John Cabot Roses: She blooms ALL summer long and will still be budding with the first snow fall.
Feel like taking a walk through the garden? Fair warning ~ it's gonna be a long virtual hike. You'll need to scroll waaaay down south to reach the end of this particular post. Here's hoping you don't get lost along the way.
Wild Coneflowers: from seeds collected on the South Dakota prairie.
I was inspired to do this after a long overdue chat with my oldest and dearest friend, Hazel. She's coming out to visit me at the end of September. When most of these beauties will be long gone.It's a shame, really, that we can't ever schedule a visit when the joint is alive with color.
The month of August is my time to shine ~ Perky little posies popping out all over the place. And, I find that I spend every waking moment out there, enjoying the view.
Such uniform Daisies. Not sure how I managed that one.
I've always had a soft spot for Shasta Daisies. Makes me sad when they're done blooming so I grow 3 different types to keep up the flower power, all summer long. [Alaska, Snowcap, and Miss Muffet.) Tip: Plant by seed vs. purchasing the gallon-size perennials. They suffer mightily when root bound. They grow taller and happier when they can wiggle their toes.
Shell Pink Dianthus always makes me think of my friend, Bev.
A total stranger, shopping in Homer Depot, turned me onto Dianthus ~ such frilly little things. I was drooling over her purchases when she educated me that in spite of the fact that they're sold as annuals, they're hearty perennials up here in the mountains.
Phlox
Right about the time the Catmint and Dame's Rocket lay down to die, Phlox and Helianthus pick up the slack...
Helianthus, perennial sunflower
Peppermint Phlox is one of the cutest little August bloomers in the garden. See the copyright on this photo? I've taken to doing that when I post them on Pinterest. I bitched for a solid year about Pinterest because everyone was stealing my flower photography and posting them on Pinterest, claiming those pics were theirs.
An exasperated friend finally threw up his hands and said why don't you just put a circle c on those photographs and join in the fun? Well, that's an awfully well-balanced attitude. Why can't I just be pissy and complain?
Miniature Hollyhocks
I finally agreed that if you can beat 'em, join 'em. And, I do love Pinterest. Though nobody seems to love me. I think I've got 5 whole followers over there. But, it's still loads of fun.
This is the great big mystery bush, adorning the street garden. It's an absolute magnet for bees and butterflies. And, I haven't a clue what it is...
Phlox and Russian Sage peek out from beneath a Prairie Fire Crab Apple tree. Several master gardener friends gave me a hard time for planting 3 trees so close together but I think it's good to know your limitations.
Since I'm supremely talented at killing young trees I hedge my bets by planting 3 at time ~ in the high hopes one survives.
Tick... tock... Russian Sage has the unhappy job of being an alarm clock for the season.
I adore the fragrance and the soft, velvety feel of it's blossoms. But, once it begins to flower I know my gardening days are numbered. Autumn is on it's way.
Ornamental Sweet Pea vines have the run of the front porch.
Fuchsia Yarrow is a big, fat bully, bordering on weed status. I dig up half of it every year but no amount of murderous activity slows her down.
Save a dime by purchasing a bag of rock phosphate instead. It's organic (Miracle Grow is not) and your flowers will love you for it. Toss them a few banana peels, too.
Natural forms of phosphorous and potassium are fairly easy to come by and those are the goodies that boost your flower power.
