August Details

As the summer moves along, many of the plants are becoming worn out and tattered by the weather, insects, roving wild beasts, and sometimes the lawnmower.  This jewel, a Crocosmia ‘Star of the East,’ is an exception.  This variety, only planted two years ago, is wandering freely from its original spot about three feet to the north of the bench.  But it is difficult to stay angry when it has such cheerful orange flowers.  It is hard to find bright, intense flowers that can hold their own with the brightness of the August sunlight. 

The popular taste in colors, if the nursery catalogs are any indication, are soft, subtle shades.  Those are fine in shady areas, or in hazy weather where the sun is blocked.  But they become all washed out when the sun is hot and brilliant.

The Japanese Cedars are covered with fine cobwebs.  It is as if someone had discovered that artificial stuff used at Halloween and went crazy draping it over and through the bushes.  They provide quite the contrast to the dark green needles.

Starting in September I will become very busy with training for a new career.  It may keep me away from the garden more than usual; I really don't know for sure.  Whenever possible, I will take the camera out and see what is there to be discovered.  It will provide a respite, and hopefully there will be time to show what I have found.  So be patient if the time between posting new entries is longer than usual.

August rains

The ongoing periods of rain over this most unusual summer has been appreciated by many of the plants.  This is one of two Crape Myrtles planted down on the hillside facing the Bay.  Both were on sale because the nursery had lost their labels, so I don't the variety.  Planted in 2005 as small 3 foot tall bushes, it has taken a number of years to grow up tall enough to be seen above the dwarf bamboo.  With consistent rain, they have taken their place in providing a dramatic splash of color when looking out at the Bay.

Look at the two dead trees visible on the right of the picture.  I believe both were killed by the soil from the landslide two years ago, which covered and probably suffocated their roots.  They did fine the first year, but never put out new leaves this year.

The Allium 'Millennium' has also been spectacular this year, a spreading large clump with long lasting flowers.  It attracts lots of butterflies and bees, a wide variety coming trough to sample the different plants that they like.  As I learned last year, this is an American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis).  I have seen quite a few of these this summer. 

Christmas in August

Last Christmas my sister sent a dwarf pomegranate tree as a bonzai.  The instructions are to water it daily, a dangerous requirement for my plants.  I expect them to take care of themselves with minimum fuss. 

So Sis, here it is.  Alive, well, and producing flowers and even little fruits.  I wanted to be sure it would survive before beginning any training.  The fallback option was to plant it out in the labyrinth, since it is supposed to be hardy in the area, and that may eventually be its destination.  But, for now, it seems to be thriving.

Whatever needs to be done to begin shaping it into a properly trained bonzai is unclear.  That will need to be explored another time.

August Heat

Returning from vacation in New York, first in the Finger Lakes then the Adirondack Mountain High Peaks, the garden had gotten a bit ratty.  Two days of working in the morning before the heat became too oppressive was necessary before I dared take any photos.  Now it looks presentable again.  Do you see that cluster of Black Eyed Susans along the outer edge of the labyrinth?  That is the third set of buds, which finally lasted long enough without being eaten to bloom.  It is hard to see the one remaining Agapanthus flower head; all others have been chomped off by the deer, who left droppings nearby as a calling card.

What is amazing is the Maryland Senna, or Senna marilandica, bought a few years ago from a native nursery.  The plants have been in place for four years, each year getting stronger and taller.  This is two plants, some six feet apart, each almost six feet tall.  Since they are in the heather bed, which is on a slope, they don't appear as tall.  What a delightful shape and color to see in the foreground, when looking out the window at the Bay.  There are several seedlings underneath this year, which I will move to a bare area in the ravine.

More Water Lovers

This Agastache, which I believe to be Blue Fortune, has returned from the dead this year.  There was no trace of it last year, unless it spent the summer hiding under the foliage of the hardy hibiscus growing next to it?  Though not a strong plant yet, and certainly not blooming very heavily, it is good just to see it again.

Is is possible that all of the water and cool weather brought life back into the roots?  That would certainly be the opposite of what every description of the genus would recommend, which is excellent drainage and thriving in a hot sunny site. 

Maybe it was a victim of one of the many herbivores that consider the garden a paradise of culinary delights?  Again, that would seem unlikely since the intensely scented plants, such as herbs, are often avoided.

I don't know how it happened, but it has returned from the dead, and lives again.  Alleluia!

In the North Garden, the Day Lilies have been going like gangbusters, adoring the flood of water.  I had been told that they particularly need a lot of water, and this has been the year to prove that proclivity.

On the right is a 'Golden Peach' from the Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery, which I originally bought sometime in the 1990's for our house in the city.  The color is clear, the petals are substantial, and many flowers are produced.  However, I no longer can find it available from any nursery;  if you want want, I would have to provide it.  It does make continually larger clumps that need division and a renewal of the soil with compost.  If only there were another place that day lilies could be safely grown.  Maybe I need to try the area between the shed and the house?  I don't think the deer would go there.

The Toad Lily, Tricyrtis formosana 'Gilt Edge', is blooming ahead of schedule, probably more because of the cooler weather than the amount of water.  Since it usually blooms in September, it might have been confused with the drop in temperatures.  The overall height is also shorter, with less of the related flopping.  There are too many variables to be sure one way or the other.