Sunny September Farewell

The last Sunday in September brought some much appreciated sunshine. Don't get me wrong- my sandy soil appreciates all the rain it can get but my spirit was in need of some light. Most of these pictures were captured on Sunday morning as the clouds were trying to clear out~ after lunch we had glorious sunshine!

I guess I haven't quite caught the hang of having distinct topics to my posts. The way I see it, winter will be here soon enough and their will be plenty of time to think about subjects. I want to revel in the wonders of the autumn garden until they're gone.

I believe these are the first blooms this year for Zephyranthes citrina. These are not heavy blooming rain lilies for me but the blooms always produce seeds that germinate readily if sown fresh.



More of the Vernonia lettermannii




And more of Viburnum bracteatum 'Emerald Luster'~ I really need to learn how best to propogate this one because it's a real winner.



This is a Spirea that was given to me marked 'Beryl Road'. It has been passed thru a couple of gardeners hands and I do know that it originated from NC State in one way or another. Either from the PAX Sale or the Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum annual plant grab. The arboretum in on Beryl Road. It blooms for me in Spring and again in Fall taking the Summer off.



My Rugosa rose that Sweetbay grew from seed.



This passalong pink Brugmansia has really bloomed its heart out this year. I walked by it one night last week and was treated to its wonderful fragrance that's not there in the daylight hours.



Stokesia 'Peachie's Pick' is still blooming even without deadheading from this lazy gardener.



A landscape shot of my newest bed. The building in the background is the back of my neighbor's house.



I love the foliage of Geranium sanguineum ~ which is a good thing since it hasn't bloomed alot for me.



A fully opened Georgia aster bloom~



Persicaria 'Firetail' blooming in the pot I brought it home in over a year ago(blushing).






Streptocarpus 'Falling Stars' is still blooming its little heart out while hidden under a swing on my deck for sun protection.



Can't remember the new name~ I know this as Gloxinia 'Evita'~ a new addition to the garden this year from a plant swap.



Salvia greggii 'California Sunset'~ just because I love it:)



I also caught some pretty cool butterfly pics but I'm saving those for Camera Critters since I haven't posted there in a couple of weeks.

Happy Fall Gardening!!! Bring on October:-)

Blooming Friday~ Favorite Wildflower

For Blooming Friday this week Katarina at roses and stuff asks us what our favorite wildflower is. My favorite wildflower may be different on any given day. I would not say that any flower currently blooming in my garden would be my favorite but I do have one on the verge of blooming that's a contender.

I received the seeds for Georgia Aster from a generous Garden Webber and native plant enthusiast from Georgia. I hope that all is well with her given the current state of affairs in parts of Georgia. I didn't even know what the plant and flowers would look like. I love it! It reseeds like a good wildflower too.

























This is a new acquisition from Plant Delights Nursery in July 09~ Vernonia lettermannii. I wish I still had some of the tall ironweed that is blooming in the wild here in NC.



Eupatorium coelestinum aka Wild Ageratum ~ definitely a "wild' flower.



I discovered these blooms for the first time this morning on this mystery Salvia. I suspect it's a microphylla but I don't remember planting it and I've had lots of salvias as trades and from seeds. An ID would be most welcome!

Morning Sauna

It's been a rainy week so far and I didn't even go outside on Monday and Tuesday mornings but necessity took me outside this morning and I couldn't help but look around. Through the morning mist I could see the showy blooms calling me. I thought- of all mornings to see such pretty blooms~ such unfavorable conditions. So I took the camera out to the garage to adjust to the outside temps and left it for as long as I could while I did other morning things. As soon as I stepped out of the shelter of the garage the camera lens fogged. I had no time to waste so I decided that I would take the pictures anyway- maybe the lens would defog before I was done. The backyard sauna prevailed and these are my offerings.

The approach~





'Red Flyer' Hibiscus with a surprise bloom- just when i think it's done.

"posterized"


regular hazy image




My attempt at salvaging one of the Canna 'Journey's End' shots



Full Haze



Daylily 'Cripple Creek'~ I have one more bud after this one.





One last shot before I'm off to work. Still foggy but at least I tried.

Appreciation

Even though Autumn is a wonderful season in NC the shortening days have a way of bringing on the blues. I decided the best way to combat them on this Monday morning is to look for the beauty in the season.






Daylily 'Cripple Creek' is still going.



Viburnum 'Emerald Luster' and White American Beautyberry



Rudbeckia triloba



Mexican Bush Sage



More blooms from 'Journey's End'



Japanese Beautyberry



Miscanthus 'Cabaret' towers above it all.

Contest Entry

As suggested I'm entering this photo of Miscanthus 'Cabaret' in bloom for the GGW Picture This Photo Contest.



I have quite a few ornamental grasses and would welcome more into the garden should I win the contest. 'Cabaret' is the largest grass that I grow and makes a real impact in my largest perennial bed.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day~ Another First

Until very recently my blog posts have been erratic and I have not attempted to participate in the Garden Bloggers community. I'm very happy to be posting my first GBBD!

Salvia 'San Carlos Festival' is finally putting on a show in my garden. It has barely bloomed through the growing season saving it all for a fabulous Fall Season~ I hope.



Salvia uliginosa, Bog Sage, has been a workhorse this year.



Garlic Chives are still pretty and attract all sorts of pollinators.



Buddleia 'Potter's Purple'- the first full year in the garden and I love it!



Caryopteris incana, Blue Mist.



Lespedeza



Anisicanthus quadrifidus var wrighttii



Miscanthus 'Cabaret'



Visit May Dreams Gardens for more about Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.