joene's garden » echinacea

It’s hot, but no complaints

joenesgarden — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:57:39 +0000

Six months ago …

Four months ago …

Today …

Tomorrow …

Next week?

Into August …

Life is good …

Categories: Seasons.
Tags: echinacea, hydrangea, snow, Tilly Face, tomatoes.

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Bloomin’ September

joenesgarden — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:00:00 +0000

With just half an inch registering on the rain gauge in the last few weeks and minimal watering on this gardener's part, it's a wonder of nature that so many plants are still attractive. Connecticut is officially about 5.5 inches below normal rainfall amounts for the year.

Lack of rain does not stop the need to transplant and tidy, harvest and can, and ready houseplants for their move back inside. Between these tasks I pause at every opportunity to marvel at the beauty of late-season bloomers and colors.

Bright orange tropical hibiscus scream «LOOK AT ME!»

Salvia stands deep, deep blue in front of coleus limelight.

A late lavender blossom tries to show up zinnia angustifolia, an easy-to-grow-from-seed annual that quietly blooms till frost.

Whites and pinks fill my gardens right now.

Here is a clematis paniculata dances above cosmos blooms. The clematis volunteered elsewhere but thrives after careful transplantation to it's current location.

Echinacea peeks out from behind a garlic chive flower. Lady chive must enjoy it's bloom time now before it's caretaker chops off it's head to prevent it from propagating. Don't let this late season beauty fool you – she will spread to all parts of your garden and, once sprouted, she does not give up her ground easily.

Pink carries on in Sedum 'Maestro,' one of the late season blossoms bees love.

But lavender comes to light in curly chives, set off here against the gray-green of santolina.

And, purples show up in hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' and phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise'

Still, autumn's shades are evident as summer draws to a close. Dogwood leaves dress in a fashionable plum and berries of Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' live up to their name.

Today, garden bloggers take center stage at May Dreams Gardens where Carol hosts Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Head to May Dreams Gardens to see the glorious blossoms shining during this last Garden Blogger's Bloom Day for summer 2010. Soon it will be time to embrace the beauty of autumn. Happy gardening everyone.

Categories: Bloom Day, Focus on Flowers.
Tags: clematis, coleus, curly chives, dogwood, echinacea, Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, gardening in Connecticut, garlic chives, hydrangea, lavender, phlox, salvia, sedum, winterberry, zinnia.

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Bloom Day – July 2009

joenesgarden — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:00:00 +0000

The rain has slowed, the sun is warm, but at mid-July we are still having rather cool (50 degree) nights. Here's what is blooming in my Connecticut gardens.

In addition to its rich blossoms, Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' has a wonderfully sweet scent.

Low-growing daylily, Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns,' works at the front of a border.

The freaky blossoms of Allium 'Hair' (see separate post)

Echinacea 'Green Envy' in an area protected from deer – which have have made midnight snacks of most of my purple coneflowers.

Endless Summer Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' has been in bloom since early June.

Variegated and solid green Hosta and Heuchera 'Dolce Creme Brulee' .

My 'Grandpa Ott' morning glories freely self-seed
and surprise me with unexpected blossoms here and there.

Nasturtium 'Alaska Mix' – bright edible flowers and leaves.

The first pale yellow flower of Hemerocallis 'Hyperion' on the left and a just opening violet 'Prairie Blue Eyes'

on the right.

On the left, a second showing of Campanula Cup and Saucer mix.

Pink bee balm (Monarda), a trade from a friend, on the right.

Clockwise from top left,
Rose Campion, Scabiosia Columbaria 'Butterfly Blue,'
Veronica and Trandescantia (both unknown varieties).

A pale lavender Iris ensata, purchased flower unseen from a local grower, extends my iris blossoms into July. What a wonderful surprise to find such huge (6 inches across) blossoms of such intricate colors.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

Categories: Bloom Day, Bulbs, Edibles, Gardening, Perennials & Annuals.
Tags: allium, bee balm, campanula, daylily, echinacea, Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, gardening in Connecticut, heuchera, hosta, hydrangea, iris, morning glory, nasturtium, phlox, rose campion, scabiosia, trandescantia, veronica.

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