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| Clockwise from left: Blue Mistflower volunteers (Conoclinium coelestinum), Beacon Impatiens 'Violet Shades' (I. walleriana), Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima), and Sweet Potato Vine 'Sweet Georgia Pulse Black' (Ipomoea batatas) |
Happily, we had a gentle, plentiful rainfall last weekend. Plants and people are pleased. And while the drought and high heat took their toll, I'll ignore those sad stories and focus on a few pleasant garden happenings for this "Six on Saturday."
The pot in the photo above is hard to capture because it's in a corner--between some fencing, the potager, and the Lilac shrub. It seems to like its location, and the colors and shapes of its elements always capture my eye when I'm working over there.
I almost gave up on the various Hydrangeas. I told the Fishman, "Remind me: Never again plant a Hydrangea!" They are heavy water-suckers, and they're never happy with hot temperatures and no rain. They were near dead for about a month. Then I see them like this after a good soaker, and my soft spot for them returns (a little).
Three beauties are currently blooming on the trellis bordering the potager: an unknown Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) from a seed mix, Maypops (Passiflora incarnata), and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). The bees, butterflies, caterpilllars, and hummingbirds enjoy that part of the garden (though I neglected to capture photos of pollinators for this post).
I've repeatedly tried to capture this duo over the seasons and the years, but photos simply don't do it justice. Threadleaf Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) surrounded by common variegated Hostas form a break between two paths. It's not the ideal spot for sun-loving Amsonia, but it thrives as a small shrub-like clump, with beautiful blue flowers in late spring and golden foliage in the fall. At this point in the summer, I cut back the spent Hosta flowers so the plants look a little tidier.
Near the porch, False Sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides) bloom with Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), another native plant that's a pollinator favorite.
Finally, American Cranberrybush Viburnum (V. opulus var. americanum) is sporting its late summer, golden-orange berries. They ripen to a beautiful bright red in autumn.
I almost gave up on the various Hydrangeas. I told the Fishman, "Remind me: Never again plant a Hydrangea!" They are heavy water-suckers, and they're never happy with hot temperatures and no rain. They were near dead for about a month. Then I see them like this after a good soaker, and my soft spot for them returns (a little).
Three beauties are currently blooming on the trellis bordering the potager: an unknown Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) from a seed mix, Maypops (Passiflora incarnata), and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). The bees, butterflies, caterpilllars, and hummingbirds enjoy that part of the garden (though I neglected to capture photos of pollinators for this post).
I've repeatedly tried to capture this duo over the seasons and the years, but photos simply don't do it justice. Threadleaf Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) surrounded by common variegated Hostas form a break between two paths. It's not the ideal spot for sun-loving Amsonia, but it thrives as a small shrub-like clump, with beautiful blue flowers in late spring and golden foliage in the fall. At this point in the summer, I cut back the spent Hosta flowers so the plants look a little tidier.
Near the porch, False Sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides) bloom with Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), another native plant that's a pollinator favorite.
Finally, American Cranberrybush Viburnum (V. opulus var. americanum) is sporting its late summer, golden-orange berries. They ripen to a beautiful bright red in autumn.
That's it for this "Six on Saturday," a wonderful meme hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations. Here's the participant guide. Enjoy!
I'm taking a bit of a blog break for a fun event that's been planned for many months. I'll share highlights when I return. "See" you at the end of August!
Is the dark leaved plant in your top photo a ipomea? It is lovely. Fabulous climbers and the berries on your viburnum are beautiful and so nice that they change colour. Do the birds love them? Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteHi Gill: Yes, I checked the tags to make sure I had the correct varieties and added a caption. Isn't that Sweet Potato Vine a beauty? I have it in several pots around the garden. I think it looks particularly eye-pleasing placed with light green/chartreuse foliage. Re: the Viburnum, yes the birds go for the berries, but they seem to wait until winter when some of the tartness has faded. I've been thinking maybe I should dry some for our consumption. The taste isn't pleasing to me when picked fresh, and I don't make jams or jellies. But maybe they'd be tasty dried. We'll see.
DeleteI love the contrasts of the foliage and flowers in that first photo. The American Cranberrybush Viburnum is a show.
ReplyDeleteThat pot of Impatiens and foliage plants was a quick planter, but I'm pleased with the results. They seem happy in their little corner. We have two of those Viburnum shrubs. They were actually volunteers, and I'm so happy they're part of the landscape.
DeleteThose Hostas are pristine and make a fabulous show.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, the Hostas were here when we moved in many years ago. A Cherry tree grew in the middle of the ring. When it died, I tried some other pots and plants in that spot, but the Amsonia seems like a natural companion.
Deletethe false sunflowers and Vervain look so good teamed up together.
ReplyDeleteHi Cath: They seem to be natural plant companions, and they seem to like their partly sunny location.
DeleteI'm a little in love with that Viburnum!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a beautiful native shrub. The berries are pretty from a distance, but even more attractive up close. The summer berry color is so unique. The shrub really has four-season appeal: spring with the lacecap flowers, mid- to late summer with the ripening berries, autumn with the colorful foliage, and winter with the remaining bright red berries. :)
DeleteGlad to hear your garden got some well-deserved rain! The mixed pot combination looks wonderful, and it’s always so rewarding to see hydrangeas bounce back after a dry spell. Have a wonderful blog break!
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) The rain truly helped. While some plants went dormant, the annuals and most of the hardy perennials really bounced back.
DeleteThat sweet potato vine is something!
ReplyDeleteI know--I love wine-colored foliage paired with light green or chartreuse plants. :)
DeleteI'm inspired by your hydrangeas. Mine didn't bloom at all this year after a very cold winter. They do need too much water but oh how lovely they are. American Cranberrybush Viburnum berries are very cool.
ReplyDeleteHi Susie: One of mine didn't bloom either, while the one with the blue flowers did. Last year, they were both covered in blooms. I think the especially cold temperatures and the shade in my garden challenged them a bit this year. The previous year, we had a milder winter. During drought, they're just so frustrating. Now the Viburnum came through the minor drought with flying colors.
DeleteHave fun Beth on your adventures.
ReplyDeleteMy friend Judy had an American Cranberrybush out her home-office window. It was a nice view. She placed a bright blue bird-feeder in the bush.
Oh, that sounds lovely. I know the birds love the berries, but they don't seem to consume them until December or January.
DeleteIt's a beautiful shrub when it's blooming, too. :)
What a beautiful garden you have. Incredible. But even if the flowers are special, I like a lot the arrangement from the fourth image!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the visit on my blog. All the best in your world!❤️😘
Thanks, Suzana. When we moved to this property, there was a Cherry tree in that wring surrounded by the Hostas. The Cherry tree died, and I tried a few other plants there before settling on the Amsonia. It seems to be happy in that place, for several years now. :)
DeleteThe first photo is so striking, I love all those colors together. The rain really gave everything a refresh. Have fun on your adventure!
ReplyDeleteYes, that Sweet Potato Vine is such a rich color. I need to remember that one again for next year. :)
DeleteStriking images, especially the swamp milkweed one. I'm seeing a lot of blue and white vervain in the meadows here, as the summer winds down.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tom! The Blue Vervain is such a striking shade of blue. And I love the tall shape and structure of the plant.
DeleteI am enjoying your combinations of colors and textures. I do love the Amsonia and hosta combination by the path!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. That Amsonia/Hosta pairing is fun. It never seems to quite look like the real thing in photos, but I'm pleased with how they work together.
DeleteI'm glad you got some rain. This is a lovely six - amazing how much those hydrangeas recover in a short amount of time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jerry. Yes, we've had some very pleasant rains in the past couple of weeks. It's wonderful to see the garden thriving again. :)
DeleteFabulous combinations, Beth. Hope you're enjoying the last of the warm summer days. I'm loving each and every one! Eliza
ReplyDeleteHi Eliza: Thanks! We had a wonderful trip at the end of August. And I agree: Gotta enjoy those last, warm summer days!
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