Walking the labyrinth late this afternoon  provided an opportunity to consider the wall plantings in between the paths.  The meditation circle is lush and pleasant now, even the thyme has been rejuvenated.  The circle is full of bees humming and buzzing about. The bees are drawn to both types of penstemon found here. The Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ (Beardtongue)with its looser habit has already required staking in order to keep the pathway clear.  Unless visitors are coming I rarely worry about the flowers tumbling around, I just brush past them as I walk, simply noticing the connection.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue) has been blooming for several weeks and I really enjoy its white flowers. Its growth habit is more upright than ‘Pike’s Peak Purple.’ Even so, the two ‘Husker Reds’ planted last year are getting quite large and recent rains knocked over a few sections of the plant into the path. Trimmings are nice though as penstemon is long-lasting indoors.

Magnolias are blooming. This one was spotted today at the Nasher Museum of Art in nearby Durham, NC.