Monday, July 11, 2011

Summer pleasures

These pretty flowers are Helenium, and since they were photographed in England, they are probably the well-known garden hybrid called "Moerheim Beauty."

This genus is native to Texas, Northern Mexico, and the Southwest of the U.S. They are members of the Aster family. Somewhat drought tolerant, they like full sun and look great with other hot, dry summer flowers like dahlias, yarrows, black-eyed Susans, and crocosmias.

I love their cheerful bright color and the prominent round central cone - it feels like a chenille-covered button under your finger.

What says "summer" to you, in your personal landscape?

8 comments:

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Butterflies!

I haven't seen so many yet here, though.
~

Mrs. G. said...

Basil in the ground does it for me!

shrink on the couch said...

Mexican Bird of Paradise. I can't get enough of it (nor grow enough of it as the deer like to nibble on it).

smalltownme said...

Tomatoes.

Big Bad Bald Bastard said...

Wild raspberries- I always look for briars in my rambles.

Big Bad Bald Bastard said...

Can I request a "mulligan"? I should have written:

I always look for brambles in my rambles.

21 Wits said...

...hummingbirds...and three or more birds in our bird bath...and the lack of white stuff piled high in my yard! lol

Anonymous said...

Beautiful flower picture!! Roses speak summer to me.