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Ten August Favorites

Ginger Lily ( Hedychium coccineum 'Tara') With the exception of a few hot spells, August has been tolerable. However, beginning tomorrow, we are in for a 5-day heat wave. Disgusting! August is the month for plants that really love the heat. I have to begin with the Ginger Lily 'Tara' which is blooming for the first time. I posted a few weeks ago about how excited I was to see the bloom stalk. They have slowly opened with a few flowers every day. It has been well worth the wait.  Other favorites - Continuing the orange theme is Lantana 'Miss Huff' which is growing in a pot (that is the heather 'Firefly' in the foreground). This lantana can survive in the ground if situated in a protected area and it isn't too wet. Previously, one grew in the back garden along the south foundation and got huge (about 3' x 5'). I finally took it out after a particularly tough winter and it was slow to bounce back.  Allium ' Millenium' is a small charme...

August Vibes


For August, the weather hasn't been too bad with warm to mild temperatures and several marine layers this week that have lasted until noon. In addition to getting some gardening chores accomplished, I took some photos -










Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Beautiful photos of a beautiful garden, Phillip! However, given that your bench shot shows that a geranium has taken over, it looks as though you haven't given yourself many opportunities to sit down and enjoy it ;)

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    1. This is true. I wanted to cut it back and Michael insisted we leave it.

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  2. Gorgeous, Phillip! You do August right! I am tempted to get a Vitex now that you've shown it here and in your July favorites.

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  3. Oh, my! So beautiful. I remember when you put those steps in...
    The bench shot in particular is romantic and magazine worthy: I'm glad Michael insisted :-D
    I see your Phormium is fully recover since a couple of winters ago. Right above it in the far left corner: are those 'red twig' dogwood branches in the large pot?
    Chavli

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    1. I have cut the phormium down close to the ground for the past two seasons. Now that I know it will rebound, it is painless. Those twigs are a variety of different things, spray-painted red by Michael.

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  4. How beautiful, you've created a masterpiece! I especially love the path photos #3 & #5. So lush, your garden looks like it appreciates the mild summer.

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  5. Your garden is so lovely, Phillip! Each path draws your eye further in...so lush. Debbie Crockett

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  6. I've been following you and your garden for a while via your emails, and it just gets more beautiful every year! Thanks so much for sharing your gardening passion!

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  7. Love these photos. An inspiration for a Vancouver Island gardener. What is the purple flowering bush, very tall, in photo #8? Love your use of colours. Divine!

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