We often consider a good garden performer, whether perennial or shrub, to be a good garden specimen when it provides an abundance of blooms. Yet sometimes, just a few over-sized blooms can make a dramatic statement in the landscape.

Three years ago I planted a Henri Clematis with Polish Spirit in a fairly shady location. While Polish Spirit has bloomed in each of the last three years, I have not seen any blooms on the Henri Clematis until this year. In full sun, Henri is a prolific bloomer. Yet in this location, just a few over-sized blooms appear, making a terrific contrast to the darker, smaller yet abundant purple blooms on Polish Spirit.

While most daylilies provide a bountiful supply of blooms, my Janice Brown daylily has always been a slow grower providing just a few blooms each season. Yet the 5″ or more bloom size makes it a knockout when it is in bloom.

Both prolific and large, my Honey Bee Asiatic Lily has blooms that are almost 10″ across.

These few, but large sized blooms are a delight to see both from a distance and up close. Next year when garden planning I will try and remember to put in a few more plants that provide such over-sized beauties.