Friday Blooms

Hello Everyone. I hope everyone has had a good
week. We had a cool down here for a few days and
it has been wonderful  working outdoors without
the feel of breathing and working in a sauna.
I got some last minute painting around the house to
get ready for that old winter weather. I shiver at the
thought of that  word and dread it even though we are
not into Fall yet.
That awful noise that the cicada’s have been making
for the last few weeks drowning out everything in the
garden even the water fountains has finally come to an
end and now it is just the katydids.
With the cooler mornings it has made one feel like Fall is
coming early this year but since we started into spring
weather earlier this year it is not surprising that Fall may
be here sooner than we want it to be. Where is the Summer
gone to?
On the gardening front some of the bulbs that were
purchased for next spring have arrived.
Seems I run in collections when it comes to bulbs or rhizomes.
I have gone from Lilies into Irises this  year most of which
will repeat their blooms. More bang for the buck and some
Autumn color in the process. Something different to look
forward to next Spring in the garden.
Today’s posting is being made also for a record to look back on
to what is happening , not happening, and not to repeat for
next springs garden.

 

The Butterfly weeds have been run over by orange aphids
and caterpillars along with some of the leaves from a
nearby hydrangea bush.

I have also been taking notes on what needs to be
improved on or moved this Fall and one of the moves
will be of the Monarda’s that are in the side bed.
I am so frustrated with the mildew on them and
fighting with it this summer that it is going to all be
moved to the Woodland bed.  Maybe they will also
get more circulation  there and cut down on the
mildew.With exception of a new half price Raspberry
Wine one that was planted this summer.
It is not suppose to mildew so I will leave it  until
next summer to see what it does.

This Hibiscus is finally starting to bloom that was grown
from seeds sent to me by Dirt Princess.I love the pink blooms with the deep burgundy eyes.  I was really disappointed
this spring thinking none of the hibiscus seeds would germinate
and after giving up on them I finally got surprised with seedlings.
Granted they took their time and some are still growing into
maturity but I have plants now and fought the Japanese beetles
this summer to try to keep  leaves on them.

I also have a Blue River hibiscus growing from seeds from Donna
and another that will be a surprise. A surprise because I took a
couple of seed pods from a bush at a local mall. Yes, my friends
I am a thief, a stealer of seeds.  c
I know none of you have pinched a seed head from a flower.
I do the same for wildflowers I am afraid. I just took a flower head
from a local cemetery that had Iron Weed growing along the bank.
I expect the local sheriff any day now to come and take me away.
 

Some of the re-sown seeds for cosmos all still growing
their heads off but no blooms yet but I am glad they
are just growing since I have had failure after failure with
direct sowing of seeds. The cerinthe are also still growing
but no blooms. I hope I get some blooms by Fall.
Some of my anemones are still budding long after
Queen Charlotte was in bloom.

Son hopefully anemones ‘Honorine Jobert, Party Dress and
Margarette will grace the shade bed with blooms.

I have fought all summer to keep Agastache Rosita
alive. It is finally starting to grow well and after deadheading
has started to branch out. But I am still trying to get the
Salvia ‘Blue Flame’ to grow. I have thought it a goner a
few times this summer and it is just setting there.

The Capistrano Rhododendron is almost dead now. I was hoping
to move it to a better location this fall to save it but now it looks
like it will be too late to save it at all.With two others nearby that
have grown so well I cannot figure out why this one did not.

The Crape Myrtle is still in bloom.

Dahlia Edinburgh has a bloom that is all burgundy and
minus the white markings on the petals.

The new Clematis Sweet Autumn is getting loads of
new buds on it and will be in bloom soon.

The new echinacea ‘ Lucky Star’ has gotten a bloom.

The Dahlias grown from seed are still looking wonderful
and I will grow them again next summer.

The Elderberry bushes along the woods have ripe berries on
them and the deer are enjoying  them. That is fine by me if
they leave the lilies alone.

The Blue Escapade  Plumbago is almost done with its blooming.
The blooms do not last very long but the blue is so beautiful on
them. This is a picture looking up from the bottom into the
evening light.

Today is also Fertilizer Friday with hostess Tootsie so join in and
”Flaunt Your Flowers”.

Also join in with Denise over at ‘First A Dream’ and link in
to her Weekend Porch and Garden Party.

Happy Gardening Everyone and
Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Lona  A