A common, which means favorite, summer bloom in Chicago is the Coreopsis. Today I learned it’s also Florida’s state wildflower! Plus it’s a native to Missious as well; it certainly gets around! That means coreopsis is my new favorite wildflower because it connects with each of my worlds. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The ever fascinating Pansy (think Disney movies) is aflower favored in Autumn as well as Spring gardens because it tolerates cool temperatures. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Delicate, dainty Cornflower, aka Chickory, aka weed. One of my favorite weeds with it’s sky blue flowers. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
This weed is appreciated by a neighborhood spider. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Just after a summer shower. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Those that have read my blog for a while know that Snowball flowers are one of my favorite since childhood. In my garden I had a Snowball Shrub (Viburnum plicatum). The Snowballs I observe in abundance now are Snowball Hydrangea (Handrangea arborescens), a shrub with a lower profile and native to the United States of unlike the Viburnum species. Thier intricate, delicate, complicated design is truly the work of higher being.
The delicate color changes with subtle lighting changes. Flowers are a greenish white in the sunlight and a golden off-white in the shade. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Simple design of each flower plus dozens, perhaps hundereds or blooms per cluster equal an established miracle. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
This is a common plant for window boxes and planters at outdoor dining venues in Chicago. Always beloved Petunia; sometimes over-planted but always selected to brighten the scene.
Planted here, contrasting with red Begonias this Petunia’s trumpet shape is captivates many an insect. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The more traditional view of Petunias show their colors that seem to radiate from their inner core.. A common, traditional favorite. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Ah, the all American, Eurasian immigrant, beloved by children and many adults. The White Clover (Trifolium repens) is considered an agressive weed by landscapers and homeowners. Children love to make clover chains necklaces as a summer pasttime. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
One MUST lie down in the grass to relish the sweet beauty of the White Clover. I love this Americanized immigrant! Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
This Hydrangae bloom, seemingly escaping it’s fenced confines caught my attention each time I’d walk past. Couldn’t resist creating a couple images. Hydrangae are traditional garden perennials in the Midwest. In this ever changing time it’s always comforting to see it’s pervasive presence. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Beginning to bloom; so I’ll be able to enjoy it at least 3 weeks. Usually the drying blooms are equally enjoyable. This small Bee seems happy too; but that’s totally my assumption. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Prolific flowering per bunch with a prolific number of clusters per shrub. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
One of my favorite garden flowers is the Peony. Traditional perennial choice because of it’s striking early summer beauty and aroma. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Mom, an avid gardener, discouraged me from adding Peony to my new garden (years ago) because their delicate blooms can easily be blown by storms and winds. I found they are excellent cut flowers when cut as soon as the bud shows it’s colors. Sometimes the delicate, short lived, is worth it’s brief visit. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The South Florida Plant Guide calls this plant a “dream of a tree”. In other words it is another favorite flowering tree.
The red flowers’ design and the dangling leaves gives incentives for it’s name; Weeping Bottlebrush Tree (Calistemon viminalis).
Marco image of the Bottlebrush Tree’s flower. CLICK on image to see a diagram of the flower’s design. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Is this what some mean when they become worried about letting immigrants into our country? They do tend to forget how this country was founded. And that perhaps they became the invasive subjects when they naturalized and literally choked out the native American Indians. Or perhaps, because they know this, they fear it may happen again and they’ll become the minority. Ok, enough politics tonight…
Anyway, the Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea), is a popular Florida garden plant which has become naturalized and “gone wild”.
This bit of color in the shady part of the garden was at the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale.
Close-up image of the Oyster Plant bringing color to the shady part of this garden. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Overall image of Oyster Plant in it’s setting in the interior courtyard at the Bonnet House. CLICK the image above for more information on the Oyster Plant. Coyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg