There are so many blooming beauties, it is hard to recount them all, and here we offer a brief list
June
As the purple Salvia, East Friesland, were already blooming like crazy the luminescence of the Limelight Hydrangea, Little Lime Hydrangea and Bobo Hydrangea set the bright backdrop to allow the purple Salvia to shine. Peeking through the midst of these, with the fragrance to pull you closer, the Peach Drift Rose reaches above the Salvia with a soft pallet of color and ever blooming spirit – the above combination blooms until the first hard frost. Limelight Hydrangea growing to 6 to 8 feet – Little Lime growing 4 to 5 feet and the Bobo growing 3 to 4 feet. As a treat for us and the birds the Amelanchier or Serviceberry bears their fruit approximately the second week of June.
July
Cotinus or Smoketree opening soft “smoke” like blossoms for the next month or so, surrounded by Goldmound Spirea, which began a soft pink blossom in June and carries the vibrant yellow leaf color throughout the growing season, both shrub and tree offer very easy care. Step aside Lilacs as the fragrant honeysuckle takes over the air and many variety of Daisy and Baltonia dance in the soft breeze. The Gaura bloom diligently, Karalee petite, whirling butterflies and the likes hoping to draw the fluttering ones near, Gaultheria procumbens offering red delicious fruit to draw us near as well. And still, certain varieties of Poppy continue to bloom along with Clematis, Balloon Flower, Foxglove, Coreopsis, Spiderwort and much more.
August
Gaillardia – blanket flower & Perovskia – Russian sage continue to bloom into august up to the first hard freeze, certain tall garden phlox also continue their bloom into August. The Franklinia tree, which has not been found in the wild since 1790, blooms late in the season and adorns itself in a vibrant red fall cloak. Certain southern Magnolias are blooming later in season, as well as the giant Sunflower reach their glory amongst the ever blooming annual color of Begonia, certain impatien varieties, Abelia, Geranium and the likes. The vegetable garden is coming into full swing as well, offering the taste buds as well as the eyes a delicious treat. Echinacea continues to bloom from the end of June along with Asclepias, Eupatorium, Buddleia and Stokesia Aster – which may re-bloom in September or October.
September
Party Favor and Sultry Kiss Hibiscus began to bloom late June and continue through October as the Black eye Susans begin their fall show. Oddly enough we have witnessed black eye Susans blooming throughout the year this year beginning in June – which is rather odd added to the fact we have also watched Vinca minor continue with a sporadic purple bloom from May into late October – the Autumn Joy Sedum and other varieties of the same are welcoming fall to the scene. As Liriodendron from miles around have called it a year, they have gathered their yellow fall jackets in the heat of the season and decided to de-leaf a tad early, dropping almost the entirety of their leaves by mid-August.
Then there is the Mum.
October
There is the mum, whether perennial or annual – October is the month for mums – corn stalks, and apple cider. The Heptacodium also blooms in the month of October – very overlooked – often misunderstood – the Heptacodium Seven Son Flower tree is one of the few fall blooming trees and did we mention it is very fragrant? And will carry the look of bloom throughout the winter! At this time the brilliant red berries of the Winterberry Holly are shining bright just waiting for the first snowfall so they may be center show. The Miscanthus grasses are full of fall plumes as the remaining asters finish up strong allowing the late blooming Delphinium and Anemones – short and tall – to dance their way into the gardeners’ heart. Though many a flower are still blooming and the Chinese lantern is a real treat! Hang on as the Witch hazels are just gearing up…….That is the wonderful thing about gardening……
There is always more –
