The days of bountiful bloom are past, but looking around with blooms in mind, a surprising number caught my eye. Nicotiana sylvestris fell prey to nibbling deer as it was just getting ready to bloom. I was irked, but the plant reacted by branching out and producing more flowers. Now it scents the evening air with its pristine white, dangling blossoms. I will let this go to seed in hopes of volunteers next year.
One of my favorite late season bloomers is Anemone ‘Honorine de Jobert’. Known for its aggressive ways, I am more than happy to see it increasing in number year by year. As the petals fall, they leave behind amusing balls at the top of long stems.
Staying with whites for a while, here’s another one considered invasive by some but welcome here: Queen Anne’s Lace, or Daucus carrota.
Aster ‘Monte Casino White’
I had an Aster that looked just like this for many years until it got shaded out. I was happy to find Aster ‘Monte Casino White’ recently at Joy Creek. It was even on sale.
Seven Sons, so called because each flowering stem has one central floret surrounded by six more, still has flowers coming on (happy bees) while older blooms are starting to leave behind the rusty colored calyxes this tree is known for.
This pretty little Coreopsis ‘Cruizin’ Broad St’ from Jockey Hill came with some new information: shear after the first flush of bloom and it will look like this later on. I will apply this principle to ‘Moonbeam’ next year. It has been putting out the occasional flower amidst a lot of developing seedheads.
This pretty ‘Red’ milkweed may not be hardy but it is producing seed. I definitely want more of this.
All of the surviving Dahlias will continue to flower until the first hard frost.
The tiny little red flowers dotting the wand-like stems of Persicaria ‘Lance Corporal’ are hard to photograph, but when they catch the light just right it is a magical scene.
Liriope is here for its grassy presence edging borders but late in the season these shy lavender flowers are a nice bonus.
Are these considered flowers? Whatever they are, the grassy leaves of Chasmanthium latifolium take on new life crowned with these oat-like whatevers.
The flowers on the Hornbeam, Carpinus japonica, look like hops.
All of the Hydrangea blossoms are fading to the dusky colors that make them look like tintypes. This one is ‘Limelight’.
At the same time that Rosa ‘Dortmund’ is concentrating on her hips, she can’t resist throwing out a last flower (the last rose of summer?). A few other lingering blooms are scattered about, but here I’ll pass you on to May Dreams Gardens to check out the world’s garden doings.
Happy Bloom Day, Ricki! Lots of great flowers still blooming in your garden. I love Seven Sons. There’s one at work. It has long since dropped its last flowers and is covered in those rusty/pink calyxes.
Most people don’t realize, but grasses are indeed flowering plants. Those oat-like whatevers on your chasmanthium are probably gone to seed by now, but they were flowers.
Evan~I saw some Seven Sons that were smothered in calyxes. Min are sparser, but I almost like it better that way. The peeling bark is great too.
Thanks for the clarification on the Northern Sea Oats.
I think I’ll be taking another trip to JCN this weekend , I’ll look out for’Monte Casino White’.
Linda~It will be stunning in your garden.
Happy GBBD! I love that Nicotiana sylvestris. I have two of them growing in my garden this year too, and I’m hoping they drop lots of seed for next year. That’s an interesting milkweed too, love that red with yellow.
Alison~That milkweed is one of my baby steps toward mimicking your hot colors.
Is Chasmanthium latifolium a perennial with you? Did you grow it from seed? I’ve been given a seed-head and want to grow it for next year. Lovely white flowers in your garden keep it feeling fresh and not tired.
Christina~The Chasmanthium is very vigorous, returns after even the harshest winter and seeds all over the place. I am constantly digging it out to share.
My Heptacodium finished flowering a few weeks ago I can’t say I’ve noticed the calyxes turn. Mind you in the last 4 years I’ve had it last year was the first time it flowered and they didn’t turn red either!
I love your Anemone. I’ve just added Andrea Atkinson to my garden. I do hope she turns out every bit as beautiful as HDJ.
Angie~Heptacodium shall remain a mystery. Several of us have been scratching our heads over its independent ways.
Very much looking forward to seeing it all for myself tomorrow – if you are still around for a visit from Laura and me… ? I will bring you your Hydrangea – next year, its lovely white blooms will blend beautifully with all the other white lovelies you have. 🙂
Anna~I hope you have received my message via FB (I never quite know if those things go through). Yes! I’m excited to see you and Laura tomorrow.
Yes, don’t get me started on the disappointment of my Heptacodium. The only reason I have cut it down is because it attracts a bazillion bees during July and August and I can’t disappoint those lovely critters. …. I cut my Sea Oat “blossoms” to bring inside. I’ve still got a (rather dusty) bouquet from last year. They are so cool. …. I love the name of that Coreopsis. And that color–wow! … The dahlia photo is frame-worthy. It’s really gorgeous. … The garden is winding down and I’m sad but all good things must come to an end. Until next year.
Grace~Oh, surely we will talk before next year?
I absolutely love ‘Honorine Jobert’. Unfortunately I needed to move mine and it is slow to recover.
Jason~But once it recovers, it will get right back to work taking over the world.