Floral Fireworks

As our neighborhood popped and whistled with activity last night, I wandered around the garden, quietly enjoying my own version of "fireworks".


Echinops bannaticus
Over the past few years, I've figured out where the rising and setting sun "hit" in our garden, and have tried to plant as many plants as I can that look dramatic when backlit.


Knautia macedonica 'Ruby Star'
Grasses look amazing (of course), as does anything with fine "hairs" on the stems, like the Knautia above...


Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain'
...and like Salvia 'Purple Rain' above.


Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'
Echinacea also has fine hairs covering the plants...and even the opening blossoms look like miniature explosions...POW!


Teucrium hircanicum
Teucriums are pure magic when backlit...the whole plant is covered with fine hairs...and the blooms seem to glow from within. Although it has MANY admirable qualities, I'd plant it for the brief, but spectactular, shows during sunrise and sunset alone.


Allium 'Purple Sensation'
Of course, some plants just have a structure that's reminiscent of fireworks themselves ;-)


Knautia macedonica 'Ruby Star' & Teucrium hircanicum
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July...even with the horribly hot, dry weather so much of the country is experiencing (and which we have thankfully been spared). As the 4th of July seems to un-officially herald the beginning of summer weather in Portland, I'm crossing my fingers for another mild summer...hopefully the scorching temps will stay far away from Rhone Street :-)