summer is here
June 8, 2011
Since we’ve had exceptionally high daytime and soil temperatures in SE Pennsylvania this late spring, many perennials are sending out flowers earlier than I expected. I found this Penstemon pinifolius (pineneedle beartongue) blooming on the hillside at Chanticleer Garden last weekend backed by Stipa tennuissima, or Mexican feather grass. I intentionally blurred the grass out of focus to hightlight the form of the penstemon. I first explored the symmetry of the individual flowers along the inflorescence. But soon I became more fascinated by the leading lines of the flower parts and created this off-center image.
I am excited to see these blooming along with Clematis texensis and other nectar food sources for hummingbirds in local gardens. But I have not seen any hummingbirds yet in the garden this year. Sure hope they arrive soon to feast upon these wonderful plants.
