The Monkshood (Aconitum × stoerkianum) is doing well this summer. It is one of those old flowers that have been grown up here in the north for a long time.
The bumblebees adore the flowers and there is constant buzz among the plants.
Monkshoods protect themselves with a cocktail of poison though. The whole plant is poisonous and a small dose of the root is enough to kill you. In other words not a suitable plant if you have small children playing in the garden.
It has been awhile since I have had any Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) growing.
It is a native plant for the region and I remember it from the childhood.
Nowadays you can have it in several different colors but the blue one is the original color.
I did not plant any Corn Marigolds (Glepionis segetum) this spring put to my surprise I have plenty of them.
It seems that they had self-seeded last year and decided to grow well during the summer.
Well let’s see what happens next year. Will they be able to self-seed two years in a row.
Garden Tree-mallow (Lavatera thuringiaca) is one of the reliable bloomers.
It does well up here in the north but does need beanpoles when in full height.
When it is blooming it is good time to start collecting some seeds for the next spring. The aquilegia, lupine and poppy seeds are now ready to be harvested.
Planted some Siberian Poppy seeds (Papaver bracteatum) last year and now they are blooming nicely.
Have been having them for the past ten years.
The blooms are colored white, yellow, or orange.
Splendens (Dianthus deltoides ‘Splendens’) gave a spectacular show this year. It bloomed long and had huge amount of flowers.
Bought two pots last year just out of curiosity to see how would they do.
Never did I expect results this good. This year planted some more from seeds.
I sowed the Artic Fires (Dianthus deltoides ‘Arctic Fire’) last year and they are finally blooming.
It will be interesting to see weather they make it through the winter because the sports I moved them to is a bit challenging when it comes to overwintering.
For the safety’s sake I sowed some more for the coming spring. Just to be on the safe side.
Planted more of Painted Daisies (Chrysanthemum carinatum) this year.
Tried them last year and liked the blooms. You never know what colors you are going to get until the blooms open.
I guess this will become a regular annual for my garden.
The Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii) started blooming a bit later this year because of the cold spring.
Bees and butterflies love the flowers and during a sunny day there is a constant buzzing going on.
One of the most reliable annuals I grow and starts blooming early, usually around the midsummer up here in the north.
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is blooming. The spring was cool and the flowers opened a bit later this year.
Each autumn I faithfully collect the seeds for the next year.
Not quite sure about the variety. It has been grown by us for more than 20 years. Anyway its suitable for our climate. Grows quickly during the long summer days and blooms early.
Gardening in the North 