Garden Blogger's Bloom Day for September 2019

Clematis tangutica 'Bill Mackenzie'

The change in weather has already started here in the Pacific Northwest. We received about an inch of rain last week and today and the next few days promises to be very wet. Today's high will only be in the mid 60's! This will really spoil me as I have an upcoming trip to Alabama where temperatures are still in the upper 90s. I sure hope that ends before I get there.

There are lots of blooms in the garden so where to begin? I will start with the containers on the front porch. I changed the plan a bit this year and instead of just planting one Dragon Wing begonia, I added a coleus and it seems very happy if a bit unruly. 

The back deck is filled with potted fuchsias. They look good although I think they would be better with more sun. Next year, Michael says he is going to try and create a cover that we can open and close to allow more light in. Some fuchsias just produce more blooms than others, even in limited light. 'June Bride' is one of those --

Fuchsia 'June Bride'

A new fuchsia, this one planted in the ground, is 'Surprise' -

Fuchsia 'Surprise'

'Cardinal' is another hardy fuchsia - it is 5 feet tall this year -

Fuchsia 'Cardinal'

Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite' is just beginning to bloom

but 'Catawba' has been blooming for the last month.

You know fall will soon be here when the goldenrod starts to bloom -

Solidago 'Fireworks'

as well as the asters...

Aster 'Kickin' Purple' 

Caryopteris 'Dark Knight' (Bluebeard) - so worth the wait. 

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' has to be one of the most dependable plants on earth.

Some hot summer blooms continue to amaze -

Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi') and Lantana "Miss Huff'

Salvia 'Hot Lips' and Sedum 'Cherry Truffle'

Some flowers have taken breaks and are now blooming again -

Erigeron (Fleabane)

Kniphofia 'Orange Crush'

Coreopsis 'Leading Lady Sophia'

Rosemary 'Irene'

The ornamental grasses are starting to look good -

Pennesetum 'Redhead' - I'm told this one will reseed all over the place. I hope not.

Some climbers -

Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata)

Clematis 'Rooguchi'

Climbing Monkshood (Aconitum hemslevanum)  

And the regular Monkshood (Aconitum 'Tall Blue')

I forgot the name of this hydrangea but I believe it is 'Bloomstruck'. It has the darkest russet color that seems to last forever.

I almost hesitate to include a buddleia photo as some people around here get up in arms about them. I have a few sterile cultivars and have not had any problems with them. This one is 'Flutterby Petite Blue Heaven'.

Echinacea 'White Swan', newly planted, still just a pup.

Rose 'Chinatown'

'Mary Rose'

And one tree bloom - this is Gordlinia x grandiflora (aka Mountain Gordlinia). My boss brought my attention to this. I had never heard of it before. It is a cross between the Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) and the loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus).

Gordlinia x grandiflora

And last, but certainly not least, is the autumn crocus. These were already planted here when we moved in and I love them. They were, however, in awful locations, so I relocated them earlier in the spring. I was excited to see them emerging -

Gardener's Bloom Day is hosted by May Dreams Gardens. Follow the link to get link to find see other garden bloggers across the country. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy