Welcome to Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for August 2009.
August is what separates the real gardeners from the wanna-be gardeners. The days are hot, the bugs are everywhere, and many blooms that seemed so bright in June and July have faded to muted colors reminiscent of my grandmothers’ summer dresses. It’s a month that tests the patience and perseverance of many a gardener.
But August doesn’t just have faded blooms from earlier months, it also has blooms of its own. Pictured above is Verbena bonariensis which self-sows in my garden and begins blooming every August.
Its bloom has less to do with what I did and more to do with what I did not do, like deadheading it. I left the seed heads to shatter and scatter seed here and there. Then I careful avoided weeding it out earlier in the summer.
The new crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica ‘Coral Filli’ is blooming for the first time. It’s… bright.
But the flowers needs to be bright to stand out against the dark foliage. I’m glad I bought it, but I’m sure it is shocking to southern gardeners to know that this is a small shrub, expected to grow to only about 18 inches tall.
Over on the side of the house, the Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’ is in full bloom a week or two ahead of when it bloomed last year. This could be because we are coming up on the second anniversary of it being planted, so it is finally settling in.
By the way, last year at this time the Surprise Lilies, Lycoris squamigera, were still blooming. This year they are long past their prime and ready to be cut back, as you can see from the one that sneaked into the picture. Now that’s a naked lily!
But even with these other blooms, the star of my August garden is still some old-fashioned Hosta that form a small ribbon around several other Hostas and smell sweet, especially at night.
This is one of the plants that I would take with me if I ever moved, because I’ve had it wherever I’ve gardened.
Elsewhere in the garden, there are blooms hanging on from July, including coneflowers (Echinacea sp.), black eyed susans (Rudbeckia), my Knockout roses, tall phlox (Phlox paniculata),and Helianthus ‘Lorraine Sunshine’. Other plants are also providing that odd extra rebloom here and there including the ‘Stella d’Oro’ daylilies, true geraniums and ‘May Nights’ salvia.
And out in the vegetable garden there are sunflowers like this ‘Elves Blend’ and a host of other blooms including zinnias, marigolds, nasturtiums, and squash.
How is your garden blooming this month? Are you hanging in there, enduring the hot days of summer? Whatever your circumstances and however your garden looks during these hot August summer days, I hope you’ll join us for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day this month. All are welcome!
It’s easy to participate. Just post on your blog about what is blooming in your garden on the 15th of the month and then leave a link in the ‘Mr. Linky’ widget below and a comment so we can find you and visit your garden to see what you have blooming. If you don’t know what to put in your comment, answer this question: Does your garden have more blooms or less blooms this year compared to last year?
We can have flowers nearly every month of the year. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence
Mid-August already! where does the time go? My blooms are up and ready at http://muumsmusings.blogspot.com/
That is an amazing looking sunflower. If you had not identified it, I'm not sure I would have recognized it as such. Finally had rain last week which really helped perk things up. My GBBD post is up and thanks again for hosting. I think waiting for the 15th to see what's blooming is making the months fly by!
Yeah, what you said about August is really true. Next year, I want to raise my game. But for now, I also have Verbena bonariensis and sunflowers and I'm happy with that.
I love crepe myrtle, when we were in North Carolina the crepe myrtles were in full bloom, and they were fabulous!
Thanks for hosting Garden Blogger's Bloom Day every month.
I'm not just hanging in there but actively gardening again, damn the heat! I spent all yesterday morning moving irises that had burned up and planting aloes in their place. Digging is good!
How strange to see the hot-pink flowers of a crepe myrtle on your northern blog, Carol. What a shortie it is! But pretty. What's next? Southern lilacs?
I've got more in bloom than I thought. It's hard to believe that it's August already. Where does the time go?
Happy bloom day everyone!
http://birdsnsuch.blogspot.com/2009/08/summer-blooms-in-rain.html
My August flower garden is pink, purple and white. My vegetable garden has a lot of yellow and orange flowers. Thank you Carol for hosting GBBD! http://tanyasgarden.blogspot.com/
I LOVE the crepe myrtle! And if it really stays that short, I think I might have a home for one of those, myself… 🙂
By the way, do you really call them 'Surprise Lilies' there? Just curious about the local nicknames for things… my grandma always called them 'Resurrection Lilies,' and I think that people in the South tend to call them 'Naked Ladies'–or is that in the East?
I've been looking for a crepe myrtle for our Zone 5 garden, and love the look of yours. And a miniature one to boot! Thanks for the inspiration!
We've both chosen views of Verbena bonariensis today, Carol 🙂
Unlike yours it's a first-timer in my garden as are all my blooms on view today.
As for the number of flowers, I have more this year in terms of different types thanks to these little beauties.
Have a great Blooms Day and weekend everyone.
The abnormally wet and – until August – cool summer has definitely slowed down the tropicals and usual late-summer bloomers, but things are finally starting to heat up here in PA. My post is up at Hayefield. Happy Bloom Day to all!
Bloomin' August! When is our summer going to start here? It's been horrible so far and it's my birthday on Monday and I wanted to have a tea party at the lottie today, but no – raining again!
And the bloom day scans are up … http://www.remarc.com/craig/?p=730
Hi Carol,
You have shown favorites from down these parts too, yes just shocking that the crape myrtle is a tiny one, but glad that you can enjoy the party like blooms up there. We have Royal Standard hosta, an oldie but the best blooming hosta by leaps and bounds, fragrant too. I wonder if that might be what you have as well. Your sunflower is a gem, just like you for hosting this wonderful day!
We have more flowers this year, and every year because I keep planting more things, looking especially for late bloomers that will take us into fall. Like the aster family. 🙂
Frances
Like others, I am surprised but pleased to see my favorite tree, the Crape Myrtle in your garden. I am glad the breeders have been working on hardiness, and maybe they will develop one that will become tree size in colder climates. You also show one of the best Hydrangea paniculatas, Tardiva, I love the name. My own blooms are here:
After the Deluge
Thank you once again for posting.
I'll have to look for that verbena – love the color and it's so delicate. Of course the fact that it self sows is attractive, too.
I've been neglecting my flowers because I put in some new veggie beds this year and my attention has been focused on that. But it's nice to see some of the long-awaited perennials finally coming out up here in NY!
Thanks for hosting!
As usual, the peek inside your garden was fabulous. The color of your crape myrtle is so electric. Your thoughts on August in the garden are spot on – it can be trying for any gardener regardless of how long you've been gardening.
I added a general post about what's blooming in my city, so if it doesn't conform you can delete it. Thanks for carrying out this idea in your blog.
Carol, love that Crape Myrtle, the stems above the flowers even seem to be bright and colorful!
Crape Myrtle and Magnolia Grandiflora in Chicago, be still my heart 🙂 When I first saw them at the garden center I thought our buyer was having zone denial issues!
My favorite August shrub, Hydrangea 'limelight ' has taken center stage and the Rose of Sharon has been in bloom since mid-July.
Wish I could find some space for a crape myrtle as well.
Carol, The heat didn't reach Heath until just the other day which accounts for a sulky vegetable garden, but the flowers didn't seem to mind as much. When I compare this year with last there is not much difference except that my zinnias pretty well punked out this year – but the cosmos flourished. My post is up.
Hi Carol~ Happy GB Bloom day!
I think I have the same kind of Hydrangea, very nice!
-Cathy
I love August in the garden. The sunflowers are finally open and the coneflowers have seeds on them so the goldfinches keep visiting.
Carol — Your August garden is wonderful — I love all those hostas standing upright and at attention, unfurling their blooms for you to post about. And those sunflowers are so dense – I'm not going to have mine back this year, I'm afraid, I think too many things grew up too close and too big around the little patch. Glad you can have Crape Myrtles up there – no matter the size, they are lovely additions and great bloomers. I'm also envying your Hydrangeas. Happy Bloom Day!
This is definitely a month that separates the "men" from the "boys" in the garden. Thanks for showing the crape myrtle, Carol; I've been looking for a cultivar that would grow in our zone, but I didn't know it was so tiny! Love the verbena; I planted some, but I think I accidentally weeded it out this spring:)
Those hostas look great! Only one of our Crape myrtles is blooming right now. I hope the rest are just late. That's a nifty hydrangea too!
Happy Bloom Day Carol and everyone! Love your pretty little crape myrtle. Your old-fashioned hostas are my favorites for sentimental reasons, and I've brought divisions of my original one given to me by elderly neighbor about 30 years ago, to every garden I've had since. The blooms are lovely, and very fragrant, and hummingbirds enjoy them almost as much as I do.
I dived right in, looking at everybody else's beautiful pretties and almost forgot to come to comment here.
It was so hard to keep my post to a handful of blossoms. We've had almost daily rain lately and we are green and growing.
The usual summer beauties like zinnias, hydrangea and magnolia are spectacular, but I shared tropicals this month.
Speaking of tropicals, DH just alerted me that Tropical Storm 'Anna' is headed our way.
Those are very interesting sunflowers! I usually just let the birds plant the sunflowers in my garden, but maybe next year I will try the Elves Blend.
Happy Bloom Day Carol…that is a perfectly lovely crape myrtle…I have Natchez and it's too tall to get a good shot of the blooms! gail
Hi Carol. My post is up now.
http://healingmagichands.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-august-15-2009/
Happy August Bloom Day! I love your Crepe Myrtle, it just sizzles. Your Hosta plantaginea are way ahead of mine, which have just started blooming. I agree with you, this is one plant I wouldn't want to do without.
I'm not really a garden blogger, but I'd just posted a flower on my blog and then came over here from Nyack Backyard. I decided it was kismet.
I haven't had a garden in years. I just moved here in May, and I'm only allowed a little strip of garden. Oh, it was hard! The dirt was bad, and there were so many old friends I wanted to plant. But I got this. I bet there will be lots more next year.
I would say the bloom amount is about the same as last year, just the particular blooms themselves are different. The crepe myrtle looks great and is an inspiration to all us gardeners above zone 6!
http://rambleonrose-rr.blogspot.com/2009/08/strange-days.html
You have a lovely garden. I have to dash off to a family function but look forward to reading more about it.
I missed last month…happy to have something to share this month. It's lovely to see the wide variety of late summer garden bloom that everyone is posting. Thanks.
Barely hanging on here in Austin, going on 56 days of triple-digit heat so far this year. Adding more cacti.
Your hostas are DREAMY! Thanks for hosting!
I've been enjoying your blog for a few months and love the idea of seeing what's blooming in others gardens! I'm so glad to be able to participate – thanks!
Hi Carol, it's me again. I didn't really look at your post the last time I was here because I had to bump Jim off the computer during his morning "get the news" time in order to put the link in for my post, which I scheduled last night. Now he is out doing some chores, and I had a chance to actually visit you.
Gosh, your garden is doing well. It is certainly true that August is a month that tries my patience. It is the "doldrums" between the fall bulbs and asters, when there isn't a whole lot new going on and a lot of the old stuff is really starting to show its age.
Like my zinnias. They still look good from a distance, but when you get up close they are tattered and sporting a layer of powdery mildew. The butterflies still like them, but they aren't the stars they were last month!
My tomatoes are wishing it was a typical August. We have been having hot days, but the nights have been cooling off into the low 70s, which really slows down their ripening. So do I rejoice that I can sleep comfortably with my windows open and not have to pay for the air conditioner, or do I lament the dearth of tomatoes?? Maybe I should put a blanket on them overnight.
Anyway, thanks for being such a gracious hostess, and I bless the time three years ago when I stumbled across your blog. I have met an awfully lot of really great folks through it.
Finally enjoying august weather here. It acutally feels like summer time! I still have a lot blooming but not nearly as lush as last month.
You are quite right about August being a testing month for gardeners Carol. I have verbena bonariensis at my allotment and the smaller verbena rigida in the garden at home. Love both of them 🙂
I was afraid I wouldn't get any of those big gorgeous hosta blooms this year, but I spotted some buds this morning when I was taking Bloom Day pictures. Is it as dry in Indy as it is here in Chicago? I guess it's an average year when you average together this dryness and the flooding rains this spring!
Verbena bonariensis is not only a fun flower to see (I like the airy purple clouds it makes, especially when mass planted), it's a fun flower to say.
Cheers from Toronto, and thanks for playing host to us all once again.
Our hot weather has disappeared for awhile, but we're glad about that here.
You have some very pretty flowers in bloom there, love the Crape myrtle. I've let my Verbena grow pretty much where ever it pops up, it seems to look good with everything.
Happy Bloom Day! It finally feels like summer here in Chicago and to be honest, I was kind of enjoying those chilly days. If only it would rain – a nice scary thunderstorm would be so lovely right about now…
Hey all, Mac's not letting me create a tiny url, so here's my great big link and a great big thank you to Carol for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Hope you can open it, and enjoy!
http://www.indigogardensllc.com/Indigo_Gardens/Root_Awakening%3A_Unearthing_the_Essence_of_the_Garden/Entries/2009/8/15_Garden_Bloggers’_Bloom_Day%3A_August.html
I'm shocked it's August already. Where does the summer time go?! More or less blooms than last year? Well, hard to say. Seems as floriferous as ever out there!
http://www.gardenhelp.org
Yay – this is so fun! My first Garden Blogger's Bloom Day post is up on my blog. I'm looking forward to visiting the 47 blogs ahead of me! This year, I have waaaaaayyyy more blooms since this is only my perennial garden's 3rd or 4th year. Things this year are more numerous, bigger, and stronger than last year, the year before, the year before. My husband even said he's finally starting to understand what I was trying to do.
Happy Bloom Day, I can't beleive it's mid-August! Love your shot of the verbena.
Happy Bloom Day Carol… thanks for hosting! Love your cheery sunflower.
I just love those sunflowers. They are so cute and cuddly. They would be perfect in a child's garden…I imagine them planted around a little playhouse! How charming….
Lovely flowers! Thanks for sharing about the fragrant hosta! I didn't know that. I'll be on the lookout for some to add near the patio. Thanks for hosting!
Hi carol, thank you as always for hosting GBBD. I'd not heard of crepe myrtle, so thank you for the education!
Had to do a short-and-sweet bloom day post this time, but I had to be sure to get it in! Thanks again for hosting!
My hydrangea still hasn't bloomed- again. It's just finally gotten hot here, it looks like the tomatoes are loving the heat.
Hey Carol,
All in all, we have had an exceptional summer. Low humidity, lowish temperatures, with afternoon rains. With the rains came mosquitoes, fungus, and a test to the drought tolerant plants everyone planted after the drought of 2007. Because of these conditions, my garden is not looking bad (as compared to the last 2 Augusts.) My grass on the other hand looks like aliens landed giving nutsedge control of the earth. August equals January for me. I get through January it proceeds February and after February is March. I get through August because it gives way to September then the blessed month of OCTOBER. I love fall gardening – can hardly wait. H.
Happy GBBD! Can't believe it's August already… next month it'll be the start of the autumn flowers…
Love that verbena – I know it's everywhere but there's a reason for that, such a pretty pretty flower!
I just looked at the clock and realized I'd almost forgotten to add our group entry today! Good to know my mind is far from work on a Saturday though ; )
Carol, I covet that ribbon of hosta! You will never see such a lovely thing in my garden, I'm afraid. There is much blooming in my gardens, and since it's the first year for my front garden a big improvement over last year! Thanks for the inspiration to do this, my first contribution.
It has hardly been a hot summer here in Ireland. We've had clouds and rain and mist and fog. And it's been rather chilly as well. Bloomday started out quite rainy, so all my flowers are wet.
I don't think there are more or less flowers in my garden this year compared to other years, but they are definitely wetter.
I love those sunflowers, lovely name too, Elves Blend.
Wow, hydrangeas, sunflowers, verbena, and crape in bloom at the same time! Love those dwarf crapes. Thanks for hosting GBBD yet again! Now will go read them all.
This has been a month for disappointing vegetables and spectacular flowers, making me glad I grow both. August Bloom Day in Chicago: http://washhands-settable.blogspot.com/2009/08/bloom-day-for-maggie-and-barry.html
Hi Carol, Love your comment "Are you hanging in there, enduring the hot days of summer?" Here in Wales I am still waiting for those, but have given up on any for this year.
Your Crape myrtle certainly packs a powerful punch colour wise. Verbena bonariensis is just one of my all time favorite plants.
K from wet wales!
I simply cannot believe that it is August. I really enjoyed visiting multiple blogs this morning to see what is blooming around the world. Beautiful! Thank you!
Yay for crape myrtles! Mine are blooming here in Texas, too. A colorful reward for enduring the miserable heat.
Thanks for hosting GBBD every month. I so enjoy taking a few moments to visit other garden blogs.
The V. bonariensis has been blooming here since late June. It pops up everywhere, but I love it!
I think we have some of the same sunflowers.
I usually find I have different flowers blooming in August, but, plenty still!
Got it posted rather late in the day, but I've survived my 2nd Bloom Day. I'll spend some time on the 16th visiting today's Bloom Day posts.
It's always a pleasure to visit your blog, Carol. It was one of the very first garden blogs I found….way back when. You inform and entertain, a perfect combination. Thank you for GBBD.
Hi Carol, thanks again for hosting GBD. My guess is that your little Crepe Myrtle would be surprised to visit our old 20 foot high Crepe Myrtle. It's only been knocked back to the ground once by a hard winter. And I love the display they make for August gardening. I've got another one in pot and can't decide where to put another good sized tree…
I'm late, as usual. Saturdays are for gardening chores and I almost didn't get any photos. Love the sunflowers….
Miss Carol, it has been up to 82 degrees, maybe a smidge higher, a couple of days in a row now. This is our three weeks of summer. Those poor Musa basjoo in my front bed. There is only three weeks in the year when they will actually grow. Got plenty flowers though.
Your sunflower is fabulous! After 55+ days of 100+ heat, my sunflowers have all gone crispy. Normally the fields are full of tall sunflowers this time of year around here – but this year they are under a foot tall and mostly all shiveled up and dead. Sigh. I shall just covet your sunflower 🙂
My Limelight Hydrangea is blooming beautifully, and yes, I think it may be a little earlier this year too. It's only about 3 ft tall, but growing fast.
Your little Crape Myrtle is a gorgeous color!
Those are very cute sunflowers 🙂
Happy Bloom Day, Carol!
Carol, I got my post in just under the wire, but then forgot to leave a comment about doing so. Our crape myrtles are just about finished blooming. Love the color of yours.
Jan
Always Growing
I love those little sunflowers. How cute! We are struggling through the drought here in central Texas, with a few determined little flowers here and there.
Carol, that first paragraph you wrote it so right. If you garden through August you must be a dedicated gardener. Of course I am writing this as I sit in my AC'd room. tee hee… My poor naked ladies are finished too. It seems like the flowers have bloomed themselves out what with all that cool rainy weather we had earlier. I just love those old fashioned plantain lilies too. They make a great backdrop to other flowers and then when they bloom and smell so lovely well, they are keepers. Happy GBBD.
I'm late to the party again;-/
The first link was a mistake…that is from July's GBBD.
The second link I added is for August!!
Thanks, Carol:-)
My belated GBBD post is about a native pollinator I photographed in my garden yesterday.
Carol, I love the verbena photo — such a dreamy and delicate flower. And those sunflowers sure make a bold statement. Happy GBBD!
I tried to get my Bloom Day post in on time, I really did. But a little hummingbird said, "Me first!"
As usual, a day late and a dolla short. A belated Thank You, Carol, for being the GBBD hostess with the mostest!
nice pics and nice blog. August indeed is a month of patience. We have over 100F here with loads of precipitation here.
Lagerstroemia indica has gone wild here in Lahore – Pakistan and found abundant in streets and roads. only murraya, arabian jasmine,rangoon creeper,tecoma and cassia fistula are blooming on top.
I didn't know 'May Night' Salvia was a rebloomer when I planted it this spring, but if it's doing it here and at your place it must be how it works.
My grandma always called her Lycoris "suprise lilies", BTW.
I'm having a great time here with the edible portion of the garden and didn't get my Bloom Day post finished until this morning. Thanks for hosting…as always!
Better late than never. Was going to skip it this month since we just got back from vacation but seeing other people's gardens inspired me. Thank you for doing this Carol! It is so much fun.
Happy Bloom Day Carol! My verb bon is out now too… the butterlies have been loving it. Please Miss, I hope its okay but my Blooms didn't come from my garden this month :-O
Late to the party, but I'm here. Your garden appears to be lush. I like those bright blooms on that crapemyrtle. I hope the tag is correct & it overwinters for you. I have some very small ones called 'Tightwad Red'. I think the name is funny. Happy Bloom Day, Carol, and thanks for hosting us this month.~~Dee
I'm very late this month. My older son starts college tomorrow.
Thank you!
Until SF, I had no idea Cobrahead was a family-owned company. It was so nice to meet Anneliese and share in her family's generosity with garden bloggers!