GIANT ALLIUMS, ROSES AND LILIES IN JUNE

By June, the huge globe alliums are in bloom. Some, like long-lasting Globemaster, reach 10" across, with hundreds of blue-violet florets. Alliums have foliage that emerges early in the spring, and Globemaster's leaves remain green longer than other varieties. Violet Gladiator and white White Empress, with 6-8" spheres, are also reliable and beautiful varieties that grow well in my zone 6 garden.  The first flush of hybrid tea roses are still in bloom, and a favorite, long-stemmed Brandy, is a luscious color of soft apricot-peach. Tree lily Conca d' Or, with its 6-feet tall stems, grows more beautiful each year. Lilies are exceptionally long-lasting in the vase, especially if the pollen ends of the anthers are snipped off. Alliums are also long-lasting in the vase.This June 14th arrangement will last well over a week with proper cutting--early in the morning or after dusk--using a floral preservative and keeping it out of direct sunlight or drafts.

DAYLILIES, ZINNIAS, LILIES, AND GLADIOLA BLOOMING TODAY

The summer blooms are well underway in the garden. Bright blooms of DAYLILIES and STATE FAIR ZINNIA are always a welcome sight in the flower beds, as well as the sweet aroma that fills the air from all the OT, ASIATIC and ORIENTAL LILIES.  Some of the OT LILIES are 5 feet tall, with 21 buds for blooms in their second year!  And, even if their bloom lasts only a day, the DAYLILIES bring a much welcome kaleidoscope of color. And, the GLADIOLA are in various stages of growth--some blooming, some just breaking through the soil, and  a couple of different stages in between that.  The bright blue bush delphinium is still going strong, making the yard colorful, as well as roses, daisies, love-in-mist, petunias, lavender and a few garden mums.  It's a nice time of year.