The 2013 Tin Roof Gardens Hydrangea Edition, Part 1

Our hydrangeas were amazing this year due to mild temperatures and lots of rain. We had so many blooms I decided to break the 2013 Edition into 5 parts. Above is the classic native American Quercifolia or Oak Leaf Hydrangea.

Another large foot long Quercifolia flower. The blooms are lightly fragrant and draw an unusual fly that we only see when they are in bloom. I'll try to identify it next year.

Our stand of Oak Leaf Hydrangea Alice bloomed beautifully this season.  The leaves of Alice are much larger and the flowers are short and thick. This plant is very different from the standard Quercifolia above. It's named after Alice Richards, a graduate research technician in the University of Georgia’s famed horticulture department by Dr. Michael Dirr.

This is a series of small Oak Leaf Hydrangea Alice blooms. 

As you can see, the Oak Leaf Alice blooms are large and stocky.

Another Oak Leaf Alice.

A closeup of the fuzzy Oak Leaf Alice bloom.

This is an odd Oak Leaf Alice bloom with different size petals. It reminded me of snowflakes.

This is Hydrangea paniculata White Moth starting to bloom. White Moth's blooms are the longest lasting of any hydrangea in our garden. They turn dark pink in the fall. 

Another series of White Moth.

Hydrangea Macrophylla Libelle is an uncommon variety that we found at an Amish garden center. The lacecap flowers are quite large (about 6 inches) and seem over-sized for the plant.

A Libelle closeup.

Hydrangea Macrophylla Regula is a German import. It started out pure white and then turned a very light pink blush.

Schizophragma hydrangeoides Moonlight is a Japanese climbing variety. This is its third season in the ground and it finally bloomed. Its now sending out 2 foot shoots and is climbing up the tree. They take a few years to get acclimated to their location and then come alive. They say it prefers a shady location but this one gets blasted by afternoon sun and doesn't seem to care.

An early Schizophragma hydrangeoides Moonlight photo before it goes "full fuzz."

A nice group of pink Hydrangea Macrophylla Nikko Blue. I just realized that all of the image above were white flowers.

Another flourish of Peppermint Schnapps Hibiscus

Peppermint Schnapps Hibiscus is at it again. 7 to 8 feet tall and covered in blooms. They are available from several plant retailers on the web. Just google it.

Another Peppermint Schnapps in bloom.

Eucomis Autumnalis or Pineapple Lily is a native of the Drakensberg mountains in Africa. Its quite easy to grow in a sunny location and they come in a range of colors.

We have a lot of Anise Hyssop or Agastache Blue Fortune this year. Give this plant a sunny location with good composted soil and it will thrive. Pollinators love it.

An unknown late season rose decided to bloom.

Buddleia davidii 'Evil Ways' is a new introduction to the plant world. Its has bright foliage with a sharply contrasting purple flower. As with all buddleia, butterflies love 'em.

A large pink Phlox  This one grew to about 4 feet this year.

A beautiful swallowtail butterfly on white buddleia.

A pair of swallowtails on buddleia.

I'm not sure what type of swallowtail this is because it has no colorful markings.

A cooler than expected August keeps the blooms coming.

Lobelia cardinalis or Cardinal Flower has a vivid red flower with small white tips that look like the ends of fiber optic cable. They can reach 5 to 6 feet and require a moist to wet environment. Do not let this one dry out. Although sold as a full sun perennial,  we have found they can do well with only a few hours of afternoon sun. The flowers are hermaphroditic and contains the alkaloid lobeline which has a similar effect upon the nervous system as nicotine. I wouldn't try to smoke it.

A closeup of Lobelia cardinalis.

Peruvian Daffodil or Spider Lily (Hymenocallis harrisiana) produces an odd but beautiful bloom. The flowers are lightly fragrant and delicate. Although technically not zone 7 hardy, if planted deep enough they will survive and return each year. They also bloom late summer to mid Autumn in zone 7.

A double Spider Lily bloom.

Variegated Canna Lily Pretoria with a Tamarix tree limb leaning over after a rain storm.

A double whammy of showy peppermint Schnapps hibiscus blooms.

A hibiscus cousin, this is White Chiffon Rose of Sharon. Rose of Sharon perform best in full sun. They will bloom in shady conditions but they get tall and leggy.

A  pink Phlox is hanging in there after being ravaged by butterflies.

Scarlet Salvia (Salvia splendens) is a common garden center offering that grows well is sunny, hot and humid conditions. Bright red flower spikes, log blooming cycle, and easy to grow. What's not to like?

Of all the Calla Lilies we have in the yard, only one bloom appeared this season. And it was tiny too.

A duo of solid purple Cleome. Usually there is a little white on the bloom so this is a nice surprise.

A large solitary Cleome that grew in the hydrangea bed. 

 

More Summer Butterfies

Swallowtails and buddleia are like peanut better and jelly. Can't have one without the other.