Every Day Flowers

I am learning to love begonias! I used to look down on them as ordinary and ridiculously ubiquitous. But they are sturdy troopers that have a simple charm when used appropriately. I can't stand to see solid rows of red and white ones all lined up like an American flag minus the stars. But in a pot by themselves or mixed in with some other plants they can be quite becoming and they are hard to murder. Oh, and speaking about ordinary and hard to kill, that's bugleweed (Ajuga) behind the begonia!



 

                                                            

 

white begonias

 

 

 

I also love jolly little violas. I don't know how much longer these little guys will last...the heat is about to be on. But I am enjoying them while I can.

 

 

 

 

violas

 

 

 

My palette is so subdued. I really can't wait for the clematis to explode and add some color to the balcony. My cone flowers are arriving too. They infuse a little life into this cool cool scene!

 

 

 

cone flowers

 



 

 

 

Subtle/Spectacular

I am naturally drawn to spectacular color choices in garden and container plantings. But when we moved into our coop the board made it clear that they did not want me to go too crazy with the balcony plantings. This has forced me to simmer down and explore some subtler options to mix in with the showy stuff. I can go either way on this necessity, happy to be pushed in a gentler direction or royally pissed off that I can't create a jungle up here!

                                    Stone Crop, Bacopa, Violas (and some fading Hyacinths)

 

 

 

And here is my more spectacular self: 

                                                    

 

 

Dahlias, Scaveola, and Pelargoniums