I believe it's a response to all the water we've had this summer in our area. Growth spurts, with a few eager blooms. Can't account for lack of bloom in spring, when they did previous year... perhaps a dry area normally?

My Shasta has a bloom cluster, after doing it's normal big show in the spring. At first, I thought I was seeing things. My neighbor's Mariesii also has a cluster or two.

I left out the fact that both were transplanted last fall. That might account for no blooms in the spring.

I like the way these two grow. They are about 3' tall and 6' wide. Great foliage and showing the "tiered" look already.

There are several large, mature plantings of maresii doublefiles here on Cape Cod that have bloomed twice! The most recent bloom is far less complete than the spring bloom, but substantial nonetheless. These are plants that are at least 10' x 10' specimens.

I just noticed blooms forming on the second also.