Garden Photo of the Day

Summer in Kathy’s Garden

Beautiful blooms and foliage

Kathy Albonetti sent in today’s photos.

hardy pink hibiscusA hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus hybrid, Zones 5–9) is covered with huge pink blooms. This group of hibiscus are hybrids of species native to eastern North America, and they give an incredible tropical look to a plant that is actually very winter hardy. They are slow to emerge in the spring, waiting until the weather has thoroughly warmed up, but then they shoot into vigorous, floriferous growth.

tiger lilyA vigorous clump of tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium, Zones 3–9). This species of lily is vigorous, long-lived, and easy to grow, producing masses of brown-spotted orange flowers every summer.

angel’s trumpetAngel’s trumpet (Brugmansia). This tropical shrub will often overwinter in Zone 7 after dying back to the ground. In colder climates, it can be grown in a container and overwintered cool and dry indoors.

Hibiscus mutabilisSometimes going by the common name of cotton rose because its leaves resemble those of a cotton plant, Hibiscus mutabilis (Zones 7–11) isn’t seen much in garden centers today but is a common sight in older gardens in the southeastern United States. It grows to over 6 feet tall and is covered with these huge double blooms, which open white in the morning and blush pink as they age.

cotton roseClose-up of a freshly opened bloom on the cotton rose.

hybrid lilyI can almost smell this hybrid lily (Lillium hybrid, Zones 5–9) through the computer screen.

lilies in full bloomAn imposing tower of huge lilies in full bloom. Rich fertile soil, watering during dry spells, and protection from hungry deer are keys to spectacular lily displays like this.

garden around a barnSome of Kathy’s garden beds are wrapped around a beautiful barn.

elephant earsTropical-looking elephant’s ear (Colocasia esculenta, Zones 7–10 or as a tender bulb) surrounds a water feature.

 

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Comments

  1. Rebeccazone7 12/16/2020

    Absolutely love the hybrid lily and the cotton rose. I'm trying to hunker down for winter, but these wonderful gardens aren't helping...and why isn't this cotton rose used more, it's beautiful.

  2. PattyLouise 12/16/2020

    Beautiful photos! Love the Elephant Ears around the fountain! Great idea! Love the flower bed around the barn! Thanks for sharing!

  3. nwphillygardener 12/16/2020

    Thanks, Kathy! You've shown us real show-stoppers, including the elephant ears which can have the equivalent attention grabbing effect. Just a few of these in a garden can allow those periods where other bloomers are less glamorous, waning or budding.

  4. User avater
    treasuresmom 12/16/2020

    Love, love that cotton rose!

  5. User avater
    simplesue 12/16/2020

    Oh I almost forgot to comment, I got busy emailing your Angel's Trumpet photo to my sister-in-law who loves them, and is trying to grow one!
    Just want to say how beautiful your overall garden is, let alone the individual plants you grow!
    I really like your garden style!

  6. btucker9675 12/16/2020

    Hibiscus/Cotton Rose! Wonderful! The color of that Angel's Trumpet reminds me of a delicate porcelain teacup. Thank you for sharing your stunning gardens.

  7. User avater
    vanhatalosuomi 12/17/2020

    The photo including the barn is the keeper.
    Happy gardening!

  8. Musette1 12/17/2020

    the whole garden is gorgeous but that Angel's Trumpet is especially gorgeous! and omg I envy you that barn!

    thanks for sharing!

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