Bloom Day – September 2011

Achillea 'Terra Cotta'

Even after Irene and the following storm that jointly dropped at least 14 inches of rain inside one week the garden is looking pretty good. This yarrow is still putting out blooms even through the foliage of the yellow loosestrife and a huge squash plant in the Front Garden.

These buttery yellow nasturtiums I planted kept washing away in the heavy spring rains but you’d never know how few plants came through. They are making the barrier-transition area between the vegetables in the Front Garden and the Daylily Bank.

Most of the daylilies look like this. They are nearly all gone by except for

Ann Varner

which began blooming early and continues to put out these brilliant blossoms.

Echinacea, Russian sage, pink phlox

Pink seems to be my color. The Russian sage makes a good companion.

'Alma Potchke'

‘Alma Potchke’ is just starting to bloom.

'Hawkeye Belle'

I planted ‘Hawkeye Belle’ last year on the Rose Bank and she is doing so well. This is quite an autumnal flush.

'Thomas Affleck'

‘Thomas Affleck’ has hardly taken a breath since beginning in mid-June. Notice all the deadheading I haven’t done. Other roses in bloom right now are Pink Grootendorst, Double Red Knockout, and Linda Campbell.

These morning  glories are on a bamboo teepee in  the center of the lawn. Surrounding the teepee are three quill chrysanthemums left of six after the bunnies lunched on them this spring, but they are just about to begin blooming. Among the weeds and the black netting that finally protected this whole little garden from the rabbits. Black netting doesn’t allow for much weeding especially if you don’t begin right away and keep it up.

Hooray for annuals in the fall. Down here in the potager I also have China asters and Gomphrena ‘Strawberry Fields’ in addition to the zinnias.

My traditional edging around the rose Shed Bed is this annual salvia. In lieu of the lavender I wish I had.

I keep waiting for Anemone ‘Robustissima’ to take over as I was warned it would do. It is still petite but it seems pretty strong.

'Mothlight'

I did not undrstand that this hydrangea would get as big as it is – maybe 10 feet.  The ‘Limelight’ and ‘Pinky Winky’ hydrangeas took a beating from the snow and the snowplow over the winter, but they each have a couple of blooms and seem to have recovered.

Of course I have a field of goldenrod and tansy. NEVER plant tansy. And wild yarrows and asters are blooming along my road.

To see what else is blooming across the country, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens who invented the fabulous idea of Bloom Day.

This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Lisa at Greenbow

    Your garden still looks lively Pat. A lot of blooms. I am surprised to see a daylily still blooming. It must be a late bloomer. Happy GBBD.

  2. Rebecca

    Beautiful blooms! I loved your comment on Salvia–I’ve tried so many times to grow lavender (without success)…

  3. Darla

    You have a lot still going on in your gardens for late summer. Love the bright pinks!

  4. Darla

    Sorry the link to my name in my first comment in not valid. I have another blog now.

  5. Rose

    Goodness, Pat, you have such a lovely variety of blooms for this late in the season, especially considering the torrents of rain you’ve had recently. The annual salvias are my substitute for lavender, too:) I’ve never heard of the ‘Mothlight’ hydrangea before…I will definitely check into that one. It’s gorgeous and huge!

  6. Scott Weber

    Beautiful blooms…love that Morning Glory teepee. I’m waiting for my Anemone to get thuggish as well…so far, it’s well-behaved…maybe just waiting for me to turn my back 😉

  7. Pat

    Lisa – That Ann Varner has been blooming all season. What a wonder.
    Rebecca – I really love that annual salvia. I’d have it even if I wasn’t trying for lavender.
    Darla – I can’t get away from pink.
    Rose – My neighbor planted Mothlight the same time I did and hers does equally well. Neither of us has taken particular care.
    Christine – I love those morning glories and I have hopes for the Robustissima.
    Scott – Hmmmmmm. I hadn’t thought that I might be paying too much attention. I will be sure to turn my back.
    Dorothy – Before I was a gardener I thought there were no flowers in the fall. A happy lesson. One of many learned in the garden.

  8. I had thought to plant some tansy next year, but am reconsidering after reading your warning. I love your combination of blue Russian Sage and pink echinacea, with phlox just behind. This year I have standard orange nasturtiums, but maybe next year I should consider your pale yellow variety. They are really pretty.

  9. Pat

    Jennifer – Renee’s Garden has a whole array of wonderful nasturtiums including the ‘Buttercream’ I chose this year.

  10. Grumpy Grateful Mom

    Gorgeous flowers. I’m partial to your roses–they’re beautiful. And we used to have Morning Glories growing up, though my friend and I would always pick them. 🙂

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