Beautiful. Grows in clumps all summer long here along the edge of our tidal pond and even creates wonderful blue and green islands in the middle of the pond. Grown from seeds and rhizomes, they are regularly planted in water gardens here and across the pond. Young shoots, leaves and seeds are edible. Make sure you are collecting from clean water.
We wandered through the amazingly lovely Kenilworth Gardens in DC to see ponds full of 7′ tall lotuses in full bloom. July 4 is the height of their annual water lotus and water lily display. Gates open at 8:30 AM. Best to be there early!
Then we stopped at Panda Gourmet for lunch and discovered this carving. We probably would have considered the blossom and leaf an exaggeration, an artist’s fantasy, if we hadn’t just been surrounded by similar giant water lotuses!
FYI: What is the difference between a water lily and a water lotus?
I spend hours admiring field garlic heads! Each one looks like a creature from a different universe… And they are edible!
Fortunately for me the deer don’t permit such a profusion of day lilies to grow in my yard. Obviously they haven’t found this overly colorful group. It’s along the road to the soft serve place in Accokeek. Please notify them when you see them.
Stems of yucca flowers are so beautiful. Ants love them too so please avoid picking them.
No wonder moth orchids are one of the most popular orchids in the trade! Sturdy and cheerful and covered with blooms! Some botanical genius put these two moth orchids in the same pot! My son gave them to me many years ago and their blooming periods still overlap annually. They started blooming when my last crazy orchids were about to finish their season. We’ve had orchids for months!
In case you missed all my earlier orchid blog posts this year, here are the truly crazy phaius tankervilles that brightened our lives for months! Can’t wait for next year!
A fallen flower petal…
A dried orchid leaf…
