• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Shop
    • Gardening Humor
    • Children’s Books
    • New – The Halloween Hare
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • The Gardenangelists Podcast
  • Gardening Humor
  • Children’s
  • All Books

May Dreams Gardens

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – September 2015

September 15, 2015 By Carol Michel 44 Comments

Colchicums

Welcome to Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for September 2015.

Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 6a garden in central Indiana, a visitor might think I had some mixed up flowers if they came by and saw the Colchicums and Autumn Crocus in bloom this week.

But this is the season for these fall blooming beauties.  I rather enjoy them, now that I have them in my garden.  They and their spring blooming relatives are like bookends with the entire growing season of my garden in between.

Several of the Colchicums blooming in my garden now were sent to my by Kathy at Cold Climate Gardening.  She is quite the evangelist when it comes to spreading the word about fall blooming bulbs like these.

Nearby, the variegated Liriope grass, Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’, which is not a grass at all, is blooming with its lovely purple blooms.

Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’

I like how the two look together, the Liriope and the Colchicums, but of course, I didn’t have the sense to provide a picture of them together.

Soon these blooms will wash out and the New England asters, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, will provide all the purple I need and then some.

First of the asters to bloom

These are just the first clump of asters to start blooming. There are several other clumps of asters budded up to the hilt throughout the garden, promising a spectacular show in a few weeks.  (Isn’t that just like a gardener… “you should see the garden next week”, or the ever popular “it was stunning just a few days ago…”)

Another spot of purple in my garden comes from the Hyacinth bean, Lablab purpureus.

Hyacinth bean, Lablab purpureus

Even the pods are purple.  And isn’t Lablab a fun botanical name? And did you know purpureus is the only species in the genus Lablab?  “Dear Plant Taxonomists, Please don’t take away the genus name Lablab, like you took away Aster and replaced it with Symphyotrichum.”

Speaking of changed botanical names, how about tall sedum?  It was once Sedum telephium and now it appears to be Hylotelephium telephium.

Tall sedum

I have two colors blooming side by side right now.  Yum. I love these easy to grow, never fail, early fall bloomers. And they turn the loveliest brownish-rusty color later in the season. You should see them with little tufts of snow on them.  But let’s not think about that quite yet.

What else is blooming? Short’s goldenrod, Solidago shortii ‘Solar Cascade’,  is blooming. That’s what else.

Short’s goldenrod, Solidago shortii ‘Solar Cascade’

This is a great goldenrod, nearly lost to us forever until it was found by horticulturists from the Cincinnati Zoo who helped to propagate it and get it out in the nursery trade, making it available to gardeners everywhere.  Get it.  You will love it.

Next year I hope to also have Barnardia japonica blooming in my garden, just like it blooms in Elizabeth Lawrence’s garden in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Barnardia japonica in the Elizabeth Lawrence garden

I took this picture of Barnardia in Elizabeth Lawrence’s garden about 10 days ago when I visited it for a second time.  The wonderful Andrea, who tends the garden now, gave me a little pot of it to take home. It is definitely hardy enough for my garden, as we both figured out by looking it up on our iPhones.

I imagine if Elizabeth had been alive, she would have run inside to her study and looked it up in one of her hundreds of books to verify its hardiness.

While I was visiting the garden, Andrea showed me some of the journals Elizabeth kept to record when flowers bloomed in her garden.

Oh, look, here’s one turned to September.

Page from one of Elizabeth Lawrence’s bloom day journals

If you are Andrea and have been studying many of Elizabeth’s handwritten notes for several years, you will see that on September 15th, Lycoris albiflora was blooming.  The rest of us will have to take her word for it.

And the same Lycoris was blooming while I was there.

Lycoris albiflora blooming in the Elizabeth Lawrence garden

It appears to be marginally hardy for me, but may be worth a try.

And that’s bloom day for me with a wonderful little side trip to Elizabeth Lawrence’s garden.

What’s blooming in  your garden as we move too rapidly toward the end of the growing season here in the Northern hemisphere?  We would love to have you join in for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and show us.

It’s easy to participate. Just post on your blog about what’s blooming in your garden on or about the 15th of the month, then leave a link to your bloom day post in the Mr. Linky widget below and a comment to tell us what you have for us to see.

And remember, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: garden bloggers bloom day

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening says

    September 15, 2015 at 5:13 am

    You have so many wonderful blooms for this time of year Carol and you have me thinking about getting some of those fall crocus. Thanks for hosting as always and Happy Bloom Day!

    Reply
  2. Dorothy Borders says

    September 15, 2015 at 5:23 am

    Happy Bloom Day, Carol. Your garden, as always, is beautiful.

    Reply
  3. Wendy Moore says

    September 15, 2015 at 7:01 am

    Thank you SO much for hosting this every month! It's such a treat to see all these gardens so different from my own, and such an inspiration!

    Reply
  4. Hannah says

    September 15, 2015 at 7:58 am

    It's great that Elizabeth Lawrence's garden and notes were preserved. We could wonder as gardeners what of our creations would outlast us. I managed to get some Solidago shortii Solar Cascade, and another 2 out of the 6 goldenrods I ordered survived, Fireworks and Golden Fleece. They are slowly building more rhizomes and stems, so I hope they will one day be nice clumps. The Barnardia I had not heard of, a fall-blooming bulb is rather a rarity. Sedums have been one of those hard to kill dependable fall flowers for me, too. To me it is a travesty what the botanists have done to the Sedum and Aster names.

    Reply
  5. Unknown says

    September 15, 2015 at 8:08 am

    I saw a patch of Colchicum the other day and realised that every year I fail to plant any here. They are lovely things – as are all the plants you have shared from your garden in this post. How interesting that the tall Sedum has been renamed – somehow I missed that – and what a treat to see that notebook!

    Reply
  6. rusty duck says

    September 15, 2015 at 8:41 am

    Hi Carol. The sedums are just beginning here. Once they get going there is no way I can deny autumn any longer! Thanks for hosting Bloom Day.

    Reply
  7. Denise says

    September 15, 2015 at 11:00 am

    It is so nice to be able to visit everyones' gardens. Thanks.

    Reply
  8. Les says

    September 15, 2015 at 11:13 am

    I feel your frustration on all the name changes, as I can spell Lablab and Sedum, but have to look up many other names. Happy GBBD, and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  9. VP says

    September 15, 2015 at 11:15 am

    How wonderful you've visited Elizabeth Lawrence's garden and seen her notes. A perfect reward for hosting Blooms Day 🙂

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    September 15, 2015 at 11:31 am

    Thanks very much for hosting Carol. This is a wonderful time of year isn't it? I have enjoyed reading your post today and joining in with your September Bloom Day. Happy gardening!

    Reply
  11. Pauline says

    September 15, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    I must go and see if my colchicums are flowering, they are such lovely flowers aren't they! You have so many unusual flowers in your post this month, they're beautiful. Thanks for hosting once more.

    Reply
  12. Kris Peterson says

    September 15, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    Your garden is beautiful as it steps into fall. Mine is still mired in summer but with the arrival of rain this morning (early in the season for us!) I'm hopeful that it's going to be a very nice fall. Thanks for hosting Bloom Day Carol!

    Reply
  13. LINDA from Each Little World says

    September 15, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Your colchicums are beautiful. I finally ordered some for delivery this fall.

    Reply
  14. Nic says

    September 15, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    I just love colchicums; need to find some good spots for them in the garden here that will ensure the pricy investment ends up being worth it. As always, thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  15. Covegirl says

    September 15, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Sedums, goldenrod, and asters blooming in my garden.

    Reply
  16. Rock rose says

    September 15, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    They do keep us on our toes with all the name changing, don't they? I came across one yesterday and someone had commented by calling it the original name 'for us oldies' That clump of Lycoris is gorgeous. I bought a couple at an end of season sale. Hope they bloom-eventually. Happy Bloom day

    Reply
  17. Tim says

    September 15, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    Thanks for hosting! I wish I were disciplined enough to keep a journal of what is blooming. That seems to be my perennial resolution…

    Reply
  18. Anna K says

    September 15, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    I'm with you on the Lablab – that is such a funny name. I too hope they don't change that for some tongue wrestler. Enjoy all your pretty fall color!

    Reply
  19. outlawgardener says

    September 15, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    Colchicum are favorites of mine too. Well except during that time when the foliage is ripening and looking sickly but this time of the year they're gorgeous! How cool that you've visited the Lawrence garden and even brought home plants! Your garden is looking quite floriferous.

    Reply
  20. danger garden says

    September 15, 2015 at 4:19 pm

    Lablab purpureus…thanks for the introduction!

    Reply
  21. Jean Campbell says

    September 15, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    Inspiring flowers and comments on your blog this month. I really meant to go out and record wildflowers in the meadows — maybe next month I'll back back up to speed. Nell Jean

    Reply
  22. Unknown says

    September 15, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    I am finally getting around to participating in GBBD. I love the autumn crocus and need to get on that for my own garden. Beautiful blooms but most importantly, best of luck to your Pacers, the season is near!

    Reply
  23. WashingtonGardener says

    September 15, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    Hmm, I'm zone 7 and my Autumn Crocus are way behind yours. That may be because of our summer drought or maybe critters got to them. Will keep an eye out for them.

    Keep up the great Bloom Day work!

    Reply
  24. Unknown says

    September 15, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Your flowers are looking fantastic ! So much colour!
    Mr Linky does not love me – I have tried to paste my link several times but he won't hear of it ! Hope it is ok to put it below instead !

    http://www.hoehoegrow.co.uk/2015/09/season-of-mist-and-mellow-fruitfulness.html

    Reply
  25. Alana says

    September 15, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    Happy bloom day; fall, to me, is always a bittersweet time. Lovely weather but it signals the near end of the growing season. I've thought about fall crocuses. Haven't quite decided if I want to try them.

    Reply
  26. Heather says

    September 16, 2015 at 12:07 am

    Love seeing everyone's blooms. I still have lantana, zinnias, marigolds, geraniums and a few petunias going strong. There is an obvious chill in the air, though, so the feeling of sadness/impending fall and winter is hard to avoid. I'm saving seeds like mad trying to stave off those winter blues!

    Reply
  27. JohnVic08 says

    September 16, 2015 at 1:26 am

    We are quite familiar with the Elizabeth Lawrence garden. The previous owner is a friend and fellow member of the Charlotte Garden Club. I'm glad you were able to visit that beautiful garden…it is indeed a treasure for us here in the Charlotte area. I hope the next time you are here, you will be in touch and perhaps have time to see my garden. You would be most welcome.

    Reply
  28. Angie Rose says

    September 16, 2015 at 2:46 am

    Hey Carol, Happy Bloom Day! I’m so excited to be linking up this month 🙂 I absolutely love your Hyacinth bean & Tall sedum. I definitely want to plant some more fall blooming plants in my garden and sedum is at the top of my list! I really enjoy getting inspiration from everyones gardens. Thank you so much for hosting and have a great September.

    Reply
  29. Christopher C. NC says

    September 16, 2015 at 3:46 am

    Nice Lycoris. I'm still working on getting some Nekkid Ladies in the garden.

    Reply
  30. Eric Teske says

    September 16, 2015 at 4:06 am

    Happy Bloom Day everyone! I noticed everything blooming in my yard right now is purple – is that just a coincidence or is there something about purple flowers being late summer? I guess there are plenty of counter examples like goldenrod. Maybe my bias is just to plant purple 🙂

    Reply
  31. http://whatsitgarden.blogspot.com says

    September 16, 2015 at 4:38 am

    I'm reading El's 'Gardening for Love' . She was wonderful. I day dream about having her as my neighbor!

    Reply
  32. Anonymous says

    September 16, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Sedums and colchicums are there to cheer us in the tail end of the year. I 'be managed to keep a splash of sunshine in the garden, but it'll soon be over. Love the liriope -that might be one for my list next year.

    Reply
  33. Sofie says

    September 16, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Thank you very much for hosting this event! You have a beautiful garden!

    Greetings, Sofie
    http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/

    Reply
  34. Angie says

    September 16, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    You've alerted me of two name changes I was unaware off – will they ever stop!
    Your garden is looking great right now and at a similar stage to mine here in Scotland. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  35. Rose says

    September 16, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Seeing your hyacinth bean vine makes me regret that I never got any planted this year. Lablab–what a fun botanical name! How cool that you got to visit Elizabeth Lawrence's garden again. Happy September, Carol!

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says

    September 16, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    Always intriguing to see what is blooming elsewhere. Thanks for hosting

    Reply
  37. Danielle Bedics-Arizala, The Magic Garden says

    September 16, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    Than you for hosting again!

    Reply
  38. Evan Bean says

    September 17, 2015 at 2:57 am

    Happy Bloom Day! Colchicums are beautiful. I've been noticing a surprising number of them, at least in one neighborhood near home. I have yet to add any to my garden. Must rectify that.

    Reply
  39. John says

    September 17, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    At this point I'm wondering how long it will be before I begin making Garden Blogger Bloom Day comments a month after the specified day. I keep falling further behind. I do have the excuse of being on travel when it transpired. I liked seeing the Bernardia as I grew that one from seed this year for the first time. I have it in a pot and hadn't imagined trying to put it outside but now I may experiment.

    Reply
  40. Ridgetop Farm and Garden says

    September 17, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    I love your crocus and liriope. I have to take notes on what is blooming in everyone else's yards this month. I certainly don't have much in mine. How fun that you got to peek at a Bloom Day journal.

    Reply
  41. Anonymous says

    September 18, 2015 at 3:47 am

    How nice that you were able to include blooms from Elizabeth Lawrence's garden in your Bloom Day post! -Jean

    Reply
  42. Unknown says

    September 20, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Happy bloom day!

    Reply
  43. Annas Nadelbuch says

    September 20, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    I've just discovered your beautiful link party and take part gladly. many thanks !Greetings from Germany

    Reply
  44. Kathy says

    September 21, 2015 at 12:32 am

    Thank you for the link love. Anyone interested in learning more about colchicums can read about them here. Your asters bloom after your colchicums, but mine bloom at the same time, a function of my shorter growing season, I'm sure.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Categories

  • Blog (3,053)
  • Internal (2)

Blog Tags

annuals Blogging books bulbs dr. hortfreud embrace fairies fall family flowers fruits garden bloggers bloom day garden bloggers book club garden design gardeners gardening gardening geek gardens hoes holidays hortense hoelove houseplants humor indoor gardening insects lawn letters to gardening friends perennials rabbits reviews Secrets seeds shrubs spring tools trees vegetable garden vegetable gardening vegetables weather weeding weeds when a gardener wildflower wednesday winter

The Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Footer

Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Connect

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • maydreams icon

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Books
  • May Dreams Gardens
  • Podcast

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Newsletter Archive

Copyright © 2023 · CarolJMichel.com · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Book purchase links are affiliate links and Carol earns a small commission if you make a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT