Bloom Day-August 15, 2012

Due to rain and energy sapping levels of heat and humidity, I have been unable to get much garden work done over the past three weekends.  Previous to that I was away for a week.  Weekends are really the only time I can get out in the garden for long stretches so this discouraged gardener is far behind on projects and cleanup chores.

When I realized the 15th was fast approaching, my initial reaction was to bag Bloom Day this month.  But who am I kidding?  Like most gardeners I know, I always think my garden isn't up to snuff or "company ready".  And as long as I set ridiculously high standards it never will be unless I win the lotto and quit work or decide to have no life.  Since it's highly unlikely that any of those things will happen, perhaps it's time I just cut myself some slack.  You know what I mean?

So I came to the conclusion that even though Bloom Day initially appeared to be a chore, by getting out into my garden with a camera, I was forced to look for what was good.  Much to my surprise, it was considerably better than I thought.  Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting this worthwhile monthly event.  But enough with the pity party and on to the pictures!

Hydrangeas of all species are still blooming abundantly.  If I hadn't run out of time and was a better photographer, Hydrangea mania could have been the key note bloomer for August.

A H. paniculata blooming in my reclamation area.  Given the dry conditions we experienced for most of the summer and that this is my driest garden, I'm amazed.

H. paniculata 'Limelight' bowed over by heavy rain and the weight of it's flowers.

H. paniculata 'Quick Fire' and variegated Lysimachia clethroides



Now I know how H. quercifolia 'Amethyst' got it's name

Persicaria 'Golden Arrow'

Calimintha nepeta nepeta

Echinacea 'White Swan' making it's third Bloom Day appearance

Sunpatiens intermingled with one of the Illusion Dahlias

Phlox paniculata 'Shock Wave'.  Note to self: add more

One of my favorites Phlox paniculata 'Norah Leigh'

Another seriously long bloomer Kalimeris incisa

Artemesia 'Guizhou' makes the cut for a second month



A must have plant for all partially shaded gardens Ligularia 'Britt Marie Crawford'



Britt Marie and friends



Eupatorium 'Little Joe'

A long view of my backyard border

Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' mingles with Aster 'Blue Autumn', another Illusion 'Dahlia and some Coleus



Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns' has proven fully hardy in my zone 6b garden



Drunken bees in the Leycesteria flowers



A tangled mess of Hydrangea 'Limelight', Abelia grandiflora, Kalimeris incisa 'Blue Star', Leucosceptrum 'Variegata', Spirea and white Sunpatiens



Helenium and Aster frikartii 'Monch'



A wide angle view of the Helenium with more Calimintha nepeta, some reseeded Cleomes and the aging flowers of Hydrangea paniculata 'Dharuma'



Hibiscus 'Kopper King' and Buddleia 'Evil Ways'



Nature places Cleomes best

Unlike it's reseeding relatives Cleome Senorita Rosalita is sterile and thornless

A wonderful Amaranthus that has been reseeding in my garden for years

Hummingbird magnet Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Flower of Canna 'Australia'

Dahlia 'Mystic Illusion'

Lagerstroemia 'Cherry Dazzle' is smothered with buds and getting ready to pop

Mixed containers of tropicals and unusual annuals are the stars of my garden from now until frost.  Although I love the lush, color they provide, by August I start to get tired of the daily watering chores.  Every year I vow to cut back but so far that hasn't happened.

The Twerpinator wants to thank you for visiting and assures you that for September Bloom Day we'll be BAAACK.