Bogturtle's Garden- June 21 to end, 2025

 

The beautiful hybrid Trumpet Vine, Bignonia x 'Jersey Peach' was, years ago, poisoned, to get rid of it. They are overwhelming and new ones, from seed or underground runners, end up everywhere. Several years later, when that same spot was populated with climbing Rose 'Winner's Circle' and the beautiful Honeysuckle, L. telmanianna, 'Jersey Peach' is back. I'll probably leave it, but watch that it doesn't overgrow the two other vines. Its on the end of the fence surrounding the pool deck. 

Enjoying all the Magnolia grandiflora in the neighborhood. Even banks and other businesses include it. Mine looks better every year. 

Absent mindedness with age, no doubt. Stokesia 'Mary Gregory', and waiting for many more buds opening.

'Divinity' is a grand name. Contemplating how to even ask how one deletes a photo introduced in error.

 Basically the wild blue-violet color of Stokesia laevis. And many plants are coming into bloom.

Rather smaller flowers, but this Morning Glory just seeds back faithfully. Ipomea 'Knowlian's Black', and, of course, not black. 

Since my work crew refuses to even show up, rightly contesting my refusal to pay anyone, plants get lost. Just can't cater to each plant and its demands. This one is the last I see and with only a tiny fraction of flowers one plant can display. The 'Maltese Cross' I think, and a grand and dependable cottage garden plant, in most cases. Described as a true red in color. Lychnis chalcedonica. If I see seed formed, I will collect it for a try in 2026, as a bunch of these plants would be great. In fact, seed may be gathered from these blooms and planted immediately, but left to overwinter, if they don't sprout. I don't know it cool stratification is required by these seeds. 

Another white Hydrangea, off in the woods, as you drive out from where we park the car. Checking my list of varieties, I could not recall which listed one it is.

Bignonia 'Jersey Peach' again.

These beautiful, lemon yellow flowers of Opuntia humifusa, our local 'Prickly Pear' Cactus, bloomed unseen, except for this one. A plant I would not recommend. Not because of the tiny spines that almost seem to jump at you, but because the plant becomes a mass of discolored, ugly pads, each Winter. But anyone would admire the flowers. A few other species would be hardy in NJ, in well drained soil, and have beautiful colors, other than this fine yellow. The plant bloomed and I did not photograph it at its high point. 

Some Stokesia have larger flowers, but, once again, my camera fails to show the brilliant blue-violet, seeming sort of gray.

This deciduous Azalea blooms in the woods that fill the circle our drive makes. Named 'Weston's Lemon Drop', it smells great.