June would not be June without clay pots, boxes and planters of red geraniums (cranesbills) blooming at the entrances of houses in the village. Here we are again, pottering along in June and heading toward another summer solstice, and there are geraniums everywhere.
On early morning walks, Beau and I have noticed 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, marigolds 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 threshold is a long standing tradition, and every year, I think of their ancestors who graced our entry 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 flowering. They were perfect expressions of summer, and I thank them. Happy June everyone, happy blooming!
Geraniums are a favorite of mine, too tho this year with all the construction going on, I'll have to be content with photos of yours which are as always, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember ever having geraniums, but they're popular around here. Once I had perennial geraniums though, and might be wise to get some again. They made a nice hedge and were tough, which flowers in my yard need to be. However, I'm no longer in the flowerbed business. I'm letting lilac trees and wild bushes move in as they like. (But of course looking after what's already there, and planting in pots. Will we see pictures of your yard?) -Kate
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