Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - September 2010

Being The Queen of Procrastination carries with it much responsibility.  That never-ending chore of being late for everything can get wearisome for the people who wait on me. But someone's got to do it, right? This month, I've really outdone myself in being late for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. I may have accomplished this feat in the past, and if so, I must be perfecting my technique.

Yes, this is the actual color of the grass. No joke.

With the extreme dryness we've experienced in the last two months here at Our Little Acre, I began to wonder if any plants would be left standing by now, let alone be in bloom.  The grass is the color of wheat and leaves have begun to fall prematurely without turning their beautiful autumn hues.  The trees are losing them due to stress.

During a recent dig for a foundation, the ground was found to be bone dry at a depth of 36 inches. It was first thought, as the digging occurred, that they had hit rock. It was just our usual horrid clay with zero moisture content.

But life goes on, and incredibly, plants bloom...

What used to be known as Acidanthera bicolor is now been
renamed Gladiolus murielae. In any case, this late summer
bloomer emits the most lovely fragrance, especially in the
evening. It's commonly known as Peacock Orchid.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Sunshowers', which I overwinter
in the house every year. I purchased it in 2007.

Cosmos 'Rose Bon Bon'

This rare Short's goldenrod (Solidago shortii) is one I
received at the Cincinnati Zoo during the GWA Region III
meeting this spring. They're attempting to bring it back through
propagation and distribution. It's doing fine in my garden!

Everywhere I look, the bumblebees are sleepily gathering
nectar, then promptly settling down for a nap right in the
middle of the flower. Here, a bumblebee has chosen
Gaillardia 'Oranges & Lemons' for a bed. You can see the
effects of too little water in the incomplete bloom.

Globe thistle (Echinops ritro) seems to be another
bumblebee (and spotted cucumber beetle) favorite.
This is an unexpected rebloom.

I'm so happy to have found a delphinium that performs like a
champ in my garden. After trying several species and cultivars,
this Delphinium x elata 'Magic Fountain Series' returns each
year and blooms twice during the summer.

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Picotee'

I planted these Colchicum 'Water Lily' corms last September 
and they bloomed bigger and better this year. I want MORE!

This sweet autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) is really
much too much for the small trellis it's on, but I cut it back all
summer long and it produces this fountain of bloom come fall.

A closer look at the sweet blooms on the clematis against the
backdrop of the corn field drenched in light from the setting sun.

Blooms on the Bougainvillea 'Imperial Garden' are
sporadic and elusive. I never know when I'm going to be
graced with their presence.

This sedum (Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude'), also known
as 'Autumn Joy', is a huge favorite of the bumblebees and
other native large flies.
They're always here - it must have really good stuff!

The New England asters (Syphyotrichum novae-angliae)
are just beginning to put on a their usual flashy autumn show.
These are also known as the Michaelmas Daisy.

Ahhh...my signature plant. I adore toad lilies because they bloom
in full shade at a time when not much else is going on. Fall is
their season to shine! This one is Tricyrtis hirta 'Hatatogisa',
which apparently is the same as 'Seiryu'. It's simply been renamed.
Imagine that.

I've always liked Liriope, but I love the variegated version!

There are numerous other things blooming in the gardens now, and thank goodness. While I wouldn't want to wish summer away, I'll be happy when the consistently cool days of fall are in full swing. I imagine my gardens will be more comfortable, too.

 

Be sure to visit May Dreams Gardens, where you can find a big, long list of other gardeners that have blooms to show!