Cranesbill Geranium

This is the mound of Cranesbill Geranium, which I've had since the garden opened in 2007.  I meant to pull it up at the end of last year, but never got around to it.  This flower will take over about 1/2 of the garden space this year.  It is just getting too big for the spot.  I have a lot of babies it has sprouted, and have moved them to different places, thank goodness, the plant grows relatively slow.  I am going to move that poor red Dianthus it is smothering in the front there.  One of my favorite plants at the garden.

Dianthus

Look at my beautiful Dianthus.  I planted them last year as very small plants.  Click on this picture to see them up close.  So pretty!

Speaking of Dianthus

Here are some of the Dianthus I have this year in my garden.

Dianthus

My Dianthus is still blooming like crazy.

Dianthus Diana Blueberry

Diana Blueberry has come into full bloom on the plant.  Won't be long before this plant will go to seed and will need to be cut back.  But for now, have one last look at this most beautiful Dianthus.  Diane tells me that the 2 white looking with pink center flowers are the flower buds that are starting to age. 

Various pictures of the Dianthis Diana Blueberry

You can see the blooms up close on a day right after the rain.

This is the plant in almost full bloom.

Dianthus - Unknown variety

These two flowers are from the same plant.  Dianthus opens with lighter flowers, then darken as they get older.  You can see in the picture on the right how the color is starting to spread (bleed) to the edge of the petal.  Very pretty.

Diana Blueberry Dianthus is getting fuller

This Diana Blueberry Dianthus is starting to open all it's buds.  The plant is far from fully open with all it's blooms.  The size of each flower is very large for a dianthus.  This plant was grown from seed started 2 years ago.  Last year it did not give any flowers and was a really small plant.

Valentine Dianthus

This plant is in Diane's garden.  She grew this from seed last year.  The plant was so tiny, and had no flowers last year.  This year, it still is small, but the flowers are so pretty.  Look at the anthers at the center, it looks like a hairy caterpillar.

Red and White Dianthus

This is one of the many different dianthus I have in my garden.  This came in a pot with different varieties so don't know the name.  It is as pretty as it looks here in the garden.

Diana Blueberry Dianthus

Two years ago my daughter planted from seed a dianthus called Diana Blueberry, from Park Seed. Last year it was just a small plant with no flowers. This year it has formed a hedge like plant that is at least 2 feet long. It is loaded with flower blooms that have yet to open, but a few have now opened. The flowers are HUGE, at least 2 inches across. When all the flowers open, this plant is going to be spectular viewing. Here is a picture of one of the flowers. Stay tuned for a picture of the plant when it is in full bloom.