Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day! This month, I'm sharing plants that either recently started blooming, or ones I haven't shared much in previous posts.
In addition to the mix of plants in the potager garden shown in the first photo, many other colorful blooms are brightening my days. The tall Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa) adds its bright yellow buds and blossoms as a focal point of the backyard shade garden.
Nearby, while the Hyacinth Bean plants (Lablab purpureus) have been blooming and producing pods for many weeks, they're putting on fresh, new growth and towering tendrils.
The Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Goldfinger') I started from seed are performing much better this summer than last summer. I'm not sure why. They're so bright and hopeful.
Lesser Calamint (Clinopodium nepeta) is blooming with abandon as a ground cover amongst other sun-loving plants near the potager. The flowers are so tiny, but favored by the bumble bees.
This is my first year with Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii 'Black Knight'). Though I'm in a harsh climate where it's unlikely to become invasive, I'm keeping it potted and deadheading the spent blooms to prevent re-seeding. The new buds are as pretty as the open flower heads.
The Surprise Lilies (Lycoris squamigera) are appearing later than usual this year, but some are starting to bloom. I'm thinking the delay might be partially because of our early summer drought. Recent plentiful rains have many plants much happier.
In most years, I often deadhead the nearly spent flower spikes of the mixed, potted Coleus plants (Solenostemon scutellarioides). But this year, I've noticed the hummingbirds nectaring on them, so I'm retaining them longer. I admit: They are very stately.
Finally, this is the second year my newish Maypops (Passiflora incarnata) have bloomed. Such a fascinating, complicated, intricate flower.
What's blooming in your garden? Check out the other Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day posts at May Dreams Gardens!
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the Hyacinth Bean!
Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
Sorry, Lea, piggy backing on your comment. Blogger won't let me post my own (happens now and again), but I can reply.
DeleteThose are all so pretty. My calamint was ugly, tiny little flowers, so I took it out. I'm not sure I planted my Mexican sunflowers. If I did, they didn't come up. Like so many annuals this year.
A great selection and many I am not familiar with. Agree that the Butterfly Bush buds are as pretty as flowers.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. :) I'm experimenting with the placement of the Butterfly Bush. Another good reason to keep it potted for now. I'll probably plant it in the ground, fully potted, for the winter. And then bring it out each spring. We'll see.
DeleteVery nice for the hot days of August, Beth! Your Senna is well ahead of mine, although the cloudless sulphur butterflies that flock to the host plant each year have already arrived so that's a good sign. I've no sign of Lycoris blooms yet but then they're iffy at best here.
ReplyDeleteThe Lycoris are definitely later than usual this year. But I'm glad to see them appearing. The Wild Senna is very happy in its spot, so I'm pleased. :)
DeleteEnjoyed your blooms. I tried growing hyacinth bean years ago without much success and never tried again. Your maypops are certainly intriguing. And now that I know, I won't deadhead coleus again. I grow that every year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alana. Every year is different with the Hyacinth Bean vines. And this year they seemed like they were just puttering around until our recent rains (even though I was watering them). I have a potted Maypop (shown), and then some in the ground in the garden. The potted one (which I bring inside for the winter) is performing better. Re: the Coleus plants; yes, I grow some in pots every summer. It's fun to see the hummers enjoying the blooms. :)
DeleteA happy mix of all sorts of interesting flowers. I'm not familiar with Hyacinth Bean--will have to look it up. Is it easy?
ReplyDeleteThe intricacy of a passionflower always amazes--however did it evolve to create such a complex shape?
Your post put a smile on my face--thank you!
Yes, Hyacinth Bean vine is easy to grow from seed. I tend to start them in pots, or sometimes in the ground, but I don't put them in the garden until mid- to late May, since they prefer warm weather. And then I gather the seeds in fall to use for next year's garden. Yes, the Passion Flowers are magical!
DeleteHello again, Beth! So lovely to see you are still posting for GBBD. Senna hebecarpa is not one I am familiar with! I'll have to look it up. Hope you are enjoying your summer!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie: Yes, summer is fantastic. :) Senna hebecarpa is definitely in its element right now. It's a great late summer bloomer.
DeleteVery nice shot of sharp legume flowers against ~blurry trunk.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hollis. The Hyacinth Bean flowers offer such a bright, colorful highlight to the partial shade area of the garden.
DeleteYou have a nice variety of August blooms. That Surprise Lily is less summer-bright than your other blooms, but it sure is a pretty thing. Enjoy your flowers, Beth! Tina
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina. The Surprise Lilies are graceful and they're great cut flowers. It is great to have some bright blooms though, too. :)
DeleteI am just loving the Hyacinth Bean, as I shared with you this is my first year growing them. Today I designed a bouquet using the bean pod, I LOVE IT!!!
ReplyDeleteI will try to get a post done with the bouquet.
I am rather behind in my blogging. ;-)
Have a great weekend!
Carla
Oh yes, the Hyacinth Bean vines are really special. I save the seeds for next year and then plant them when the weather is warm in mid-May. Great plant and flowers. :)
DeleteI too planted Mexican Sunflower seeds this year. First time. Still waiting for them to bloom. All your flowers look really good.
ReplyDeleteThanks! The Mexican Sunflowers are really going strong now. They're great landing spots/pollen sources for monarchs and other pollinators. :)
DeleteBeth - I think you are a great gardener - and are so careful to give your flowers correct names. It is really such a gift, and help to me who is always missing names.
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you Pat. It helps to be able to look up the names online when I forget them or don't know them. Often, they're in my head, but I have to think a bit to pull them out. ;-)
DeleteBeth-your late summer garden is looking wonderful and I especially love the color of the Wild Senna in the shade garden and the Passiflora incarnata, which is an outstanding bloom. Happy Bloom Day week and enjoy the rest of the summer months!
ReplyDeleteHi Lee: Sorry for the late response. The Wild Senna has gone to seed now, but it's still a tall, stately plant. The Maypops are putting out more blooms. I'm so glad I added that plant to the garden. Happy remaining summer days to you, too!
DeleteYou have so many lovely attractions in your garden! Surprise Lilies look so wonderful. I keep meaning to plant them but never see them offered for sale, just see them in gardens like yours. I need a secretary to check on things like this!😀😀
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. The Surprise Lilies were here when we moved in, and it's always a joy to see them each late summer. Good luck...I hope you can find some bulbs.
DeleteThe Senna hebecarpa stands out as an unusual flower that is new to me. Very pretty! Passion flowers are unworldly, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteYes, the Senna takes center stage when it's blooming. And, I agree, the Passion Flowers are truly special!
DeleteCatching up with your garden. I too leave the flowers of coleus for the hummers and pollinators.
ReplyDelete