In the previous post I groused how floral reds will clash: not play well together in the garden.
Today nn several vases, I collected samples of many reds from the garden: roses, crape myrtles, Dahlias, a Gerbera daisy, Pentas, Leucandendron, Hydrangea.
Hydrangea 'Bloomstruck' began purple-edged ivory, turned blue, neared a rusty red, then aged to a glorious deep burgundy.
What color will you turn next?
Hmm...a red garden! Might be fun.
We're having another heat wave. 96F/35C yesterday, about that today, nearly as hot Wednesday, followed by relief after that. Could be worse. Take sensible precautions and good luck to those facing Hurricane Idalia.
Oh, my... a spectacular symphony of Reds!
ReplyDeleteThe story of Hydrangea 'Bloomstruck' color shifts is fascinating. It would be fun to document the changes in a single season.
I'm not discipline enough to do a 'single color' garden. Even two would be a challenge...
Chavli
Garden discipline is not my strong point. Maybe it takes practice? Mixed success so far.
DeleteThe plan is to take a photo of a 'Bloomstruck' flower head once a week all summer to see that it does next year, when the plants have settled somewhat and there is enough shade to protect them from disfiguring sunburn. Oak tree just need to grow a little bit more.
Oh beautiful, and the darker reds feel like the end of August.
ReplyDeleteGood point--late August feels right for a bunch of dark reds.
DeleteThat's fabulous! Well done. As for a red garden I'm now thinking about past blogger Alison (Bonney Lassie) and her "Ruby Red Death Bed", I wonder how it turned out?
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm trying a little Fearless Gardening. :) I miss Alison's blog she has such a wonderful sense of humor. Probably great, she's a very skilled gardener.
DeleteThese reds look great together, HB! All the flowers appear to have blue undertones, which helps them combine well, and the small touches of white at the edges of the Gerbera and in the Dahlias boost the combination too. I love it.
ReplyDeleteWe hit 97F here this afternoon ("real feel" 103F according to Weather Underground). The temperature's supposed to drop some 10 degrees tomorrow and another 10 degrees on Thursday, which would be heavenly.
How's Natasha doing?
I had a couple orange-reds out in the garden but it was already getting so hot they got left to toast. Should have added some couldn't take it out there. Some days ahead forecast to be in the upper 70's--hooray!
DeleteNatasha has something like her usual energy level, appetite, and sassy attitude back, so...so far, so good. She said to say "Yap! Yap! Yap!" which of course translates to "Got any treats for me?"
Ouuuu! Those look fabulous! Blue-red is my favorite. I love the intensity and depth of it. That is one killer hydrangea. Its color transitions sound beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing your photo timeline. The crepe mytle blossom is especially lovely too. Such a deep, rich color. And the roses. Sigh. Always the roses! For most of my life, red was not a color I enjoyed and I avoided it. Then, several years back, a friend gave me a ceramic jar glazed with the reds, and a smidgeon of black, on the outside, and blue-green on the inside. I didn't like it. She said I needed more red in my life. I guess she was right, because it grew on me and is now one of my favorite possessions. And I like red now. Aren't pushy opinionated friends wonderful? I'm glad to hear that Natasha the Beautiful is feeling better. Also looking forward to a long, cooler weekend. Hope yours is lovely. Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteAnother vote here for intensity and depth of color. Perhaps the constant California sunshine bleaching and fading so much of the landscape creates a longing for deep saturated colors.
DeleteYour ceramic jar sounds lovely. What cool gifts, the thoughtfulness of the friend as well as the object.
Cooler weather---what could make for a better weekend? Have a lovely one yourself!
These reds are beautiful and the flowers are so perfect. I'd love to have Hydrangea 'Bloomstruck'--lovely.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize 'Bloomstruck' would age through so many fantastic and sophisticated shades--lucky pick!
DeleteI love reds especially the deep burgundy tones but they are tough to match in the garden. Those saturated colours seem to recede while the brighter reds tend to be glaring. Advice suggests placing it with silver (yuck) or bright chartreuse (hard on the retinas). I like soft greens, creams and whites. Seems to work well for all tones. Do love that hydrangea especially when it's in it's deep purple/red phase.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen that many reds placed together before. Looks fine to my eye, though I am not sure how well I would enjoy a whole part of the garden only devoted to red flowers. Bright reds always make me think of the desert mountains, when the penstemons, ipomopsis, salvia, and zinnias bloom. It's a happy color for me. Burgundy seems more regal, refined, a color that I have a harder time placing in the garden. I agree that it seems like a late summer to early autumn color.
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