Saturday, August 15, 2015

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow Up August 2015: Late Summer Blooms

August 2015 Garden
Welcome to my Long Island garden. As the summer moves along, record high temperatures in the 90’s, with virtually no rain scorched the landscape during the second half of July through first week in August. The temperatures finally broke as severe storms moved into the area, lowering temperatures into the 80's which is more normal for this time of year.  Now there are many familiar sights in the late summer garden such as the vibrant pink blooms of Crape Myrtle and fragrant purple blooms of Butterfly Bush, each welcoming butterflies to the landscape. There are also signs of summer coming to an end with plumes of fountain grasses dancing in the wind and Sedum 'Brilliant' getting ready to bloom.  Come take a walk with me in my August garden.
Swallowtail Butterfly on Dwarf Butterfly Bush Lo & Behold Blue Chip
  Butterfly visitors frequent Lo & Behold Butterfly bush as it goes into full bloom.  The butterfly population has been slight, but after the decline last year they are a very welcomed sight in the garden.
Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'
Here, Crape Myrtle starts blooming at the end of July, and will continue throughout August and even into September.  The display is so worth the wait, and just as the summer winds down, the blooms bring new life to the landscape.
Crape Myrtle Sioux August 2015
I cannot get enough of their color and enjoy looking at them several times a day.
Platycodon (Balloon Flower)
These Platycodon (Balloon Flower) are such a conversation piece and have been for years.  They are located in the garden bed leading to the back entry and visitors always want to know their identity. This particular variety is unusual in that the "balloons" never open. They stay closed and filled with air so you can pop them like bubble wrap once they turn brown...such fun!
Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
The hydrangea are in flower and doing well after not blooming last season due to the harsh winter.  Here are Hydrangea  'Endless Summer' with its voluminous bluish-purple blooms...
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
and 'Tardivia' with its large white fragrant panicles that last for several weeks.
Daylily 'Stella D Oro'
 Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is still blooming for a second round after rejuvenating them in July... 
Echinacea 'Pow Wow' Wild Berry
and Echinacea 'Pow Pow' Wild Berry is still putting on a show...
Echinacea 'Pow Wow' Wild Berry
And now for the close up!
Saliva 'May Night'
Salvia 'May Night' is a favorite perennial of mine for its vibrant color.  It will get several blooms throughout the summer with regular deadheading.  This is bloom cycle number three, which will bring color into the end of August.
Mockingbird in Golden Oriental Spruce
Above is one of the Mockingbirds on the property. They appear to be very territorial and every year the population seems to increase. They sing a melody of tunes consisting of several calls in sequence throughout the day and seem to have a need to serenade whoever is outside at the time...which is alright by me!
Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar
In the front yard is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Japanese Garden Juniper, Liriope and Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel'...
Coreopsis 'Zagreb' and Dwarf Fountain Grass 'Hameln'
along with dwarf fountain grass plumes behind Coreopsis, which is still in bloom from June.
Backyard Color Combinations
As we move along to the back here are a few long shots of the raised garden with dwarf butterfly bush in bloom...
Back Side Garden
the side gardens with Nepeta and Coral Bells...
Perennial Border August

and back perennial border along the patio with Lamb's Ear, Astilbe and Echinacea.
Sedum and Mugo Pine
For some foliage combinations, Mugo Pine serves as a backdrop to Sedum 'Brilliant', which will start blooming within the next week and continue into fall.
Sedum with Palace Purple Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Here is another combination consisting of Sedum 'Brilliant' with Heuchera 'Palace Purple' for some color contrast.
Double Pink Knock Out Rose
Still blooming are Double Knock Out Rose.  They bloom from June until frost and require little maintenance.  I just clip them once in a while to keep them full and compact.  The blooms just keep repeating for months!
Fountain Grasses August
Summer is winding down and a sure sign are the plumes on fountain grasses at the driveway's end.  One of the elements of gardening I enjoy most is the way the garden changes from month to month.  There is always something new to look forward to.

Lillium 'Stargazer' July - August
This tour would not be complete without seeing the 'Stargazer' Lilies in bloom.  Their sweet fragrance and spectacular blooms grace the property from the end of July into August. I look forward to their beautiful display every year.
August 2015 Garden
I hope you enjoyed your walk through my August garden. Thank you to our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who makes it is possible to see blooms on the 15th of every month with her meme Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Pam at Digging for hosting Foliage Follow-Up.  I am also linking with some other wonderful hosts and hostesses at Tuesday Garden PartyToday's FlowersFloral FridaysMosaic Monday at Lavender Cottage, I Heart MacroMacro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out What's Blooming This Week Garden Update.

That's it for this month's tour!


As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved



43 comments:

  1. I enjoyed my walk in your garden very much, thankyou!

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the tour Bec. I enjoyed visiting your lovely gardens as well!

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  2. Lee everything is looking magnificent there and I love how you have designed your beds....I especially love the Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar. Quite a beauty. My garden is busily flowering but seems to be a bit stressed now with heat and lack of rain although we finally are getting a few storms here and the heat is back.

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    1. Thank you Donna! Your gardens are looking beautiful despite the heat and I love your sunflowers and echinacea....just gorgeous! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Your late summer blooms are so gorgeous and the foliage pictures are an inspiration. I need to add more to my garden. Love the tiger swallowtail on buddleia.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words Dorothy, Your gardens are looking amazing even despite all the heat you have been experiencing. Happy Bloom Day!

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  4. Your August garden is stunning, Lee. I love that crape myrtle and wish it would grow in my zone. Enjoy the rest of the summer! P. x

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    1. Thanks so much Pam. I just added another Crape Myrtle 'Muskogee' so I hope it does well. The past two winters have been harsh!



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  5. Your crape myrtle is stunning! Very lovely garden.

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    1. Thank you! I enjoyed the visit to your gardens as well. Happy Bloom Day!

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  6. Hello, your gardens and blooms are just lovely. The Crepe myrtle is one of my favorites. Pretty shot of the butterfly. Beautiful post and images. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely words Eileen. Your Mosaic Monday post photography is absolutely amazing!

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  7. http://cabralfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/1-mosaic-monday-faust-street-bridge.html
    Linking up for mosaic mondays

    I enjoyed my walk though your garden. it is simply stunning. thanks very much.
    I hope when I am a home owner my garden can look as beautiful as yours.

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    1. Thank you for your very kind words. Your art is beautiful and I enjoyed the mosaic of your work!

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  8. What a wonderful garden! Beautiful pictures! Thank you for taking us around!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed! Your macros of the hydrangea petals are beautiful!

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    1. Thanks so much. I enjoyed your lovely capture of the butterfly...beautiful!

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  10. So nice to see what's blooming in your garden and compare to what I have. A few of the same plants I've grown but they didn't last so then I move on to others to try.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday Lee.

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  11. What wonderful gardens and beautiful blooms! I love the butterfly photo! Great capture.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I enjoyed your collage for Mosaic Monday!

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  12. Beautiful flowers.
    I hope you'll come link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/double-play-on-way.html

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment and the invite Sue. I am on my way over!

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  13. Beautiful photos - each and every one!
    Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/double-play-on-way.html

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  14. Love those Crepe Myrtle and those Balloon flowers.

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  15. You have a beautiful yard! Thank you for the tour. I learned something new too. I love day lilies, but mostly am familiar with the stargazers and the Orange kind. I've seen the Stella d'oro in yards but did not know what they were. (I no longer garden, but just enjoy other people's work ... Ne steal their flowers often (... But only in photographs!

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment. It is always a pleasure hearing from new visitors. I enjoyed your photos and mosaics very much. You are a talented photographer. Have a great week!

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  16. Wow, your August garden is so colourful and full of flowers, and I absolutely love your balloon flowers, I remember them from before, but have never seen them in real life. Which variety is it you have?
    And my Echinacea envy might come to an end now, I might manage to grow them myself – my new garden is much sunnier and I will give them a go next year. Your photos have always been an inspiration as my poor results with them in my previous garden were disheartening. Lovely to see you still have lilies in bloom, mine are all finished in our summer heat.
    Have a great Sunday :-)

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    1. Helene-It is always a pleasure to hear from you and I am enjoying watching your gardens progress in your new home. The flower is Platycodon grandiflorus mariesii. The blooms puff up like Chinese lanterns and never burst open like in other Platycodon. I can't remember where I found that variety and have not seen it sold anywhere since...and it is my only one. Thank you for your visit and for all your kind words..always a pleasure hearing from you! Have a great week!

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    2. Thanks Lee, I did a search for it – I am a sucker for anything unusual you know :-)
      I found this variety for sale many places online over here in UK, and in US at Bluestone Perennials, funnily enough they all have photos of the flowers fully open. Are you sure yours is not a mutation that stays closed? Perhaps you have a very special gem?!
      http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/PLMA.html

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    3. Well Helene-now I became a woman with a mission and I found the exact variety of the flower! It is called Platycodon 'Komachi'. Here is the link with the info! http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=257101&isprofile=0&. So now we know what it is!!!

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    4. And I have had a look over here, no luck, this variety seems not for sale in UK, not even as seeds.
      Oh well, I shall enjoy the photos on your blog :-)

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  17. You still have lots of color and some beautiful blooms in your gardens. My endless summer hydrangea only bloomed once this summer but I'll take it after nothing last year. I have some blooms but not nearly as much color as you have!!

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    1. Thank you Debbie. I have only a few large blooms on my hydrangea this year so I focused on them. I am looking forward to more next year so hopefully the winter will be kind! Have a great week!

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  18. So lovely flowers you have in the garden.
    The blue hydrangeas are in my garden too.
    Thanks for visiting me :)

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  19. How beautiful! It's wonderful to look at these Summer flowers as Winter si finally slowly going away here in the Southern Hemisphere...
    Thanks for taking part in Floral Friday Fotos!

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Thank you for visiting. I love reading your comments and knowing you have been here, and will try to reciprocate on your blog. If you have any questions I will try my very best to answer them. As always...HAPPY GARDENING!