I have to give Coleus credit where credit is due. Every year I would put flowering annuals on the front step. This year I had a brainstorm and thought why not a colourful foliage combination, that I don't have to dead head constantly. I'm glad I listen to my own advice once and a while !

This is a wide shot of the right wall (about 2/3rds of it). it is satisfying to see it fill out so well and it is only the end of June. When the Black Eyed Susans start to bloom .. that zing of yellow gold will show nicely. The Pink Turtlehead will join the pinks of the astilbes to the left of the Bittersweet arbor.

I have White Swan Echinacea blended with the Lady in Red fern, under the Sumac tree. So a little "white" to lighten the colours there as well.

Almost every time I have read a description of Bee Balm/Monarda .. the term "shaggy heads" is incorporated .. I have to say it suits them to a tee.
This paricular one is supposed to be more resistant to powdery mildew .. I really hope so because that was one reason why I didn't replenish it a few years ago when it faded out .. or should I say .. was PULLED out from annoyance of that wicked mildew problem ! haha
Fingers crossed this one will prevail !

Pixie Meadowbrite is another of the recent echinaceas in a dwarf form. Sturdy short stalks that actually can support neighboring plants when they get a bit droopy. Such as this Happy Returns daylily that is blending in . My little stone gargoyle is not that impressed though !

One of the Big Sky Echinaceas (Sunrise) has become a instant favorite of mine. Their strong, upright habit is a bonus .. even in pouring rain showers they hold their own. If you look closely you can see a small "Blue Angel" rosebud with that amazing lilac/pinkish colour tone.

Shimmering sundrops light up the greenery of the Yews and perennials not in bloom yet. It is hard to miss these little beauties in gardens around the neighborhood .. they really pop ! Easy and hardy, you can count on them for that blast of colour in between other flowerings.

The Sutherland Gold cutleaf Sambucus/Elderberry is the fastest growing of the four varieties that I have in the back garden. I have high hopes for "Black Lace" though .. I may move it next year so it is closer to this one and will really play off each others assests. It was recommended as the poor man's version of a Japanese Maple .. I guess I will have to wait until next year to see if it lives up to such praise ? In the mean time the gold cutleaf is remarkable to me.

The new heuchera "Geisha's Fan" has settled in well and provides a beautiful dark contrast to all these shades of green.

Ok .. I know .. I'm not a floral designer .. but wow ! It is amazing what you can put together from your garden in a pinch ! haha

The Montgomery astilbeshelp break up this block of greenery between the cedars and the ostritch ferns. There is actually a "Freckles" violet in between them. It flowers earlier in the Spring .. then becomes a feast for some munchers I haven't been able to catch up with yet !

This pink malva was a surprise. A mysterious guest that seeded itself last year. I was surprised that it also has a lovely fragrance as well ! Some times in my quest for an unusual plant I forget to appreciate the backbone plants of a garden.

A single white wood anenome brightens up a shady corner that is mainly foliage right now.behing it is the pink turtle head, astilbe, and golden oregano beside it. They play off each other's colours and textures. It is a nice showcase for a beautiful little white bloom !

This "pincushion" flower has been amazing this season .. very prolific ! I couldn't resist my stone face whimsy for contrast.

This is a beautiful little perennial geranium Heronswood .. I think .. when you have a lot of plants, some names escape you ! haha

It looks very delicate but it is actually quite hardy. I have it on the edge of a garden "island" it is really meant for a nice rock garden. One of those plants you don't really expect much from but catch your eye anyways !

Yhis is an awkward picture with the Maple tree trunk smack in the middle .. but it gives a better point of view of how my planting from a few years ago has come along with the evergreens.

My intent was to hide our AC unit but I managed to put some colour into it as well. I really like to see diversity in textures, shapes and colours !

This Bittersweet vine can be a bit of work .. trimming it to keep the shape I want .. and in general to keep it tidy and not intrusive to my neighbor's grape vines. It is a wonderful quick "filler" vine however !

These are the first irises I planted almost 5 years ago now .. morning sun .. afternoon shade .. mix colour in an ivy and ostritch fern area of my garden.

The Geisha's Fan has a beautiful marbling affect in its colours .. contrast in colours makes a plant stand out much more, especially in a shade area.

This is going to be one of my favorite heucheras !

Delicate looking Blue Eyed grass against Black Snake Root .. which has huge leaves and white candle shape blooms later on in the season.

The dark heuchera in the lower section of this picture is "Giesha's Fan" a nice find in a garden center .. above it is the Yellow Waxbells .. to the right are Black Eye Susan .. the left is one of my many day lilies .. another weakness of mine !

This is an amazing rose shrub .. "Morden Sunrise" compact and extremely cold hardy .. the roses have phases of colours that are the most interesting that I have ever seen. This one is is a beauty and is very robost, perfect for our Canadian winters !

This viburnum flower reminds me of the lace cap flowers of hydrangeas. I finally planted a "Little Lamb" hydrangea in the house border bed .. I can't wait to see how the flowers look. As the name implies, the flowers are the shape of little lambs tails.

Even though this is a common viburnum .. I think the flowers are very pretty !

This oriental poppy against the goatsbeard and budding orange globe flower is difficult to take a picture of .. the red is so vibrant it looks un-natural ? haha ... and that fantastic black eye is amazing !

I am finally learning to have easy care containers for the season. Coleus comes in such a wide range of colour and sun tolerance it is one of my favorites now !

The Golden Barberry and Marmalade huechera brighten the area up even in dark shade and they all seem to tolerate the same soil and light conditions which is a relief !

Evergreens, hostas, ferns and huechera are settling in. The range of colours and textures keeps it interesting

The front garden is finally growing in and taking shape with a variety of colours and shapes. Black mulch contrasts beautifully with the plants.

This little blue/white columbine resting on the Suthern Gold Sambucus branch is a little dash of colour to enjoy in a shady corner.

The False Blue Indigo finally blooming after three years of waiting. They do look like sweet pea flowers .. the plant holds a nice vase like form for now.

Dr. Rupple clematis bursting with blooms ! golden oregano at it's feet and the ornamental kiwi vine is coming along very well. It has shown the white to pink colours in the foliage this year. Amazing !

The red of the oriental poppies seems to bright to believe at times. A very dramatic flower but it doesn't last very long sadly. Smart planting in front and behind hide the ragged leaves as they die down though.

This is a beautiful little rose peeking out on a dull day .. Morden Sunrise .. great cold tolerance and compact habit .. my favorite for now !

June 1st was a good soaking rain day for the garden. The Joe Pye weed and Cohosh next to it are growing like a jungle. So is the grape vine to the right side and well as the kiwi vines .