JulyColour: Bustin' Out All Over!

This is a new annual this year, well new to me, anyway. I can't even remember the name of it. This is the first bud that the chipmunks have allowed to open. They are crazy eaters this year, munching my geraniums down to the roots. Several of the geraniums I've had for years, and winter over in the attic, have been decimated by the little striped rodents. I'm hoping that since they've let this flower bloom, perhaps the plant is turning bitter as it ages. I'm really sick of the chipmunks. I have this annual in a container along with some purple alyssum, an orange marigold and a white geranium if it ever gets beyond 3 leaves and a stem.

Moving on to the center of Madison, one of the little shops has this outrageous Hydrangea. Just look at all the variations of colors there on this one bush! Some are purple, some are cream, some are pink, some are variegated and some are solid. I love it!

Another little shop in town has several containers of Coleus out front. I love these variegated annuals. There are so many new varieties, it seems they develop new ones every year.

This blue Hydrangea is outside a store very near the purple one above (and below). I love this "subdued" blue; it almost has gray tones to it. It's coloring is more subtle than other blue ones nearby.

July is surely "Hydrangea Month" around here. This pink version is just lovely with its pale yellow centers.

Another type of Coleus from town. It's hard to see where one plant stops and another one starts. Pinks and greens really suit this little shoreline town, lol. Lilly Pulitzer anyone?

Look at how different each blossom is on this plant! I checked the stems to make sure it was the same plant. As each bloom ages, it changes its coloring. I can't really think of many flowers that do this. And then you can dry the flowers during the fall for winter bouquets!

This bright blue Hydrangea literally screams at you when you walk by, lol.

I guess you can tell I was really taken with this plant. Look at the various colors combinations on this one plant.

The green, cream and magenta Coleus in the center has larger leaves, and is a nice foil for the more brightly variegated leaves around it.

A huge lavender plant next to the boardwalk I take into town. It also borders a parking lot and receives zero care. Sometimes I think I "love" my plants too much, lol. I should ignore them and let them work for my attention!

 

Purple, Rubine, Magenta, Indigo—however you'd like to describe it, this bloom is magnificent.

BTW:

 

Flitting around the lavender bush posted above, I found this gorgeous, and psychedelic "Painted Lady" butterfly. Apparently they are quite common, just about the most common butterfly there is, but I've never seen one before, lol. The top wings are mostly orange, but the bottom ones look like they're pen-and-ink outlines. 

BTW 2:

Mystery Shot! This is a photograph of a Great Egret that has been recently visiting the small brook that borders Pink Gardens' driveway and backyard. I'm not sure why this photo came out like this. He flew up into the trees several seconds after I snapped the photo, but for some reason the camera delayed the shutter. I guess I captured him as he began to spread his wings. Oddly enough, I've been watching "Ancient Aliens" on TV tonight, and  the episode tonight was titled, "Angels and Aliens." When I downloaded these photos into my computer tonight, at first I thought I'd captured an angel!