Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Grand Debut

It has been a typical August week in the garden with hot temps and not much new to see except for the debut of flowers on Hibiscus grandiflorus. It seems as though the tight little flower buds transform magically overnight. I love this plant for its greyish green velvety leaves almost as much as these powder puff pink blooms. Another plus is the Japanese beetles and Sawfly larvae don't like the velvetey leaves.





Stokesia laevis 'Peachie's Pick' was divided and transplanted in several different locations in the garden last fall. The result has been a nice staggering of bloom time among the plants this summer.



My one stalk of Sedum 'Matrona' in bud. The voles ruined the original clump and this is a start over plant.



I thought I had removed Lantana 'Miss Huff' a couple of years ago but it has persisted amid the new plantings. I leave it to see who will win out.



My first clear shot of a Silver Spotted Skipper( I wish it had been captured with the newer camera).



The bunnies kept this new planting of Mexican Petunia trimmed back until recently. It's nice to finally see flowers.



Galaxy Explosion is reblooming.



This clump of Blue Love Grass didn't get a trim this year and is in full fluff.



And to finish~ my wonderful patch of Bog Sage~ still keeping the bees happy:)

3 comments:

  1. Lovely picture of the H. grandiflorus! I have seedlings in the ground, here's hoping for success. That's one hibiscus I haven't had good luck with for some reason. Peachie's Pick is a wonderful color isn't it?

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  2. I like the bog sage. Really pretty blue. Not sure why you would remove lantana....it is such a butterfly and hummingbird magnet.

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  3. The voles had done a number on the lantana and it had looked particularly large and ugly that winter. I always have another plant waiting to fill an open spot so... out it went before it even started new growth in Spring. From here on out I'm cutting it back in winter - if it doesn't return so be it. Lantanas aren't so expensive as annuals anyway.

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