Late August is the time when there are still some blooms, but they look rather tired. Somehow, even flowers that have just opened seem tired.
More probably, it is the gardener's outlook which is defective. Even if the days are still warm, they are getting shorter and shorter.
Here are some of the things that are blooming now at Roche Fleurie.
Here is a Zauscheria of uncertain ancestry partly because it was grown from seed and partly because the taxonomy of this genus seems in flux. It grows rather slowly and prefers a hot spot to remind it of its Californian origins.
A moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) that is having a second flush of blooms. These self-seed but not a great deal in this garden.
A real weed for us though is Campanula alliariifolia. It is not invasive everywhere. It certainly was not in our city garden, but here somehow it must find the conditions ideal.
Every one that comes up is mercilessly pulled out, but despite our vigilance, several manage to bloom every year. Left to their own devices, they bloom earlier and are bigger. A very elegant plant, it is a pity it spreads so much.
Late August is the yellow flowering season par excellence. We have several tall yellow daisies whose cultivar names have long been lost, if they were ever known.
The following must be an Heliopsis helianthoides. I like it not only because of its look, but also because of its association. It was given to me by a now dead friend when I started gardening.
Several helianthuses are also in bloom. Jason of Gardeninacity has a very appropriate name for this type of plant: TYC (tall yellow composite).
There are so many of them, especially so many cultivars, that they are impossible to identify if you have lost the label.
The plant that looks the freshest in the dull days of late August is probably the perennial petunia (Ruellia humilis) which has been blooming for a month an a half, never profusely but always reliably, whether you forgot to water it or not in the dry days of July.
Two gentians bloom for us at this time of the year.
The nicer of the two (the one above) is Gentiana septemfida 'Lagodechiana'.
However the lower one, Gentiana gracilipes blooms for much longer (a month and a half?) and selfseeds, but not a lot.
The Japanese anemones, which will play major role in the coming weeks, are just starting to open.
More probably, it is the gardener's outlook which is defective. Even if the days are still warm, they are getting shorter and shorter.
Here are some of the things that are blooming now at Roche Fleurie.
 |
| Hellenium autumnale |
Here is a Zauscheria of uncertain ancestry partly because it was grown from seed and partly because the taxonomy of this genus seems in flux. It grows rather slowly and prefers a hot spot to remind it of its Californian origins.
A moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) that is having a second flush of blooms. These self-seed but not a great deal in this garden.
A real weed for us though is Campanula alliariifolia. It is not invasive everywhere. It certainly was not in our city garden, but here somehow it must find the conditions ideal.
Every one that comes up is mercilessly pulled out, but despite our vigilance, several manage to bloom every year. Left to their own devices, they bloom earlier and are bigger. A very elegant plant, it is a pity it spreads so much.
Late August is the yellow flowering season par excellence. We have several tall yellow daisies whose cultivar names have long been lost, if they were ever known.
The following must be an Heliopsis helianthoides. I like it not only because of its look, but also because of its association. It was given to me by a now dead friend when I started gardening.
Several helianthuses are also in bloom. Jason of Gardeninacity has a very appropriate name for this type of plant: TYC (tall yellow composite).
There are so many of them, especially so many cultivars, that they are impossible to identify if you have lost the label.
The plant that looks the freshest in the dull days of late August is probably the perennial petunia (Ruellia humilis) which has been blooming for a month an a half, never profusely but always reliably, whether you forgot to water it or not in the dry days of July.
Two gentians bloom for us at this time of the year.
The nicer of the two (the one above) is Gentiana septemfida 'Lagodechiana'.
However the lower one, Gentiana gracilipes blooms for much longer (a month and a half?) and selfseeds, but not a lot.
The Japanese anemones, which will play major role in the coming weeks, are just starting to open.
Fall blooming anemones! I did not know, and will have some for my very own ASAP. You kindly offered me self seeding poppies earlier, and I didn't respond because my address was unsettled. If your offer still stands, I would very much like to have them: 100 Keenan Road, Dale 23; Peninsula, OH 44264. All the best!
ReplyDeleteI hate it when the nights start to draw in. We have a campanula similar to yours but ours is a pale blue variety. We haven't had it very long so I hope it doesn't become invasive here.
ReplyDeleteOur garden is looking tired too, but we still have lots of colour left, especially yellow. Lots of those TYC's. Good name for them, since I'm always thinking I should know whct they are.
ReplyDeleteI usually feel this way in late September. This year, especially, we've had ample rain in August so everything is green and the flowers are very bright. I am starting to notice the shortening days, however. :(
ReplyDeleteHere it's Campanula rapunculoides that is the noxious weed. I like your Heleniums and Gentians. I stopped growing Heliopsis because of its self-sowing ways. Thanks for the hat tip.
ReplyDeleteLovely anemones, Alain. I have A moth mullein as well but mine are yellow. Yours are pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice selection of special plants which sail through the summer without (too much) complaint. I'm surprised several of them are hardy and will be on the lookout for seeds this winter, it's so easy to paint yourself into a corner and forget about experimenting!
ReplyDelete