Deb - it's so nice that you have an area that never fails to please. It's always something to anticipate.

I'd love an entry for each plant showing the long view or garden scene. It seems to make it more true to life.

I agree, Pirl, and now that I have all my blooms duly portraited, I plan to work more on group shots. I love researching a plant, opening the database for details and finding one or two garden view shots featuring that plant. Great for siting ideas. I also find it extremely helpful when a contributor opens a discussion thread with a brief statement of when and where the scene was taken, the sun exposure, and any other information that might be useful for others.

On the dark side - iris, lupine and digitalis:


White iris echoing the white edge of the nearby hosta:


Dark iris with Japanese maple Bloodgood in view:

You're right, Deb. Taking a photo in the morning, compared to the same shot near sundown, can almost result in two very different looks.

Taken at 7:31 PM this Japanese iris has its own color echoes going just due to the setting sun.



Same scene, with the same JI at the bottom of the photo, but taken in the 3 PM hour.

Good visual example, Pirl. Although I had to do a double-take at the 7:31 pm time for the first shot, as it is pitch dark here by 5:00 pm these days. I do fondly remember summer, though...ha ha.

Here it's getting dark now by 4:30 but those photos were taken June 28, 2009.

At a balmy 33 now, up from 18 at 8 AM, I spend time recalling warmer days through my photos.

Love the pictures of the white and green echoes. So fresh looking.

More echos.
Giraff lily



Gypsy Romance iris with Walkers low

I love this combination of geranium Samobor and Martagon lily


This echo just worked out for bloomtime.If the hummeloes hadnt bloomed I have the early phlox against Hillside Black Beauty for backup.This whole area works in my eyes,just wasnt slaved over.When the garden gets full its hard to find places for new plants.I got lucky when adding the Carradonas.


Forever Susan lily and liatris,its a pretty high color combination.


NOID red asiatic lily and Hot Summer echinaceas.The echies died out (Asters yellows virus )

Thanks, Julia. Green and white is a classic duo and it is clean looking.


Great photos, Jo Ann!

nice at crismiss too.

Beautiful Pictures everyone!

Jo Ann, some really nice mixes there. Susan lily and liatris is fabulous. Love all the high color. Good idea about Christmas and the green and white. Funny though I also love the green and white. If we ever get our new patio in I'm going to do a moon garden. I find it soothing. Arlene, that white and green is stunning!!

Thanks. Wish I could transmit the scent of the hosta plantaginea. It's so heavenly. Two beds of that hosta flank the French doors and the scent coming in, late in the day, is such a treat.

Great photo Pirl,what astilbes are those in background?

pirl said:Thanks. Wish I could transmit the scent of the hosta plantaginea. It's so heavenly. Two beds of that hosta flank the French doors and the scent coming in, late in the day, is such a treat.

What a terrific idea!! I thought I had one, but it did not look like the others in the database so I tossed it. I would like to get a couple to put by the back door.

Jo Ann - I planted many astilbe there to see which ones adapted to the conditions the best.

There is Purple Lance, a nameless 36" pink/lavender, some Bridal Veil, perhaps Visions in Red and Pumila. They grow in with the Japanese irises.

Arlene, thanks for starting this thread. Everyone's pictures are stunning, and such a treat to see at this wintry time of year.

I'll have to look at my plant combos next year to see if I have any accidental color echoes. I've been such a willy nilly gardener, just putting plants wherever without much thought.

The concept of color echoes is just brilliant, thanks to everyone for sharing their lovely pictures. This is definitely a thread to follow for great plant combo ideas.

Pirl, I wonder if your nameless pink would be Amerika.I planted some tall varieties last spring and America was one of them.
I recognised Purple Lance,it spreads like crazy here.
Amerika

http://garden.org/apps/sets/vi... my 1st multi- photo might qualify; its a colorful nixture of a lily, Firestar in beds of Rudbeckia and purpe cone flower w/ some ghost weed (a wormwood).

What a energetic photo,so bright and cheery.
A few more echoes.
Indian Chief iris with Purple Sensation allium


Iris RingAround Rosey and Salvia Caradonna


I like the Red Husker stems with the JM Correlenium in background


Monarda Raspberry Wine with Lily Garden Pleasure
Phlox Blue Paradise and Sherbert Blend