Loaded Crabapple Tree, Ligularia & Helenium 'Lollipop'

This branch is so heavily loaded that it hangs to the ground, making a nice frame for garden pics. :)

I am sure the birds will enjoy them soon.

The Ligularia is blooming.  I really enjoy this plant.

It is planted in a container, so each year I can move it around. I am enjoying it next to this wagon wheel.

 Right in the front I have Helenium 'Lollipop', another new purchase this year. 

I love the unusual form of this flower--tiny little eyeball with a wee frill of ruffled petals on the underside.  This flower is fully open. I think it's a great contrast to Ligularia's large coarse leaves and tall spiky blooms.  It needs to be planted in the front of a border to be appreciated. 

I usually cut down hosta blooms because they are  too tall and messy for my liking.  Since the deer ate dozens of my hostas, I don't have many to cut down this year. Somehow this one escaped the deer and I decided I like its flowers in front of the pink speedwell so I left them on.

Time to go outside to finish my weekend garden chores--mostly just weeding.

Happy gardening!