The yard is sporting its summer tan and many of the garden’s stars have left the stage. A few wily characters have been saving themselves for the final act. One of these is Hydrangea quercifolia. It is finally in full bloom after weeks of warm-ups, but the real show will begin when the foliage begins to turn color.
I saved seed from the Castor Bean, Ricinus communis, and started several, but the only one that took did so in his own place in his own time. It’s not a very impressive specimen, but I do love the oddball flowers.
Out along the fenceline, Rosa rugosa ‘Buffalo Gals’ has become a substantial shrub and continues to pump out blooms over a very long season. I happen to like these gals best in tight bud.
The parent plants have dozens of flowering spires, but Kniphofia ‘Percy’s Pride’ is so accommodating that even these new divisions put out in their first year.
Some things get better with each passing year. One such is Campsis x tagliabuena ‘Madame Galen’, draping herself over the top of the fence.
I started a few annuals from seed, not knowing quite what to expect.
The seed packet referred to Nicotiana glutinosa as “Peach Screamer”,
but these demure blossoms look to me more like they would speak in a whisper.
I always look forward to the late arrival of Anemone ‘Honorine de Jobert’. The first few to open are a startling contrast to the dark leafy background
and I especially like all the little round balls of buds that will eventually add to the display.
Little red paint brushes are starting to pop out on Mezoo, trailing red Dorotheanthus.
All of the annuals, like this Tropaeoleum ‘Empress of India’ do a great job of filling in with ongoing blooms while the remains of Alliums continue to contribute interesting notes.
I’ll stop there and send you over to May Dreams Gardens, where Carol plays hostess to flower-loving gardeners month after month.
I so agree about the Anemone…they are so graceful!
Hi Ricki, Lots of nice plants in bloom I see! I really like the ‘Percy’s Pride’. Does it stay that color or do the blooms open to another color? I’m thinking of trying knipholia for the first time! Would you recommend this variety for Hot Boise? I also love the nicotiana and the ‘Empress of India.’ Such beautiful color. I am waiting for ‘Honerine de Jobert too, no blooms yet! Thanks for sharing your pretty garden!
Nice summer show! I’m in love with the Castor Bean image and you might just have pushed me into trying it again. Heck with all that empty space when the privet comes out I’m going to need some big dramatic fast growing leaves!
Oh and that red Dorotheanthus is darn cute too! Might have to look into that one…
Love the Peach Nicotiana. Do you get tobacco hornworm in OR? I planted another kind of flowering tobacco last year and all it did was attract those hideous creatures. Kniphofia is one of my favorites, and very accommodating, as you say.
I love quercifolia as well I love the fresh smell. Lucky for me as it is near my seating area. When do you divide your Kniphofia ? I love that Peach screamer !
The Nasturtium is a beautiful shade of red. My oakleaf Hydrangea flowered for the first time this year. I’m going to try growing some Castor bean from seed next year.
Such beautiful blooms in the middle of August! I share your affection for the Japanese Anemone. I love gazing at them in our backyard and Barnaby hasn’t destroyed them…yet.
Scott~Do you have some…want some?
Andrea~Percy starts out greenish and fades to pale yellow over time. We get pretty hot in the summer, so I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try. If you have trouble finding it, let me know. I can try shipping some to you.
Loree~The Mazoo was just a wee bit of a thing from Freddies. It grows fast! I’ll bring some Castor Bean seeds to the next swap.
Sarah~I guess not, or maybe they just haven’t found us yet. All the Nicotianas look good.
Linda~Now I’m going to have to go out and sniff up the quercifolia. Like I said, Percy is not the least bit temperamental. I have divided it both spring and fall, with equal success.
Alison~Will you be coming to the fall swap? If not, I can mail you some Castor Bean seeds.
Laura~Barnaby is my dream dog. He could get away with a lot in this garden.
Gorgeous as always! Rosa rugosas do look wonderful in bloom but the fragrance is also one of my favorite things about them along with those beautiful red hips!
I’m picturing the peach screamer saying, “Kiss my grits.” I don’t know why. You have so many lovelies–I love that anemone.
That “Percy’s Pride’ is so cool. Need to get me some more green flowers! Never tried to grow the Castor bean – if you have extras at the next swap, I’d love some to try some seeds.
Lovely blooms Ricki! And the flower spikes of Percy’s Pride looks so cool!
Peter~These gals are stingy with the hips: a disappointment to me, but you know how sensitive gals are about their hips.
Heather~Hmmm…maybe they are screaming after all.
Anna K~Roger that on the Castor Beans, and I can also give you a ‘Percy’s Pride’.
Mark & Gaz~They are one of my favorites. Thanks for visiting.
Ricki – you have a few special plants going on there. A few new to me – so I need to toddle of and find out more!
The red narstirtium in the last shot is lovely – I’m generally not a fan of the orange ones but this I could happily live with.
You’ve also just reminded me to get some Kniphofia from my neighbours garden. Beautiful blooms!
Angie~So glad I could point you towards Kniphofia. It’s a winner.