Unusual annuals grown from seed come on strong late in the season. Nicotiana langsdorfii is one of my favorites. Anna, this would be a good one in your garden of green flowers.
Another is Leonotis nepetifolia, and you can just see a few bright Cosmos ‘Budda’s Hand’ peeking through towards the top of the photo.
Statuesque Nicotiana sylvestris volunteered in the tomato patch. It has a lovely fragrance late in the day. I’d like it to show up in more opportune locations, but I’ll take it wherever it chooses to flourish.
I admire Dahlias worked into borders, but I put mine in more of a cutting garden setting. This one is ‘Akita’. I picked it up from Jockey Hill Nursery at the Scappoose Farmers’ Market. This Saturday will be the last market of the season, 10am-2pm. If you happen to be heading for the coast on Hwy 30 it’s a fun stop.
Dahlias make terrific cut flowers. This one is ‘Alfred Grille’, with the berries of Hypericon ‘Albury Purple’ and some crape myrtle foliage.
Most Alliums bloom in the spring, but the unassuming puffs of A. senescens ‘Glaucum’ are late arrivals.
Solidago ‘Fireworks’ earns its name and does its bit to keep those bees busy.
I have these fireworks going off in several locations and they are none too picky about conditions.
This is the last bloom on Hibiscus m. ‘Plum Crazy’. It’s been doing its thing since just after the last Bloom Day.
I’ve been seeing Liriope used in mass plantings lately and like its grassy presence. The little flower spikes are a nice bonus.
Most of the erect sedums are coming into flower. This one is ‘Stardust’.
Blooming for the second time, Acanthus sennii produces uncharacteristic, bright red blooms.
If you look carefully, you can see the brown remains of the earlier flowering stalk below the new bloom. It shows how much growth this plant has experienced. I guess it’s happy (and so am I).
Phygelius ‘Moonraker’ is shrubbier than others of its kind, and has a very long bloom cycle. I will bring at least one of these to the swap.
Another rebloomer is Kniphofia ‘Percy’s Pride’. I think the secret is cutting off the spent flowers.
Helianthus maximilianii is not as tall as it was last year, but it is multiplying nicely and it stands up to rainstorms without staking.
This is where Scott’s photography skills would come in handy. Persicaria ‘Lance Corporal’ produces delicate wands of tiny, bright red flowers. When they catch the light the effect is magical, but I guess you will just have to take my word for it.
From here on out, the hunt for something to post on Bloom Day, sponsored by May Dreams Gardens will get tougher, but we will soldier on…we are gardeners and we’re proud.
I think you’re right about ‘Percy’ I’ve been a vigilant deadheader this summer. I’ll have one of each …I love all these Blooms!
You’ve got some great blooms this September! I really should plant some Goldenrod, I keep seeing that Fireworks on several blogs, and it has a pretty look, not as weedy as some.
I’m already grieving that I will miss the plant swap. Moonraker is gorgeous. I am enjoying pink and coral versions and am so amazed by how the bee’s and humming birds enjoy them so. Happy GBBD!
Some lovely blooms. I’m particularly taken with the Acanthus – I must look into that one. Akita is a lovely looking Dahlia. I love the ideas of the plant swaps….wish we had something similar here.
Linda~I left the skeletal remains on one plant because R like the look and that one did not rebloom. I guess deadheading works, just like they’ve always tried to tell us.
Alison~I have plenty of it…glad to give you some.
Jenni~Oh shucky darns…we will miss you.
Angie~You should start a swap. It’s great fun to get together with other plant nuts, and the plants are a nice bonus.
You’re right, Ricki! And Percy’s Pride too! May I borrow those two photos from you – with proper attribution of course? That Acanthus brings me back to Jurassic Park – so prehistoric looking!
Acanthus sennii blooming for a second time….nice! (Just a little bit jealous)
Loree~Sorry, didn’t mean to flaunt my sennii in your face. Thanks again for procuring it for me.
Anna K~I would be nothing but flattered that you would use any of my photos. Please feel free.
Although I’m not really a fan of yellow, I must say that the first photo of the Solidago is really, really nice. I love the form of the plant and the juxtaposition of the surrounding textures. Well done my friend.
Grace~You are helping me get over my aversion to pink, so glad to return the favor regarding yellow. I usually prefer a paler yellow, but this one gets a spot for all the reasons you mention.