Exotic Echinacea Flower Trail

This is the time of summer when we come to expect bold, splashy colors. Gone are the days of spring pastels. (Even though we still love and have white gardens.)

Top photo is Flame Thrower echinacea or coneflower. I took the pictures of the standard pink coneflower in the background so you can see the difference in colors.

These all look spectacular against burgundy foliage. Like these flowers in front of tall, large- burgundy-leaved cannas would be smashing.

The other two photographs are of the lovely neon-ish Tomato Soup coneflower. The color combinations you would know are my favorite. Orange, pink and burgundy. And just the right amount of each.

Prices are kind of high for each plant, (like $14.) but be patient as they will come down next year when newer ones are offered.

Sunny Faces

Even rain cannot dim these sunny faces. The dahlias I had put here in the shade until I could plant them and they are still here lighting up this fencepost due to the rain. The roots have probably ventured out of the bottom of the pots into the mulch since they look very happy in this mostly shaded area. (They will get planted). I like these because of the burgundy foliage and the yellow flowers.