Giant flowers put on July show

Over-sized blooms enjoying summer weather

By Debbie Arrington

When it comes to these oversized blooms, big is beautiful. 

Something about this hot, (relatively) humid weather has brought out some giant-size flowers in my garden. I'm sure it's true for other Sacramento-area gardeners, too. Mid-July is the peak of our summer bloom season. But this week, several examples seem exceptionally large -- and definitely eye-catching. 

Growing in a large pot on the patio, 'Brandy Punch' marsh mallow, right, opens new 9-inch flowers each morning. Looking as tropical as their Hawaiian cousins, the striped pink blooms only last a day or so before withering, but more buds steadily take their place.

Introduced in 2007, this is a hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) that acts like a perennial. The foliage and stems die back with frost, then new stems emerge with warm weather in spring. In June, the stems reach 3 to 4 feet tall before flowering, then keep blooming for weeks.

Of course, the hydrangeas are big. Particularly pretty (and large) is Incrediball, right, a white smooth hydrangea that can take the heat with less water. The 4-foot bush is covered with 12-inch flowerheads.

The true giant of this July flower show is a lily tree that never disappoints. Originally planted about 10 years ago, this Dutch bulb originally came from Breck's of Holland (brecks.com). It came as part of a collection, so its variety is not known. The creamy blooms, photo at top, are striped with gold. 

True to its billing, this hybrid trumpet/Oriental lily gets as big as a tree. It sprouts in May and quickly grows as high as the roofline, left. Two stalks reached 8 feet this year and offered a garden-topping display of 8-inch cuplike flowers.

What's happening in your garden? Show us your giants and we'll include them in our new Gallery of Gardens.
Send photos to: sacdigsgardening@gmail.com.