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 charmer, loaded with blooms that the bees adore. I've not had any trouble with it spreading. 

I have terrible luck with coneflowers with the exception of 'White Swan'. It has been most reliable and a tough plant. 

'Moonrise' Japanese maple in a pot. Most of the maples in pots look terrible this time of year but this one, which sits in a corner on the deck, looks great. It is in all shade. 

Fuchsias have an uphill battle against August heat, but most have been really good this year. Last month, my favorite was 'La Campanella' which is still gorgeous. This month, I'm choosing 'Voodoo" which has the largest blooms. I thought about including 'Lady Boothby' which also really thrives in late summer. 

Spanish Flag (Ipomoea lobata) is one of my favorite annual vines. I've learned that it has to be started early by seeds to successfully bloom here in the PNW.  I don't always remember. This year I am trying two different spots. This one faces east, toward my neighbor's yard, so I only see it when I'm watering. The second one is in a more prime spot, on the front arbor, but it isn't blooming yet.  

Nerium Oleander  (Hardy White') is a new purchase this year. I noticed oleanders growing successfully just a few blocks from us and am excited to try one. It is already a fantastic bloomer and growing fast.

Nicotiana 'Fragrant Cloud' is an annual plant that I try to grow every year. It is a bit messy looking, but such a strong bloomer. For the life of me, I cannot detect a scent and I've even walked outside after dark to take a sniff - still nothing.

Canna 'Panache' is blooming more than ever this year. I did have it in two different spots in the ground and was never satisfied with it and finally decided to put it in a pot a few years ago. This plant will always remind me of Pam Harper, who wrote about it in her book "Time Tested Plants".

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy