I am so pleased to say that I have several blooms that are quite exciting to me this month. First up is the Cardinal Flower. It is planted here with some tall Blue Lobelia and a wonder of wonders a Dusty Miller that lived through the winter. It was something of a surprise that the Dusty Miller lasted because the rabbits ate the other ones. I didn't expect it to live in the first place since none had ever done so before. Neither had Cardinal Flower so that is why I am excited about this one.
Now don't go noticing those papers on the ground. There are other things happening to this flower bed that I will talk about another time.
Look at this rather delicate looking vine going up the post with chicken wire around it. It is Passiflower Lutea, our native Passionflower. I planted it as a tiny tendril last year. The rabbits ate it to the ground, not once but twice. Then this year it took off.
It started budding up this past week. Then we got some rain day before yesterday and POP. We have blooms.
They are so small but they are sweet. I asked my DB to take pictures of the blooms. I couldn't get anything that resembled the flower.
They look like little stars. I hope they lure Fritillaries into the garden as they use this for laying eggs.
Rattlesnake Master (eryngium yuccifolium) is another plant that has taken me several tries to get established. I think I finally found a spot it likes. You can see that it will have to duke it out with the Northern Sea Oats.
This hardy Hibiscus isn't one of the new huge ones. I have had this plant for 40 years. I have moved pieces of it with me through all my moves. It reminds me of my childhood. I moved it once again this spring. It was out by the mailbox and was a pill to mow around so I moved it to the back garden. It doesn't get as much sun and I wondered if it would even take but here it is blooming once again.
If you look down this path, you can see that the rest of my blooms seem to be the stalwarts of this time of year. Hostas, black eyed Susans, tall Phlox, Monarda. In the bed on the right I have been removing some and planting others so there will be more of a mix next year.
How about your garden? What is blooming this 15th of August? Please do go over to Carol's at May Dreams Garden where many post about their blooms on the 15 of the month.
I love the passionflower with the tiny blooms! I've yet to get a passionflower vine to bloom in my current garden. I think it's fantastic that you've had the Hibiscus for 40 tears too. I can't think of any plant I've had that long. Happy GBBD, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI had a carpet rose that was one of the first that came out some 25 years ago. It died this winter from rabbits eating it to the ground more than once. I was so disappointed.
DeleteI've always wanted to try Cardinal Flower but figured they needed really moist soil. I admire it in the nursery so maybe I should try one (like I really need another plant). The passion flower is beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteYou should try it Phillip. I don't think they need constant water. I have seen them growing at the edge of wooded areas where there is certainly no standing water. They are short lived perennials but are supposed to seed themselves. I am ever hopeful. The hummingbirds are doing their duty by nectaring at them.
DeleteThat little passion flower is so cool!
ReplyDeleteI guess I posted "What's blooming" a bit early. But then I don't really do the meme anyway. Always fun to see what others have though.
Thats ok Linda. You have so much blooming all the time that your posts are full of blooms.
DeleteI love the Cardinal Flower. Tried to grow one here, that sure didn't work! Not its climate would be an understatement. So enjoy seeing yours.
ReplyDeleteSo cool you have a native Passionflower vine. That will be wonderful for butterflies.
The curving path is so inviting, and the metal strap globe on the column is an excellent focal point.
Thanks HB. It took me several tries to grow Cardinal Flower. Where it is planted is not a wet place but we had a very wet spring and it is right beside a bird bath. I give the Cardinal flower a shot of water when I clean the bird bath which during mosquito season is every day.
DeleteOh what a wonderful post and photos of your garden delights ~ Such treasures ~ simple beauty right in your own backyard ~ Divine!
ReplyDeleteI no longer have a garden ~ I have geraniums and vinca vines in deck planters ~ it is the ocean view that is my 'garden delight' ~ Nature gives us so much ~ whether from the earth, sky or ocean.
Happy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
You have the perfect setting for someone that no longer gardens. You have ever changing scenery. Nature never disappoints.
DeleteKrijgt de Passiebloem ook vruchten en zijn die eetbaar?
ReplyDeleteIk heb je bij mijn te volgen blogs gezet, makkelijker om je te volgen.
Gr Jan(Wilde een Tuin)
This Passionflower 'Lutea' does get small black fruits. I have read that they are edible but do not taste good. Some people make ink out of the berries.
DeleteYour garden blooms are all so lovely and I especially enjoyed the Passion flower with its delicate flowers. Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to have Cardinal Flower. I have planted it but it doesn't last for me. I'd like to have one of the Passonflower vines.
ReplyDeleteI love your garden, such a paradise. So much beauty. <3
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have you 'visit' and enjoyed your sweet comments for Zoe ~ wishing you a lovely Sunday ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
You can't beat the red of those cardinal flowers!
ReplyDeleteIt's always so exciting to have something bloom for the first time, especially after nurturing it for so long. I bet net year it will really take off, and I hope you get butterflies on it!
We have the common purple passion flower which is so vigorous to the point of becoming a nuisance. It's very pretty though. Is this one vigorous?
ReplyDeleteLisa your garden is just gorgeous. Even in the August heat everything looks like it is flourishing. Have never grown passion flower before. Loved seeing yours. Take care and have a super day. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and commenting and glad you enjoyed the 'sailboat' ride ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Again ~ so glad to have you visit and comment ~ hope you are enjoying your garden ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)