Featured Image:  Hummingbird on Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

Hummingbirds, July Blooms, and Garden Volunteers

Bear’s breeches (Acanthus spinosa) blooming in the Display Garden

The flower gardens have been transformed into horticultural theaters with new blooms opening daily and a high-energy natural world playing all around them.  Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum), sea holly (Eryngium planum), and swamp milkweed (Aesclepias incarnata) are all major draws for many varieties of bees. The flowers are often covered with activity from an assortment of pollinators.

The hummingbirds, which we see all day long, are still loving the sweet peas but are also on the tender perennial salvias.  Salvia ‘Rhythm and Blues’ and Salvia ‘Amistad’ are visited frequently by many hummingbirds creating some territorial conflicts.  Their acrobatic flights add great drama in the gardens.

Summer blooms of bear’s breeches (Acanthus hungaricus) and spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata) win the unusual-flower award with blooms that make you stop and take a closer look.

Wednesday garden volunteers, the “Rockettes” working in the Rock Garden

Adding to the cast of remarkable players are our hard-working and fun-loving garden volunteers who help the horticulture staff maintain the flower gardens weekly.  The gardens and the natural world benefit from their care, ensuring the gardens have beautiful blooms throughout the season.  The activities of flora and fauna combined with some tender loving garden car, create a beautiful visual production for a July visit to Blithewold.

Spotted bee balm (Monarda punctata)

Click Here if you would like to see Gail’s video of hummingbirds fighting over territory.