This is the time of year when I am so sick of watering, I could scream. Last week’s shower helped but the ground is very dry. Rain is predicted for Monday. It is noticeably cooler and it even got down into the 40s last night.
I’ve noticed trees changing color around town. Ours are just barely beginning to show some color. But change is definitely in the air.
Plants I’m enjoying right now –
A few weeks ago, I wrote about a gift of colchicum. I had not seen any trace of life until it rained. The following morning – magic!
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| Cochicum ‘Water Lily’ |
Another gift from years ago is the autumn cyclamen. Always a nice surprise! Kinnikinnick is growing over it and I like the effect.
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| Autumn Cyclamen |
I love asters and am constantly adding more to the garden. This is a recent purchase – ‘Starshine’
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| Aster ageratoides ‘Starshine’ |
This one is an unknown, given to me by a friend that I sometimes garden for. It is 6 feet tall! If anyone knows the name, I’d love to know it.
This flowering maple has to be thoroughly watered every day to keep it happy –
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| Abutilon megapotamicum ‘Variegatum’ (Flowering Maple) |
A new favorite this year is Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis). It has bloomed non-stop since planting. I have it in a pot and I’m going to attempt to over-winter it.
Crape Myrtle ‘Lunar Magic’ – notice someone else likes it too
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Lagerstroemia ‘Lunar Magic’ (Crape Myrtle)
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A sure sign that seasons are changing – Goldenrod ‘Fireworks’
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Solidago ‘Fireworks’
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The hummingbirds love the Himalayan Honeysuckle –
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Leycesteria formosa ‘Jealousy’ (Himalayan Honeysuckle)
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Here is a plant that is showing autumn colors early – Aronia melonacarpa ‘Low Scape Mound’. It was actually much more colorful a few days earlier but I failed to get a photo.
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| Aronia melonacarpa ‘Low Scape Mound’ |
During the past weeks, our house has been perfumed by the intoxicating fragrance of the Angel’s Trumpet. It is really strong on warm nights.
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| Brugmansia ‘Charles Grimaldi’ (Angel’s Trumpet) |
Grevillea rosemarinifolia – I love it but it is getting big!
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| Grevillea rosemarinifolia |
So many lovely fuchsias right now, I should do a post just on them. This one is a favorite of ours – Lady Boothby – right outside the living room window.
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| Fuchsia ‘Lady Boothby’ |
And finally, I leave you with this plant that is truly amazing at the moment. I call it “Pink Snowberry” – the full name is a mouthful – Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii ‘Kolmcan Candy’.
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Symphoricarpos
x doorenbosii ‘
Kolmcan’ ‘Candy’ (Coralberry)
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Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
