Lilium 'Pink Perfection'

This is a fantastic selection of trumpet lily. It smells amazing. This plant reached over 4' in height this year with flowers over 6" across!

Alcea 'Chater's Double Pink'

Hollyhocks are fantastic sun plants and their height of 8' can yield many uses. They make very good cutflowers. The Chater's Double Group selections resemble roses and come in many different colors. Remember that Alcea are biennials and must be replaced after two years. Start seeds every year so you always have fresh stock to plant. They are very easy from seed.

Monarda 'Marshall's Delight'

Monarda or beebalm are wonderful plants that work well in sun or shade. They have aromatic flowers and foliage, attracting butterflies and bees. This is one of the best selections, being very mildew resistant, a problem with beebalms.

Ratibida

The yellow flower is Ratibida columnifera, prairie coneflower. The other is R. columnifera var. pulcherrima, red/brown prairie coneflower. These foot tall seedlings will soon reach 3' in height with much larger flowers.

Echinacea purpurea 'Razzmatazz'

This fantastic coneflower selection experienced a shortage for a couple of seasons, but this year I was finally able to get my hands on one.

Nepenthes ventricosa

Nepenthes ventricosa is a tropical pitcher plant species, a carnivorous plant. I hang it on a tree branch in my back yard. The pitchers are about 3" long and 1" wide.

Lilium regale

I may have mentioned this before, but I love lilies (my favorite non-orchid plants), and I'm trying to collect as many as I can this year. This trumpet lily species is a classic, with a baby powder-like scent that fills the entire garden with freshness and enchantment. It has performed well from a newly-purchased bulb this spring, reaching 3' in height and producing five full-sized flowers.

Corydalis flexuosa 'China Blue'

I absolutely LOVE Corydalis, which are related to Dicentra (bleeding hearts). Unfortunately I am having trouble with them this year due to a very hot and dry summer, but it has managed to flower for me.

Gaillardia 'Goblin'

Gaillardia (blanketflower) are wonderful plants for the sunny border, and this is one of the best selections. I must admit this is my first year trying them out. They are fantastic.

Gaillardia 'Goblin'

Gaillardia (blanketflower) are wonderful plants for the sunny border, and this is one of the best selections. I must admit this is my first year trying them out. They are fantastic.

Cypripedium at Local Botanic Gardens

Almost a month ago I visited a local botanic garden. C. parviflorum was growing everywhere; this pic is of var. pubescens, a specimen with over 50 flowers, each with pouches the size of a large chicken egg! The clump was about 2' tall by 2' wide. The other pic is of C. passerinum (sparrow's egg lady's slipper). This was a nice-sized clump about 10" tall, the flowers VERY tiny.