Above, Echeveria harmsii 'Ruby Slippers'
Mostly the August usuals, but a few unusuals as well.
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold':
Impatiens hawksii with a cane Begonia and Coleus scutellaroides:
Zinnia 'Big Purple' and Catharanthus roseus will be scattered through this post, as they are in this August's garden:
Hemerocallis 'Strawberry Candy':
'Clothed in Glory'x 'Apollodorus' Catharanthus again. The muted lavender is particularly attractive:
Hydrangea 'Endless Summer' in its fourth location in the garden, the happiest it has ever been. I finally found the right spot for it:
Salvia 'Waverly' with a background of...
...Knifophia caulescens:
Bumble investigating a 'Big Purple':
Cuphea purpurea:
Phaelenopsis
Aechmea fasciata, nestled behind Philodendron 'Golden Xanadu'. The Philodendron would be golden in a bit of direct sun, which it does not get in this location:
Fuchsia, name unknown. After several other tries in different locations, it has found its Happy Place:
My very favorite Agapanthus, for its deep saturated indigo color--it may be 'Storm Cloud'. I was at a local nursery, and they had one that looked very like it--labeled 'Storm Cloud':
An additional later-emerging flower stem from 'Queen Mum': A belated stem also from new 'Atomic Bloom':
The Dahlias are later than usual:
But Protea 'Sylvia' is right on time--mid to late August:
The Verbena 'Imagination' planted back in March were looking worn out. A cut back and a splash of fast acting liquid fertilizer refreshed them:
What might be the ideal to aim for in an August garden--lots of rich green with touches of vivid color. After all, it isn't April.
Pelargonium peltatums still going:
Just opening, Lagerstroemia 'Cherry Mocha'. In time for the 15th?
Yes: Lagerstroemia 'Ebony Glow' aka 'Black Diamond Blush' Other Lagerstroemias are lagging behind.
Metrosideros excelsa 'Gala'. This has been a reliable bloomer every June--except this year. The bees and hummingbirds are happy anyway. August bloom is okay with them:
A few very nice roses this August. 'Bolero' is an example:
Coreopsis 'Lil Bang Starlight'. I bought a couple of these last September. They settled in through fall and winter, beginning to flower this spring. Another good-for-late-August scene, lots of healthy green with bits of non-green color here and there.
Afternoon backlit, even better: Aging 'Bloomstruck' Hydrangea flowers develop a wonderful mix of colors
Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' continue, and continue to feed Sonoran Bumblebees. With an 'Iceberg' rose, far happier than in its previous location:
Alstroemeria 'Indian Summer' flowers on and on:
Flowers open now on Aloe dhufariensis:
Butterflies (Umber Skipper?) visiting the Zinnias this summer. Happy to see the garden has something to offer butterflies.
Something more eye-catching than Senecio mandraliscae, which is immensely popular with Sulphers, Blues, Whites, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Skippers, and all kinds of small bees. The gardener doesn't have the same enthusiasm, but that's okay.
Okay, that's enough. Happy August Blooms!
Pelargonium peltatums still going:
A few very nice roses this August. 'Bolero' is an example: 
Coreopsis 'Lil Bang Starlight'. I bought a couple of these last September. They settled in through fall and winter, beginning to flower this spring. 
Yes I would say your garden has plenty of stunning August beauty, wish I could stop by for a visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Glad you liked the pictures. I think your region have a heat wave to get through the next few days? Stay cool in that heat!
DeleteOh yes...that first photo. Wow. And then the zoom out and in on the Knifopia. Gorgeous. All your photos, and all your plants. Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteHappy you liked the pictures, thank you! Happy GBBD!
DeleteIn what ways would you say Agapanthus 'Queen Mum' is different from 'Twister'? The coloring appears similar (I don't grow any Agapanthus).
ReplyDeleteSalvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' and the 'Iceberg' rose together is a gorgeous vision!
Chavli
'Queen Mum' has double the individual flowers and each "head" is over double the diameter of 'Twister'. "Queen Mum' has less blue at the base of each flower--it is more white in appearance than the two-tone white/blue effect of 'Twister'. Twister has many more flower stalks than 'Queen Mum', and flowers earlier in the season. The 18" wide 'Twister' clump growing near 'Queen Mum' had 21(!) flower stalks; the 18" wide 'Queen Mum' clump had 3. Because of the higher flower count on 'Queen Mum', each flower stalk was more long-lasting. 'Queen Mum' has wider more vertical-growing foliage that grows tighter together than 'Twister' which has fairly narrow foliage loosely arranged.
DeleteLove those wider views of your garden. It is nice to see plants in place and get a sense of what your space looks like. So far I've only found one variety of Agapanthus that is hardy here so I can only lust after your beauties. That 'Storm Cloud' is such a dramatic color.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. The 'Storm Cloud' color so mesmerizing to me it convinced me to grow Agapanthus, which I never liked that much.
DeleteYour garden is looking fabulous, especially for (ugh) August. That 'Bolero' rose is a winner. You've got a healthy flush of Agapanthus, while mine are close to finishing up the season. My inky-blue 'Elaine' Agapanthus has just gotten started, though - I wonder if the darker-colored varieties are all later bloomers (which would be another reason to get more!). I miss my own Coreopsis as the last one died out a couple of years ago. Even if short-lived here, I need to remember to add some to my borders.
ReplyDeleteMy own Bloom Day post should be up tomorrow. My husband has his second cataract surgery today so I've been distracted.
I hope your husband is doing well and his procedures are successful. Improved vision is a great thing!
DeleteThanks, I think a lot of it was the wonderful winter rain but the hot-weather annuals have made a huge difference for August too. August, yes, yuck. The dark color Agapanthus comes from the species that are more on the eastern and higher elevation areas of SA, maybe?--and sometimes are deciduous so getting that color means a later bloom time? My guess anyway.
I had that 'Early Sunrise' Coreopsis for many years then they finally wore out. That is a good genus and there are more cultivars out there now.
How nice to have a protea that is "right on time"! And taking note of summer-blooming Aloe dhuf., so cool.
ReplyDeleteAny time is a good time for a Protea flower. :^) A. elgonica is another reliable summer bloomer.
DeleteYour garden is so special. So many gorgeous plants: roses and protea in the same garden. Pretty wild. 'Cherry Mocha' is gorgeous and so glad she decided to open for your bloom day. Thanks for all the gorgeous photos of your lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteHappy you liked the pictures, thank you! It is fun to experiment growing all sorts of plants.
DeleteI am impressed how lush and green everything looks. The cuphea really caught my eye this time. Such an interesting flower.
ReplyDeleteHave been surprised at how great the Cupheas have been here. Plus the hummers like them, not just me. A good winter's rain seems to have positive effects the whole year. We were so lucky!
DeleteDang, I don't think your garden knows it's August! So gorgeous, Storm Cloud is so rich.
ReplyDelete