A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE FLOWERS IN MY GARDEN

07/10/2023

I have this thing where I grow flowers in my garden with hopes of cutting stems for bouquets to bring inside for the summer. Then, I never cut them because I don’t want to cut all the blooms off the plants. Welcome to a peek inside my mind.

Have you ever taken an extra close look at summer’s flowers? As beautiful as they are at first glance, they are even more stunning up close. I took a walk around my yard and snapped close up photos of the blooms. I guess I’ll enjoy them this way instead of in vases in my house. I hope you enjoy, too.

SCABIOSA (PINCUSHION FLOWER)

How cool is this!?

Anther color of scabiosa, a bee’s best friend.

COMMON SUNFLOWER

I caught this in mid-bloom. So neat!

The next day it was fully opened.

DAYBREAK COREOPSIS

These scream “fall” to me. And the good thing is, they bloom spring, summer and into fall.

ONIONS

Yes, I let my onions bolt and flower before I pull them from the garden. I’ve researched and experienced firsthand that they are just as edible after flowering. So why not enjoy the blooms and collect the seeds for the next harvest before eating?

Another view.

ZINNIA

The perfect cut flower if one could force themselves to cut them.

PURPLE CABBAGE

Cabbage plants are just as beautiful as flowers.

HEIRLOOM PINK ROSES

I wish I knew the species of this rose bush. It is the original rose bush my great-great grandmother planted near my childhood home. It was planted before I was born. Let’s just pretend I’m 50 years old. That would make this specific rose bush over a half a century old. I’ve replanted portions of the bush at each of our homes in town. Still to this day the rose bush flourishes each year.

MARIGOLD

The good ‘ol marigold. Such a common flower. You don’t recognize it’s true beauty until you really look close.

DILL

This is what happens if you let dill go to flower. I’m waiting on the seeds to form so I can sew the next round of dill in the garden.

It’s like living fireworks.

MONARDA / BEE BALM

Another version of Mother Nature’s fireworks and another favorite of the bees, hence it’s name.

CHICAGO PEACE HYBRID TEA ROSE

A new edition to my rose wall I started this year at the new house.

CILANTRO

Who knew how pretty cilantro is when it flowers? Again, I’m waiting for the seeds to sew new cilantro plants in the fall. Until then, these flowers are adorable.

SUCCULENTS

No blooms on this one. It’s pretty on it’s own.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY SUNFLOWERS

I absolutely adore these.

I think the buds of sunflowers are cool, too.

SOMBRERO ADOBE ORANGE CONE FLOWER

The bold, saturated color of these is incredible.

MOONBEAM THREADLEAF COREOPSIS

I think this is my favorite new addition to my perennial collection.

I love how whimsical they are amongst the other flowers in the garden.

GARDEN BUG

What type of bug is this? I’ve Googled and still couldn’t figure it out. Hopefully he’s a garden-friendly bug.

BASIL

This is actually basil. I planted two varieties in a large pot, sweet basil and purple basil. I think they are cross pollinating and my green sweet basil is turning purple. Look how pretty!

TUSCAN GOLD HELIOPSIS HELIANTHOIDS (FALSE SUNFLOWER)

These only grow two to three feet tall and blend well with my daisies, coreopsis and coneflower varieties.

BABY BLUE EUCALYPTUS

Did you know you can grow your own eucalyptus as an annual here in zone 6? It will grow as a perennial in zones 8 through 11. It’s growing well for me but again, I won’t let myself cut any to take inside because I want it to be big and pretty outside, too. What is wrong with me?

CHOCOLATE SUNFLOWER

Similar to the Chocolate Cherry Sunflower only a deeper darker color with less yellow-orange coloring. Love!

NASTIRTIUM

The perfect flower to add to the garden. The entire plant is edible, too. It makes boring salads a bit more fun.

DAISIES

Simple. Classic. Pretty.

RED LEAF LETTUCE

Yes, I let everything bolt in my garden this year just to see the flowers and it was 100% worth it. I always get carried away and plant more than I can eat so I let the last few plants do their thing. Did you know lettuce blooms when it bolts?

ECHINACEA (PURPLE CONE FLOWER)

Finally, a tried and true favorite of not only myself but also the birds and the bees. They are a source of nectar and pollen for the bees and the birds enjoy feasting on the coneflower seeds. I enjoy looking at them in my garden.