It’s a great idea to take stock of what is looking good and giving you enjoyment in the garden every so often. Chloris at The Blooming Garden often does a snapshot round up in her garden and she always has many beautiful and unusual things to share. This month she has restricted her choices to ten and has invited readers to join in with their own top five or ten. So, these are my current top 5 stars:
Gladiola papilio ‘Ruby’
Gladiolus papilio ‘Ruby’
I couldn’t resist buying the bulbs for this gladiola (I got them from Sarah Raven) after reading a post by The Frustrated Gardener. They are absolutely as gorgeous, lush and berry-like as described. Certainly, mine are not as ruby red as the SR website photo shows, but are possibly prettier for it. Since I’ve grown them in pots, because I couldn’t decide on a permanent home in time to plant, the flowering spikes are relatively short. Once they’ve finished flowering they will be going in the garden, hopefully to multiply and get stronger year on year. I’ll protect them for the winter with a generous mulch.
Monarda citriodora
Lemon bee balm, Monarda citriodora
I’ve grown this Monarda this year because it was one of five packets of seeds in the ‘Boozy Gardeners’ Kit’ my son gave my for Christmas. (The cinnamon basil in the kit has also been a big success). It is early days for the plants and I am waiting to see the monarda flowers properly, but so far I am really enjoying the textures and form of the flowering head.
Hibiscus trionum
Hibiscus trionum …
I grow this annual hibiscus from seed most years, because it is an easy and exotic looking flower. Just look at the theatrics and complexity of the reproductive parts!
… with its spectacular anther/stigma arrangement
Thalictrum delavayi
Long term favourite: Thalictrum delavayi
I have a number of Thalictrums around the garden, many grown from seed of the fluffy T. aquilegiifolium kind. However, I love the T. delavayi species even more and those plants are just sending up plumes of delicate dancing butterfly flowers now. There was a massive example of this in the walled garden at Audley End House I remember (but it has been some time since I last visited). I hope that I can eventually grow mine to those dimensions too.
Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy’
Pineapple lily, Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy’…
Another bulb putting on a glorious display currently is a Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy’. Last year the plants languished rather as they were a late (i.e. end of season sale) purchase. The spikes are so much longer than E. bicolor and that tint of rusty plum in the stalk and pistil makes the green in the flower pop that much more.
… with its sparklers alight!
At this time of year it really is hard to limit the number of favourites to such a small number. Having browsed Chloris’ top ten choices there are obviously many more to watch out for. So, what would you recommend to others?
Frogend dweller's Blog 
You certainly have some beauties! Love the last two especially–and that last photo!
Thanks Tina. E. ‘Sparkling burgundy’ is looking to be the highlight of the year. It has such elegance and drama.
I love them all. They are delicious.
Thanks. I have to say that I am getting very acquistive when I see other people’s top 5s!
Your five July stars sparkle and I like them all very much indeed. I shall look out down rnthe annual hibiscus, the centre of the flowers is so beautiful.
Yes the hibiscus is really lovely, but I can’t help wishing it grew a little taller
Great selection – I may have a similar thalictrum, given to me by a friend who didn’t know the species, but it gets quite tall. Love the hibiscus and monarda, too!
Thanks Eliza. My thalictrum are only to about 3 ft. Are yours a lot taller?
5-6 ft. with violet flowers. The tallest I’ve ever seen!
Good choices! Only five, but five superstars:^)
Thanks Marian. What has been interesting is to see no overlap in people’s favourites! I find myself agreeing with the selections nevertheless.
Thank you so much for joining in Allison and giving us your top Five July favourites. And what a fabulous selection. I am a fan of thalictrum too. I love the Gladiolus and that is a very unusual Monarda, I love it. I think it is really useful to have other people’ s reccommendations for star plants.
Yes, it has been fascinating to see other people’s favourites and great for ideas.
A fabulous five. I am envious of your ‘Sparkling Burgundy ‘ mine hasn’t flowered yet.
But now I am jealous that you’ve got yours to come when mine is nearing the top of the spike!
As with Sam’s post on A Coastal Plot, I’m not growing a single one of your top five. I do grow plenty of other Monarda species, as you know. I love Eucomis! They have lots at the Chicago Botanic Garden, but they have to bring it inside for the winter.
Oh this eucomis comes in for the winter, although I do usually leave the E. bicolor deep in the ground.
A really interesting collection of July stars. I must get some thalictrum as I keep noticing it in photos and other people’s gardens – what an amazing plant. That hibiscus is beautiful.
I find the thalictrum similar in visual effect to epimediums with their tiny suspended flowers. I love them both.