Saturday, June 26, 2010

A FLOWER ... 'SIMPLE DELIGHT'! ('BIG SKY' WHITE CONEFLOWER)

"The actual flower is the plant's highest fulfilment, and are not
here exclusively for herbaria, county floras and plant geography: they are here first of all for delight."

~ John Ruskin



CONEFLOWER
(ECHINACEA 'BIG SKY')









21 comments:

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Hi Joey, I love the, um, fringe between the center and the petals, which I wish I knew the botanical name for. Those sure are pretty!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I don't have this one. It's a beauty!

Eileen

Anonymous said...

Dear Joey, I may well have mentioned growing Echinacea 'White Swan' but this E. 'Big Sky' is more than a rival - absolutely lovely. I wonder if it is a fairly new cultivar as I have not been conscious of it before now?

The Ruskin quotation reminded me of a visit to Brantwood, his home in the Lake District, but that was many years ago.

lindalou said...

As stated....a true delight.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I like that one, it's not overblown like some of the new ones.

Unknown said...

Let's try that again (my router dropped out when I went to publish my comment.)
Are you sure this cone is called Big Sky? The Saul brothers of Itsaul Plants have a series of cones called Big Sky (tm) -- (Sunrise, Sunset, Harvest Moon, Summer Sky, Twilight, etc) and they focus on unusual colours like gold, orange, pale yellow, bicolours, etc.

But whatever this one is, it's gorgeous and your photography is stunning. I'm still a few weeks from flowers on mine, and I planted several new varieties this year too, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they all do.

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

I love echinacea.

I have 'white swan' and the usual purpurea, perfect plant.

Great photos (as ever)

Rob

imac said...

Wonderful and pretty Joey.

F Cameron said...

Never seen this one! WOW! Lovely, lovely.

RURAL said...

Big, and so beautiful. Can you imagine a field of these?

Jen

joey said...

Me too, dear Monica (you and I are too deep and both need to know everything about everything :) In the meantime, let's simply enjoy :)

It is indeed a beauty, Eileen, that hopefully will be happy in my garden.

I do remember you mentioning 'White Swan', once a beauty in my garden also, dear Edith. So do hope this 'new kid on the block' will be happy and grace my garden next spring.

Thanks, Lindalou. A standing invitaion remains for you to visit my garden. Though at the lake tonight, I will be back and forth throughout the summer.

Looks like a winner, MMG, but time will tell. Tried to visit you but UP NORTH and for some reason Mr. Ho-Hum's computer is not as user friendly as mine back home. Did see your stunning post, great photos!

Hi, dear jodi. The tag on this
'new kid on the block' said 'Big Sky' so assume it is right (I have tried all you mentioned with no luck). I too 'googled' white ... wondering! But I love her and hope she loves me too! Though hate to even say 'next spring', time will tell if she's a 'happy camper'. She was so pretty, I photographed her lovely face before planting.

Me too, Rob! Love echinacea, a garden must. For some reason, all of my 'lovelies' disappeared so beginning again, hoping they will love me as much as I love them :)

Thanks, dear camera friend, imac :)

New to me too, Cameron. Hopefully, she will love me enough to return next spring!

joey said...

Ships passing on comments, dear Jen! Thanks ... yes, think this is a winner but time will tell. She is a beauty and fun to photograph!

Kala said...

Gorgeous tones in these coneflower images Joey!

Rick said...

Great perspectives on a lovely flower joey! I've never seen any like this.

Nutty Gnome said...

Gorgeous photos Joey - but not as gorgeous as your recipe for simple fish marinade with horseradish in it! Divine! ...and as for the asparagus grilled in oil and balsamic vinegar .....I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!!!

Chloe m said...

I love any coneflowers and these are no exceptions. I have only one planted in my garden and it has never bloomed. I think it needs a better spot. Perhaps I will move it. Your blooms are so pretty!

Ellada said...

Hi,
Wow !!! great photos, you got talent.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Joey, that's a really pretty one. I had the older white one years ago but this one is much nicer.
Marnie

joey said...

Thanks Kala ... she's a beauty!

Thanks Rick ... you think by now I would have enough but still tempted by a pretty face!

Thanks, Liz ... glad you enjoyed them (2 of my favs). So where did June go, dear friend :(

Sorry about your coneflower, Rosey. You are not alone ... they can be temperamental (for me too)!

Welcome Ellada and thank you. How kind!

I had other white ones also, Marnie, but so far, this is my favorite!

garden girl said...

Very pretty Joey! I have no luck with the fancier cultivars, but sure do enjoy seeing them in other gardens.

Rose said...

Beautiful photos, Joey, of my favorite flower! I have only the common purple coneflowers, but their blooms delight me every summer.