Wordless Wednesday – Hydrangeas

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey'

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

Bloomin’ Tuesday – Blooms and Berries

(From upper L-R across & down: Beautyberry, Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Viburnum 'Winterthur', 'Black-seeded Simpson' lettuce seedlings, Variegated Lirope, Violas and Hydrangea 'Pinky Winky')

September has brought some cooler morning & evening temperatures.  Along with that comes some of my favorite fall blooms & berries.   Violas, Sedums and Lirope bring color and add interest to the garden.  The purple berries on Beautyberry or Callicarpa americana make a striking combo against the lime green foliage of this native ornamental shrub.  Viburnum ‘Winterthur’ is another native shrub that produces berries that start out a off white color and fade to pink and eventually to a deep blue tone.  This has been a bountiful season for these two shrubs, both are loaded with berries for the birds.  My Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky Winky’ is in it’s 3rd season and full of blooms that are maturing to a dusty rose color.  And it wouldn’t be fall without some fall veggies like this great loose-leaf lettuce ‘Black-seeded Simpson’ which I planted with some of those pretty purple Violas.  To see more Bloomin’ Tuesday posts or to join in this week, please visit our gracious host Jean by clicking on the link below:

Heat Loving Plants

(from upper L-R across & down: Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight', Butterfly Weed, Black & Blue Salvia, Angelonia, Rudbeckia and Lantana 'Miss Huff')

It’s been a hot summer with some periods of drought.  However we’ve been more fortunate than our southern neighbors when it comes to rain.   With days in the 90’s and 100’s it takes a toll on the garden.  I almost gave up on trying to keep things properly hydrated sometimes.   These are some the toughest plants in my yard, they’ve taken whatever Mother Nature has tossed at them and kept on blooming.  My Limelight Hydrangea has never looked better, it has so many blooms this year that it’s top heavy.   And certain perennials like Black & Blue Salvia, Lantana, Rudbeckia and Butterfly Weed are reliable bloomers as well as drought tolerant.  But my favorite summer bloomer has to be the annual Angelonia which comes in shades of pink, purple and white.  It has been a must have plant in my garden for the past three years.   This season I planted some directly in the garden and the red washtub planter.  And another bonus is that it doesn’t require deadheading to keep the blooms coming all summer long.   What are some of your favorite heat loving plants this year?

Bloomin Tuesday

Sedum 'Rosy Glow'

August blooms are tough plants, because it’s very hot and dry at this time of the year.  This weeks blooms are no exception to this like this Sedum which tolerates drought, heat and anything else you can throw at it.  It seems to thrive under these conditions.  ‘Rosy Glow’ is a beauty that stays pretty short and has pretty bluish gray foliage with bright reddish pink blooms  that will continue looking good right through until Fall.

Hydrangea paniculata 'White Swan'

Hydrangeas are normally considered tough plants during the summer, but the paniculatas are much tougher than the mophead & lacecaps.  ‘White Swan’ is working on it’s second season in my garden.  This past Fall I moved it to a shadier location since it was getting too much sun in the first spot I planted it.   It’s blooming so it must be happy.

Solidago 'Baby Gold'

The Solidagos otherwise known as Goldenrod are starting to bloom.  ‘Baby Gold’ is a dwarf variety that works well at the front of the border mixed with some Asters.  It’s a tough plant that stands up to the heat & drought too. 

Vernonia (Ironweed)

And you can never go wrong with native plants like this Vernonia or Ironweed as it is commonly called.  I planted this last fall and this is the first time it has bloomed.  It is combined with Lantana ‘Miss Huff’ in one of the driest parts of my garden and seems to be doing well.  To see other Bloomin Tuesday posts or to join in please visit our host Jean by clicking on the link below:

Bloomin Tuesday

Peacock Orchid or Gladiolus acidanthera

A favorite summer flowering bulb of mine is the Peacock Orchid which is actually part of the Gladiolus family and not an orchid at all.  I noticed after I took this pic how the eye of this pretty flower compliments the deep burgundy foliage of my Ninebark ‘Coppertina’ (in the background).  That was a happy accident.  🙂

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

I’m pretty sure I posted a pic of this last week, but I couldn’t resist sharing another one of my favorite summer flowering shrub.  ‘Limelight’, which is aptly named by the way, blooms from late June through early fall when the blossoms fade to a dusty mauve and then brown.  Even the faded blooms make a statement in the garden come winter.

Agastache 'Apricot Sprite'

This dwarf Agastache was a new addition this spring.  I ordered it through Brent and Beckys Bulbs and so far it is doing well.  I’ve had very little success with Agastaches in the past so hopefully this one is a keeper.   The color is perfect for my Shed Garden which is a mixture of purples, yellows and shades of orange.

Blue Vervain

Last but not least is the teeny tiny blooms of the native Verbena hastata.  It’s a magnet for bees & butterflies alike.  This pic doesn’t even do it justice since it’s a bit blurry.  It looks pretty with the orangey-pink blooms of Hemerocallis ‘Colorful Summer’ in the background. To see more Bloomin’ Tueday posts or to join in this week, please visit our wonderful host Jean by clicking on the  icon link below: