It's Blooming!

My post this week is not just about a few of the bloomers in my garden. There is a Part Two below.

But first 

~~ Part One ~~

A new plant for me, Rehmannia elata or Chinese Foxglove.

I saw it blooming here at Sebright Gardens last summer and having it in my garden became an obsession. 

From a plant sale last year, Lychnis coronaria 'Angel's Blush'

Oenothera pallida or White Evening Primrose (and bee!)

Anemone 'Wild Swan' a newbie for me this year. I got it at Dancing Oaks.

Anemone 'Wild Swan' blooms from spring until fall!

Meadow Rue Thalictrum aquilegifolium -- such pretty fluffs. 

Mimulus and clashing Viola... oh well. 

I'm a bit in awe of  the many species of perennial Bachelor Buttons.
This one is new this year, Centaurea carnia 'Caramia'

Rosa 'Bonica'... her first bloom of 2015. 

~~ Now for Part Two ~~

Last Saturday, my gardening gal pal from Portland,  Mindy Northrup and her dear sweet mother, Donna Stanley drove down to Albany to go nursery s/hopping. Wow, did we have fun! I didn't take any photos until we got to Dancing Oaks--our final destination--and spied this fabulous Gas Plant Dictamnus albus 'Purpuresens'. And we're talking fab....u...lous...!

I've been aware of this plant for a long time but because I try to focus on summer-blooming plants as opposed to spring-bloomers, I've ignored it. But after seeing it in living color, ooh, la, la.... So, just when I thought I didn't "need" any more plants... my new obsession. Check it out. 

It's like a Gaura on steroids. 

Do you grow Gas Plant and if so, could you please share you experiences and/or tips for success? Thanks! I bought one at Dancing Oaks but it's very small and probably won't bloom for a few years. 

Lorquin's Admiral Butterfly also at Dancing Oaks. 

Finally, I have to share my gifts. Dear Mindy brought me this super healthy Begonia in this very cool, vintage pot. (She knows how I love vintage!)

This photo doesn't do it justice. It's big the leaves are perfection.
It's just getting ready to bloom.
And guess what color the flowers are. Yep. PINK!!!

And Donna, bless her heart, also gave me a plant. This Haworthia (pictured below) is affectionately called "The Grandma Porter Plant." Here's what Mindy told me about it: "That Haworthia has made the rounds. The mama plant belonged to my dad's grandma which is why we've always called it, "The Grandma Porter Plant." My mom got a piece of it a zillion years ago and I think everyone she knows has gotten a start of it given to them. I have a pot of it in my living room." 

I feel so honored to also have a piece of Grandma Porter's plant. I bet she was a great gardener. 

Haworthia: The Grandma Porter Plant

A huge major THANK YOU to Mindy and Donna! 

Mindy took photos of my garden. You can see them on Mindy's delightful and entertaining blog. Click here.