Sunday, August 15, 2010

An August Bloom Day

It is Bloom Day once more and once more it snuck up on me. I have been multi-tasking poorly with wobbling systems of late. I might be forgiven if I don't pay full attention to what day it is.

The roadside wildflower bed has bloomed nonstop all season long starting with the Ox-Eye Daisies and it will end well past first frost with the salmon/pink Sheffie Mums. Not bad for a Hawaiian transplant if I say so myself.

The goldenrod background is just beginning and the Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' haven't yet put out their flowering plumes that will then last through the whole winter.

Should I add some daffodil bulbs to start the bloom earlier in the year?



The big red hibiscus is a late starter, but has a fairly long bloom period. I even saw a seedling under the main plant that could be moved next year.



The leaning tower of Ironweed. Why this thing gets so fall over tall in all day full sun is beyond me. It gets no extra food or water. But I can't bear to let them just fall down so it gets staked.



The Father's Day Knockout Roses have put out a second bloom since they settled in after planting. A neon red next to the deep yellow of Black-Eyed Susan. That could be offensive.



But this native Clematis virginiana is far more offensive. Just because it's a native doesn't mean a plant can't be invasive. This damn vine is everywhere, roots at the node as it creeps along the ground, seeds like mad and tries to grow up and through anything in its path. Hate it!

But aren't the flowers fetching.



Tomorrow the shower will bloom with its first course of the 1 x 1 glass tile. The right side wall needs the track for the glass block installed before tiling begins there. Another outhouse is top priority at the moment though.



The corn that barely made ears is trying to redeem itself by going all colorful before it turns crispy brown.



Some weeds in the roadside vegetable garden were let go I am afraid to say. Perhaps next spring I will move them to new homes. And would you look at the size of that watermelon. It is my biggest melon to date.



The small shrub like Clematis stans is holding its own in the Lush. From the seedlings there are a light and darker blue forms. I look forward to some garden order in the future in which they will be made to shine.



Ah Joe Pye. Everybody loves you.



The sky blooms anew for Bloom Day.



And this is a brief report that just scratches the surface of what is blooming in the low spot on a North Carolina mountain top.



For more Bloom Day thrills from around the planet be sure to visit May Dreams headquarters.

9 comments:

Kitty said...

Blooms are glorious. What do you grow for scent?

Christopher C. NC said...

Kitty scent is usually not on my radar and is just an added bonus at times. In Hawaii I didn't have to think about it, so many plants had strong fragrances.

Carol Michel said...

An excellent showing. That little blue flowering clematis has peaked my interest, and for the life of me I can not figure out why I haven't planted Joe-Pye yet!

Yes, not bad for a "tropical gardener"!

Kitty said...

The scent of irises, gardenias and petunias bring my grandmothers back to me. Roses and lavender remind various friends of my yard. Hyacinths grab me by the nose every spring. I don't plant with scent in the front of my mind, but it will definitely tip the scales if I am having trouble making a decision.

Christopher C. NC said...

Carol there is sure to be room in your newly designed beds for Joe Pye. They even make little Joe Pye now. I need the full sized version here.

Christopher C. NC said...

Kitty the smells that trigger me more are rain steaming off hot pavement or the smell and cool of approaching rain, honeysuckle while driving on a hot summer night, the odor and feel of fog, orchards of orange trees in bloom. Often it has to be a blunt force smell for me to notice.

Queer by Choice said...

Falling over or not, that ironweed combined beutifully with the big fluffy grass in the background.

Frances said...

It is all wonderful, Christopher, even the annoying wild clemmie. Part of the tapestry. I have been cutting the tall ironweed here in May to keep it shorter. It becomes fuller and I can even get a photo of the flower without risking life and limb on the ladder.
Frances

Lisa at Greenbow said...

The Lush is looking lovely. I hope your poor ole back gets a bit of rest so you can heal. Can't wait to see the tile. Happy GBBD.