Elisa's Eye on the World

Sunflowers Everywhere!

Goldy Honey Bear Sunflowers

Look at all the unopened flower buds! Flowers ahread this fall.

How plush is that?

In the background you can see an assortment of other varieties of sunflowers - but these are my hand's down favorite.

The element of whimsy shown here is the plaque on the fence to the right that happens to face the sunflower.

 

Early August Garden View: before the sunflowers take off

 

Walking Around the Garden Today

Tulips and Heuchera by front gate.

Sunflower seed starts.

Hello Goldy Honey Bears!

Goldy Honey Bear sunflowers grown from seed. These got off to a late start, but now their bright, almost fuzzy yellow faces will brighten the yard through the fall.

What fun. Photos by Hubs.

The View from the Kitchen Window in October

The first of the Honey Bear sunflowers is in bloom here along with a gang of assorted varieties.

There are elements of "garden whimsy" in these two pictures. The first one is red, and was posted before. The other is orange, a vintage golf ball we found when the rotting deck was demolished. The glacial green pathways looks extra great after rain.

With the camera panned to the left the maroon mum "Helen" is visible above the rubble wall.

The View from the Kitchen Window

How handy to have a window that easily slides open to get photos like this.

Sunflower Roll Call 8-28

Bits of orange and very interesting center.

Most likely to be a Goldy Honey Bear.

Tie Die!

All photos by Hubs.

Sunflower Roll Call (So Far)

 

Collage of Backyard Garden during a Downpour

I used Picasa's Collage feature to create this image from four photos, taken on the back porch during an afternoon downpour. Seven years ago we took out the old deck, decaying fiberglass swimming pool and deteriorated railroad-tie retaining walls and started over.

A Sunny Day to Check on the Garden

Foxglove Village

Nice sunflower starts by the Glacial Green path.

Sun deprived tomatoes soak up the rays.

Looking up the lower rubble wall.

Very Wet Wednesday

I was just getting ready to run some errands on foot, but stayed inside once I saw a fast moving squall turn to a full force storm. For every plant that's been transplanted I am joyful and for every eradicated weed I am grateful, because there is still going to be more to do when this extended period of rain is done.

Goldy Honey Bear Sunflower

Sadly there is only one of these gems in the backyard. So sunny and bright! The seed packet from Botanical Interests says "Goldilocks would have to don sunglasses if she ran across these flowers in the bear's garden! Larger than Teddy Bear, the Goldy Honey Bear has thick, sturdy stalks that stay upright without staking. Green center appears as the flower opens. As it matures, the blooms become fully double, solid gold and surrounded by sun-like ray petals."

The Tallest of them All

We measured this Russian Mammoth and determined it is a least eight feet tall.

Cheeful Late August Sunflower

Soon the darling sunflowers will be destroyed by the squirrels so this is a good time to chronicle their cheerfulness.

A Slope of Sunflowers

This is quite the sunflower gang - an irresistibly cheery landscape on a lovely Friday afternoon.

Giant Sunflower

At this point the seeds are starting to form - the color is a fantastic shade of yellow.

First of Russian Mammoth Sunflowers

Here's the first of the Russian Mammoth Sunflowers, you can see also see the massive stems and leaves which make these a precious summer addition.

Suddenly the Blooms Start

Funny. Soon as Hubs left for a camping trip on Tuesday with the camera, all the summer blooms started.

The new Echinacea purpurea, or "White Swan White Swan is a sweet plant, which hopefully will spread along the fence area.

Years ago I started Alcea nigra, or Chocolate Hollyhock and they have come back every year, though rusty leaf areas have to be kept in check.

We have so many Sunflowers it's hard to tell what is what, but most were started from Seeds of Change seeds. Some have dainty stems, others are quite stout. So far, a reddish one is blooming in the raised bed next to the curb, and one with mixed colors faces the kitchen.

 

Volunteer Sunflowers along the Fence

These two sunflowers are volunteers which appeared on this sunny spot near the Pampas Grass. A few others were removed and placed in other areas in the yard since these two are showing all the signs of becoming huge plants.

End of June view of Pumpkins, Tomatoes and Sunflowers

On the far left are a group of sunflowers; up close are two of the three pumpkins (started from seed) and three tomato plants of different varieties. Ready for takeoff!

Sunflower Bloom Power continues into November

 
Taken on November 9, here's one of the strongest of all the sunflowers.

Sassy Sunflower

Of note here is a robust stem, little bugs on the top, sommewhat irregular pedals and a powerful punch of yellow.

More Sensational Sunflowers

Get a look at those leaves!

Oh Sunflower!

Blue Flowers = Big Impact

I believe the blue plant is Salvia - I just call it Beautiful. This plant has survived over 3 winters - though it was added to this container just this year. It's surrounded by some sunflowers and a reddish Carex. As the rest of the garden cools down this container is definitely big on impact and interest.

Sunflower Power!

Simply dazzling!!

Sunflower Wink

This sunflower has only partially opened, or is it winking?

Huge Sunflower Brings Bright Color and Height to Yard

M e g a ! !

Group Photo of Sunflowers in Early August

Sunflower Rollcall: Red Center with Yellow Tips

Sunflower Rollcall: All Yellow Russian Mammouth

Sidewalk Level Pumpkin in a Raised Bed Container

Down at the curb this combination of Sunflower and Pumpkin is starting to become a focal point in one of the planter strip area raised beds.

First Sunflower of the Season

This lovely flower opened last night and was captured by Hubs, with the pinkish Tree Mallow in the background.

Early Stages of Late Summer Garden

The plants here are small, but set to take off once summer kicks in. Meanwhile it gets regular watering from the rain barrel.

Hollyhocks are the tall plant, with a series of Hebe shurbs in the background along the property line. (I'm not sure what the yellowish green shrub is on the neighbor's side.)

Up front are Sedums, which add year-round color and texture.

Smallish plants include Lupines, Columbine and the promising start of some Sunflowers and Pumpkins.

Reclaimed Container Hosts Sunflowers for Test Project

This raised bed is way in the back of our small lot. It's hard to get to - but we finally cleared out the junk and weeds to reclaim the area near the fence abutting the public alley.

Since it gets sun, there's a good chance the sunflower transplants are going to take.

Fingers crossed along with another topping of compost. Regular rains have spared me the need to water them since their planting on Thursday.

The vision of this project is happy sunflowers nodding over the fence; adding some life to an otherwise neglected but important corner.

Sunflowers in September

A nice variety of sunflowers planted in front of the ugly shed, adding height and color to the fading garden.

More Sunflowers

Soon enough they will be gone, so I am determined to capture as many of this year's sunflowers in pictures as possible.

Front Yard Sunflower

This lovely sunflower faces east and has grown to over 6 feet. Some of the petals are a little battered from earlier storms, but there should be more blooms on the way before summer is truly over.

Sunflower Passes Nine Foot Mark

According to a reliable source, these are (left to right): Around 7-1/2 feet each and 9'3."

Three Sunflower Plants Towering over the Fence

The top of the lattice fence is 5' and three sunflower plants have been towering over it since the recent period of wet days. Since this photo (five days ago) the tallest plant has shot up another foot!

Sunflowers 2007

These are up top in front of the ugly shed. Hanging, are two vintage galvanized steel buckets filled with some daisies just for fun. These might grow a few inches taller after the soaking rain presently underway.

Note the hovering honey bee at the top center.

Sunflowers Most Likely to Tower Over the Fence

These Sunflowers and Pumpkins are in the sunniest spot in the yard, next to the Pampas Grass. I've been tending to them since early April and finally they are starting to show signs of growth with gusto. Stay tuned for updates.

2007 Seeds

This is what is in the ground now:

Sunflowers:
Gloriosa Polyheaded primarily orange and yellow with red markings on each petal, making red circles, thus resembling the Gloriosa Daisy: 6-10'

Russian Mammoth Good for birds, singular    head. 10-14 in. flowers: 9-12'

Evening Sun Predominantly all maroon flowers with the color deepening toward the center. Plant stalks and leaf venation are also maroon, accenting the richly colored 4-6 in. flowers: 6-10'

Small Sugar Pumpkins  ( Cucurbita pepo ) Lightly ribbed, orange 5-6 pound fruits for small spaces and carving little jack-o-lanterns.

True Gold Sweet Corn ( Zea mays ) 7 to 8 1/2-  inch ears with golden-yellow kernels and long-standing sweetness.

Front Yard Sunflower

With flowers facing in all directions, this front yard sunflower delights everyone.

Sunflower II: Endurance

Helianthus argophyluss x annus

Started in peat pots and transplanted by a walkway, this faces the kitchen and has survived decapitation by the birds so far.

Sunflower I: Russian Mammoth

Helianthus annus

This is a volunteer from a previous season's planting and is doing quite well- topping at least 5 feet at the end of August.

Sunflowers 2006

Two types of seeds were started on March 30 - Endurance Sunflower   Helianthus argophyluus x annuus an special red Evening Sunflower  Helianthus annuus.

According to the packages, both are reseeding tender annuals 6'-10' tall.

The little peat cups with tiny plant starts is not much to be seen, so tune back for updates.