Mid Season Color

I have to note, it's been a funky weather year.  We had an incredibly mild winter and then a fairly dry spring.  We've fortunately gotten regular rain in the past month, but the relative drought has played havoc on the flowers this year.  It's been a disappointing year for wildflowers, although I have found some good patches both up West Maroon Pass and up by Yule Lakes.  Noticeably absent this year up West Maroon are the scarlet paintbrush which are usually mind blowing.  The Fireweed has been popping up, which is usually a late season bloomer budding out later in August or even September.  As far as the garden goes, there seems to be an overall dominance of blue and purple throughout town.  My own garden seems to be lacking in mid-season color, although I wonder if the plants are holding off a bit--maybe they know something we don't?

'Allegro' Oriental Poppy

I can't resist posting another picture of a poppy.  This morning the sun was hitting this to reveal the crinkly texture of the petals and highlighting the color so well.  The Day Lily's are starting to pop as well.  I have quite a few of the 'Stella D'Oro' variety that has done very well up here.  I have a couple other taller varieties that are just budding out, so we'll see what color those turn out soon.

'Stella D'Oro' Day Lily

My Delphinium are starting to bloom as well, and like I mentioned before, they have thrived in their spot against the fence, giving them some protection from the spring winds.  They also are enmeshed with my Golden Hops Vine, giving a great color contrast:

Delphinium and Golden Hops

I also have a great patch of purple Lamium that seems to bloom almost all summer long.  I have a mix of Purple, White and the Aurea Lamium that hopefully next year will all be filled in.

Purple Lamium

Lamium bloom

 It has been a banner year for Penstemon.  I've had several volunteers show up in the front garden.  I used to be somewhat ambivalent about Penstemon, but the height that it adds, as well as the vibrant violet color of the blooms has made me a believer.  It's a native plant that goes well in the domestic garden:

Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Another native plant that I love is the Eriogonum umbellatum or 'Sulphur Buckwheat'.  Another great plant for adding contrast to the color pallet of the garden, and tolerates drought well.  

'Sulphur Buckwheat'

The Saponaria is going off, the icelandic poppies are in bloom, my dianthis is coming to then end of it's bloom cycle as is my purple Salvia.  A yellow foxglove is budding out, the red day lilies will be here soon, and hopefully the next couple weeks will bring some more color to the garden. . .