mellow yellow

Besides a song from the 1960s and street name in reference to certain drugs, Mellow Yellow, is how I feel when seeing flowers and foliage of this color. Yellow in the plant world is clean and exuberant, cheery and promising, as is the case of the sun. The sun comes up signalling the beginning of a new day. As much as the center of our universe is a beacon to signify life fresh and anew, the setting sun reminds us all things come to an end, and conversely, the security and return of tomorrow (and all things will go on without us). We all come from the sun and would not exist without it. Perhaps that is why yellow is so mellow [and powerful].

Above Magnolia 'Butterflies' blooming early spring 2013 at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Deciduous magnolias do well in the lower Midwest, and, actually I think the yellow ones are more sophisticated and inviting than the typical pink, magenta, white colored ones.

Inula helenium flower close-up. Composite flowers are akin to helicopter landing pads for so many pollinators. The ray florets radiate like arms inviting them to take pollen and nectar. Finches seem to be giddy for them and visit as well.

Eschscholzia californica (probably from the Thai Silk Series). Easy, carefree, and one of the first plants I grew from seed. When en masse, California poppy immediately makes me think of Indian women bedecked in flowing sarees. So exotic looking for such a simple West Coast native plant.

Golden marguerite daisy has no stress and we should learn from it's insouciance. Keep it simple, stupid, is what it's message is. Everyone should attempt to grow this...better yet...if you cannot grow this, give up and jump off a cliff. Don't hesitate to reach out to someone. Screw Stella d'Oro daylilies, this is uber-better. It's that easy. Argyranthemum frutescens is at it's best in full sun, pots, or in beds and borders. Here's an idea: plant golden margs in containers with variegated thyme, white sweet alyssum, and maybe a white gomphrena. 

Tecoma stans or Allamanda cathartica: not sure which one this is. From San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Various dahlias presented with utmost care at San Francisco Botanical Garden. These were so perfect and almost unreal. Only if I had space, time, and more time, and good soil (I rent) would I try my hand with dahlias. I ordered some a couple years ago, but I think the humidity and heat of St. Louis summers really melts them. And the mole mulled right through the tubers. Some totally useless creatures that every time I see them in my garden I wish for their complete annihilation: rabbits - because they're stupid and eat everything; deer - same; squirrels - because they only nibble a bit off of my citrus and tomatoes and ruin the entire fucking fruit; and moles - because the destroy the most critical structure of the plant (the roots).

Cape daisies at Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Have tried many many times to grow these from seed. The packets all claim to be of uber-easiness to grow and rear. Someday I will get them to grow.