It has been so warm and rainy, this March and April saw an explosion of color in our front flower beds.
Front Flower bed
The snapdragons- which are supposed to be annuals according to Home Depot- have survived another winter and are HUGE!
Lovely Pink Explosion Snapdragon
For a couple of weeks, the pink snapdragons were just bushes of color. I loved it! If they act like they did last year, they will rebloom again later in the summer, and again in the fall.
Giant Blooming Snapdragon
I have a couple different pinks, and a few dark reds. The dark reds are going crazy right now, now that the pinks have dialed it back. Over Easter weekend, I planted a bunch more snapdragons in the beds in the hopes that within a few years, they will be just as big as these. I’m not exactly sure what I did to make the snapdragons stay alive and get so big- but I hope I keep doing it!
Columbine
In the center front flower bed, I also planted a Columbine. I think it’s really beautiful, and should hopefully grow to be about 2 to 3 feet tall. Although right now, it is sort of hidden by the mass of primrose.
I also have a foxglove that has come back again for the third year, and it is just as tall and lovely as last year.
Foxglove 2012
One subtle difference I noticed this year- the flowers are a creamy, pale yellow and not lavender!
Foxglove Detail 2012
For a comparison, here is last year’s foxglove:
Foxglove 2011
Does anyone know what would cause this? I did a quick search but did not come up with any answers.
One other flowers that has been doing very well in the front is the sweet william:
Sweet William
It never really stopped blooming over the winter, but it looked very meek compared to the number of blooms now. It looks a little messy in the bed right now, but there are very few weeds in there. Most of the weedy looking greenery is the primrose. I pulled a bunch of the primrose out this year, to make room for the columbine and to try to make it look a little neater. It is a very aggresive plant!
In the back, the daylillies I transplanted, along with a salvia I planted are doing OK. They are not looking great, and I’m a little worried about them. I think my soil might be too heavily compacted clay. But, the bee balm next to the house is coming back well.
Emerging Bee Balm
I love looking at all the color — and this fall I think I’m going to start doing some serious planting in the backyard meadow so that I will have some more interest out there. Gotta keep those bees happy!
Linking up to these parties: Centsational Girl, Fishtail Cottage Garden Party
oh how gorgeous!
the foxglove is just stunning. i am no expert, but i know that my parents had a hydrangea that changed color because of the acidity/alkalinity of the soil. Maybe it’s something similar with your color change?
I’ve heard of that and was wondering if maybe that’s what is going on. I also wonder if having an abundance of primrose has changed the pH of the soil.. Oh well, it’s still pretty! thanks!
Hey lucky lass, do you know what variety your pink snapdragons are or their exact name?
Cheers
P.S – They are amazing
Hi Niki! I believe (but am not entirely sure) that they are “Rocket Pink” snapdragons. I picked them up at Home Depot and they worked great with morning sun and late afternoon shade. Thanks!
Snapdragons are one of my ‘many’ favorites!!!! Would love to have you join the garden party going on now at Fishtail Cottage!!!! xoxo, tracie
Thanks Tracie! I will check it out!
oh, how i love snapdragons! they are so lovely in a cottage garden! i also enjoyed seeing your foxglove – we are a few weeks away from seeing those here, so the sneak peek was wonderful! thanks so much for sharing at Fishtail Cottage’s garden party! xoxo, tracie