I know they will do well,
Judging by results…mother knew best.
But I shall not threaten plants!
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I had a mother who talked to plants too and gave them lots of encouragement along with some instructions. Mind you, she also talked to people in the spirit world and the fairies in the garden.
Yes, bright-coloured flowers! Just what I want to see on a cold morning here in SA! The blue flowers are beautiful – I’ve never seen them before. There’s this saying: ‘Where flowers bloom, so does hope’. Thanks for the beautiful collection of flowers.
That’s a lovely selection of flower photos, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.