Sunday, August 16, 2015

August GBBD: Summer Doldrums

It's mid-August, and I've lost my garden motivation.    It's hot and humid, and frankly, I have no desire to work up a sweat,tending to all weeding and pruning I should be doing right now.  About the only thing I have any energy to do is to water the pots and new perennials, and that's only because I know they will die if I don't keep it up.  The garden marches on, though, regardless of my neglect with a few standout plants for this Bloom Day and lots of other smaller blooms to enjoy.


The kaleidoscope of colors provided by the daylilies for July Bloom Day are pretty well gone, and the swaths of coneflowers that bloomed a month ago are looking pretty worn and sad.   But there are a few plants that have taken their place and really stand out in the garden right now.  One is the Susans, especially the brown-eyed ones, Rudbeckia triloba, which started out as a single volunteer and have now practically taken over the lily bed.


I keep telling myself I should cut these back so the few other blooming plants in the area have a chance to be seen.  But it's hard to be ruthless with such a cheerful and enthusiastic bloomer.  Besides, that sounds like work:)


A few volunteer cleome don't seem to mind and fight their way through the maze of yellow.


Besides the Susans, you can't miss this tall lily.  While most of the lilies are finished, there are a few late bloomers, including this 'Challenger' lily.  I received a division from a friend two years ago, but this is the first time it has ever bloomed.  I knew nothing about this lily at the time, so what a surprise when it rose up to a full six feet in height!


I've since done a little research on this lily and discovered it's an heirloom lily, introduced the year I was born.  Standing alone as it does, it's certainly been a conversation piece for anyone who's visited, but it does look a little lonely by itself.  I have my eye on a source for 'Autumn Minaret,' another tall, late lily to keep it company next year.


The other plant that really stands out in the garden right now is the 'Limelight' hydrangea, which can be seen the moment you drive up our lane. More pruning is needed here, too, but at least that can wait till spring when the enthusiastic gardener returns.


I love these huge blooms, and I've found an easy way to dry them at the end of the season to enjoy them all winter long.


The best time to view the garden on these hot days is very early in the morning or late evening--if you've put on mosquito repellent, that is.  I'm looking forward to cooler days ahead; this corner of the Arbor Bed is already starting to look a bit like fall. 


Surprise lilies still blooming on a hazy morning.


Oftentimes the smaller blooms get overlooked for my Bloom Day posts, so I wanted to focus on a few of them this month.  These zinnias aren't small, but they sure are few in number compared to most years.  I don't know what happened to all the seeds I planted, unless my garden helpers earlier in the summer accidentally smothered them with mulch.  The same thing with my cosmos--I see only one plant that might bloom yet.


Thankfully, the 'Zowie Yellow Flame' zinnias were planted in the front, and I made sure to mark them carefully.  Mixed with 'Becky' daisies here, they usually attract lots of late summer butterflies including Monarchs.


I've become really attracted to low-growing sedums and am planting more in the front of the sidewalk garden.  This is a new one, 'Dazzleberry,' which according to the local nursery owner fared better than others during the torrential rains of June.


Nearby is my first successful attempt at growing dahlias, 'Mystic Illusion.'


Yellow begonias brighten a spot on the front porch.


I had so much success with starting Rudbeckia hirta seedlings this year that they're planted everywhere. My favorite 'Prairie Sun' seeds were all sold out, but these 'Irish Eyes' look almost identical to me.


Gomphrena carries on in spite of the heat.


This is the time of year when some of the petunias in my planters start to look pretty sad, so it's a good time to evaluate what varieties stand up in the heat of summer.  'Royal Velvet'  and 'Bordeaux' Supertunias' are two that look as good today as they did in June.


It's easy to overlook the small blooms of this 'Kent Beauty' oregano in one of my herb pots, but I love them.  I had long admired these blooms on Joy's blog, so I'm so happy I found some to plant this year.


The hostas known as Plantain Lilies are pretty plain most of the year, but boy, do they make up for their ordinary green leaves when they bloom!  One or two plants in my garden have been divided and divided in recent years, so I will have a mass of these lovely white blooms for the next few weeks.


While I have been too lazy unmotivated to work in the garden much the last few weeks, I have taken the time to just sit and enjoy it, especially to enjoy all the little visitors to the garden. This cabbage white butterfly (I think) loves the 'Victoria Blue' salvia.


The hummingbirds are loving all the late blooms, too, though so far I've only managed to photograph them while at the feeder.  There's nothing better than watching hummingbird dances in late summer!


The most numerous visitors to my garden--besides the bees, of course-- are the goldfiinches.  This one looks like a juvenile, I think.  I just want to reach out and pet him:)


To some, the coneflowers might look tattered and ugly, but the goldfinches like them this way.  It's been a nonstop finch party at my house the last two weeks, and I'm not about to end it!  The coneflowers will stay as they are so I can enjoy watching my little feathered friends.

Perhaps instead of saying how unmotivated I've been about gardening lately, I should say I am taking a much-needed garden staycation, just enjoying the results of my work.  There will be time enough during the cooler days of autumn to get back to work.

Thanks to our faithful hostess Carol for hosting another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.  Check out May Dreams Gardens to see what else is blooming during these dog days of August.

42 comments:

  1. What wonderful blooms! And your goldfinches make me long for December when we'll finally see some of them here again. Maybe we'll also have cooler temperatures by then!

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    1. The goldfinches are so much fun to watch, Dorothy. I'm not longing for December, but the cooler temperatures of fall are going to be welcome!

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  2. I love your bird photos --all three are just gorgeous, and what a great hummingbird shot!

    I have petunias that I bought at a local nursery in pots, and even though I pinched them initially, and cut them back in early July, they are so leggy that they are just not attractive. Are there varieties that you'd recommend that hold up better? And do you get them at a local nursery, or order them?

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    1. I'm still trying to get a photo of a hummer feeding at the flowers, Cassi--that's been nearly impossible. I always buy my petunias locally in 4-inch pots. Some definitely do better than others; besides the two here, 'Raspberry Blast', 'Royal Magenta,' and 'Vista Silverberry' Supertunias have always done well for me through the season. 'Vista Bubblegum' is another good performer, but I'm not fond of that shade of bubblegum pink. When I find something that does well for me, I tend to buy it every year.

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  3. Your garden is so exuberant Rose. It still looks exciting with all the birds and bees taking advantage of your offerings. I love that tall daylily. I am going to look for it. Maybe I will even have to, ahem, order it. Gasp. ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Lisa. I'm glad you got to see it in person, weeds and all:) I've got my eye on another tall daylily, too--'Challenger' needs some company.

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  4. I hit a lull this time of year too. Tired of lugging water buckets. Not happy with the heat. Nice to have those flowers just plug along on their own. Some really don't get showy until it is hot.

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    1. Glad to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. I'm sure I'll perk up once the weather turns cooler, or maybe if we would get a nice soaking rain one of these days.

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  5. Rose, lovely photos, especially the second one! Your garden is beautiful, many blooms, very colorful. The goldfinches are not the same like here, ours have red cap.

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    1. Thanks, Nadezda; the Rudbeckias are strong survivors and provide some much-needed color this time of year. I've noticed that European finches look different; our robins also look different.

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  6. You're lucky to have such lovely birds!
    Love your white hydrangea, sedum, petunias and the zinnias in particular.
    There's still a lot in the garden but I think August is a bit of a strange month. All the best things seem to be over and I'm not looking forward to the Autumn/fall.
    I've enjoyed African Lilies and the sedum make a good display. Roses are still out in my garden.
    Maggie x

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    1. We have a lot of birds on our property, Maggie, but the finches are easy to spot, especially when they're enjoying the coneflowers. You are lucky to have roses blooming; I don't have many, but the ones I do have haven't done well at all this year. I hope you have time to sit in your garden and find some comfort there, Maggie. Thinking of you.

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  7. That photo of the young Goldfinch on the echinacea is wonderful! In Oklahoma, we only see Goldfinches in the winter. We never get to see their summer and spring plumage, but that's okay. I love seeing them anyway. I put out seed for just them on their own little feeder, and I leave my echinacea in place too. Loved seeing your smaller blooms. I often forget about mine too. Happy Bloom Day Rose. ~~Dee

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    1. That's interesting, Dee--I just assumed the goldfinches were everywhere in the summer. Last winter was the first time I realized some of the birds at my feeders were finches. They certainly don't look as noticeable in their brown winter coats.

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  8. Everything is so colorful. What a great shot of the hummingbird!

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    1. Thanks, Phillip; I'm still trying to get a photo of a hummer feeding at one of my plants, but so far no luck.

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  9. We should all be enjoying our work more than we do, I think. Little Rudbeckia triloba is wonderful - wish I had some. And I adore the photos with the Goldfinch on the Echinacea. I really hope you can see them from your hopefully air-conditioned house! :) (I'm looking forward to fall's cooler weather too, Rose!)

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    1. Anna, this Rudbeckia was a gift from the birds--at least that's the only explanation I can come up with as to how it got in my garden. I watch the goldfinches from my shaded porch in the mornings--not too hot there. Cooler weather has arrived for a couple of days, and I'm loving it!

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  10. Still a lot to enjoy in your beautiful garden Rose.
    Have a wonderful week ahead.

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    1. Thanks, Marijke. It surprises me how much there is still blooming. Have a great week, too!

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  11. The coneflowers may be a bit tattered, but the goldfinches make them magical. Looks like you've got lots going on for a garden in the doldrums. The Rudbeckia trilobas are my favorite Rudbeckia, and one of my favorite flowers.

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    1. Jason, this Rudbeckia just appeared one year and has been making itself at home ever since:) I do like it, though I probably should move a few of the seedlings earlier in the spring.

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  12. No doldrums in your garden. Everything still look fresh and new to me. Love the color.

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    1. Thanks, Tina. Although I plant so many pinks and purples, I think the color for late summer is definitely yellow!

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  13. Love your picture of the little goldfinch! It looks so cute and fluffy! It's been a goldfinch party around here as well, and I'm always torn as to which blooms to cut back and which to leave. Irish Eyes is my favorite Rudbeckia. I've grown it in the past, but was unable to find it here. I'll have to order seeds for next year. Your dahlia is gorgeous! I planted a few dahlias this year, but I'm still unsure if I want to dig them up and save for next year. I probably will, but was much easier down South when I could just leave them in the ground! I love your Dazzleberry sedum, too!

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    1. Indie, I didn't even realize how young this goldfinch was until I downloaded the photo. My favorite Rudbeckia to grow from seeds is 'Prairie Sun,' but ironically that seed was sold out this year and had to substitute 'Irish Eyes.' I really can't tell the difference. I'm bad about digging up bulbs/tubers to store over the winter, but I hope I remember this year.

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  14. I feel just exactly the same. It is hot, humid and very dry here and I have lost the gardening mojo. Rain was promised today but is has evaporated. Rats! The annuals rule this time of year.

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    1. We finally had a break in the weather last week, Layanee, with a nice rain shower and finally some cooler temps--I'm loving it! Now if I could only find time to get out into the garden:)

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  15. Rose girl !
    I was totally wowed by your oh so tall day lily Challenger ! .. I would love to have some of those myself .. totally gorgeous !
    Your garden is far from the state mine are in ... we really have been beaten back by temps and drought this year ... I think I feel it more because I was spoiled last year with lots of rain and cooler weather.
    I try to keep my coneflowers going for our birds too .. they do love their seeds .. I was surprised to see a Chickadee at the finch feeder this morning .. you never know what you will see in the garden this time of year.
    I am glad not to be the only one that is tired of gardening ... I feel guilty about it, but I know by January I will be mad for it all again.
    I just hope to get some of the chores done before I throw my trowel up in the air and quit ? haha
    Thank you so much for the link girl ! ... and I am so glad you have enjoyed Kent Beauty too ... it is such a pretty herb .. even my standard oregano puts out such pretty tiny flowers in the ally way garden ... they are like Baby's Breath ..
    I think people forget that herbs can be so attractive too !
    Take care
    Joy : )

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    1. I'm so glad I found the Kent Beauty oregano this year, Joy; I remember every year commenting on how lovely yours was. This is why I am glad I live in an area that has a real winter--I need the break, and by spring I'm so excited to get out into the garden again. Right now, I'm ready for fall.

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  16. Very beautiful garden images Rose. I just love the goldfinch. It seems like so many of them this year too. They have been busy everywhere I have been. Hosta bloomed great this year despite our drought. It has been a strange year for what has bloomed well. Your coneflowers look better than mine which were far more crispy.

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    1. I've seen so many goldfinches this year, too, Donna. Every time I walk by the coneflowers it seems a dozen of them fly up. My coneflowers are really starting to look ratty, but it's hard to think of cutting them back when the finches are enjoying them so.

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    1. Hi to you, too, and thanks for stopping by!

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  18. Wow, 6 feet tall daylily! It is lovely and amazing you still have one in flower in the heat, over here all the daylilies are gone but I hope some of them will repeat for me later in the autumn, a few usually do that.
    Your garden is looking colourful and lush, despite hot weather and down-time, loved your white hydrangea and your petunias.
    Have a good week :-)

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    1. This daylily really surprised me, too, Helene. Now I need a couple other tall ones to keep it company so it doesn't look so strange all by itself. I'd like some more late-bloomers while I'm at it, if I can only find a place for them:)

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  19. Yeah for gardening for the birds! You are motivating me to plant coneflowers for our goldfinch. Your garden is lovely. Oddly enough my hydrangeas didn't bloom this year so I'm enjoying yours. I'm now a little concerned that the Susan's that I planted this summer in the hard to reach back of the herb bed will take over our herbs. I still love seeing that splash of late summer color and appreciate a plant that requires so little care.

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    1. Sarah, I can't say enough good things about coneflowers--the finches' attraction to them is just the latest of all that I love about them. My 'Endless Summer' hydrangeas didn't bloom this year either; it's been puzzling, but I think it might have been a cold spell at the end of winter. Don't worry about the Susans--they're easy to pull out if they start invading your herb bed. I'm sure they make a pretty backdrop for your herbs.

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  20. I love your bird photos! I can only photograph things that never move, like plants and rocks. :o) I need to add Zowie to my seed list. What a cutie! Love that daylily. I love that it comes with a story. :o)

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    1. Ha, ha, Tammy, I'm best at photographing immoveable objects, too. I've been chasing around Monarchs lately, looking like a crazy woman, with no luck:) 'Zowie' is just a showstopper of a zinnia--I hope to get some good butterfly photos with them later.

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  21. Some lovely colours in your garden ... and beautiful humming bird

    All the best Jan

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  22. Such gorgeous photos!
    I love watching goldfinches - they brighten up the garden so!
    Please won't you drop by http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/strange-visitors-in-garden.html & link up?

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