Monday, August 15, 2016

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up August 2016: Late Summer Blooms and Color!

August Garden
The month of August is a transitional time for the garden. There are subtle signs of fall approaching, as early summer blooms fade; however, a whole new wave of blooms and color arrive for late summer interest. Heat waves come and go as temperatures linger in the upper 80's and 90's for days, then slowly go back to normal as the summer season progresses. As the garden changes, it is time for another Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up to see what is blooming. Bring a cool drink and come along with me to explore my Long Island garden!
Garden Visitor
There have been many new families of birds this summer with constant visitors to the property. The younger birds seem to be much more comfortable in their surroundings and remain much closer for a photo opportunity.
Early Bird Catches the Worm!
The saying says, "The early bird catches the worm", which is true in this respect!
Dwarf Butterfly Bush August
As we take a look at some blooms, Dwarf Butterfly Bush Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip' is displaying a full array of long purple spiked blooms for the late summer, which is a major attraction for butterflies.
Swallowtail Butterfly
This Swallowtail is a frequent visitor who can be seen regularly in the garden several times a day.
Lagerstroemia Crape Myrtle 'Sioux'
The month of August is also Crape Myrtle time with voluminous deep pink blooms that last from the end of July, throughout the entire month of August and into late September. This tree started as a small shrub in a planter some twenty years ago and now towers at about 25 feet and reaches a width of 15 feet. The blooms are non-stop and bring so much joy to the landscape and to me!
Hemerocallis Daylily 'Stella D Oro'
The 'Stella D Oro' Daylilies which have been blooming since June are still producing their bright yellow flowers.  A few of the clumps needed some rejuvenating, which I just performed a week ago, so a new wave of blooms will be forthcoming into the fall.
Platycodon  grandiflorus' komachi' Balloon Flower
Here is my conversation piece. This species of Balloon Flower is very hard to find and I only have one clump that I purchased years ago. The blooms stay closed like mini balloons and are fun to pop once they dry out. It will also bloom for a couple of months.
Pool Garden
Along the pool border are Lillium 'Stargazer'. Even though the blooms are short lived, the color and fragrance are amazing.
Lillium 'Stargazer'
I always look forward to their beautiful blooms!
Hydrangea 'Tardivia'
Here is Hydrangea 'Tardivia' which is located on the north side of the property. Its elongated pure white blooms are also slightly fragrant.
Dragonfly on Lamb's Ear Bloom
One of my favorite summer visitors are the dragonflies that frequent the property. They enjoy landing on the spikes of Lamb's Ear as you can see here, and are not at all camera shy, so I can get up close without them moving.
Perennial Border August
Here is a long view of the backyard perennial border...
Echinacea 'Pow Wow'
where Echinacea 'Pow Wow' is in full bloom at this time of year.
Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'
Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' is also in bloom with multi-colored flowers on the same plant.
Front Walkway
Sometimes its all about the foliage!  Here along the front walkway is Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (left), Weeping White Pine (right), Blue Star Juniper, Japanese Garden Juniper and Variegated Liriope. The Liriope will sport spikes of bright purple blooms later this month.
Foliage Combination August
Here is a closer view of the Liriope (right) against Blue Star Juniper (left) with Heuchera 'Palace Purple' to complement the two.
Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'
Back by the pool garden is Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'. Despite the name of the plant, the blooms are a beautiful vibrant pink, and last from July through September.
Driveway Garden (Right)
Moving along to the driveway piers is a mixture of coreopsis and echinacea, along with nepeta, weigela and accompanying evergreens. 
Driveway Garden (Left)
On the opposite side is Weeping Norway Spruce with Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Salvia 'Cardonna' and my new Agastache 'Kudos Yellow'. 
Agastache 'Kudos Yellow' Anise Hyssop
This Agastache is a new hybrid for 2016. It is a smaller variety, growing to a height and width of 24 inches and is hardy in zones 5-10. I am hoping it will do well for many years in my garden.
Spirea 'Magic Carpet'
Another new addition to the garden this year is Spirea 'Magic Carpet'  As the name implies, the foliage goes through a series of color changes from pinkish-burgundy tipped foliage in spring, to green in summer, and then to an orange-pink, with persistent pink blooms throughout the summer months. 
Double Pink Knock Out Rose August
Other blooms for August include this Double Pink Knock Out Rose...
Sedum 'Brilliant' Flowers Starting August
and Sedum 'Brilliant', which is just getting ready to bloom in another week. 
Some Garden Whimsy!
 Along with blooms, add a little bit of garden whimsy... 
Another Garden Visitor
and a touch of wildlife, and the garden is complete!
August in a Vase on Monday (Pink and Red Double Knock Out Rose, Butterfly Bush, Stella D Oro Daylily, Platycodon, Heuchera blooms and a little bit of sweet potato vine)

August Garden...feeling hot,hot,hot!
August Garden 2016

I  hope you enjoyed your stroll through my August garden. Special thanks go out to our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens, who makes it 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 Today's FlowersFloral FridaysI Heart MacroMacro Monday 2, and Nature Notes at Rambling Woods.  Also check out What's Blooming This Week Garden UpdateIn a Vase on Monday at Rambling in the Garden and Saturday's Critters.

Links to More Gardening Information:

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https://www.facebook.com/AGuideToNortheasternGardening/
https://landscapedesignbylee.wordpress.com/
 https://twitter.com/NEGardening

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As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2016. All rights reserved

43 comments:

  1. Love the garden, especially your visitors. I'm waiting for the monarch butterflies to appear here.

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    1. Thank you Denise. I have only seen one monarch butterfly so far this summer season. The swallowtails have been enjoying the butterfly bush for some time now. There just hasn't been as many monarchs in the past several years and it is so sad.

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  2. How lovely to tour your garedn Lee and see all your blooms and your visitors too. Such a bright vase for August too - lovely, so thanks for sharing :)

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the blooms and thanks to you for hosting and getting me to create a vase of flowers from the garden each month!

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  3. Wow! The images of your August garden are just amazing. My favorite is probably your dragonfly picture, but all the blooms are stunning. Happy Bloom Day!

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    1. Thank you so much Dorothy! I enjoyed your gardens and your beauty berry and 'Pride of Barbados' are gorgeous! We have been going through a period of drought here as well with temperatures in the upper 90's. The established plants are just fine, but my poor newly planted weigela took a beating.

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  4. A fine garden you have, Lee, I enjoyed the tour. I especially enjoyed seeing your wild visitors. Gardens are great magnets for wildlife.

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the tour Eliza! The wildlife is certainly an added bonus. I love how the birds and dragonflies feel comfortable enough to stay around the property.

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  5. Fabulous. Blooms, foliage and wildlife. The balloon flower is stunning, definitely a conversation piece.

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    1. Thank you Jessica. Your terrace garden is beautiful! I enjoyed visiting.

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  6. Your garden is wonderful but I was most captivated by your photos of the bird and the dragonfly - you caught the personality of both. I was also impressed by how robust that agastache looks - in comparison my 'Kudos Mandarin' seems tuckered out.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words Kris. I must say your gardens are gorgeous with such a variety of blooms for the month of August, and all so beautifully presented. Also, your vase of yellow roses is stunning!

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  7. Such beautiful photos! Your garden looks so inviting. Thanks for the tour!

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    1. Thank you Linnae. I enjoyed the photos of your garden, especially the overview captures! Have a great week!

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  8. Your August garden is still stunning, Lee. Love your pics of the visiting critters especially the dragonfly. I seem to have more sparrows this year. P. x

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    1. Thank you Pam! The blooms keep coming, despite the heat, but I hope we get some rain soon.

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the flowers Endah. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

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  10. Wow! Your garden has the most amazing displays. Enjoyed the birds, butterfly and dragonfly too. Such interesting markings on that dragonfly.

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    1. The dragonflies are a lot of fun Denise and each one has different markings. We have had so many visitors over the years in the gardens and they are definitely a favorite of mine to watch.

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  11. Hello Lee,
    What a sumptous collection. I love the first mosaic best. Well, I would, wouldn't I :-)

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    1. Thank you for sharing it on my floral mosaics page.
      That dragonfly image is outstanding.

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    2. Thank you for visiting Joanna. I am glad to have run across your new mosaic meme and will be joining in!

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  12. Nice to see all that wild life as well as the flowers.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Darwin, NT

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    1. Thanks Stewart. I like to encourage the wildlife to visit by providing abundant food and shelter with the selection of plants on the property. The birds, dragonflies and butterflies are such a pleasure to have around!

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    1. Thank you Riitta! I am glad you enjoyed the photos. Have a great week!

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  14. I loved the stroll through your garden. I was especially drawn to your front walk bordered by all the fabulous evergreens. And I love your colorful August bloomers! The dragonfly is very interesting. I have never seen one with that coloration before.

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    1. Thank you for visiting Deb and for your kind words. Your summer images are beautiful and I enjoyed the rain story. The rainbow is such a special treat. Our summer has been hot and steamy as well. Ever since the end of July the temperatures have been trying to get out of the 90's and it has been very dry. I never thought I would get so excited to hear the rumble of thunder in the background and want to do a rain dance. Happy August!

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  15. I really enjoy your posts. I will start looking for the Crape Myrtle,I have tried 3 times with Butterfly, mo luck. Love your path way. yvonne

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    1. It is so nice to hear that Yvonne. Thank you for your kind words.

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  16. Great variety of lovely nature! The balloon flowers are new to me and I love them.

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    1. Thank you Betty! The balloon flowers are hardy in zones 3-9. You may be able to grow them where you are.

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  17. Great shots!
    Thank you for taking part in the Floral Friday Fotos meme, I look forward to your next contribution.

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    1. Thank you for hosting Nick! I am glad you enjoyed the photos. Have a great weekend!

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  18. Wow...just beautiful...I am adding beds in the front yard and am planning now...Love all these photos....Michelle

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    1. Thank you so much Michelle! All the plants I have discussed here are hardy in a range of zones from 3-9. Have fun with your planning. I will look forward to what you come up with!

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  19. Hello, your flowers and gardens are lovely. Gorgeous shots of the dragonfly and birds. Beautiful photos! Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

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    1. Thank you Eileen! I loved your gardens and lovely photographic captures of butterflies and birds. Have a great week!

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  20. PS, thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post with my critter party.

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a note Debra. I am enjoying your blog!

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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!