The backbone of my flower garden, perennials pop up year after year like neighbors returning to camp in the summer months. Reassuring in their predictability, they nonetheless impart an element of surprise by laying dormant for
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Barb Heller's perennial island
months and then suddenly shooting up up flower stalks when they are ready to bloom. Perennials are the lazy gardener's friend, persevering in less rich soils, without additional watering. There is an art, and science, to planting a perennial flower bed that will provide color and contrast all season; however, I am largely ignorant on this topic. My enjoyment comes from the fact that these flowers add beauty to the world with so little effort on my part.
Here are a few photos of perennials taken over the past few days. If you'll send me some pictures of your garden, we can have a blooming bouquet for Friday's post!
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Verbascum "Southern Charm," my current favorite
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Oriental Poppies
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Iris and Lupines
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Barb's Coreopsis, self sown
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Good old Rosa Rugosa -watch out for the thorns!