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Buttonbush

The Buttonbush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis) is an unusual shrub with curious white pincushion flowers. It is found in the wild all over the United States, usually in swamps and moist areas.  Growing up in rural Alabama, I remember seeing it in the woods behind our house.  It doesn't garner much attention until the blooms make their appearance.  Sources vary on the size of the plant. In the wild, it can get to 20 feet but in gardens, most likely under 12 ft. In my garden, it is about 4 feet tall after five years in the ground. It is located along the back fence in an area that doesn't get much supplemental water although I am working on the area and watering more often this year. The flowers have a slight honey-like fragrance. Bees love this plant! Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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July Bloom Day 2017

Yarrow, lilies, agastache, Rose 'Marie Pavie'

We have so many blooms this month that I don't know where to begin! I know there is no way to include them all so I will select a few highlights.

The white rose in the photo above and below is the Polyantha rose 'Marie Pavie'. It is surrounded by Giant Hyssop (Agastache rugosa) and a Yarrow (Achillea) that I can't remember the name of.

Rose 'Marie Pavie' and Agastache rugose (Giant Hyssop)

Achillea 'Song Siren Little Susie' and Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissimaand)
A newly acquired Achillea named 'Song Siren Little Susie'. Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) surrounds it.


Buddleia 'Blue Chip' and Nicotiana
Buddleia 'Blue Chip Jr.' and Nicotiana 'Fragrant Cloud'


Monarda 'Scorpion' (Bee Balm)
Monarda 'Scorpion'


Hydrangea 'Pia'
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Pia'


coreopsis-leading-lady-sophia
Coreopsis 'Leading Lady Sophia'


Chaenorrhinum-origanifolium "Summer-Skies'
Dwarf Snapdragon
(Chaenorrhinum origanifolium 'Summer Skies') and Origanum 'Kent Beauty'



Clematis viorna
Clematis viorna


Penstemon 'Blue Midnight'
Penstemon 'Blue Midnight'

Gaillardia grandiflora 'Oranges and Lemons'
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia grandiflora 'Oranges and Lemons')


Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie)

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'


Nemesia
Nemesia - I was told that these annuals would falter in the heat of summer but they seem to be quite tough.


Nigella (Love in a Mist)
Nigella (Love in a Mist), grown from seed


Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums in the vegetable garden


Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'
Rose 'Tequila Sunrise'


Petunia 'Moonstruck' and Osteospermum (African Daisy)
African Daisy (Osteospermum) and Petunia 'Moonstruck'


Fuchsia 'Santa Claus'
Fuchsia 'Santa Claus'


Fuchsia 'Golden Gate'
Fuchsia 'Golden Gate'
Mimulus (Monkey flower)
Mimulus (Monkey Flower)
Crocosmia 'Dragonfire'
Crocosmia 'Dragonfire'
Here is a shot of the terraced beds (a work in progress) -



Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Check out what is blooming in other blogger's gardens around the world.  

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 16, 2017 at 4:56 AM

    Oh my Phillip, your garden is chucked full of luscious blooms. I love some of your combinations. Santa in summer is very good. The WOP is coming along quite nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverJuly 17, 2017 at 7:30 AM

      Thanks Lisa. We are a little gaga over the fuchsias here.

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 16, 2017 at 6:46 AM

    Beautiful as always. I often use your photos as a screensaver on my computer. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chickadee GardensJuly 16, 2017 at 9:08 AM

    Looking amazing! Everything seems to have filled in so quickly! You have created an incredible transformation, Phillip.

    ReplyDelete
  4. danger gardenJuly 16, 2017 at 9:56 AM

    You seem to be right at home here in the PNW...

    ReplyDelete
  5. chavlinessJuly 16, 2017 at 12:52 PM

    Fantastic photos, I especially liked the opening combo vignettes. By the way, the steps are looking GOOOOD. Had nots seen any shots of it since you first started the project. Magnificent to see it now.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Barbara H.July 16, 2017 at 7:10 PM

    So much to love! I really like the Giant Hyssop and the color of that Crocosmia. The Work in Progress looks fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  7. debsgardenJuly 16, 2017 at 8:27 PM

    Wow! Your terraced beds are well on their way to becoming fantastic. I love Fuchsia 'Santa Claus!' I am jealous of all your healthy vibrant blooms; you can guess how blooms and gardeners are suffering in Alabama's July!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AlisonJuly 16, 2017 at 11:21 PM

    Those terraced beds are coming along nicely. Great combo, that Achillea with the Mexican feather grass.

    ReplyDelete
  9. LINDA from Each Little WorldJuly 17, 2017 at 5:23 AM

    What a luxurious display of blooms! Your first image reminded me of the kind of pictures I used to look at in books when I first started gardening. They set me dreaming about what might be possible and you certainly have achieved it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AaronJuly 17, 2017 at 7:13 AM

    I'm a big fan of the Clematis viorna and the queen of the prairie.

    Have you grown love-in-a-mist before? I grew it one year intentionally and had approximately a bazillion seedlings the next year. Not sure if it will behave the same in the PNW, but just warning you. It's a cute plant and easy to pull, but not sure if you want a whole garden full of it...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverJuly 17, 2017 at 7:29 AM

      Aaron, I did grow it from seed in Alabama and it was amazing. I think it does reseed here as well. I will have to be careful.

      Delete
  11. CommonWeederJuly 17, 2017 at 1:06 PM

    Your photos of your beautiful flowers are fantastic. I was fascinated by the mimulus. I thuoght t he crocosmia I planted last year never sprang into life - but here it is this year. I am so happy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Endah MurniyatiJuly 18, 2017 at 1:06 AM

    Awesome! I have never seen some of the flowers above in the real. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Alyse LansingJuly 23, 2017 at 1:03 AM

    So beautiful. Thanks for sharing your July collection!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dee NashJuly 23, 2017 at 4:31 AM

    Things are really coming along in your new garden. I also grow 'Marie Pavie.' A friend gave me one for two of our children's First Communions, and they just chug right along. Do you find it easier to grow things out there? I imagine it's much easier, but is there a lot of rain in winter? Thanks for sharing on Bloom Day. I didn't get my Bloom Day post up in time. ~~Dee

    ReplyDelete
  15. EveAugust 20, 2017 at 5:32 PM

    Absolute heaven!! I really wanted to try to grow Love in a Mist but no success. Boo!

    ReplyDelete

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