Hyssopus officinalis ssp aristatus in the Romantic Garden: I will never know why, but Denver Botanic Gardens always looks fabulous in the dog days of summer. The following are various random shots taken on a single stroll (clockwise) around the grounds almost two weeks ago. Thought I'd share these--although I have twice as many since then. If you beg, I might perhaps share those too! Shot number one: wonderfully displayed--this bright lavender mint is not as often seen in gardens as it should be. Tough as nails! x Chitalpa tashkentensis I was amazed that our x Chitalpa made it through last winter with no damage! This bigeneric hybrid (Chilopsis linearis x Catalpa speciosa) is rarely seen in local gardens. x Chitalpa tashkentensis A closer look... Cleome serrulata (purple and pink mixed) I was very pleased to see that the white flowered Cleome has persisted at DBG (it's last known stand was transformed into the Potager)...I first collected this decades ago in the San Luis valley. White lily Don't know the name of the lily, nor of the white Nigella species (there are so many of those too) at its feet. Zauschneria garrettii next to the Bistro Anemone rivularis A gangly Asian anemone--similar to but a tad nicer than the weedy A. virginiana that I've never quite managed to get rid of in any of my gardens... Ligularia przewalskii blazing in Plantasia Every year this seems to become an even greater spectacle, perhaps wanting to out-compete the Eremurus stenophyllus in the neighboring steppe garden? Ligularia przewalskii blazing in Plantasia I'm amazed that this doesn't flag in the sun like its round leaved congeners... Ligularia przewalskii blazing in Plantasia It was a treat to have Eve Reshetnik come visit: First time we'd gotten together since her accident. She's bounced back amazingly..speaking of bouncing: she got a good massage in her chair on the black pebble walk! Ligularia przewalskii blazing in Plantasia Even fascinating up close... Ligularia przewalskii blazing in Plantasia Here's a seedling out of place--hmmm. Maybe it should find a new home? Overview of the steppe garden in midsummer The steppe in midsummer glory. I love this garden. Some find it repelling: poor them. Ziziphora in bloom in front, mystery umbel behind (both from Kazakhstan.) Goniolimon tataricum in the steppe garden Statice time in the steppe: Four or more genera represented...and many species. Garlands of flowers Love this graceful combo of unusual plants that tolerate great drought and heat. Various genera of Limoniaceae in Plantasia steppe garden Having trouble tearing myself away.... Hypericum ex Kazakhstan I don't know which hypericum--looks suspiciously like perforatum. Papaver croceum This distinctive poppy has been lumped into P. nudicaule of late: bah humbug! Stachys foliosa One of my favorite steppe denizens--so adaptabvle and accomodating (and virtually unknown in gardens). Lilium regale and L. concolor (red) One can never have enough lilies... New crevice garden in south African plaza Mike Kintgen (who would drive the Energizer bunny to exhaustion) built YET ANOTHER crevice garden--this in South African plaza--and filled it with succulent gems. Geranium magniflorum I think this may be a seedling! Label says it all I love it when we display unique species! One can never have enough kniphofias... Berkheya cirsiifolia in South African Plaza You know: I have WAY too many pictures to comment on them all: if you have questions, ask, and I'll comment. Way too much to see here this time of year. So enjoy! (in silence from me that is)... Berkheya purpurea in South African Plaza Argemone munita Argemone munita Ceanothus greggii Ceanothus greggii Ceanothus greggii Kniphofia madness in South African plaza Silphium terebinthinaceum Kniphofia madness in South African plaza Crevice garden in Rock Alpine Garden Crevice garden closeup Edelweiss Gaillardia aristata in foreground and crevice garden beyond Lower meadow Echinacea tenneseensis in Lower meadow One of my favorite perches... Label says it! cute as a button. Achnatherum calamagrostis just STARTING to bloom: you should see it today! Hooboy. Opuntia humifusa Festuca scoparia 'Pic Carlit' A wonderful trough in the rock garden Acanthus balcanicus (or longifolius or hungaricus) Daphne oleioides I love the textures of foliage on rock plants even when they're not in bloom. A redder A. hungariicus Callirhoe involucrata c. tenuisecta Callirhoe involucrata c. tenuisecta Callirhoe involucrata c. tenuisecta Callirhoe involucrata c. tenuisecta Astrantia maxima Astrantia maxima Campanula x stansfieldii 'Alba' Campanula cochlearifolia 'Alba' Opuntia humifusa Opuntia humifusa Alcea kurdica Opuntia cv. Salvia ringens Salvia ringens Amorpha canescens and Callirhoe involucrata Amorpha canescens complementing Chihuly Bonsai.......duh! Tropical Bonsai Echinacea tenneseensis and Callirhoe involucrata Callilrhoe involucrata in Watersmart Echinacea tenneseensis and Callirhoe involucrata Seseli hummiferum Echinacea tenneseensis and Seseli hummiferum Eryngium pandanifolium Eryngium pandanifolium Ratibida columnifera and Echinacea in Cottonwood border Phlomis crinita Phlomis crinita Phlomis crinita Penstemon amphorelliae Stipa barbata Agave havardiana Agave havardiana Yucca rostrata in Yuccarama Enough!