Not just Hellebores

I love Hellebores and have them spread throughout my garden. If you grow them, then you know they only have one downside — and down it is. Their lovely flowers face downwards meaning it is almost impossible to see them without bending over yourself or turning the flowers upward with your hand. Somehow I've managed to plant two summer flowers that do the same thing. 

This is Deinanthe caerula which I've been growing about ten years. It is a small clump former that is almost shrubby. And yes, it's caged because it is rabbit candy.

It is sometimes called "False Hydrangea". You can see where it got that name: from its large rugose leaves that look very like those of a Hydrangea.

The pale, waxy lilac blue flowers are exquisite.

Alas, without lifting them upward they don't look like much and are easy to ignore. This was blooming around July 20th.

My other downward summer bloomer is Anemonopsis macrophylla, a Japanese aristocrat of the woodland. Its foliage was describe in the catalog as "cimicifuga-like," but I think it looks more like Astrantia.

This also has rather waxy blooms but even more pale colored than the Deinanthe. 

When you see the inside of the bloom is really looks waxy; almost to the point of looking artificial. We've had a little over two inches of rain since early Sunday and this flower is showing the effect of getting pounded by the weather. 

Comments

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Yes, exquisite they are!

[Kris P]

Very pretty! Perfect for inclusion in a tallish vase perhaps? Or perhaps a small vase sitting on an upper shelf.

[rusty duck]

Am loving the Anemonopsis. Has it endured a winter yet? On the list!

[danger garden]

Oh, I really like that Anemonopsis macrophylla, might have to add it to my lust list.

[Barbara H.]

Those are both new to me. Did your garden tour get rained out? If not, I hope it went well.

[Linda Brazill]

I planted it in the fall of 2015. We had bad winters in 2017/18 and this last winter as well. Extreme cold both times and little snow cover in 2017/18. Came through fine. This year it is really covered in buds and seems to have settled in nicely.

[Linda Brazill]

Duh! I often put snowdrops up high on a shelf to enjoy. Thanks for making me realize I could do the same thing with summer plants. Heat must be getting to my brain.

[Linda Brazill]

Tour went off nicely. Mark took lots of photos of the garden before folks came and a few of the tour. As soon as I go through them I will post some. He probably took 200 pix.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Interesting flowers. Maybe you need to plant some out by the drive where you would look up at them. They are too pretty to miss.