Backyard Blooms: Plants in flower this week

I’m taking a break this week, but here’s what’s blooming in my garden right now:

Stokesia laevis 'Peachie's Pick'

Stokesia laevis ‘Peachie’s Pick’ (‘Peachie’s Pick’ Stokes’ aster).

I’m not desperately keen on asters, but I like this one very much. Drought-tolerant, unbothered by insects or disease, it grows about 18 inches high and stays where it is put. It likes full sun or partial shade and asks virtually nothing of the gardener, although a little deadheading here and there improves its blooming.

An easy plant for the novice gardener, and a butterfly-friendly one at that.

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Anticipation

After three or four years of doing diddly squat, it appears my Phlomis russeliana is about to bloom.

phlomis bud

Every day, it has grown taller and taller.

phlomis 2

I understand from friends that grow this plant that it will take its time settling into place, but once it does, it tends to bloom faithfully. Like many fuzzy-leaved plants, it requires little water but a lot of sun. The foliage rosette is evergreen for me in US Zone 7.