June would not be June without clay pots and planters of red geraniums (cranesbills) blooming on the thresholds of houses in the village, and tomorrow is the first day of June. Here we are again, heading toward another summer solstice.
Beau and I have noticed on early morning walks that many of this year's geranium offerings are attended by purple petunias and marigolds. There are also some splendid coleuses in rainbow shades, and sometimes all four dwell comfortably in the same pot, geraniums, petunias, marigold and coleus. What a riot of aestival color!
My gypsy soul craves spectacular coleus strains like "Dragon Heart, "Rainbow Dragon", "Kingswood Torch" and "Chocolate Covered Cherry", and I am looking for other places in the garden to plant them this year. Ditto some of the more arty amaranth varieties in local nurseries like "Joseph's Coat", "Molten Fire" and "Early Splendor".
A pot of geraniums on the cobblestones in front of the house is a long standing tradition, and every year, I think of their ancestors who graced our threshold in years past and greeted everyone who came to the door. I remember their shape, their color, their texture, their green and rather peppery fragrance, their joyous blooming. They were perfect expressions of summer, and I thanked them. Happy June, everyone!
1 comment:
I too have a big pot of red geraniums on the path up to our front door..They really Say welcome, don't they? I also do a container with several colorful coleus to brighten up a shady spot on the porch. It's amazing how huge they get by summer's end and last well into the fall. The photo of your geranium is just beautiful! Happy June 1st!
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