We’re halfway through September and I’ve only just picked the first bunch of homegrown flowers from plot 15C! The flowers have been blooming beautifully since late Spring but I’ve just been a tad busy visiting Wales to actually get round to picking any. I have to admit that I’m rather happy with my first bunch..
A few of my favourites including the beautifully bright zinnias, the delicate scabiousa, yummy calendulas and delightful dahlias. The queen of the bunch has to be the verbena bonariensis, my all time favourite perennial and here’s a few reasons why.. It flowers every year, gives beautiful height to borders, still looks pretty well after its bloomed and it matches my shed perfectly!
7 thoughts on “The First Cut Flowers!”
What is the name of the purple ones. Gene
Looks like I was beat to the post but Antoinette is right and what a beautiful explanation of Verbena 🙂
Gorgeous selection of colours . Well done .Flora
Thank you Flora
Gene…..The purple is Verbena bonariensis. It’s commonly called tall verbena or purple top in the US. It is SUPER attractive to butterflies and the bees and hummingbirds love it too. It self-sows. It is a hardy and drought-resistant plant, native to South America. In some areas where the climate is favorable, it will take off and spread and there is concern for it taking over habitat of native plants. Some places in the world it is considered an invasive weed. It is easy to pull up in the garden but can be prickly on bare hands. Be forewarned that like lemon balm, you might be finding it sprouting up all over the garden if it likes your climate. It can come back from roots if you are in a mild climate. Deadheading before it goes to seed will help contain it. It is tall (can get to 6 feet) and is so beautiful, as superbly captured by Katie.
Nice flowers.
Now then, is that a new bike to replace the old one? Does it have cargo space in the rear? Your loyal readers need specifics.
Thank you Lance and I still have the same old bike, I just sold the trailer as I didn’t use it much and had nowhere to store it. Therefore there is now only a basket on the front to carry my homegrown goodies in 🙂