Today we’re enjoying some photos from Mary Murphy.
A few years ago I sent you pictures of my garden and ice lanterns. Today’s photos are all close-ups. Look for some surprise visitors! There are a couple of tree frogs in some of the photos. I live in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and have been gardening for about fifteen years. I just love it, and I try new plants from seed every year. I also can’t resist some beautiful nursery gems.
Breadseed poppy (Papaver somniferum, annual). This plant is indeed the source of the poppy seeds in your poppy seed muffin, but the flowers are pretty stunning as well. They come in a wide range of colors, ranging from dark reds and purples to soft pink like this and onto white.
Delphinium elatum (Zones 3–8) is famous for its blue flowers and its love of cool weather.
Four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa, Zones 7–11 or as an annual) has flower buds ready to pop open in, as the name suggests, the late afternoon.
Soft pink hollyhock (Alcea rosea, Zones 3–8) is a classic cottage-garden flower usually grow as a biennial. It produces just leaves the first year, then huge spires of these incredible flowers the second year. As you can see, the bees are big fans as well.
A sunflower (Helianthus annuus, annual) bud gets ready to open, although it already looks incredible.
Larkspur (Consolida ajacis, annual) look a lot like delphiniums but are quick-growing annuals rather than perennials.
‘Rosella’s Dream’ lily (Lilium ‘Rosella’s Dream’, Zones 3–8) opens incredible pink blooms with contrasting dark stamens.
A little tree frog hangs out on a rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta, Zones 3–7).
Sundrops (Oenothera, Zones 3–8) with cheery yellow flowers
Another tree frog is nestled down in this vivid daylily (Hemerocallis hybrid, Zones 3–10).