Garden Blogger's Bloom Day: August 2013

August 2013 Garden

Welcome to my August northeastern garden.  It's hard to believe that the summer has passed by so quickly and that it is time for another Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.  This year has been a whirlwind of unexpected changes starting with a season that was two to three weeks behind schedule to the present time where we are ahead of the norm in many respects.   A cool spring was followed by instant summer with 90 degree temperatures and much rain which caused the gardens to rapidly progress.  Come take a walk with me to see what is blooming in August.

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'

 The Crape Myrtles are in full bloom and I have been practicing with my newest Nikon camera zoom lens to get this close up.  It took several tries adjusting the lens until I got this one!

Crape Myrtle 'Sioux' Bark

 While photographing I noticed the bark rapidly peeling off my Crape Myrtle.  This is a sign that the tree has finally reached its full maturity.  It sheds its outer darker bark and displays the beautiful coloration you see here...one of the attributes of the tree.

Dragonfly

 Here is one of the resident dragonflies.  I am convinced that it is the same one that lands on the top of this lily stem several times a day and poses for me!   They are welcome guests in the garden.

Dwarf Butterfly Bush and Heuchera 'Caramel'

 Around the bend is my dwarf butterfly bush Low & Behold 'Blue Chip' displaying its purple blooms next to Coral Bells (Heuchera 'Caramel') ...

Butterfly Visitor

and the resident Monarch Butterfly is enjoying the nectar of the flower.  While there was an abundance of Monarchs and Swallowtails last season they seem to be lacking this summer so it took some patience to get this photograph.  This welcome visitor came just in time for Bloom Day!

Coreopsis 'Zagreb'

 By the driveway entry Coreopsis 'Zagreb' is now in full bloom.  The bright yellow daisy-like flowers put on quite a display and usually last from July well into the fall.

Oriental Lilly 'Stargazer'

Technically these 'Stargazers' ended up blooming two weeks earlier this year falling right between the two Bloom Days so I included them here. I just love them too much to leave them out!  Their fragrance fills the yard every summer.

Dwarf Fountain Grass Plume

I have numerous fountain grasses on the property and they are starting to display their late summer plumes.  This one is called 'Hameln'.

'Nikko Blue' Hydrangea Bloom

 The hydrangea are nearing the end of their season so perhaps it is time to bring in some dried seed heads for decoration...

Knock Out Rose (Double Pink)

 while the Double Knock Out Roses just keep on blooming which is what I love about them.   

Platycodon (Balloon Flower)

By the patio is an interesting conversation piece called Platycodon or "Balloon Flower".  The blooms look like tiny balloons (hence the name) that you can pop once they turn brown.  It reminds me of the plastic bubble wrap that comes with packaging and my guests enjoy popping the spent flowers..such fun!

Daylily 'Sammy Russell'

 By the pool the 'Sammy Russell' Daylily are getting towards the end of their bloom...

Sedum 'Brilliant'

while the Sedum are getting ready to produce their vibrant pink flowers that should be here in about two weeks heading the garden into September.

Crape Myrtle 'Tuscarora'

On the other side of the property is my other Crape Myrtle...'Tuscarora' that has a deeper pink bloom.  Both Crape Myrtles will bloom up to 120 days and I look forward to their display in late summer.

Hydrangea 'Tardivia'

Along the side of the house is my Hydrangea 'Tardivia' tree that I purchased years ago and is now approximately eight feet tall and is covered in fragrant white blooms.

Knock Out Rose (Double Red)

and here is Red Double Knock Out Rose still blooming away.

Thank you for visiting my Long Island August garden.  Please visit our Bloom Day hostess Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming in other gardens around the world.  If you like leave a note to let me know you stopped by and I will be sure to visit you as well.

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

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved