Early Summer in NE Downunder - Sprekelia formosissima (Jacobean Lily) in bloom

This looks fantastic, especially in this setting!
Are the small red flowers Cuphea?

Hi Meanie. Yes the Jacobean Lily does make a good pairing with the Russelia. That plant with the tubular red flowers is Russelia juncea ... a very common plant around here. It's regarded as a bit of a weed as it can take over pretty quickly.

That's a weed that I could use!!

Bernieh:

Beautiful lily!

Resselia can be quite invasive at times. It can have shoots go up more than 6ft/2m high. I like the white and light yellow varieties, because they're not as common.

I'm a fan of the light yellow and white as well. I've also seen one that's pale cream with a apricot edge ... it was around the nurseries a little while back but I haven't seen it lately. I'm keeping my eye out for it. The red variety, of course, is just everywhere in gardens here ... that's been around forever!

Bernieh:

I've seen the pale cream variety, but it didn't have an apricot edge. It sounds very unique.

I'm guessing they're very popular there also because of their drought tolerance?

Absolutely ... they're perfectly suited to our conditions here. It's great to see the new varieties ... as the red is now regarded as rather old-fashioned.

Bernieh:

I'm not sure what the perception is here about the common red variety. However, I have seen many planted in front of old apartment building here in San Diego...where they receive no irrigation for many, many months.