Garden Blogger's Bloom Day August 2012: A Little Bit of Color and Whimsy

It is 84 degrees with a steady breeze coming off the ocean and there is a feel of autumn in the air despite the warm temperatures. I sit enjoying an afternoon tea and gaze into the garden as the month of August and summer swiftly breeze by. Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens another Garden Blogger's Day has arrived and it is time to take a walk in my zone 7 Long Island garden to see what is blooming.  At this time of year it also a nice time to focus on structure in the garden so you will also be experiencing some whimsical moments!  Come long...let's take a look!

Crape Myrtle 'Tuscarora'
First stop is the Crape Myrtle that is in full bloom on this lovely day in August.  Just as many of the other blooms start to fade I wait in anticipation every August as the vibrant pink blooms of this tree start to spike and burst into magnificent flowers that last well into Fall. 

As we walk around the bend there is a little bit of whimsy...a playful statue of children playing leap frog recently given to me by dear friends as a new addition to the garden.

Buddleia Dwarf Low & Behold 'Blue Chip'

The dwarf butterfly bush that I planted last spring is supplying me with a second season of wonderful purple blooms that attract may varieties of butterflies to the garden. It blooms for several months from July into the Fall and brings so much enjoyment.

Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue'

The hydrangea are all in bloom as well at this time of year.   Here are two of the many varieties, 'Nikko Blue' and from the Endless Summer Collection Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout', a lace cap variety.   

Endless Summer Hydrangea 'Twist & Shout'

Beyond the Hydrangea and around the next bend is Garden Boy watching over the shadier part of the yard.

Garden Boy

There is nothing like roses in the garden. These Double Knock Out Roses bloom all summer long and bring continuous color to the garden even in August. They have been such a joy since I planted them a couple of years back and they put a smile on my face every time I look at them.

Double Red Knock Out Rose

Double Pink Knock Out Rose

Sitting in the Garden

And around the next corner...a place to stop and sit.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

This Hydrangea 'Tardivia' started off as a medium sized shrub and has become a magnificent tree.  Large fragrant panicle blooms cover it completely throughout August and September.

Dwarf Fountain Grasses, Coreopsis and Japanese Garden Juniper
Above the grasses are going into Fall mode producing their feathery plumes. Below is the one and only Lythrum plant in the garden and it blooms beautiful fuchsia spikes at the end of the summer when many of the other plants are fading out.

Lythrum (Purple Loosestrife)

Playtcodon (Balloon Flower)

Platycodon (Balloon Flower) is so much fun in the August garden and a bit whimsical with its blue balloon-like flowers. Once they dry out they are also fun to pop like the plastic wrap you loved to pop when you were a youngster...or adult!

Texture in the Garden

Different textures in the shade garden.  Here is a mix of Hakonechloa (Japanese Forest Grass), Variegated Boxwood, Leucothoe and Nellie Stevens Holly.  I enjoy using different textures of foliage to add interest to the garden.

Sedum 'Brilliant'

The Sedum 'Brilliant' is almost ready to bloom!

'Stella D Oro' Daylily

The 'Stella D Oro' Daylily are still blooming!

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' flower

The Viburnum is in all its glory.

August Garden 2012

Thank you for visiting and be sure to visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens for more gardens around the world in the month of August.

 In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful. ~ Abram L. Urban

Happy Garden Blogger's Bloom Day and As Always....Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2012. All rights reserved