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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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Garden Blogger's Bloom Day for August 2019

Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi')

 This looks more like a July Bloom Day rather than August. We have had spectacular weather (although some might disagree) with really mild temperatures. Lately, most of the high temps have been in the 70s with a few days creeping into the 80s. It hit 90 on Tuesday but those days have been rare.

 On to Bloom Day which is the 15th of each month, a day for garden bloggers to post about what is blooming in their gardens. This brilliant endeavor was created by May Dreams Gardens and if you follow the link, you will find links to other garden blogs with more flowery eye-candy.

 August brings out the tropical-type flowers. The Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi') resides in a tall ceramic pot. There are a dozen blooms in the photo above (taken two days ago) and on Wednesday, there were 16. This plant is sitting on the south side of the house near the bedroom window and at night we can catch the delicious fragrance. We give it bloom booster fertilizer at least once per week and sometimes I will throw in some fish emulsion. This was a plant that I had doubts about in our climate but it is doing well.

 Another tropical flower in a nearby pot is Princess Flower (Tibouchina) - 
Princess Flower (Tibouchina)

A tree (or shrub if you like) that I thought would be a heat lover is the Chaste Tree (Vitex). It is blooming like crazy though on a rather small plant. There is a lovely tree-sized one at Joy Creek Nursery.

Chaste Tree (Vitex)

And one more for the tropical category - Spiked Ginger Lily (Hedychium spicatum), planted just this year, from Far Reaches Farm.

Spiked Ginger Lily (Hedychium spicatum)


The hydrangeas have been beautiful this year. Some are beginning to fade but others continue to shine -

I failed to note this one but I'm pretty sure it is 'Bloomstruck', a bargain found on the Home Depot clearance rack.


Hydrangea 'Pistache' - this one took a while to start blooming. It has a tendency to look either really bad or really good. Right now, good!

My favorite oakleaf hydrangea 'Snowflake' (discovered in Alabama).

I am becoming very fond of the mountain hydrangeas. This is Hydrangea serrata 'Omacha Nishiki'.

The roses are in re-bloom phase. I was particularly happy that the rambler 'Phyllis Bide' rebloomed nicely. I have not taken a photo but I did get shots of -

'Gold Medal'


'Lady Emma Hamilton'


'Eden' (Michael took this photo)

Other miscellaneous blooms -


Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) is about 8 feet tall. Blooming in front is Salvia 'Rockin Fuchsia', 'Casablanca' lilies and the rose 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'.


Pineapple Lily (Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy'), a bit past prime.


Clematis 'Polish Spirit' and 'Kiri Te Kanawa' 

Clethra 'Ruby Spice'


Coreopsis 'Leading Lady Sophia'

Crocosmia 'Twilight Fairy'


Dahlia 'Lolipop'

Unknown Dahlia


Kniphofia 'Poco Orange'

Persicaria 'Blackfield'



Gladiolas have been really spectacular this summer.

An unknown Hosta with particularly large blooms.

Happy Bloom Day!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. AlisonAugust 15, 2019 at 8:49 AM

    So many flowers on your Eucomis! Do you have several planted together there? I only ever get one flower on mine, and it keeps getting wimpier every year. I used to have a handful of Brugs, but I decided to stop growing them because they are so fertilizer-intensive and don't start flowering till so late. And they take up a lot of room in the garage over the winter.

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    1. Phillip OliverAugust 15, 2019 at 5:38 PM

      Alison, there are 3 of the eucomis planted together. As for the brugmansia, this is the first time I've grown it here and haven't decided if I will try putting it in the ground or inside. I've heard from people who have grown it successfully outside but our winters have been mild recently.

      Delete
  2. chavlinessAugust 15, 2019 at 10:29 AM

    Such a diverse array of blooms! Your garden must be stunning in person. I'm a fan of Oakleaf hydrangea ; even when the blooms fade I find those shrubs to be beautiful, year round actually. I'll love to have 'snowflake' if there was room left in my garden...
    I'm making a note of your Crocosmia 'Twilight Fairy'. I got rid of 'Lucifer' that was too vigorous; kept a couple of corms for the joy of humming birds, and planted NOID orange variety: smaller and better behaved. I'd like to have another red that isn't so thuggish, and 'Twilight Fairy' may just be the one, if I can find it.

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    1. Phillip OliverAugust 15, 2019 at 5:40 PM

      Yes, you need 'Snowflake'! Where do you live? The nursery in Vancouver where I work has 'Twilight Fairy' crocosmia. We have 4 left in 4" pots for 8.99. According to the tag, it only gets 18" inches tall.

      Delete
    2. chavlinessAugust 17, 2019 at 7:17 AM

      Thank you Phillip, but it's rare that I go that far south. I garden in Northwest Seattle, near Carkeek Park. I don't suppose your nursery does mail orders.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowAugust 15, 2019 at 12:38 PM

    As always you have a great selection of blooms Phillip. I was wondering if your Brug is able to be outside all winter? It seems like it get pretty cold for it. Happy GBBD.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverAugust 15, 2019 at 5:41 PM

      Lisa, this is the first time I've grown it here and haven't decided if I will try putting it in the ground or inside. I've heard from people who have grown it successfully outside but our winters have been mild recently. In my former garden, I left it outside for many winters before a really harsh one killed it.

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  4. Kris PetersonAugust 15, 2019 at 2:28 PM

    Of all the wonderful flowers included in your post, I was most struck by Hydrangea 'Pistache' and those glorious blue Clematis. Hydrangea hasn't got much of a chance of surviving the dry conditions of my garden but I'm making a renewed bid to grow more clematis. Happy GBBD!

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverAugust 15, 2019 at 5:43 PM

      I have mixed results with clematis but for the most part, they do well. I always forget to plant them deep. A lot of times when you think you've lost one, it will still be alive and come back. Don't give up too easily!

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  5. betty-NZAugust 16, 2019 at 5:05 PM

    What a wonderful garden! It's so full of colors and textures, I would love to wander around in it! Your garden will keep me going until my spring arrives :)


    My Corner of the World

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