August Garden
(Revised 30 Jan 2011)
Usually, August is more or less a continuation of July for summer flowers. The problem is the summers here have a tendency to be either too dry or too wet, and can be very disappointing when the eagerly anticipated summer blooms fail, or some precious conifers give up after doing well for many years.
I find that this is the time I enjoy some of the ornamental conifers most; perhaps because they stand out more from the masses of bright colour summer flowers and thick leafy green leaves.
Larix decidua 'Pendula'
A few other samples…
(More on conifers here)
The Phlox paniculata blooms were started earlier.
Phlox paniculata 'Norah Leigh'
Even the sedums made their move earlier.
A little grouping of sedums
Although I love Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’; its reliable non-floppy structure, its flower colour change from August into fall, and its ‘maintenance free’ nature, I find that Sedum spectabile ‘Brilliant’ has everything ‘Autumn Joy’ has, but much more vigorous and substance.
Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant'
Our Callunas seemed to do better in the last couple of years. These are hard to grow in our area, but we keep trying.
Calluna vulgaris 'Dark Star'
Couple more examples….
Some heucheras do have decorative flower. Those without bright flower can still stand out in the summer garden.
Heuchera 'Paris'
Heuchera 'Dark Secret'
We are not into expensive exotic hemerocalis. We are happy enough with cheaper varieties (for now). I did not take any Hemerocallis pictures last August. The examples here are from 2009.
‘John Gerard’, ‘Sunday Gloves’, ‘Wish Fulfillment’, ‘Seminole Picotee’
Ratibida from seeds intended as filler background plants and for clay spots; still waiting for a permanent home.
Ratibida
(Visit September Garden)
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We know too much and feel too little. At least we feel too little about those creative emotions from which a good life springs.
- Bertrand Russell