I could almost have titled this post ‘Tall Flowers’ – all the blooms here are making statuesque statements in various locations in the garden this week. I’m joining Jim at Garden Ruminations with these six things – pay his site a visit to see sixes from other parts of the world!
First up are these giant hyssops – Agastache nepetoides. Started from seed, this is their third summer in the garden, and they have only now reached their full potential, reaching more than two metres, about seven or eight feet, into the air.
Next is one of my summer favourites – I’ve had lots of photos of these over the years, Ratibida pinnata, the grey headed or prairie coneflower. Easy to grow, very drought tolerant, not that great a cut flower but they provide wonderful splashes of floating yellow anywhere you want them to grow.
The only non tall flower in today’s group is something most gardeners consider a serious pest – the tomato hornworm. I’ve found two so far, both in the past few days, both relatively small. I picked them from the kitchen garden tomatoes and walked them over to my compost area, where a tomato has sprung up in a pot of compost. I’m picturing giant moths fluttering away in the night…
Here’s a native goldenrod that doesn’t seem to spread nearly as readily as the more common Canada goldenrod. The flowers on this Solidago squarrosa, stout goldenrod, have a different structure as well, but they’re just as bright yellow.
A pair of annuals to round up today’s six, first is this white Nicotania, started from seed, just starting to open. Not only is the flower stalk tall, but the basal leaves that form first are just huge, resembling Mullein (Verbascum thapsus). The leaves are also slightly sticky; some plants seem to collect/trap swarms of tiny midges so they look speckled. A bit unsightly, really…
Finally, here’s my small patch of snapdragons, a type of Antirrhinum named ‘The Rocket’ because they’re taller than the shorter variety, I guess. They’ve only been blooming for a few weeks now; I snipped off the tops back in late May to encourage side branching.
That’s it for me this week – hope folks who need it get rain, and it’s not too hot (or cold) for anyone! Happy Gardening!
This agastache is new to me. The tallest I grow is Agastache ‘Black Adder’. I like tall plants. Is that Nicotiana sylvestris?
Yes, it is the N. Sylvestris. I think. 😄
The Goldenrod looks so different..I like it…and I love Snapdragons…the name is already fun. I have a re-seeded one…fun.
Yes – it’s one of the better ‘common’ names, isn’t it ? When I look at them I keep waiting for the flower to open and snap shut…
The apricot and pink combination in the snapdragons is luscious! And the giant hyssop is so interesting. It reminds me somewhat of our various Monarda species: probably because of the way the clusters of blooms are arrayed along the stem. That’s an interesting goldenrod species, as well. There are so many different ones I sometimes have trouble distinguishing them when they’re growing together.
The hyssop is really fabulous – I’ve very impressed with it myself! And the goldenrod…if I hadn’t received the seed and started it myself I wouldn’t have even noticed it…perhaps…although it is REALLY different from the more common goldenrod.
I love that you allow the hornworm to feed elsewhere, I do the same as I love those moths. I agree with the ick factor on N. sylvestris, but it does make a statement in the garden! Love the snaps!
Thanks Eliza – I have nine white Nicotania in the same vicinity now starting to open and together, especially, they’re making a statement!
Wow, the agastache is incredible! The nicotiana is wonderful, does it self seed about? Well done for rescuing the caterpillar, it is good to share.
I haven’t noticed the Nicotine self seeding; then again, the leaves are so similar to Mullein it may well have and I’ve been pulling it up in error! I do collect the seeds though, for starting indoors in late late winter.
Snapdragons are one of my favourites, mainly because of the nostalgia value of my mum showing me and my siblings how to make them open their mouths/snap when we were children!
Ha! Yes! Although I think I had to discover that myself…
Wonderful set of photos. I have some magenta nicotiniana this year that does well in part shade.
That would be welcome eh? I can picture them brightening up a treeline…
Love ‘Rocket Mix’ Snapdragons, but they haven’t performed as well for me in recent years. They’re wonderful cut and show flowers when they’re happy, though. Lucky you to have the Giant Hyssop growing so well in your garden!
The hyssop is right next to the snapdragons…they make a nice backdrop!
After all that earlier fuss about goldenrod, I found not only that at least two species are native here, but also that one lives in my own garden! Of course, it does not look like goldenrod, and is not very pretty. Your stout goldenrod is enviable. So is prairie coneflower.
…chuckle, chuckle, chuckle…
ooh, the snapdragons are too beautiful!!
A great Agastache Chris! Love the Ratibida too… I hope my plant will grow up to look like yours as it is still very small and delicate. Those snapdragons are gorgeous as well. 😁
Thanks Cathy – fingers crossed that your Ratibida will behave as it should. Although I suspect that extreme drought may have something to do with a shorter than usual stature. I’m really loving the snapdragons as well!