Aching Backs & High Summer Flowers

The weather has been glorious, and we even got rain twice last week. I ordered a chip drop on Friday and it arrived on Monday. It isn't always that fast. The amount we received was astounding -

I don't remember it being this much, but we don't have as many blank spots to cover now. Needless to say, this is way too much, and we've been pleading with neighbors to take some.

We worked all day Saturday spreading as much as we could and both ended up with severe back pain. And after all that work, there is still this much left -

Rainfall always makes a difference, and this time was no exception. I could actually see new growth overnight. 

Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita' - my favorite annual.

The fuchsias also look great this time of year.

'Lady Boothby', a climber looks especially good this year. 

Another beautiful fuchsia, even though there are no blooms, is 'Autumnale'.

Persicaria 'Golden Arrow'

Agastache 'Navajo Sunset'

Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchaud'

Dorotheanthus Mezoo (Red Apple) beginning to sport some blooms.

Cuphea 'Sugarbelles' - I find that hummingbirds are attracted to cupheas more than any other plant. The orange 'Vermillionaire' is a must-have every year and I decided to try a white variety, thinking that it would not be as popular. Fear not! They absolutely flock to it.

Crape Myrtle 'Lunar Magic'

Chelone (Turtlehead) is another nice fall-blooming plant (well, I should say "late summer").

Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel' is being slow this year. So far, nary a bloom but there are buds.

The only Canna I grow is 'Panache'. It has been spectacular this year, growing in a pot. This plant will always remind of Pam Harper because I first learned about it from one of her books.

Plants with easy-to-grow reputations are often difficult for me. Achillea (Yarrow) comes to mind and so does Black Eyed Susan Vine. This year, after yet another try, I am having better results.

Our front door entrance. The coleus don't get started well until late summer, but then watch out. The fuchsia above them is 'La Campanella'.  On the right is Dragonwing Begonia in the upper pot and Nemesia at the bottom right.

An early Aster is 'Kickin' Purple'. Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' is in back.

Also getting an early start is the Anenome. I hate this plant most of the year because it spreads but then I forget about that when it blooms.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy