It is always a bit tricky to grow Dahlias (Dahlia) up here in the north. They would need a longer summer to bloom well.
This year I decided to buy ready grown plants instead of trying to grow them by myself. At least this way I am able to be sure that I can see the blooms.
Found two that I liked from the store and brought them to the summer cottage. They are very different from each other but were the ones that caught my eye.
I had completely forgotten that I planted Origami Red and White (Aquilegia caerulea ‘Origami Red and White’) seeds last year.
The blooms were a nice surprise and lasted long.
Now the flowering season for columbines is over but it is time to collect the seeds. This surely was a variety that I want to see more in my garden.
This year I planted my Red Flaxes (Linum grandiflorum) to a too dry place and it caused the flowers to grow unevenly.
Well, I still love the color of Red Flax. The stark contrast between the red blooms and green foliage somehow lures me.
Need to try to find a better spot for them next year or make a mixed flowerbed.
Prunotto (Lilium ‘Prunotto’) is the most reliable lily I have. It grows better and better each year.
This year I have so many blooms that I even dared to collect some to a vase which is something I seldom do.
The red color Prunotto has is simply stunning. Such beautiful shade of red which really stands out.
It has not been that good year for the Danish Flags (Papaver somniferum ‘Danish Flag’). Because of the long warm period we are having many of the plants remain small.
Last year one of the flowers had a different color scheme. The white in the flower was replaced with purple.
I liked the color combination and collected the seeds. Now half of my Danish Flag flowers are waving red purple flags.
I seldom grow Nasturtiums because they are quite sensitive to frost. This year I made an exception.
Got a pack of edible flower seeds from a friend and it had Blue Pepe (Tropaeolum majus ‘Blue Pepe’) seeds. The seeds ended up to a pot and grew well.
Blue Pepe is a variety bred specifically for culinary use. The name is derived from its steel-blue leaves with purplish undersides.
The taste was a complete surprise to me when I ate the first leave today. I would describe it as peppery and I liked it very much.
I am also fond of the way Blue Pepe grows. It stays small and the leaves have nice color. I think this has just become a must have flower for me.
I have been looking for different colors of lupine to my garden and finally managed to grow a red one from the seeds.
My Castle (Lupinus ‘My Castle’) sure is a beautiful lupine with red flowers.
Sadly the thunderstorm we had took the most beautiful flowers and only left some to bloom. Well hopefully I will have better luck next year.
The Darwin Reds (Tulipa) have now bloomed. Have to wait another year again.
These Darwin Hybrid Tulips are early to bloom and have been doing well several years.
Just cannot wait for the next spring. Miss the spring flowers already.
Seadov (Tulipa ‘Seadov’) is a newcomer to my garden. Acquired 100 bulbs last autumn and all of them are now blooming.
In the beginning the color of the flower is modest but intensifies with the time and becomes something close to cranberry.
What I like most is the way Seadov grows. It is mid high variety and very stern. Even though it has rained a lot all Seadovs are standing straight and unaffected by the weather.
Gardening in the North 